Tuscany: Forte dei Marmi

August 18, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Forte dei Marmi is the most luxurious sea resort city in Tuscany. With it’s sandy beaches, warm water full of jellyfish and Prada/Dolce & Gabbana stores on every street, it’s like the Italian Florida, but much smaller and warmer! You shall find here lots of restaurants that are good, lots of artistic performances and craziest night clubs that can even be cooler than on Ibiza island… A night here in peace would be a nightmare, but a great shopping rush and sunbathe is totally alright in that place! And never speak of Portofino with the locals…

Tuscany: Siena

August 16, 2013August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Siena, the charming town located around a hour from Florence, is the most beautiful place in Tuscany. Not because of only architecture. Also because of the people, the way they celebrate, live! And they really do their traditional holidays in an amazing way. La Contrada, that happened yesterday (when I was present in Siena) is for example the biggest celebration of the year in Siena, when 17 districts with different name meanings, conquer by the traditional games like throwing with a flag or horse-riding. Whoever wins, later the big feast is always the happiest moment in the town, when all locals feel like family! And no tourists are here then…
The most important building is the Duomo, the church that is an art masterpiece. Decorated with thousands of small detailed sculptures on the facade, the frescos inside and the domes are just breath taking. The Duomo has different parts- in the crypt you shall see a beautiful painting of Caravaggio, and in the library the first real developed books in the world. This place is amazing, and you know what- it is not so tapping in religious way. When the priest was telling the locals the prayer, for me in Italian, it all sound like if he talked with his buddies in a Trattoria and not doing a big thing from that! That’s a real Italian way of life! Love it!

But while you are in Siena, it’s best to forget about your problems, and simply get lost in one of the streets! Buy some cool souvenirs, fruits and just wander around the city. I simply fell in love with all these hand made plates with fruit patterns on it… This town in other words is not on the city of art, but the city of juicy life!

Tuscany: Villa Mangiacane

August 12, 2013February 2, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Derived from its ancient name meaning “great dog”, the Mangiacane Estate has been producing wine for centuries, and making the visitors feel like in paradise for years! Here I am for some vacations in warm Tuscany in Italy! The Villa Mangiacane is located in a small town 20 minutes away from Florence, in an amazing place, from where you see even the Basilica of St. Peter! From my huge, huge, huge balcony I see a large Italian forest, whole olive farm and grape orchard, that are used everyday in producing best quality olive oil and wine! Of course the very local wine can be tasted in the Villa’s restaurant and I assure you- it’s delicious.
This magnificent hotel has two beautiful pools, one in a Byzantine style, and other much more modern; there is the main building and the second, one much more beautiful and luxurious, the Villa, that contains of around 10 suites and few penthouses… It’s all a real Dolce Vita, having in mind that you have Portofino, Sienna, Florence and Bologna all in your are!

Berlin: Grosz

July 27, 2013January 6, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

The Grosz Restaurant is the hottest place in Berlin recently, with it’s majestic interior of a renovated old building on Kudammstarsse. The food here is a mix of European and Asian- you can try here the shrimps, octopuses and clumps in Tempura and also roasted veal with thyme sauce and seasonal vegetables! Maybe the service is rude, but the atmosphere is really beautiful and relaxing after a exhausting shopping day. All cutlery is by Meisel, so pretty exclusive, and on Summer you may sunbathe with some champagne and beef carpaccio in their elegant garden. What more, there is a cute patisserie next to… This restaurant beats all other ones in Berlin with it’s classic, a bit Art Deco design, and delightful cuisine!

Berlin: Hotel Das Stue

July 25, 2013July 25, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Here I am in Berlin, in a new found hotel called Das Stue- one of the most prestigious Design Hotels in the world! And I should say I am pleased. It’s really hard to find a good, hot spot in Berlin. But this one, just few steps from the Berlin Zoo. There are two Spanish restaurants by mister Paco Perez- The Casual and Cinco. Not really good, but the design upinterior here is mind blowing! You will find here the coolest furniture by famous designers kept in strong colours!
The rooms are really luxurious- the shampoos are by Diptique, and all rooms have Led TV/computers. And it’s all accompanied with Jan Kath floors and Arne Jacobsen armchairs…the biggest feature of the hotel is the view of zoo and the localisation. It’s just next to Kadewe and the most expensive stores! Definetly, Das Stue is the moments hottest spot in Berlin!