InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Take a tour of New Delhi, India, with our Chief Concierge, Jatender Singh Jaswal.

Escape to Tampa Bay, Florida for one more excursion in the sun. With beaches, scenic walks, shopping, a thriving nightlife, and a number of kid-friendly things to do, Tampa’s the place to spend that last minute vacation.

Hit the Beach
A number of beaches surround the city of Tampa, and each has their own specific perk. Here are a few:

Clearwater Beach has the white, sugary sand we all love, features a playground, fishing pier, and summer time concerts in the pavilion. It can also be quite populated with tourists, however, so steer clear if you’re seeking a bit of solitude. But if people watching is what you’re after, enjoy!
Treasure Island is quite a hike from Downtown and the hotel, but is somewhat quieter and offers a more authentic experience, that perfect sand, and crystal waters. Treasure Island also allows for a bit of light surfing, if you’d like.

Shopping
Tampa has a wonderful, state-of-the-art shopping mall, but it also brags a number of outdoor “mixed-use” neighborhoods where international brands mingle with unique boutiques. Here two of our favorite local shopping retreats:

Hyde Park is filled to the brim with great shopping, and delicious food for when you need a break. You’ll find all of your favorites and staples, such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. But you’ll also find local secrets, such as Downtown Dogs, the perfect place to find something special for your pooch.
Ybor City literally is a city within a city. Go for the shopping and stay into the night for more fun. This fascinating Tampa neighborhood was originally a cigar-producing outpost with high concentration of Cuban-American inhabitants. You’ll find Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, and others, and walk the streets and you’ll also find a revolving door of new boutiques. After shopping, go to dinner and catch some improv theatre.

Bayshore Boulevard
Exercise or relax like the locals do. Bring your rollerblades or running shoes. Or just rent a bike or fishing pole. Either way, head over to Bayshore Boulevard for the afternoon.

Museum of Science and Industry
A great one for the kids, The Museum of Science and Industry (or MOSI as the locals call it), is 20,000 square feet of educational fun. It also boasts an Imax Theatre, and a planetarium.

Jazz is still alive and well in the famous clubs and cellars of Berlin. Whether local or legendary, these venues’ programmes are brimming with exciting acts.

B-Flat
Featuring a minimal ambiance— and a long and well-stocked bar— the focus of B-Flat club is clearly the stage and the wide array of international musicians gracing it.

Quasimodo
Stated as the oldest jazz club in Berlin, Quasimodo has been home to many of the greats since its birth in 1975. Located under the delicious Quasimodo Café, the club is a traditional “jazz cellar” in every sense of the term.

A Trane
Legends Herbie Hancock and Alice Coltrane have called this stage home for at least a few sets. That’s probably enough to convince most jazz fans to stop by, but A Trane also features good, clean cocktails and the smoky ambiance of the classic scene.

Dinner, drinks, or theatre? It’s normally a difficult decision, but in Chicago you can do them all and still be in by midnight. Here’s how:

Adesso
Grab an early and sustaining evening meal at the delicious Adesso. This charming eatery features down-home Italian fare, with everything from polenta dishes to pastas, and their fresh-off-the-grill steaks and poultry. Word to the wise: their brunch is stunning also.

Court Theatre
Chicago’s Court Theatre has a full season ahead of them, so there will be much to choose from in the coming months. Their shows generally start at about 7:30 pm, so make sure you get your tickets early.

When in Hamburg, you must try some of the authentic German fare. Many of the restaurants that dot the city are historic, having been open and in service since the 1700s.
Here are a few that are not to miss, from the traditional and trusted to the eclectic and odd.

Deichgraf
This cosy restaurant is situated on the harbour in a former warehouse from the 17th-century. It’s well-known for its relaxed atmosphere, its quick lunches, and candlelit dinners. Make sure to reserve a table by the window with views over the harbour and canal and enjoy the spectacular view.

Groeninger Brauhaus
There’s probably nowhere else in the world where you can have your own barrel of beer on your dining table. In addition, they feature wonderful traditional meals and an expansive buffet. Check out their translated page here.

Old Commercial Room
Known since 1795 as ‘the home of the sailors’. It serves genuine north German cuisine, including their famous “labskaus” (a north German speciality of corned beef, potatoes, herring, onion and beetroot) served at the captain’s table.

They also feature great music from the 1960s and 1970s. The owner has a collection of over half a million records.

Dialog im Dunkeln
This may be the most unusual restaurant in the world. For the adventurous diner, Dialog im Dunkeln’s blind staff provides guests with guided tour through dark rooms ending at the bar in total darkness, treating them to a surprise four course dinner.

InterContinental ANA Tokyo’s Chief Concierge, Shinobu Momoi, shows us the wonder that is her hometown.

For some theatre that is somewhat quirkier than the Great White Way, Toronto in the spring is absolute heaven. You’ll find that the city’s stages present everything from the experimental to the classics, from the rousing to the thought-provoking.

As You Like It
Toronto’s Soulpepper theatre is presenting this classic Shakespearean comedy that features the signature twists and turns we all know and love.

We Will Rock You
Be prepared for some raucous fun! This on-stage adaptation of the music of Queen is an outlandish spectacle to behold. Set in an Orwellian future, and featuring a renegade band of musicians, this musical will speak to the modest rebel and Queen fan in all of us.

Uncle Vanya
Also by Soulpepper Theatre, Checkhov’s dark, ironic script comes to life on stage once again, with gusto and rave reviews.

Going Bananas
Based on Sondheim’s 1974 hit “Send in the Clowns,” the city’s Famous People players present “Going Bananas.” This zany circus is set completely in the dark, with their neon-dressed actors lit only by black lights.

Funny Business: The Musical
An ordinary day in the office becomes an extraordinary evening of multimedia musical theatre. Faced with cut-backs, the employees of company set out to, or are forced to, boost morale with a talent show.

Celebrate Japanese-American heritage with the San Francisco’s Japantown locals during April’s Cherry Blossom Festival. You’ll find traditional foods, a Grand parade, fun costumes, and activities for the kids.

Atiphol Soonthornsingh, our Chief Concierge in Bangkok, shows us the many modes of transportation, eating, and shopping the Thai way.

Bourbon Street
Stroll along world-famous Bourbon Street and experience the nightlife, jazz clubs, burlesque clubs and restaurants that make it New Orleans’ wildest street. Bourbon Street, of course, is much more active in the evening.

Café du Monde
This original French Market café serves cafe au lait and beignets, the powdered sugar-covered French doughnuts. Avoid the crush of the weekend mornings by stopping by after dinner.

Central Grocery
Central Grocery is an authentic Italian grocery in the French Quarter famous for making the original, New Orleans muffaletta. Try to go before or after lunch, but patience is a must!

Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Street has a wonderfully artistic and bohemian street atmosphere and is where locals go for live music. Weekend nights are best.