What are the best restaurants to try when visiting London? What should you try while you're there?
Hello Anthony! There are so many places to try in London and I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Here is my personal list of places that I share with friends who are visiting. Hope that helps!Coffee- Princi (On Wardour Street in Soho, Italian cafe with amazing coffee and food, great for lunch)- Yumchaa (cozy tea/coffee place in Soho, large sofas and nice pastries)- Black Sheep (coffee chain but fantastic quality- probably the best in London)- If you're in Shoreditch- most places that are not a chain are very good- Colbert in Sloane SqLunch- Dean St Townhouse for an upscale bistro lunch (near Soho)- Kanada-yo (Ramen near Covent Garden)- Hummus Bros on Wardour St- Inamo in Soho (sushi), for a quick sushi option I would recommend Itsu Sushi- Ahi Poke (Hawaiian food that is truly delicious, on Charlotte St which is very near to Soho)- If you're on Brick Lane you cannot miss the famous Bagel Shop (try the pulled pork with mustard), open until very lateDinner- Chotto Matte in the heart of Soho on Dean St. My favourite Japanese/Cuban restaurant, amazing vibe, great bar downstairs (a little pricey but worth it, taster menu is fab)- Cicchetti (Italian Tapas, Covent Garden)- Pix (Spanish Tapas in Soho, cool vibe)- Gaucho Steakhouses (it is a chain but the coolest one is on Swallow street)- Meat Liquor for burgers in an underground, graffittied environment (there are 2 and I recommend the one in Hoxton Sq, which is in Shoreditch)- Dishuum (amaaazing Indian, there are a few around but you should book in advance)- The Blues Kitchen (Shoreditch, great food but book in advance if you can, they have live music)- Dinerama in Shoreditch is a huge sea container filled with stalls and a bar upstairs, fun and quirky- The Oak in Notting Hill is simply delicious Italian food in a cozy and romantic setting, has a great bar upstairs
I'm traveling to Venice (and Italy in general) for the first time. What should I know and what must I visit?
All alleyways lead to St. Mark’s Square, which you cannot avoid, and really need to experience. It’s a very eclectic gathering of tourists from all around the world, and the visual experience is truly iconic.I think that you should buy at least a one day water bus pass, and get a map, so you can visit the many islands…as was mentioned before, especially Burano and Murano. Spend time on the water!I’m not a big fan of the glassware in Murano (it’s just not to my taste)…and I’m always afraid that it’s going to break on the flight home. That said, there are glass blowing exhibitions that are worth the $5 price of admissions just to see how it’s done.Everything is prohibitively expensive in Venice, which is to be expected, since everything is imported from the mainland, and Italy is expensive to begin with. There are lots of tourist-y things to buy for friends back home…most are made in China.There are literally hundreds of small, ‘mom-pop’ style restaurants on the back streets radiating from St. Mark’s Square. Pick one that you like, most have terrace seating outside (if the weather’s nice), and you can combine people watching with your meal!Be careful of pick pockets.Take a gondola ride. Expensive, but something that I strongly recommend.There are plenty of museums…..pick an exhibition that you like, and just do it.There are tons of churches and cathedrals (if that’s your thing)….It is probably the most romantic city in the world, and very beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
What are the most beautiful places in London?
I am actually glad someone asked this question for London. London is beyond beautiful- steeped in neo-gothic architecture, serving as the backdrop for the modern-day buildings which look fabulous! But, London is not just the ‘London Eye’ or the ‘Big Ben’. Yes, it is those too, but Let an avid Londoner tell you of some unique and picturesque places in this paradise of a city.1. Head to Waterloo Bridge for a perfect Sunset-You get perfect views of the Southbank, the London Eye, the whole of Westminster, Canary Wharf and much of this majestic city. But watching the sun go down on the city from waterloo bridge is a league apart.2. Little Venice in PaddingtonA canal which opens up in Camden Market, but that’s not it- Small boats lined along the sides of the canal with quaint little restaurants, cafes, galleries and bookshops. Head over to Little Venice for a romantic evening that you wouldn’t forget.3. A night-view of London from the Shard.The shard might be a fine-looking building in itself, but you should be more concerned with the most gorgeous views of London that The Shard offers. Try and get a night-view of the city from the top floors- where you can get drinks at ‘Gong’ or ‘The View’.4. Queen Mary’s Rose Garden at Regent ParkHead to the picturesque and blooming Queen Mary’s Rose Garden where you can witness 12,000 roses in all their glory and beauty. Quaint wooden bridges over small ponds, benches beneath beautiful and calming rose bushes- It truly is a visual treat.5. Visit the vibrant neighbourhoods of SohoA more vibrant part of London- with pastel-coloured houses housing quaint little shops like antique shops, boutiques, bakeries, bookstores, great pubs and diners. Soho keeps the young blood alive and running!Apart from this, of course you have the Big Ben, the Southbank of River Thames from where you get gorgeous views of the incredible St. Paul’s Cathedral. Notting Hill on Portobello Road, Westminster and a lot more. For all your accommodation concerns, check out premium, 4-star Serviced apartments in London by thesqua.re - with proficient, round-the-clock servicing, fully-furnished living spaces and the most prime and upscale locations with unparalleled connectivity- Chosen by thousands who visit the city!
How does quality of life in Singapore compare to that in New York City?
You cannot really compare the two places. They would hardly ever attract the same people.I have lived in both when my previous job took me worldwide and liked both but for very different reasons.Singapore is a much quiter lifestyle, more home based as there isnt anywhere near the level of cultural things to do, or the variety that you would find in New York or London. Same with food, far more variety in New York.When I first went to Singapore, people said to me that social life was "eating and shopping" and in reality I came to the same conclusion after a few months. New York offers far more variety of experiences that you can share with people. I like performing arts and New York is an Oasis and Singapore a desert in that respect.At one time, property in Singapore was relatively cheap and good which was a great advantage but now its breathtakingly expensive and so offers no advantage.Climates are pretty opposite too, in New York you get inside to be warm, in Singapore you get inside to be cool.Thing I loved about Singapore above New York was that it was easy and cheap to travel to other cities and countries from there. If we were a bit bored, a weekend in Bangkok or Bali was so cheap and easy to do.New York is far more multicultural, which I liked but some may not. Singapore is far more "conformist".Enjoyed both but they are not comparable, chalk and cheese really.
What are the most amazing places to visit in the Bay Area? Why?
Great question. Below are my best spots. I can add more if you’re looking for anything specific.Golden Gate Park and Fort point. They both are close by and driveable with in 5–10 mins. Best place for casual walks, picnics and get togethers.Mission peaks in Fremont. Probably the best hike around. It competes dearly with Muir woods. The former gives good view of Bayarea while the latter gives nice ocean view.Twin Peaks. This is the most popular spot in San Francisco generally. You can get the best view of city from here 24*7. It can be chilling at times.China Town. Nice place to walk/eat/shop. Offers varieties of shopping options and makes you feel China.Downtown Palo Alto. Nice little downtown which has wide range of food options, Ice cream shops. Evenings are pretty here. A place to take your date.Santana Row (Shopping Center). An uptown shopping centre located in San Jose area. Its pretty nice and good dining optionsSausalito, CA. Most beautiful town in this area. Its on the other side of Golden Gate bridge. Offers fantastic views and outdoor activities.Treasure Island. A place for photographers.Marin headlands. Great views of Golden Gate bridge.Stinson Beach. Probably the best beach in around Bay Area. Often maintained well and fun place to hang out.Muir Woods. One of the best hikes in Bayarea. Pretty long but has best trails.Monterey. A little touristy town 90 mins away from Bay Area. There are multiple attractions around it.CA-1. Probably the best highway in US. People debate with Keywest but I vote for CA-1.