The brainchild of a Swedish filmmaker and a Chilean architect, this uber-stylish bar offers yet another reason to visit Neukölln, one of Berlin’s hippest ‘hoods. Opened in 2014 in the city’s thriving bar scene, Twinpigs immediately set itself above the rest thanks to its formidable drinks.
Peruse the drinks list but don’t pass up a classic cocktail – poured with a generous hand, thank you very much – and sample a brew from their rotating selection of Heidenpeters beer, crafted in a microbrewery in the cellar of a nearby market hall. This dimly lit retreat is more than just a bar, so keep an eye out for movie marathons, aerobics classes and themed supper evenings, like Polish Vegan ‘n Vodka nights and Caribbean feasts, inspired by cuisine from around the globe.
Opt out of Noumea’s fancy hotels and expensive restaurants and head north to immerse yourself in Kanak culture by staying with a local tribe for a night. Situated about a 30 minute-drive from the busy hum of the seaside village, Hienghène, the Tiendanite tribe is nestled out in the wilderness and it’s a sight to behold.
You’ll be greeted by your host, Bernard, among a tangled mess of green towering trees and blooming taro bushes, bright pink bougainvillea and clusters of fat yellow pamplemousse (grapefruit). The accommodation is a small wooden cabin, furnished with twin mattresses on the floor, and fitted with a power point and a single light. It’s quaint but comfortable, and the disconnect from your usual creature comforts frees up time to enjoy your lush surrounds.
Sit down to a feast of locally sourced food for dinner – think fish caught straight from the river and homegrown vegetables. During the day, discover the history of the Tiendanite tribe on a walk around the grounds with Bernard, learn to fish for freshwater prawns or master the art of harvesting yams.
It’s always wine o’clock in Adelaide, and this unique establishment demonstrates why. Created by a trio of mates, including a local winemaker, food expert and coffee connoisseur, Cantina Sociale serves small-batch and one-of-a-kind wines sourced directly from the vineyard.
From barrels behind the bar, the staff pours drops – ones you won’t find on other wine lists or at the bottle shop – from McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills and further afield. Choose a glass, indulge in a carafe or opt for a flight. Keep yourself nicely satisfied with a selection of snacks from the kitchen including truffle oil popcorn, lamb ‘lollipops’ and platters of pintxos (Spanish snacks of anchovies, marinated capsicum and peppers on bread). By the end of the night you’ll have a party on your palate.
Tucked in the Funk Zone, an industrial waterfront area packed with restaurants, bars and galleries, AVA Santa Barbara is the ideal establishment to learn about the region’s famous wines. The first thing you notice stepping into the sleek tasting room is a giant chalkboard behind the bar. On it Los Angeles artist Elkpen has scrawled a map of local wineries complete with the geographical features that influence the wine.
Plonk yourself down at the long wooden table, sip a glass of Californian chardonnay and learn about the different temperatures at which grapes are harvested, the impact of microclimates and the influence of fog, smoke and the ocean. Move to pinot noir, syrah or maybe even malbec, and examine petri dishes stuck to the wall and mason jars studded with soil samples that demonstrate differing terroirs.
What better way to enjoy the sunset in São Paulo than from atop a hotel shaped like a slice of watermelon? Situated on the rooftop of five-star Hotel Unique, this fruity beauty oozes glamour. Take the panoramic elevator to the top and step into a sophisticated sky of ambient beats, cosy lounges and a glowing crimson pool, complete with underwater sound system for your subaquatic pleasure. Come early to beat the queues and grab a seat for sundown cocktails.
Drinks aren’t outrageously expensive, and the glitz and 360-degree views over the city’s 20 million inhabitants make it worth the visit. If you’re feeling peckish, order some treats crafted by French celebrity chef Emmanuel Bassoleil, who commands the adjoining restaurant. Grab an apple mojito and settle in for an evening of sky high jinks.
Where can you chill out after a day sweating it out on the steamy streets of Jakarta? A drink in the freezing Vodka Room at Cloud Lounge & Dining is a good place to start. Knock back a shot in a climate-controlled zero degrees, then head outside into the night’s balmy embrace to thaw out. If the vodka doesn’t get you tingling the views certainly will.
Located on the 49th floor of the Altitude skyscraper, Cloud Lounge has a vantage point unlike any other, with sweeping views across the city. Hold a gathering in one of five ‘living rooms’ that re-create the cosy atmosphere of a private home, or simply relax in the lounge bar and enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets over Jakarta’s skyline.
Early mornings are all part of the experience at this understated luxury getaway on the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in remotest Western Australia. The heat makes the hours just after dawn the most comfortable for the activities: driving along beaches looking for turtle tracks, fishing for barramundi on uncharted estuaries or for GT and Spanish mackerel out to sea, taking the boat along the coastline spotting local residents from saltwater crocs to dugongs, or cruising over the dramatic landscape in a helicopter.
Twenty individual lodges are built along sand dunes. Each is decorated with restrained elegance, and has its own sensational outdoor bathroom. The views out over the ocean are stunning, and, when the sun is high in the sky, beneath the shade cloth on the private balcony reading or contemplating the wilderness is the place to be. There’s a pool at the main lodge, where meals created from the best ingredients sourced from around the world are served.
The highlight of any trip to the lodge – if you take away the seaplane transfer from Kununurra – is the river cruise that meanders between soaring red cliffs to Casuarina Falls, where guests can step out on to the rocks and under the torrent of water to cool down.
There are few more humbling experiences than spending an hour in the company of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. While their numbers have increased – 10 years ago they were close to extinction – there are still fewer than 500 left in the wild. Depending on the family of gorillas you are allotted, the trek up into the thick jungle of the Parc de Volcanoes can last anywhere from one hour to over six, but once you are among these creatures any fatigue dissipates and is replaced by pure awe.
Hate pigeons? You’re not alone. Shooing them away from public squares may give you a sense of satisfaction, but the Chinese enjoy an even more permanent way of banishing these pesky creatures – they eat them. Visit markets around Guangzhou and you’ll see birds plucked and preened for sale, but for some of the city’s best pigeon head to Shen Ji restaurant, which sells up to 500 birds a day.
Pass the painted flock at the entrance and settle into the back room with mountains etched on the walls and framed photos of cooked birds gazing at diners with glazed eyes. Choose from an array of flavoured pigeons, including tea and ginger, and squab persevered in bean curd. However, it’s the roasted variety – dished up hot with crispy skin and tender meat – that’s the clear winner. Each bird arrives with its head cocked between a body cleaved in two, ready to be set upon by chopsticks or fingers. Order yourself side of crunchy cucumber cooked with fragrant sesame oil, garlic and chilli and wash it all down with a beer. Revenge has never tasted so surprisingly sweet.
Known by the locals as the go-to hang out after university classes, this little hole-in-the wall specialises in Bánh Tráng – also known as Vietnamese pizza. A light meal ideal for sharing, Bánh Tráng consists of crispy rice paper covered in a variety of toppings, like meat, egg, garlic and herbs – depending on what you choose – or unintentionally order.
Each pizza is fried in a hefty dollop of oil, so while not the healthiest meal, eating is a delight to the senses and Bánh Tráng is the perfect snack to end your day on. The restaurant inside is basic, with cracks lining the pastel coloured walls, and the seating is rudimentary – but within this small restaurant lies the heart and soul of Vietnam; good food and good company.
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