InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

If you’re travelling to Athens and want to stray a bit off the tourist path, catch a “hydrofoil” ferry over to Aegina Island. In less than an hour’s boat ride, you’ll experience local life, sample the local Mediterranean fare, stumble unto ancient ruins, and of course, hit the beach.

Afea Athena Sanctuary
See the ancient sights and avoid the crowds by heading over to the Afea Athena Sanctuary.

Sandy Beaches
Walk in any direction on Aegina, you’re bound to find white sand and crystal-blue waters lined with eucalyptus trees. The stretches of beach that are most popular with visitors to the island are Aiginitissa, Marathonas, and Sarpa.

Restaurants
For such a small island, the array of restaurants is astonishing. Stop by Kiriakakis for some fresh-caught fish, crisp salads, and the perfect view of the Saronic Gulf. Don’t forget to enjoy dinner late, just as the locals do.

There are endless dining options in New York, but here’s a guide to a few of the Big Apple’s truly outstanding restaurants.

Momofuku
Located in the East Village, this small family of restaurants mirror the “melting pot” attitude of the city itself. With a clean, minimal ambiance, the spotlight is most certainly on the food— and the chefs. When stopping by the original Momofuku Noodle House, be sure to try the delicious fried veal shortbreads.

Cupcakes and More Cupcakes
The most famous cupcake house in the city is, of course, Magnolia Bakery. But don’t forget to try out the others, like Sugar Sweet Sunshine, Buttercup, and Billy’s. They each put their distinctive spin on the sweet mini treat, with seasonal specials and also full-sized cakes.

Aquavit
Creative Swedish cuisine is not something one thinks of as the typical Big Apple experience. But the cool confidence and unpretentiousness of the restaurant is the very essence of Scandinavia, right on 55th Street. We recommend the tasting menu and a glass of flavoured aquavit liquor, the restaurant’s namesake.

Creperie
If you’re in a hurry, but still want a worthwhile meal, stop by Creperie in the Lower East Side. They feature the classic banana-and-Nutella variety, but also feature such savoury items as a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato.

EN Japanese Braisserie
Delicious and stylish in the West Village, EN seems to do everything well. The service is impeccable, regardless of whether you’re seated at one of their tables, the communal dining counters, or one of their private rooms. The menu ranges from seasonal tempuras and noodle dishes, to appetizers, like a chicken sausage with poached egg.

Although many of Athen’s restaurateurs speak very good English, you’ll find a more authentic dining experience if you know the ingredients of a dish and can order in Greek. Here’s the scoop in some local fare:

Tzatziki is a delicious spread comprised of yogurt, cucumber and garlic, and salt.

Try Tiro Salata and you’ll find a flavourful, fresh, and sometimes spicy cheese salad.

Psito is a famed Greek lamb dishes: roasted leg which is generally served with potatoes.

For a great pork dish, have a taste of Kontosouvli, which is choice cuts roasted rotisserie-style.

Midia is fresh mussels steamed in white wine and generally served with lemon.

Rega is not to be missed, but is an acquired taste: strong smoked herring drenched in olive oil.

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.

Each couple has their own unique way of celebrating their new life together, and for good reason, many choose a relaxing trip to the beach. The Tahitian island of Bora Bora is one of our favourites, with its miles of sugar sand, turquoise waters and delicious dining options. Here are a few things to do:

A Day at the Spa
Without ever leaving the hotel, be rid of the jetlag and the hubub of the “big day” with a relaxing treatment at our own Thalasso Spa.

A Picnic on the Beach
Simple? Yes. Romantic? Of course. Your concierge can point you in the direction of a tasty light lunch to take with. Don’t forget a blanket and a bottle of wine.

Scuba Diving
Enjoy the sights from below the surface. Bora Bora is home to a myriad of tropical underwater creatures. For the more fearless lot, a shark dive is fascinating.

Dinner at La Villa Mahana
Delicious French cuisine with a twist of Polynesia. This tiny gourmet spot is a wonderful place for a romantic, intimate dinner and a glass of celebratory champagne.

The restaurants of Guadalajara show an amazing amount of variety when it comes to traditional Mexican cooking. Here are a few of our favourite stops:

Adobe
Set in the quaint Tlaquepaque area of Guadalajara, Adobe features exceptionaly good Mexican cuisine prepared by a well-known chef. Our favourite menu item is the mole: a cross between salsa and gravy made from chocolate, various peppers and spices, then poured over chicken. In addition to the restaurant itself, the surrounding neighbourhood is extremely pedestrian friendly and showcases a number of wonderful boutiques and galleries.

Fonda San Miguel
This colonial-style restaurant is located in a beautifully renovated former Carmelite convent. In addition to delicious eats like warm, homemade bread, the building houses shops and boutiques selling fine handicrafts. Be sure to bring a camera and to ask the manager for a tour. The architectural sights are not to be missed.

Karne Garibaldi
Karne Garibaldi is not only recommended but awarded they are the Guinness World Record winners for the fastest service of Mexican food. Put them to the test, but be prepared to be served immediately, if not sooner.

Prague’s restaurants are known for their abilities in not only down-home Czech fare, but also international cuisines. Here are a few of our favourites:

Kampa Park
Situated in a converted antique boat house on Kampa Island near the Charles Bridge, Kampa Park is an elegant and stylish restaurant with excellent international cuisine, Czech specialties and very good seafood. The guests can dine alongside the river on a heated, covered terrace.

Kolkovna
A combined restaurant and Pilsner Urquell pub located in a former postage stamp printing premises in the Jewish Quarter. Kolkovna is a relaxed, no frills atmosphere perfect for a casual night out. They also feature al fresco dining in good weather.

Mlynec
Mlynec is the first restaurant to get the Michelin Bibendum award not once, but twice. Guests are seated alongside the Charles Bridge and Gateway Tower and are treated to an array of International cuisines, fish and Czech specialities. The summer terrace allows sweeping views of the river and Charles Bridge.

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