Top 5 hotel rooms 2014

December is approaching and started with the rankings. And what I like. If last year dissected here what had been the best hotel rooms 2013, this year was not going to be less. The truth is that I like to look back and start remembering that seem to travel very far but which keep a great memory. Thus, from January to November, these were the best rooms I've stayed in 2014.

Belmond Hotel Du Palais, Biarritz: remember this hotel for many good things. Its location, its cuisine, stays very broad, circular fascinating architecture of the restaurant ... but mostly, I remember to have been one of the most special rooms in which I've stayed. It was the Imperial Suite Empress Sissi and of course the room was more than up to it. Besides large, comfortable and with exceptional views, I remember his huge bath to enjoy at sunset, an excellent relaxing bath.

Hotel Excelsior, Rome: an imposing palace located in one of the most important streets of Rome, Via Veneto. This luxury hotel in Rome called attention many things, but its impressive dome which takes center stage. The best of my room, which unfortunately was not occupying the dome, was that mixture of tradition and modernity that I love hotels. It's cool, but practical, and also nice. To highlight his bed, one of the 'heavenly beds' Westin seal home.

Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian: I sleep in the 'Maria Cristina' was almost a dream come true. A mythical, beautiful, care, luxurious and everything guests need to feel good, that's what it is hotel, right? Supermullida loved the carpet, the bed, oh the bed! 1001 and amenity you could imagine. My room had been occupied several weeks ago by Penelope Cruz, so as you can imagine, it was all very star-like, as one would expect in this city of cinema.

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Bars providing high where bird's eye view

2015 will be a year traveler, this no doubt. So I could see yesterday as he took something with my friends in Barcelona, ​​where I realized that almost all already have travel plans for the year ahead in a few hours. For my part I have also my travelers, clear plans, and there will be few. 2015 will be the year of return to places where I've been happy (I never understood the point of view of people who do not want to repeat destinations) and to test new, of course. This will be some of my destinations in 2015.

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Lapland: the end of January I will travel north North. To Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. I turn cold, I hope !, but I think this new scenario white nature and extreme conditions make me feel, if anything, even a little freer. At the moment I have no program of activities, although sleeping in a glass igloo will be one of my essentials on arrival.

Return to Australia: a trip I had to postpone this year and I hope finally to perform in spring. 20 splendid days touring one of the most impressive destinations where I've been. Many people have asked me what was what won me over Australia and the truth is that it is something very different from what has given me any other destination. It is, above a legacy to visit (eg Cambodia) or tasty food to try (eg Peru), Australia is primarily a lifestyle. A place where happiness of those to whom this year played back.

Japan for my birthday: those who spent years reading Bon voyage-travel blog, know that I like to wake up on my birthday anywhere in the world. Chicago, Beijing, Paris, New York ... and this year will be in Japan. Still do not know exactly what wake of this exotic destination point that I have been wanting to visit, but what is certain that in May there will be rich eating sushi, sake and toasting with some karaoke singing (or in the luxurious bar at Park Hyatt Tokyo) for a fuller travel and readers like you good year.

By the way and taking advantage of the ski season, I will visit resorts like Baqueira Beret, Verbier or French Megeve, some of my favorite to practice my favorite sport. This year the snow was late but after heavy snowfall in recent days, it seems that the stations are at 100% and with fresh snow, now that's a luxury!

Happy 2015 and happy travels!

Afraid to fly? This is my experience

I do not really like flying. But I have to fly and do pretty (much) frequently. I like long flights but short flights (!), Always at takeoff and landing worries me makes me very happy because obviously, I'm on arrival. In between, depending on the length of the flight, a movie, a playlist (Music FLY) created specifically to blow me, a glass of Chardonnay or the accumulated fatigue make me entertain the truth, unless there is turbulence-and yes, Hay I can always say that, now, to enjoy flying.

How did this insecurity to fly? Well, I would not know what to say, I think he never liked me too catch planes (and note that aviation I love), but as I always had to do ... Then, after a lightning strike on the plane landing in Costa Rica, experience severe turbulence over the Atlantic, a takeoff te-rri-ble returning to Barcelona from Amsterdam (the kind where people scream and crosses himself, the horror) and the occasional anecdote (I will not mention media pollution to which we have submitted in 2014), I did come back, if not more fearful, insecure yes (more than 25% of the population traveling by plane has some kind of fear of flying phobia and beyond 5%). So just over a month ago I decided to join one of the courses to overcome fear of flying there and I opted for the Air Europa (www.perdiendoelmiedoavolar.com) that is run by one of his commanders, Alfonso de Bertodano psychologist and full #aerotrastornado (you only need to follow your Twitter account,alf_bertodano), who previously had the opportunity to meet in an interview about phobias and fears for another half (and in the interview surfaced mine). He encouraged me to do the course and I did.

You may be wondering if these courses really work. If you can barely 48h deter years of panic, if possible (re) learn a behavior ... Yes, they work. I guess there are not two equal fears, so that is why I guess my answer is not extended to everyone, but I have worked for me for the simple fact that I have achieved my objective and I have to spend so many hours in the air at least enjoy them. And man, obviously cane rather be with my friends, but I can assure you as restless as before. It goes without saying that you should put a lot of you, learn to manage your anxiety and be aware that "the way we think affects the way that I feel." As in life itself, go. The course consists of teaching a basic knowledge of aviation (did you know that a plane just need speed + air + wings to fly?) And some psychological techniques for the control and reduction of anxiety to a level that makes flying possible in many cases coming to nothing. For this, a team with pilots, psychologists, maintenance technicians, flight attendants and air traffic controllers accompanies you during the days of the course, you will realize what their work, demystify, security measures speak, etc., something essential for those who are not very familiar with aviation. I freaked out when I heard that people come to these courses that maybe has not flown in 10 years or who has given up a career by not fly. And now hallucinate even more when I see them flying.

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Bertodano is very clear when advising someone how to manage her panic to fly, "it is important to remove all the anxiety added to the flight. Avoid stressful work days before the conflict and not get in a rush to the airport to board last when the runway is now empty and, above all, notify the cabin crew at the entrance of the aircraft. They know how to help and be more aware of their status and needs. " 

Madrid luxury: a stay at the Ritz and dinner at Zalacaín

Always a pleasure to travel to Madrid . The town where I lived for 7 intense years is a destination where I always love to run away. And never mind that there is nothing new (but make no mistake, there always is), Madrid classics are attractive enough to prepare the case and assemble a trip. And precisely these classics are those who served me a few weeks ago as the perfect excuse to return to Madrid .

A stay at the Ritz by Belmond : the legend. There never had been lodged, but certainly not want me missing. At the stage where he lived in Madrid I used to go to this luxury hotel press conference or an interview and always thought the experience was suppose to sleep between its historic walls. Now I know. The legendary Ritz hotel was built in 1910 according to the wishes of King Alfonso XIII, establishing Madrid as one of the major European cities. The Ritz is much more than a hotel, it's a piece of history located in the 'Golden Triangle' since its opening has welcomed the most important aristocratic houses, high officials, celebrities , etc. Its restaurants and bars are still common meeting point of Spanish high society and their brunch on Sunday, an essential event for any foodie lovers. magnificent hand-woven rugs , antique furniture, embroidered bed linen, elegant marble bathrooms and views of myocardial Prado Museum and the roofs of Madrid (how beautiful are the rooftops of the capital!), so was my room at the Ritz hotel. I was greeted with a bottle of red wine and a plate of delicious jerky; I remember perfectly that I applaud this kind of receptions, champagne we like them all, but we show something more ours than for that we are in Spain. I slept, clear like a queen and the enormous clawfoot tub in my bathroom, perfect for relaxing after a marathon day in the capital.

There are two plans sleep- besides that one should not miss the Ritz hotel. One is the traditional brunch on Sunday (and almost obligatorily have to ask their delicious Eggs Benedict) and the other is the afternoon tea (16 to 20h), where you can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, pastries and scones accompanied by relaxing background tunes performed on piano, harp or classical Spanish guitar. So elegant, so Ritz ... no one will miss London.

Dinner at Zalacaín : no mythical restaurants in Madrid and then is Zalacaín. The secret is, of course, on how you have managed to grow old. For this classic Madrid restaurant scene for over 40 years, we have no objection (in case the fact that dinner with tie mandatory and is a bit outmoded), but as here we have come to eat, and to eat well, I stuck to excellent gastronomic walk in Zalacaín I enjoyed with dishes perfectly executed his chef, Juan Antonio Medina Galvez . The menu is extensive, of course you have plenty of choice, although the classic restaurant are always a must : the lasagna porcini mushrooms and foie , thigh stewed duck, pig's trotter stuffed, salads shrimp and lobster , etc. Even if you prefer to innovate, let yourself be guided by the wise counsel of Valdunciel Carmelo Perez, who, under an impeccable direction, always hits the mark: it made ​​me encouraging me to try their steak tartar (sublime) and, of course, though I'm not very sweet-, traditional dessert, the chocolate lava cake at four spices with pistachio ice cream.

Zalacaín an appointment is always a good plan and although devoid of the last day he had left Michelin star (Zalacaín Spanish restaurant was the first to win three Michelin stars in 1987), this gesture should not be in any way an excuse to leave to visit. Symbol of celebration, special occasions, good food, what more highlight of this luxury restaurant in Madrid is that has remained true to his hallmark, leaving aside fashions and trends.

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3 bars to eat overlooking the sea in Catalonia

This weekend will be one of the few who will spend at home in Barcelona, ​​in recent months. The truth is that I have a season of intense travel, and one thing and another, have always emerged weekend plans that have made Barcelona not pass much time as I would have liked.

Anyway, this morning I woke up thinking about precisely what to do a weekend at home. Well, in addition to sleep (jet lag takes its toll and I just returned from Miami) and take the time breakfast as if in an Italian desktop, I decided that I would go to the beach in Barcelona-living has its advantages, of course, and eat a paella or fish with your feet in the sand like touches. These dates are complicated, vacation, much tourism and many people who have, for sure, had the same original idea I to this weekend.

So good, considering where to book a table to enjoy a good paella on the beach, my three restaurants / bars perfect for eating well and do it with your feet in the sand and good sea views have occurred.

1. Toc sea (http://www.tocalmar.cat/): I confess, it is my favorite. At heart it hurts a little to share with the world. Not because it is a secret restaurant, on the contrary, it is very popular, but it is located in one of the most beautiful bays of Begur (Aiguablava, where it is also the Parador located), on the Costa Brava, and also is not very large, so get a table on a Saturday in July to eat is nothing short of mission impossible. If you succeed, do not hesitate to ask for their creamy rice with prawns is simply sublime. The food is simple, is very focused on product, fish are also very good, although like everything around here, is not cheap. But worth it. Also the place is like very idyllic, charming.

2. Xiringuito Escribà ( http://www.xiringuitoescriba.com/es/ ) can be, or is, the more popular beach bar in Barcelona. The truth is that I usually go a few times a year or three, I acknowledge that I have positioned as for special occasions. Price is not cheap, but not much more expensive than 'Toc sea'. Scribe I like the service, which is excellent (not something that abound lately Barcelona), and serving the best fideuà all Catalonia. I'm not exaggerating. I had not and went back a couple of weeks ago; continues to maintain the quality of always although I admit that pricked a little fish, sardines were not up to a restaurant like this. Things that happen.
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