The Middle House is an urban sanctuary in bustling Shanghai. Opened in 2018, The Middle House is the latest addition to Swire Hotels’ renowned The House Collective, a group of acclaimed and distinctive individual hotels. The Middle House is located in the heart of Shanghai’s commercial district, a stone’s throw away from the historic neighbourhood of Dazhongli. The building, tall and modern, is tucked away behind a wall covered in lush bamboo, creating a barrier between the bustle of Nanjing Road. The locations provides total escapism, all the while coffee shops, upscale restaurants, and lively shops are only minutes away. This is an incredibly central and convenient area to stay – in fact, the hotel has one of the best-rated locations in Shanghai.
Tucked away in a serene and secluded setting lies the Surin Phuket, an upscale beachfront 5-star resort. Listed as one of the finest luxury hotels in Phuket, the residence comprises of 103 cottages and suites that blend perfectly into their natural surroundings. Enclaved within a coconut grove at Pansea Bay, the location of The Surin offers a peaceful hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Phuket, far away from the noise and haze that I otherwise found troublesome.
The cottages perched on a green hillside offer the most privacy, whilst the beach cottages boast uninterrupted sea views. Whichever you choose, all the units are separate and provide a tranquil sanctuary amidst heavenly scenery.
For me, as a technology buff, a strong advocate for sustainable modes of transportation, and with an immense passion for discovering secluded destinations, the electric car is the holy grail of transportation. The EV ticks most of my boxes as it provides me with flexibility and comfort of a traditional car, all while keeping my environmental impact to a bare minimum.
During my recent journey to Italy, I had the opportunity to try out Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range. This allowed me to explore the unspoilt forests, deep gorges, and verdant valleys of the bucket list favourite Dolomites – all without having to worry about my carbon emissions.
I feel like all my outdoor travels get remarkably better with an EV by my side. I can roam at ease and peace, without having to feel restricted by inflexible timetables. It also makes every aspect of my travel more adventurous, as it afforded me the opportunity to make spontaneous pit-stops wherever I please, enabling me to explore the places less explored and otherwise unreachable by other means of transportation.
Lately, I have been travelling to Prague quite frequently. For my most recent trip, I was happy to learn that the American hotel chain Hilton, first launched in 1927, had two properties in the heart of the city. I decided to pay both properties a visit. Located in Prague’s most beloved neighbourhood, Old Town, the Hilton properties offer guests memorable and high quality hotel experience.
Some of the luxurious amenities at Hilton Prague include expansive space for guests to enjoy the large outdoor hotel terrace, a spa with a large pool and sauna and steam rooms, a fitness area, and six dining venues, one of which is a rooftop terrace; CLOUD 9 SKY BAR & LOUNGE, with stunning views of Prague. The Hilton Prague Old Town boasts a pool, sauna, grand ballroom with foyer, and a restaurant serving international and Czech inspired cuisine.
Everyone has their own idea about what constitutes a heartfelt adventure. I make sure to embark on at least one adventure activity whenever I visit a new destination. Czechia is not the first place I think of when I think of adventure activities, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the location offered everything from skydiving, hot air balloon flights, bungee jumping, to fly boarding and white water rafting.
A while ago I managed to tick skydiving off my bucket list and ever since, I can’t stop always looking for the next drop zone. As a self-proclaimed adventurer, I always say that no trip is complete without coolly jumping out of an aeroplane at 4000 metres in the air. So for my visit to Prague, I decided to go skydiving with Sky Service, which came to be an adventure on a genuinely epic scale.
The Czech city of Karlovy Vary, located just a few miles from the German border, has since its founding in 1370 by the then King of Bohemia Charles IV attracted both domestic and foreign tourists who want to take advantage of the health benefits the hot springs are said to bring. Today, a few hundred years later, Karlovy Vary is one of the most visited spa towns in the Czech Republic and many of its tourists visit the city to drink water from the iconic wells scattered around the old town, or to spend a few healthy days at one of the city’s many spa resorts – such as the classic Hotel Imperial.
I recently visited Prague for a content creation trip. During my visit, I stayed at the Four Seasons Prague, which is located in the heart of Staré Město in spectacular period buildings that mixes neo-Renaissance, neo-Classical, and Baroque architecture, dating back to 1568. The hotel offers stunning rooms and suites, with a plethora of additional amenities and services available for all guests.
Although it is possible to spend a lifetime in Rome without getting bored, it is impossible to overlook the fact that the Tuscan pearl Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – is only a few hours away by train. Florence, best known for its history during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, offers so much more than just art and culture. As a photographer, I was drawn to the little winding streets and back alleys, the exquisite architecture, and the abundance of impressive monuments.
The Dolomites, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2009, are stunning, but seeing all the best sights in a short time is challenging. That’s why I chose to stay at La Perla, a luxury boutique hotel in the Alpine village Corvara in the Alta Badia region, only a short drive from many iconic Dolomites wonders, such as Tre Cime and Seceda.
Lisbon is a charming city. It is the home of colourful houses, cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and medieval churches. I recently had the opportunity to explore Portugal’s charming capital and in this article, I will share with you what lies beneath the surface of this old town.
As an avid aficionado of extreme sports and aviation, I have always wanted to take the leap and experience falling free through the air at 120 mph. Skydiving is one of those experiences I think that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.
During my latest trip to California, a haven for skydiving, I took the opportunity and ticket this exhilarating experience off of my bucket list. As a lover of off the beaten path destinations and experiences, I found a drop zone in a very unique location. Tucked between the desert park Joshua Tree and the mountainous regions of Big Bear and San Jacinto lies Skydive West Coast. This location offered majestic scenery, and with experienced instructors with countless years in the parachute industry, I immediately knew this is where I wanted to skydive.
Located amidst the lush and tranquil environment on the resort island Sentosa lies the MegaAdventure Singapore. This aerial course park is home to four adventure activities – one 36-obstacle treetop ropes course, a 15m Mega Jump free fall simulator, a rock-climbing wall, and the world famous MegaZip. In fact, the park houses one of the longest and steepest zip wires in all of Asia, and as an avid adventure park aficionado, I was very excited about my visit.
The scenery on the way up to the park, which is located at the top of Mount Imbiah, is stunning and gives you a completely different view of Singapore. Upon arrival, I was fitted into a harness with wire carabiners. The instructors explain everything you need to know and share the safety instructions before each obstacle course.