(no title)

Barcelona: A City Where One Week Is Never Enough

Barcelona is a city with a unique vibe, where anyone can find something of interest thanks to the great variety of events, places and cultural sites the city has to offer. What’s more, its Mediterranean climate makes it worth visiting all year around.

A City with unique architecture

Enjoy a beautiful view of the Sagrada Família, the beautiful church designed by Gaudí that is currently under renovation and planned to be finished by 2026 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the death of the genius architect. Gaudí also designed other iconic locations in the city like the Parc Güell, La Casa Batlló or La Pedrera.

A City with great history

Barcelona was founded by the Romans, and since then has been one of the most important cities in Europe and the world. Walk around the district Ciutat Vella to enjoy the medieval Barcelona and visit its wonderful cathedral, or walk through the streets of El Born or El Raval to enjoy the history of the city from the beginnings of the 20^th century.

A City to enjoy outdoors

The proximity of the mountain and the sea make Barcelona special. You can spend the morning on one of the city’s beaches swimming in the Mediterranean sea, and then take the afternoon to hike atop a small mountain to enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset. Parc de la Ciuatadella also offers great opportunities to relax, as well as Montjuic, the mountain next to the port where you’ll find the Olympic rings and a castle from the 17^th century.

A City with Mediterranean food

Barcelona is known to be the home of some of the best cooks of the world like Ferran Adrià. The city offers lots of places to enjoy local specialties like paella, jamón de jabugo or tortilla de patatas. It offers an array of food from many countries and continents, making it easy to satisfy everyone’s taste. Walk down to one of Barcelona’s bars with a great choice of fresh coffee, Spanish beer and different kinds of wine, doors being open for guests from early morning until late at night.

A City known all over the world

Since the Olympic summer games in 1992, Barcelona has been the host of multiple international events; from the Mobile World Congress where you can find out anything and everything about the latest phone technology, to the Primavera Sound and Sònar music festivals, which attracts the best modern bands who come to the city to play their music on the beaches.

A City of sports

World-renowned F.C. Barcelona play every other weekend at their home ground of Camp Nou, which visitors can tour and watch a game with star players Messi, Neymar or Suárez doing their thing. Barcelona also hosts different sports events during the year, like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Moto GP race, both held on the circuit of Montmeló.

Milan: The Latest Things To Do

Book Here

Milan at first glance

While the city’s metropolitan area stretches far and wide, Milan’s centre is quite compact and can be crossed quickly. The public transportation network is efficient, whereas the traffic is usually intense, but well-regulated. Walking all the way across the centre could take less than an hour, but it is worth taking more time to have a look around.
Piazza Duomo, the wide square where the city’s cathedral stands, is unquestionably the most famous Milanese spot worldwide. The golden statue of the Virgin Mary, locally known as Madunina, has become the city’s de facto symbol, “overlooking Milan”, as a popular song goes. Incidentally, the stunning view from the Duomo top is not to be missed.

Just like any Italian city, Milan is dotted with beautiful churches, some of which are very ancient. Sant’Ambrogio, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, or Santa Maria delle Grazie, hosting Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper, are just the most famous examples.
However, secular architecture is by no means less interesting. Piazza Duomo is also the main access point to the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th century architectural masterpiece recalling the Parisian passages, connecting the square to Teatro La Scala. A 10 minute walk from Piazza Duomo will take you to Castello Sforzesco, another major Milanese landmark. Formerly the residence of the Sforza family, this vast citadel now hosts several museums and borders Parco Sempione, the largest park in central Milan and the perfect nature spot to relax.

The northern side of the city hosts modern skyscrapers (the 231-metre-tall Unicredit Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Italy), whereas the southern part of the centre offers a glimpse of popular architecture along the banks of the city’s canals, known as Navigli, to date one of the city’s most vibrant areas.

Bottom line: what makes Milan so fascinating is the frequently elusive character of its beauty. It takes, indeed, a good deal of curiosity and attention to the smallest details to fully appreciate the city. Many delightful gardens, buildings, churches or museums often go unnoticed, unless you find out about them.

No time to get bored

Milan and its residents are often depicted as hectic, restless, always on the move. For sure, the city offers as much entertainment as you could hope for, both during the day and at nighttime.
One of the world fashion capitals alongside Paris and New York, Milan hosts many of the most important ateliers in Italy. Twice per year, the Fashion Week event anticipates the upcoming season’s trends and calls many celebrities to the city. Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga are home to the most luxurious boutiques, whereas cheaper brands can be found in corso Buenos Aires, Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Torino.

Those who prefer museums to binge shopping will be spoilt for choice, as well. Piazza Duomo and its immediate surroundings, just like Castello Sforzesco, host an incredible variety of artistic and historical collections, some of which are private, and/or need to be booked in advance. Make sure you do not miss out on the Pinacoteca di Brera in the arty namesake district. Science lovers, on the other hand, can head to the Natural History or Technology museums.

Last but not least, the Milanese nightlife has nothing to envy from other big cities worldwide. No matter if you are more of a clubber or an opera connoisseur, or if you would rather opt for live music, you will find the perfect event to fit your expectations. However, Milan is just unbeatable in Italy when it comes to the theatre scene, be it opera, ballet, or prose.

A Spotlight On Milan: Discover All It Has To Offer

Book Here

Compared to Rome, Milan (or, as the Italians call it, Milano) has quite a different charm, which has been brought back to splendour over the past few years.  Sure, the second-largest Italian city has always been renowned for its leading role in the fashion industry and as the Bel Paese’s financial hub. Even before the 2015 edition of the World Exhibition took place here, few people had never seen a picture of the Duomo, one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe, or heard of La Scala Theatre, possibly the Mecca of Italian opera.  Still, compared to Rome’s magnificence, or to other iconic Italian cities such as Florence or Venice, Milan has mistakenly been overlooked until recent times. As a matter of fact, there is plenty to see and do all over the city at all times. Whether you come here for leisure or business, you can be sure you will never run out of inspiration!

  A gateway between the North and South  

Even foreigners soon come to realise how strikingly diverse Italy can get from place to place, in spite of being one of Europe’s smaller countries. Those who have travelled around Europe may find Milan more similar to Paris or Vienna rather than to Rome or Naples. What’s more, the city was dominated by Spain, Austria and France and this combined heritage is still perceivable in the local traditions, dialect, architecture and atmosphere. Other Italians regard the Milanese as down-to-earth and business-oriented, but it would be more truthful to say that the city looks and feels more ‘metropolitan’ than any other place in Italy – Rome included.   This does not mean, of course, that Milan “does not feel like Italy”. Fashion, opera, and many of the most famous Italian artists and scholars have been brought to fame here. Thousands of people from all over the country and the world move to the city every year to work and study. Many delicacies such as panettone, risotto or gorgonzola cheese originate from Milan, and you can enjoy the unique aperitivo experience (a pre-dinner drink, accompanied by finger food) at its finest. Make sure not to miss the local espresso!

London: Why It’s Still The Best Place To Be

Book a London residence with us today!

London has a way of charming people from every walk of life. It is, by turns, sophisticated and laid back, traditional and diverse, classic and vibrant. Here are just a few reasons why London is still the coolest capital in 2016.

Enduring iconic locations

Whether you want to admire Tower Bridge, walk the zebra crossing at Abbey Road, catch a black cab or pose for a photo beside Platform 9¾, London is full of iconic buildings, scenery and traditions that have to be seen in person.

Entertainment and shopping

London arguably has the best theatre scene in the world, offering an enormous variety of shows. There are almost 40 venues in London’s West End alone, making it the perfect place to brighten up your evening with a musical.

The city is also heaven for fashion and shopping lovers. Head to Knightsbridge for top designers, browse high street flagships on Oxford Street or hit one of London’s varied markets to browse through vintage clothes, antiques and bric-a-brac. In city which is home of the British Royal Family, you can also shop where the Royals do by visiting companies with a Royal Warrant. Some London brands on the list include Fortnum and Mason’s for groceries and produce, Floris of London for perfume and Smythson for stationery.

World-class cuisine

From fine dining in Michelin-starred restaurants (try Gordon Ramsay’s offering in Chelsea for luxurious dining or Gymkhana in Mayfair for superb curry) to hearty Sunday roasts (try Blacklock in Soho or The Albion in Islington), just thinking about the diversity and quality of the food scene in London is enough to set your mouth watering. Don’t forget to indulge in an elegant afternoon tea – the most quintessentially English of meals – at one of London’s stylish and historic hotels (The Ritz, Claridge’s and The Dorchester are all excellent choices). You can even combine delicious food with spectacular city views at restaurants like The Shard’s TĪNG or Hutong, or the Sky Garden’s Darwin Brasserie or Fenchurch Terrace.

Rich in culture for all ages

With some of the world’s best museums and galleries, London has culture in abundance. Best of all, most offer free entry. Take advantage of this in order to marvel at the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, as well as pieces of Ancient Greece’s Parthenon or masterpieces by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Turner, Monet and Van Gogh (to name but a few). Or please the younger crowd with a trip to see colossal dinosaur skeleton casts at the Natural History Museum or the Apollo 10 command module at the Science Museum.

Beauty from the streets to the skyline

Wandering the streets and relishing the city’s sights is a joy in itself, whether taking in the view from the Southbank or strolling through pretty neighbourhoods like Notting Hill or Covent Garden. Vantage points like the Shard take this to another level, with stunning panoramic views of the metropolis, while the city’s many parks and gardens provide an idyllic counterpoint to city life.

Paris: Why It Is Still One Of Europe’s Greatest Destinations

A fascinating city, Paris has enchanted many travellers and received an incredible number of love declarations. One of these came in 1953, when the American composer and songwriter Cole Porter wrote the popular song I love Paris. Recently, the French singer Vanessa Paradis released a new version of the song, which indirectly raises the question : why is Paris still so amazing today ?

A Vibrant City

I had the chance to grow up in Paris and I can say that what has always struck me about my city is its very complex beauty. It is both irregular and multiple, as it includes the elegance of the old French aristocracy, the many flavours and vibrant colours of the African district in the north of the city and the Asian charm of Little Tokyo, the Japanese corner situated next to the Garnier Opera. The typical architecture of Haussmann buildings give Paris a unifying theme, as well as the numerous coffee shops painted in shades of red. Walks in Paris are never disappointing, and the metro exit of every station reveals a charm of its own.

Arts & Leisure

From an artistic point of view, Paris is a main destination for European culture, a must-do city for art lovers. You can decide whether to visit museums (such as Le Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin Museum), exhibitions (Grand and Petit Palais, Pompidou Centre, Fondation Louis Vuitton, monuments (the famous Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Versailles estate, guided tours (amongst the most charming, the Paris by Night in a Citroen 2CV époque car), galleries, theatres and I will finish this non-exhaustive list by recalling the magic of the Disney Parks. According to Condé Nast’s Traveler, Paris is the world’s Best City for arts and culture.

A Fashionable City

Paris is equally regarded as the fashion capital of the world, and France is considered as a leading country when it comes to the fashion design industry. To name but a few, there is Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Chloe, Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès, Lanvin, Rochas, Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent. If you are interested in style and glamour, take a walk on Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne or even plan to attend the biannual Paris Fashion Week.

French cuisine and Parisian tastes

When in Paris, you have to try traditional French Parisian food and gastronomy: don’t forget to have some macaron sweets, a baguette, good red wine and a helping of blue cheese. These products, as well as dishes like the beef stew Pot au Feu or the steak Entrecôte Marchand de Vin, will definitely make your visit to Paris more authentic.

With glass of champagne in your hand, you will feel like humming to Cole Porter’s song, and you will see why Paris is such an amazing destination today….

I love Paris in the springtime.

I love Paris in the fall.

I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,

I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.

I love Paris every moment,

Every moment of the year…