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Traveler's Guide to Strasbourg: Christmas Markets in the Alsace

The following travel guide was brought to you by BCD Travel, the corporate travel experts.

'Tis the season for Christmas markets

Though Strasbourg is convivial, cultured and entertaining the year round, its appeal goes into overdrive in December. The city’s wintry delights are guaranteed to charm all but the most diehard Scrooges – and the star in its crown is the oldest Christmas market in France.

Running from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 this year, the Christkindelsmärik, which sprawls picturesquely in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral and on the Place Broglie, is over 430 years old.

In addition to the usual flotilla of wooden chalets stuffed to bursting with Christmas ornaments and holiday crafts, the market boasts an ice-skating rink on the Place du Château, a festival of Alsatian gastronomy with treats from local producers (Place des Meuniers) and an exhibition of Nativity scenes from Quebec (Place du Temple Neuf).

For more information on Strasbourg’s Christmas festivities, visit www.noel-strasbourg.com.

Time for a promenade
And if you can’t face another garland of tinsel, glass of mulled wine or morsel of gingerbread, take heart – there’s plenty more to do. Strasbourg is far enough away from the capital to be truly independent on a cultural level, with its own opera, France's only national theater outside Paris, two international music festivals and Europe's only bi-national TV station, Arte.

The Grande Ile is the heart of the city, encircled by the Ill River and Fossé du Faux-Rempart canal. The dominant landmark in Strasbourg is the pink limestone Cathédrale Notre-Dame, which has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Most of the museums are clustered around this focal point and many are housed in the 18th-century Palais Rohan.

The main streets (rue des Grandes Arcades and the parallel rue des Francs Bourgeois) are remarkably small and pedestrian friendly. The Petite France area in the Grande Ile's southwestern corner, criss-crossed by canals, is Strasbourg's medieval quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Hansel-and-Gretel-style half-timbered houses, flourishing geraniums and narrow streets criss-crossed by canals are the stuff of fairy tales.

The canals lead to the Ponts Couverts, constructed as part of the 14th-century fortifications - the watchtowers still stand, though the bridge is now home to a motley collection of no-longer-needed statuary and sculptures from the city’s many churches.

Other districts for visitors to explore include the imposing European Institutions in northeast Strasbourg, with Richard Rogers' visually striking European Court of Human Rights and the grandiose German Quarter, constructed during the Prussian occupation of 1870, dominating place de la République.

The Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), with its glass façade looking onto the quayside, is an ultra-modern addition to Strasbourg's buildings. The impressive permanent collection of paintings from the 1860s to the 1950s includes work by Monet, Signac, Arp, Picasso, Magritte and Klimt. From the 1950s to the present day, Brecht, Filliou, Pérez and Manetas are represented.

Bon appétit
Mention Strasbourg to a foodie and eyes may be raised heavenward, fingers kissed and rhapsodies of praise sung to the glories of Alsatian cuisine. You won’t eat lightly here – but you will eat well.

Buerehiesel
With three Michelin stars to his name, Antoine Westermann serves refined and regional cuisine in a 17th-century country house that was originally located in Molsheim, then uprooted and reinstated in its present location, at the heart of the Parc de l'Orangerie, for the 1895 Industrial Exhibition. Dishes such as schniederspaetle et les cuisses de grenouilles poêlées (ravioli with onions and chervil served with frogs' legs) and la poularde de Bresse en Baeckeoffe aux truffes fraîches (chicken and vegetable casserole with rosemary and fresh truffles) make for an expensive but memorable experience.
4 Parc de l'Orangerie
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 45 56 65

Maison Kammerzell
Local businesspeople in particular have a soft spot for this restaurant, situated in a stunning 16th-century building, complete with frescoes. The food matches up to the fabulous setting, and specialties include Alsatian favorite choucroute au poisson (fish and sauerkraut).
16 Place de la Cathédrale
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 32 42 14

Munsterstuewel
Located in the vicinity of the cathedral, this traditional winstub features wooden beams, ornate brass lamps and old paintings. House specialties include pied de porc désossé maison en Baeckeoffe farci aux trois viandes (boned and stuffed pig's trotters).
8 Place du Marché aux Cochons de Lait
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 32 17 63

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Posted 9 days ago by Mark 

Perth, Australia: An International Traveler's Guide

A charmed isolation

BCD Corporate Travel presents to you the most isolated capital city on Earth:

Perth lies upon a similar latitude to Sydney but over 3,400 kilometers (2,110 miles) to the west – as far away as London is from Beirut.

The capital of the state of Western Australia, located in the southwest corner of the Australian continent, Perth sits on the banks of the Swan River, and is probably the most outdoorsy of all Aussie cities. The climate, Perth's brilliant setting along both the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, and the abundance of parkland mean that it's almost obligatory to get outside and enjoy the sun and fresh air. One of Perth's great advantages is that virtually the entire river and seafront is public land; everyone can stroll, cycle, or picnic along the waterfront – and they do.

With four universities, a modern, well-designed city center and a culturally diverse population, Perth manages to project a cosmopolitan atmosphere while at the same time being disarmingly friendly and laid-back. The city is home to 1.47 million people. Nearly 200,000 of them are emigrants from the U.K., but there is also a considerable number of New Zealanders, Italians, Malaysians, Indians and South Africans.

Commercially, Perth provides the distribution point for West Australia’s wheat industry, the growing wine industry and the state’s vast mining operations.

Go for a wander, if not a walkabout

Perth seems to have been designed with people in mind. Its attractive malls and elevated walkways make it pleasant to navigate on foot.

Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Covering 990 acres, the park, a true wilderness in the heart of the city, is crisscrossed by walking trails and bicycle paths (bikes are available for hire). Particularly popular is the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, which opened in 2003 and allows visitors to walk among the park's treetops while enjoying spectacular views of the city skyline and the park. The walkway extends 620m (678 yards) along a combination of on-ground pathways and a spectacular elevated 52m (170ft) glass and steel arched bridge suspended among a canopy of tall eucalypts.
Kings Park Road, West Perth
www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kingspark
Free admission

Perth Zoo
Perth's small but popular and conveniently located zoo boasts an Australian Bushwalk (where visitors can observe native animals in their natural habitat), Rainforest Retreat and African Savannah among other interesting exhibits. Visitors should keep an eye out for the numbat, the marsupial that is the symbol of Western Australia. Daily keeper talks allow the public to get close to the animals.
20 Labouchere Road, South Perth
www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
Admission charge

Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth's major gallery has a permanent collection of Australian and international art and one of the finest collections of Aboriginal art in the world. The gallery is also the venue for major national and international touring exhibitions. Free guided tours are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – bookings are required.
Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge
www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
Free admission; charge for special exhibitions

His Majesty's Theatre
Arguably the most beautiful theatre in Australia, His Majesty's still stands in all its Edwardian glory, including ornate gilded foyers, a magnificent marble staircase and a domed, three-tiered auditorium. A venue for plays, opera, musicals and dance, the theatre is also home to the Museum of Performing Arts. Guided tours available. 
www.hismajestystheatre.com.au

Perth Mint
A well preserved remnant of the gold rush era, Perth's Mint, which is over 100 years old, offers an entertaining public tour. Visitors can see A$225,000 pure gold bars being poured and can also mint their own personalized medallions and witness the production of gold, silver and platinum coins.
www.perthmint.com.au

When the night has come

From Wednesday to Saturday, there is no shortage of night-time hotspots to visit in Perth. The larger dance clubs are concentrated in Northbridge, Subiaco and Fremantle and are friendlier epicenters for the over-30 crowd. Perth is home to a healthy indie rock scene and the 'craic' is good at several Irish pubs.

Some venues demand a smart standard of dress and some have a cover charge. Free entertainment weekly XPress (www.xpressmag.com.au) is the best resource when planning a night on the town, while Teknoscape (www.teknoscape.com.au) is a useful clubbing guide.

Lounge bars have taken off in Perth, with hip venues such as Base, corner of Lake and James Street. Must Winebar, 519 Beaufort Street, offers a cool atmosphere, a comprehensive wine list, slick cocktails and smooth grooves. Luxe Bar, 446 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley, is a cool, happening and stylish contender for the title of best bar in Perth.

If you’re in the mood for a laugh, you’re in luck – Perth has nurtured some of Australia's finest comedians. The Brass Monkey pub, 209 William Street, Northbridge, boasts handcrafted beers, food, music – and comedy on Wednesday nights. The Lounge Bar at the Hyde Park Hotel, corner of Bulwer Street and Fitzgerald Street, features comedy on Thursday nights. Burswood Casino on Great Eastern Highway hosts international touring acts.

Souvenirs galore

Popular Perth souvenirs include dried wildflowers, Western Australian wine and sheepskin and crocodile leather products. Perth is an ideal place to obtain authentic Aboriginal art – the best commercial showcases are Indigenart, 115 Hay Street, Subiaco, and Creative Native, 32 King Street.

There is an abundance of markets. The Subiaco Pavilion Markets, 2 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, are open Thursday to Sunday, selling jewelry, pottery, giftware, clothes and art. Galleria Art & Craft Markets, Art Gallery and Museum Concourse, Perth are European-style markets, open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Feeling a bit peckish?

Given Perth’s geographic isolation, Visitors may be somewhat surprised by the wide range of sophisticated restaurants available to them.

Fraser's
The dining room looks past towering lemon-scented gums to Perth's panoply of skyscrapers and the Swan River – and the food lives up to the view. The menu changes daily to focus on fresh produce, with seafood and fish especially prominent. "Fraser's three taste" brings together beef, lobster, and salmon in a great starter, while crisp fried soft shell crabs married with turmeric and pumpkin curry comes as a starter or entrée.Ask for a seat on the terrace.
Fraser Ave. (near the Information Kiosk), Kings Park
08/9481 7100

Jackson’s
Understated contemporary design and ambience only help to emphasize the quality of the food here. Chef Neil Jackson has won a host of awards for his ability to bring out the best in local produce, with some quirky touches based partly on his English background. His degustation menu, called "the dego," offers nine courses, with suggested matching wines.
483 Beaufort St, Highgate
08/9328 1177

Annalakshmi
While the 360-degree views of the Swan River and the city might be romantic, Annalakshmi is actually a curry house run by volunteers. Paying by donation, assorted hippies and others line up for spicy potato-and-pumpkin curries and dahl.
Jetty 4, Barrack St, city center

Thanks for reading - we hope you find our travel tips useful!

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Posted 28 days ago by Mark 

Travel Destination Guide: Sao Paulo, Brazil

The following travel guide is brought to your by BCD Travel, an industry leading corporate travel company...

The glamorous industrial powerhouse

Sao Paulo is the world’s third largest city and the largest in South America. Described as a “concrete jungle” the city is in constant growth, particularly upwards. The fast-paced cosmopolitan metropolis may not be the prettiest of cities, but offers it plenty of glamour and tons of South American flair. There’s ample to see and do with top-rate nightlife, restaurants and impressive cultural and arts scenes.

As a major business hub, Sao Paulo hosts over 90,000 events every year – largely conventions, conferences, and trade shows accumulating about R$8 billion (US$ 4.5 billion) in revenue for the city each year.

The country’s official language is Portuguese but, with its multi-cultural community, many people also speak English, Spanish, Italian and French. In fact, Brazil is also home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. This diverse cultural mix has definitely left an impressive mark on the city’s dining scene.

As in any other big city, it is important to take simple precautions to ensure your safety. Keep your belongings close to you in public places, avoid wearing expensive looking jewelry or watches and don’t carry large sums of money while walking around the city – there are many pickpockets operating in the area.

Getting to and from the airport:

Sao Paulo’s international airport is Guarulhos Airport (locally known as Cumbica), approximately 25 km northeast of the city. Travelers can either take a taxi or a bus to the city center. The cheapest option is to take the airport bus service at R$24 (US$13) per person, which operates dedicated services to the central Tietê Interstate Bus Terminal, Congonhas (the domestic airport) and major hotels. Prepaid taxi fares to the center of Sao Paulo are approx R$66 (US$36). A regular metered taxi can be a little cheaper; unless you get stuck in one of the frequent traffic jams.

Getting around Sao Paulo:

The Metro is the easiest way to get around the central districts of Sao Paulo, although it does not cover the rest of the city. Metro tickets cost approx.R$2.55 (US$1.40) for a single ride. The city’s buses are plentiful and frequent, but unless you know the city the system can be hard to navigate. Routes are usually displayed on the front and sides of the buses and cost approx. R$2.55 (US$1.40). Note that bus drivers generally won’t stop unless you flag them down.

At night, taxis are the safest mode of transport. Owner-driven taxis known as taxi Comun are generally well maintained and reliable, as are radio taxis. Note that fares will increase 25 percent after 8:00 p.m. and on weekends. A tax is also applied to taxis leaving the city. Good radio-taxi companies usually accept credit cards, but you must call ahead and request the service.

Places to visit:

Jahy Carvalho, BCD Travel’s regional sales manager for Latin America, lives in Sao Paulo and recommends a trip to the centrally located Ibirapuera Park – a welcome retreat from the smog-filled chaos of the city. The park has beautiful lakes, fountains, bicycle paths and a Planetarium. The nearby sites of the Bienal, the Museu de Arte Moderne and the Pavilhão da Oca host many of the shows that come to São Paulo.

The Teatro Municipal is located in the Old City Center and is one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks. Made from sandstone and sculpted red marble, with lavishly decorated interiors, the theater plays host to numerous operas, concerts and ballets.

The Pinacoteca do Estado is a beautifully restored museum displaying the works of some of the best Brazilian artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. During the museum’s 1997 renovation, the roof and much of the interior were replaced with glass latticework and open spaces

Visit the Vila Madalena neighborhood, where the main streets are bustling and full of affordable clubs with live music. If you’re into samba (or simply curious about it) then pop into Salve Simpatia, an energetic Rio-style club, where you can watch the crowd from the balcony.

Jahy also recommends the Espirito Santo Bar on Avenida Horácio Lafer, which is a good place for happy hour with a typical São Paulo atmosphere and authentic Portuguese influence.

Where to eat:

The city’s diversity of peoples and cultures has engendered restaurants spanning more than 50 different types of cuisine, making São Paulo a paradise for adventurous, globe-trotting gastronomes. Try the traditional feijoada, a dish made of black beans, pork and dry steak. Wash this down with a caipirinha - a cocktail of sugar, lime and cachaça (distilled sugar liquor).

D.O.M
Rue Barao de Capanema, 549, Jardins
Tel : +55 11 30 88 0761
http://www.domrestaurante.com
Since opening in 1999, D.O.M. has won all the main contemporary cuisine awards in Brazil and is the first restaurant in South America to be included in the top 50 restaurants of the world. Reknowned Chef Alex Atala creates gastronomical wonders such as the robalo (a fish) served with tapioca and cassava and scallops marinated in coconut milk with a crispy mango chip.

Spot Restaurant
Rua Min. Rocha Azevedo 72
Tel : +55 11/3283-0946
http://basilico.uol.com.br/spot/
This trendy and hip restaurant offers casual dining. During the daytime you will find mostly business clientele, whereas in the evening the restaurant attracts musicians, models and other celebrity types. The food is très chic: original pasta dishes like penne with melon share menu space with gourmet salads, spicy seafood and exotic vegetarian dishes.

Galeria dos Pães, or Bread Gallery
1645 Rua Estados Unidos;
+55 11 30 64 5900
www.galeriadospaes.com.br
If you’re feeling the wrath of late night/early morning hunger pangs, then head for the 24-hour food market, which is usually still going strong at breakfast time. Pick up a chicken croquette at the snack bar or try the buffet breakfast in the mezzanine, with fresh orange juice, strong espresso with steamed milk, pastries, cheeses and cold cuts.

Shopping in Sao Paulo:

With more than 50 shopping malls and plazas, numerous artisan fairs and art galleries, plus 42 commercial blocks, São Paulo is a shopper’s paradise. The most popular fashion spots are Centro Atacadista; Rua Oscar Freire, and Bela Cintra which offer haute couture on par with Paris’ Champs-Elysées or Rodeo Drive in the USA. Moving away from the high-end market, you can find street sellers and a Sunday’s Art and Crafts Fair in the city center, offering everything from vintage records to hand beaded flip-flops.

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Posted 1 month ago by Mark