Touchdowns
Highland fling
North-east Scotland’s affluent gateway to the Highlands, Aberdeen combines elegant architecture, cobbled streets and traditional pubs, with a lively nightlife scene that caters to the city’s student and young professional populations.
WHAT TO SEE
Sea and be seen
Stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen to 6th-century St Machar’s Cathedral (The Chanonry). Along the Esplanade there’s fun on Aberdeen Beach and hands-on science at Satrosphere (satrosphere.net). Discover regimental history at the Gordon Highlanders Museum (gordonhighlanders.com) in the West End, and the city’s seafaring past at the Maritime Museum (aagm.co.uk) in the city centre.
WHERE TO EAT
Fish supper
There’s plenty of fresh
seafood available, from traditional fish and chips at The Ashvale (theashvale.co.uk) to gourmet dining at the Silver Darling (Pocra Quay) in the harbour. In the city centre, brasseries like the Astoria Restaurant (aberdeennorthernhotel.com) give a contemporary twist to classic dishes.
WHERE TO BOOGIE
Whisky jig
Blue Lamp (121 Gallowgate) in Gallowgate presents lively sessions of traditional Scottish music, while the Prince of Wales pub (1 St Nicholas Lane) in the city centre is perfect for quiet pints and malt whisky. Fashionable crowds prefer
cocktails at Soul (333 Union Street) or underground dance music at Snafu in Castlegate (see ‘Don’t Miss’).
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates three direct daily flights to Aberdeen Dyce Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information aberdeen-grampian.com
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2011, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
House party
It’s all about the music at trendy underground Club Snafu in Castlegate. Big- name guest DJs appear alongside local favourites, playing everything from electro and indie to funk and deep house. clubsnafu.com
Scandinavian charm
Everything is close at hand in this compact city on the west coast of Sweden. Whether you yearn for the tranquillity of the coast and islands, fascinating new culture, or an evening of good food and nightlife, Gothenburg has something for you.
WHAT TO SEE
Harbour sites
Wander along the historic harbour to the City Museum (stadsmuseum.goteborg.se), housed in the former East India Company headquarters, or take a boat trip across the river to relive history at the 17th-century Älvsborg Fortress. The Museum of World Cultures (worldculture. se) provides a very modern take on global diversity.
WHERE TO SHOP
National design
Distinctive Nordic creativity is a feature at Designtorget (designtorget.se) in the city centre. But don’t miss Gothenburg’s biggest department store, Nordiska Kompaniet (nk.se). Seafood is part of local culture, so a visit to the quirky, covered Feskekörka Fish Market (feskekörka.se) is a must.
WHERE TO EAT
Star dish
Make the most of Gothenburg’s most imaginative cuisine at Michelin-starred Restaurang Tvåkanten (tvakanten.se), or enjoy the harbour views that come with excellent seafood from the River Café (rivercafe.se). If on a tighter budget, great Greek dining accompanied by live music is on offer at Den Lilla Tavernan (lillatavernan.se)
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates four direct daily flights to Gothenburg Landvetter Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information goteborg.com
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2011, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Garden show
Easily reached from the city centre, the Botanical Gardens are an oasis of calm. The superbly landscaped 175 hectares feature rich and varied plant collections from around the world. Escape the winter chill in one of the greenhouses, where orchids, begonias, cacti and other delicate or rare plants from warmer climes are nurtured. gotbot.se
History and hedonism
During the day, Greece’s capital is the ideal place to explore ancient temples and world-class museums. At night, the city shows its hedonistic side. Tavernas fill with diners and revellers dance the night away in chic clubs and converted warehouses.
WHAT TO SEE
Art of the matter
Most of Athens’ top archaeological sites lie in Plaka and Monastiraki, including the temples of the Acropolis (see ‘Don’t Miss’), and the crumbling ruins of The Agorá. The National Archaeological Museum (namuseum.gr) showcases ancient Greek art, while the Byzantine and Christian Museum (byzantinemuseum.gr) houses a dazzling display of religious icons.
WHERE TO EAT
Delicious traditions
Plaka is packed with traditional tavernas serving Greek classics like moussaka. For something more contemporary, head for shabby-chic Mamacas (mamacas.gr) in Gazi. Istioploikos (istioploikos.gr) is one of several restaurants overlooking Microlimano Bay, serving tasty fish and seafood dishes.
WHERE TO BOOGIE
Soul music
Psirri buzzes with bars like Soul (65 Evripidou) and small clubs playing live music such as Cubanita (cubanita.gr). Friendly drinking dens dot the former industrial district of Gazi; try converted warehouse bar Hoxton (42 Voutadon). To see and be seen, order cocktails at Mommy (4 Delfon) in posh Kolonaki.
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates two direct daily flights to Athens International
E. Venizelos Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Tourist information visitgreece.gr Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2011, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Temple of rock
Floodlit by night, the Acropolis is a rocky mound rising above Plaka. It is the birthplace of Athens, and crowned by three ancient temples, the best known being the Parthenon. Its towering columns have withstood the elements for over 2,500 years. +30 210 923 8175; odysseus.culture.gr
Exhilarating ethnic mix
The capital of Malaysia is a fusion of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures, amid ancient temples and futuristic architecture. Lose yourself in its unique blend of tradition, culture, old-world charm and contemporary sophistication.
WHAT TO SEE
Blooming lovely
Stroll around the bloom-filled grounds of Lake Gardens (Jalan Perdana), home to the National Museum (muziumnegara.gov.my), before marvelling at the historic artefacts and ceramics at the neighbouring Islamic Art Museum (iamm.org.my). Kids of all ages delight in the city centre’s underwater world, Aquaria (klaquaria.com).
WHERE TO SHOP
Making scents
Rummage through sari silks, rugs and spice stalls in the side streets of Little India before checking out Sogo’s (klsogo.com.my) vast range of designer perfumes, toys and electronics. Shop for herbs and ancient medicines in colourful Chinatown, home to the stylish emporium Peter Hoe Beyond (Old Lee Rubber Building, 145 Jalan Tun HS Lee).
WHERE TO EAT
Satay to seafood
Kuala Lumpur’s dining possibilities suit every budget, from the sizzling satay sold by street vendors to top-notch pan- European fare. One of the city’s oldest restaurants, the Bangsar Seafood Garden Restaurant (onebangsar.com) is a celebrated gourmet eatery, while contemporary diner Shook! (+60 3 2719 8535) serves acclaimed fusion cuisine.
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates two daily direct flights, in cooperation with Malaysia Airlines, to Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information tourism.gov.my
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2011, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Sky-high dining
At 282 metres high, the Menara Tower Restaurant – the city’s only revolving restaurant – offers diners different perspectives over a period of an hour and a half. These ever-changing panoramic views from its central location accompany a buffet menu of beef curry, satay and oriental seafood, with a choice from a huge spread of salads. menarakl.com.my
The life aquatic
This idyllic island in the southern Caribbean offers underwater attractions against a backdrop of mango groves and palm-lined sands. It has played a pioneering role in the preservation of the marine environment, and is famed for its excellent scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing.
WHAT TO SEE
Island life
Explore the cactus-hemmed trails in Rooi Lamoenchi Reserve (+599 717 8489) with its aloe vera fields. For Bonaire’s past, visit Fort Oranje in Kralendijk, or the rustic slave huts from the island’s pre- emancipation era, a chastening reminder of the island’s salt trade and its resulting social ills.
WHERE TO EAT
Net gains
Seafood is an island speciality, cooked in a variety of zingy sauces and culinary styles drawn from more than 70 different cultures. International menus dominate Bonaire’s restaurants, although kuminda Krioyo (traditional Creole), can still be found. Head to It Rains Fishes (itrainsfishesbonaire.com) for the catch of the day, or China Nobo (+599 717 8981) for award-winning noodles.
WHERE TO BOOGIE
Chilled hot spots
As befits a laid-back Caribbean island, Bonaire’s nightlife is casual and fuss-free. Join a sunkissed surfer crowd at the Jibe City Beach Bar (jibecity.com), or party at Karel’s Beach Bar (karelsbeachbar.com) till dawn. Sophisticated night-owls will revel in Little Havana’s (littlehavanabonaire.com) mellow jazz.
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates six direct weekly flights to Bonaire Flamingo International Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information tourismbonaire.com
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s
Unlimited © 2011,Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
National treasures
Dive into the crystal-clear, fish-filled warm waters and protected coral reefs in the Washington Slagbaai National Park, where pastel- coloured sponge gardens edge powdery sand. At sunset, head over to the park’s Goto Lake to watch thousands of flamingos feed. washingtonparkbonaire.org
Into Africa
East Africa’s most lively metropolis, Nairobi is also Kenya’s safari gateway. Full of boundless energy, the city is a place of great contrasts, where race and tribe combine in a unique ‘Nairobi character’.
WHAT TO SEE
Heads up
The AFEW Giraffe Centre (giraffecenter.org) lets visitors get up close to these lofty creatures, while orphaned rhino and elephant are nursed at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (sheldrickwildlifetrust.org). Bomas of Kenya (bomasofkenya.co.ke) showcases Kenya’s rich cultural mosaic, while the Nairobi National Museum (museums.or.ke) portrays the natural and ethnic history.
WHERE TO SHOP
Crafty bargaining
For most visitors, African handicrafts are a priority. Head to Embakasi Market (Mombasa Road), or a similar venue, and prepare to bargain. For more modern shopping, the malls in Westlands, including the Sarit Centre (saritcentre.com), are more relaxed than in central Nairobi.
WHERE TO EAT
Traditional tastes
The local staple of ugali (maize porridge) and stew is widely available, and many menus incorporate elements of spicy coastal Swahili cooking. Westlands has dozens of reasonable eateries, including the Indian Haandi Restaurant (+254 20 4448294), as does Hurlingham, home to the Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant (+254 20 2728709).
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates a direct daily flight to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information magicalkenya.com
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s
Unlimited © 2011, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Go wild
Safari favourites such as lion, rhino, buffalo and hippo roam the Nairobi National Park, an untamed tract of savannah in Langata. Despite its suburban location, the park has an unfenced southern boundary, crossed seasonally by migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. kws.org
