Trip Moments Recommendations
Straight Up Bar
Straight Up Bar can be found at the 17th floor Seda Hotel Central Block, Cebu City. Strategically located at the heart of the city's newest business district.
It is a rooftop bar with international range of "pica-pica", wines, spirits, and cocktails. It is such a delightful dining experience with great music, and a panoramic view of the city skyline.
Straight Up Bar opens for breakfast too and one can enjoy a view of the city in broad daylight.
Adding to the experience is how friendly the staff were. They were very accomodating. Once you enter, you'll be assisted immediately and they help you along with your table and the food selections.
#rooftopbar #rooftop #cityoverlook #city #citylife #cityscapes #cityneversleeps #foodie #urbanexplorer #awesomepic #bar #cocktails #latenights
Shanghai’s Iconic Towers… Closer 🌇🌃✨
While The Bund remains the most popular place for the perfect picture-postcard of the city, have you ever thought of having a closer look at those towers? 🤩
I found Lujiazui on a day trip. My friend and I took a bus from Shanghai Railway station to get off at People’s Square, but unfortunately missed our stop and ended up getting off at this random bus stop in Pudong district 🙈 We walked a bit and found this amazing flyover ring pathway above the main road which allows you to have a closer look at those towers: Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower & The Oriental Pearl Tower🤩✨ It’s such a fantastic spot for urban pictures! 📸 The pathway is also connected to the malls around. It gets busy in the late afternoon/evening especially when the lights are on. A must visit when in Shanghai 💯
How to go ➡️ Lujiazui metro station on line 2 & 14, 陆家嘴 is right at this spot. Climb the stairs to get on the flyover pathway.
#thisischina #urbanexplorer #urbantraveler #urbanwalk #cityneversleeps #cityscapes #cityview #citytravel #shanghaichic #shanghaitower #shanghaitravel #shanghai
thisischina
urbanexplorer
Parklane Valentine
#staycation
Cebu Parklane International Hotel, a four-star hotel right in the heart of Cebu City. This is a perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.
This place offers upscale accomodations in a plush, stylish and sophisticated setting, allowing business and leisure travelers to endure Cebu. In my case, enjoy a romantic hassle-free Valentines without diving through the heavy traffic. Though this place may be around for quite a while already, but surely they were able to maintain a warm, cozy, elegant vibes and ofcourse its amenities. It was a perfect get away. And did i mention the city lights view? It was divine.
#redwine #holidays #cityoverlook #citylife #cityneversleeps #city #cityvacation #cityscape #valentinesday2022 #romanticgetaway #urbanexplorer #urbanlife #hotelstay #hotelexperience #hotelview #hotels
Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
To call Positano, located on the picturesque Amalfi Coast in Italy’s province of Salerno, magical is no exaggeration. Greats of cinema, literature, and music like John Steinbeck, Franco Zeffirelli, Wilhelm Kempff, and Mick Jagger fell under the spell of the colorful village, and there is more than one reason why they all got inspired. To quote John Steinbeck’s 1953 essay in Harper’s Bazaar: Positano bites deep. Maybe he heard the song of the mystical sirens, sea creatures who lived on the tiny islands of Li Galli, enticing visitors and sailors with their song, and, according to Greek legend, Ulysses too.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #europeanarchitecture
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Jaipur, India
Founded in AD 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City. With broad avenues and spacious gardens, the city is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthan jewelry, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are a treasure-trove for the shoppers.
Planned by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. Renowned globally for its coloured gems, the capital city of Rajasthan combines the allure of its ancient history with all the advantages of a metropolis. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. The bustling modern city is one of the three corners of the golden triangle that includes Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
The story goes that in 1876, the Prince of Wales visited India on a tour. Since the color pink was symbolic of hospitality, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the entire city pink. The pink that colors the city makes for a marvelous spectacle to behold.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #naturalwonders
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Warsaw
There’s no better place to start your tour of Warsaw than the spectacular Old Town, whose history goes back 700 years. And it will feel as though the buildings are ancient as well, even though the truth, however mind boggling it is to comprehend, is that this incredible part of Warsaw was reconstructed after it was completely destroyed during World War II on – wait for it - the basis of paintings by Canaletto. It was recreated with such attention to detail that it is rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the Old Town is a beguiling, charmingly cosy area with a unique atmosphere and original architectural details, which becomes especially enchanting after nightfall. The Old Town Square is its lifeblood, packed in summer with outdoor cafés and people strolling around, making it one of capital’s most popular spots. A statue of the Warsaw Mermaid, the city’s symbol, stands proudly in the centre. It may well be the only mermaid wielding a sword and shield you’ll ever see. Eleven tenement buildings around the Square are occupied by the Museum of Warsaw, where collections of historical artefacts tell the incredible story of the city and its residents. Another historical treasure trove is found in the nearby Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, with tombs of the last Dukes of Mazovia, plaques in memory of Polish patriots and statesmen, and the Chapel of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, often referred to as “Primate of the Millennium”.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #city
#naturalwonders#bestislandtraveltowns
Sperlonga
Whether it’s the ruins of the ancient Villa of Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, or the soft sands and crystal clear water, Sperlonga Italy is a must see!
The summer villa of a Roman Emperor is the perfect spot to enjoy a day at the beach! The second Roman Emperor, Tiberius, lived 2,000 years ago, and he was a man of refined tastes. His massive villa in Sperlonga, Italy, housed some of his famous Greek statue collection in a natural gallery: a grotto that opens onto a beautiful stretch of soft, sandy coastline, framed by cliffs and grassy mountains. Nowadays, the beautiful beach gets more attention than Tiberius’ villa and grotto, but you really must visit both!
Emperor Tiberius was the successor to Caesar Augustus – the first Emperor of Rome. Tiberius reigned from 14 AD – 37 AD. He was not a willing ruler. Infact, he tired of his role in politics, but when he died the empire was in great financial condition due to Tiberius’ wise spending. In his later years he spent much time in the region of Campania and at his villa in Sperlonga, but when he tired of Rome, he lived out the rest of his life on the island of Capri.
Take the time to enjoy the streets of Sperlonga. The streets, with their cafes and shops, are idyllic with wedding bells playing as you chose a restaurant for lunch. You can easily walk the street for hours, visiting the shops and admiring the architecture of this old city on a hill. You can also walk to Torre Truglia. Admire it from afar or walk down and tour the inside. Make sure to bring your camera – the views are incredible!
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #europeanarchitecture
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Prague, Czech Republic
The 1989 Velvet Revolution that freed the Czechs from communism bequeathed to Europe a gem of a city to stand beside stalwarts such as Rome, Paris and London. Not surprisingly, visitors from around the world have come in droves, and on a hot summer's day it can feel like you’re sharing Charles Bridge with half of humanity. But even the crowds can’t take away from the spectacle of a 14th-century stone bridge, a hilltop castle and a lovely, lazy river – the Vltava – that inspired one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of 19th-century classical music, Smetana’s Moldau symphony.
Prague's art galleries may not have the allure of the Louvre, but Bohemian art offers much to admire, from the glowing Gothic altarpieces in the Convent of St Agnes, to the luscious art nouveau of Alfons Mucha, and the magnificent collection of 20th-century surrealists, cubists and constructivists in the Veletržní Palác. The weird and witty sculpture of David Černý punctuates Prague's public spaces, and the city itself offers a smorgasbord of stunning architecture, from the soaring verticals of Gothic and the exuberance of baroque to the sensual elegance of art nouveau and the chiselled cheekbones of cubist facades.
Prague's maze of cobbled lanes and hidden courtyards is a paradise for the aimless wanderer, always beckoning you to explore a little further. Just a few blocks away from the Old Town Square you can stumble across ancient chapels, unexpected gardens, cute cafes and old-fashioned bars with hardly a tourist in sight. One of the great joys of the city is its potential for exploration – neighbourhoods such as Vinohrady and Bubeneč can reward the urban adventurer with countless memorable cameos, from the setting sun glinting off church domes, to the strains of Dvořák wafting from an open window.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #cityneversleeps
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Porto, Portugal
Porto’s charms are as subtle as the nuances of an aged tawny port, best savoured slowly on a romp through the hilly backstreets of Miragaia, Ribeira and Massarelos. It’s the quiet moments of reflection and the snapshots of daily life that you’ll remember most: the slosh of the Douro against the docks; the snap of laundry drying in river winds; the sound of port glasses clinking; the sight of young lovers discreetly tangled under a landmark bridge, on the rim of a park fountain, in the crumbling notch of a graffiti-blasted wall…
Beyond Porto’s alley-woven historic heart, contemporary architects have left their idiosyncratic stamp on the city’s skyline. Winging Porto into the 21st century is Álvaro Siza Vieira’s crisply minimalist Museu de Arte Contemporânea and Rem Koolhaas’ daringly iconic Casa da Música. Public art is everywhere, from azulejos (hand-painted tiles) glamming up the metro to street art tattooed across crumbling medieval walls. Costah and Hazul, who always work incognito, have blazed their patterns along the streets of the Aliados, Miragaia and Massarelos.
Porto holds you captive at its sky-high miradouros (lookouts) and on-trend roof terrace bars. From the Sé cathedral terrace and Gaia’s hilltop Jardim do Morro, the city is reduced to postcard format: a colourful tumbledown dream with soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and stately beaux arts buildings. Equally ravishing is Jardins do Palácio de Cristal’s palm-fringed, fountain-speckled gardens. Even in the city's heart, seagulls soar on Atlantic breezes, and a rickety ride on tram 1 trundles to the wide open ocean in Foz do Douro in minutes.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #tripaway
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Kronach, Germany
Kronach is a place where you should have your camera ready.
If you like medieval Germany, this is one of the top spots to view it. Since very little of the town was damaged in World War II, everything is just waiting for you to see it.
It rises up from the junction of three rivers, like a cobble stoned and red-roofed bird. Layers of buildings wind up from the Hassblech’s banks to swirl gently toward the Rosenberg fortress. Vaulted doorways in the intact town wall help guide your steps right to it. It’s one of the largest intact medieval fortresses in the world.
You have a choice when it comes to viewing Kronach. You can start at the river shores and hike away, capturing the views from a distance, or you can capture the landscape from the towers of the fortress. Either way it’s a winning combination.
The smooth rivers aren’t all just for show. Kronach has history as a trade port, and you can do raft rides on the river in the old style. Or, you can leverage the other watery attraction, the Crana Mare. It’s an indoor/outdoor water playland for all ages, with heated pools, slides, splashdown areas, and spa attractions.
For more high-brow culture than splashing around, you will want to hit the museums. Kronach was the birthplace of Lucas Cranach the Elder, one of Germany’s most famous local painters. His work is on display in the fortress panel gallery. You can also check out the art inside the parish church, and the local branch of the Bavarian National Museum.
If you are there in the summer, try to catch one of the festivals. There is a carnival in mid-July, and a town festival in September. You can also see the re-enactment of the victory over Sweden by the town’s women, which is a fun costume event.
However, don’t think that the town lives entirely in the past. The streets may be winding and narrow, but the stones are fully wired and connected. Loewe, a German television and electronics company, is based here and is the largest local employer.
Kronach may relish and treasure its past, but it does have both feet headed firmly for the future.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #cityoverlook
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Bergen, Norway
Surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, Bergen is a beguiling city. During the early Middle Ages, it was an important seaport and a member of the Hanseatic League, as well as Norway's capital – a heritage that can still be glimpsed in the beautifully preserved wooden buildings of Bryggen, now protected as a Unesco World Heritage site. Chocolate-box, clapperboard houses creep up the hillsides, ferries flit around the fjords, and a cluster of excellent art museums provide a welcome detour, and not only in case Bergen's notoriously fickle weather sets in. Meanwhile, a large student population ensures the city has a buzzy bar scene and nightlife, and easy access to nature means you're minutes away from complete tranquillity.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #tripinspired
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Cartagena De Indias
Cartagena de Indias is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a historic city of superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena's Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across leafy plazas.
This is a place to drop all sightseeing routines. Instead of trying to tick off all the sights, just stroll through the Old Town day and night. Soak up the sensual atmosphere, pausing to ward off the brutal heat and humidity in one of the city's many excellent bars and restaurants.
Holding its own against Brazil's Ouro Preto and Peru's Cuzco for the continent's most enthralling and impressively preserved historic city, Cartagena is hard to walk away from – it seizes you in its aged clutches and refuses to let go.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #cityvacation
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Subiaco, Italy
The town of Subiaco is located in the eastern Lazio region of central Italy, at the head of the Aniene valley, close to a hill about 400 meters above sea level, and across the slopes of the Simbruini mountains.
The medieval town, built on a rocky cliff, looks over the entire valley of the Aniene, where we find the Benedictine monasteries of the 'Sacro Speco' and 'St. Scholastica', the principal attractions of a visit.
At the entrance to Subiaco is the medieval bridge of S. Francesco, built by Abbot Adhemar in 1358 and with a single span reaching almost 40 metres. The tower at the end of the bridge historically controlled access to the city.
Across the river Aniene is the Church of S. Francis dating back to 1327 and built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. The interior of the church has a single nave covered by a trussed roof, with a great triumphal arch and a square choir.
Be sure to enter the church which contains frescoes of considerable importance, such as those by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, called "Il Sodoma" (1477-1549), who painted a cycle of frescoes depicting the life of Mary, which concludes with the Passion of Christ.
In the church vault are paintings of the Evangelists and Christ the Redeemer while below there are some scenes in the ancient relief style and two pilasters with grotesques.
On the top of the hill above Subiaco we find the Rock abbey, which was a fortress and residence of the Popes and still dominates the town below.
The typical medieval district in Subiaco extends as far as the slopes of the Rock, with places of interest including the Church of St. Peter, with the Romanesque bell tower and the church of Our Lady of the Cross, with a single nave, oblong windows with pointed arches, and containing 14th century frescoes.
In the lower part of the town, on the left side of the river Aniene, is the church of St. Lorenzo, which according to tradition is the oldest in Subiaco.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #village
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Plaza De Espana, Sevilla, Spain
Some cities blast you away, others slowly win you over. Seville disarms and seduces you. Its historic centre, lorded over by a colossal Gothic cathedral, is an intoxicating mix of resplendent Mudéjar palaces, baroque churches and winding medieval lanes. Flamenco clubs keep the intimacy and intensity of this centuries-old tradition alive whilst aristocratic mansions recall the city’s past as a showcase Moorish capital and, later, a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of New World trade.
But while history reverberates all around, Seville is as much about the here and now as the past. It’s about eating tapas in a crowded bar or seeing out the end of the day over a drink on a buzzing plaza. The sevillanos have long since mastered the art of celebrating and the city’s great annual festivals, notably the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, are among Spain’s most heartfelt.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway #city
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre. From the scenic trails of the colorful Park Güell to the romantic narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic; from the beachside nightclubs to the city's dozens of sacred churches and architectural marvels, this city by the sea seems to attract all types: the adventurer, the couple, the partier, the culture lover – and more – with an almost overwhelming variety of things to do. You could stay for a few days, but chances are you'll need a whole week to explore.
In Barcelona, even the beach is bustling, but it's really the cosmopolitan city that gets all the attention. Much of the activity revolves around Las Ramblas, a series of narrow streets and alleys packed with restaurants, nightclubs and a vibrant pedestrian market. But you should also take a tour of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces; Gaudí is responsible for sites like Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia. You also shouldn't miss out on the eclectic shopping scene and the region's exquisite food and wine.
#city #cityoverlook #citytopics #cityvacation #cityneversleeps #village #architecture #tripinspired #tripaway
#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders
Curry & pho for a summer evening
If you want to try an authentic Vietnamese restaurant (as they claim) in Shanghai, Saigon Mama is a delicious option you should try. Ambience is charming, staff is nice and seem to be happy in their work.
My order was a chicken yellow curry 🍛. Very tasty and right amount of spicy (be sure you tell the cook how much/little spice you can manage). Bowls are huge, yet my plate looked a bit empty (or maybe I just wanted more). Pho 🍜 dishes are the most popular among the other clients, and delivery orders.
A detail the surprised me, was the coconut 🥥 over my rice. Give the meal a nice taste with the curry, not sure if this is just presentation or it’s common in Vietnamese food. In general, My experience here was quite nice.
📍 Shanghai Centre, No.1376, Nanjing West Road Floor 1 (Garage Entrance, Nearby Xikang Road), Jing'an
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodstreet #foodie #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaicuisine #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #architecture #artexhibit #restaurantweek #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations #vietnam #vietnamdelicacies #vietnamesefood #pho
#summervacation#urbanexplorer
A romantic date with Mexican brunch
Pistolera is a popular Mexican food restaurant in Shanghai. This branch is the new location for West Nanjing, next to the Portman Ritz-Carlton hotel.
During the day, Pistolera is a great restaurant to visit for brunch. Very little people and delicious food, during the night it becomes a crowded and fun place to hangout with your friends. If you like to consider a brunch date (specially if is a blind date), this is a perfect spot. Gives you the privacy you want, in a safe location (for inside the building and many people moving around).
My favorite dish in Pistolera is the Tortilla soup, a taste from home. Any margarita jar is great for your brunch, to keep the conversation going without drinking too much. Now, if you want dessert, go for the churros with ice cream 🍨. Very sweet, but very good!
📍 No.1266, Nanjing West Road Jing’an
#restaurantweek #restaurant #artgallery #mall #foodieheaven #foodie #foodietrip #food #dessert #cocktail #nightphotoguide #shanghaistyle #shanghaicuisine #shanghaievent #shanghai #city #citytopics #citylife #cityneversleeps #cityscape #criskotsu #mexicanstyle #mexicanfood #tacos #dessert
#roadtrip#café#romanticrestaurant#summervacation#urbanexplorer
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Columbia O: Cute cakes by the pool
Columbia Circle is a heritage building complex located in Yan’an area. You can find here many cafés and restaurants.
In swimming pool building, you can find a cute coffee shop. Inside or outside, Deux Amour (Two Love) coffee shop has a nice ambience and adorable decoration. Stuffed animal faces in the window actually match some of the cakes 🧁 they offer.
Coffee is ok, but nothing beats to enjoy an outdoor coffee next to a wonderful view, specially during a warm and rainy summer sunset. This place is very popular among couples visiting Columbia Circle.
📍 Yan'an West Road 1262 Haonan 90 Meters, Changning
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodie #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #coffeelover #coffeeshop #coffeehouse #coffee #dessert/afternoontea #architecture #oldarchitecture #oldshanghai #oldshanghaistyle #oldarchitecture #europeanarchitecture #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations
#café#romanticrestaurant#beautifulhotel#summervacation#urbanexplorer
Columbia O: A magical bookstore
Columbia Circle is a heritage building complex located in Yan’an area. Tsutaya Bookstore is a very popular Japanese bookstore. Located in the center of the buildings complex, and resembling more a museum than a contemporary bookstore. This is the only Tsutaya Bookstore in Shanghai.
Tsutaya offers two floors of coffee shops (3), a small crafts and many books to buy from. Architecture is breathtaking. Terrace was close in our visit. To enter the bookstore you need to make reservation, don’t be surprised if next available spot is in a week time. If you come early in a rainy day, maybe will be able to enter without waiting (like us).
📍 Yan'an West Road 1262 Haonan 90 Meters, Changning
#dessert #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #dessert/afternoontea #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #coffeelover #coffeeshop #coffeehouse #coffee #artgallery #architecture #oldarchitecture #oldshanghai #oldshanghaistyle #oldarchitecture #europeanarchitecture #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations #bookstore #bookshop #books
#hipsterbookstore#summervacation#urbanexplorer
Hidden architectural gem: Columbia O
Columbia Circle is a heritage building complex located in Yan’an area. This was the remodeled old mansion compound of Sun Ke, designed by architect 🇭🇺 Laszlo Hudec in 1930. Swim pool building was designed in 1920’s (American Club House). In 2016, this complex became what is now: a gorgeous hidden gem 💎 in Shanghai.
You can find here many cafés and restaurants. Some of them require reservation before visiting. Definitely a gorgeous place to visit any weekend.
📍 Yan'an West Road 1262 Haonan 90 Meters, Changning
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodie #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #coffeelover #coffeeshop #coffeehouse #coffee #dessert/afternoontea #architecture #oldarchitecture #oldshanghai #oldshanghaistyle #oldarchitecture #europeanarchitecture #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations
#hipsterbookstore #museumquest
#romanticrestaurant#summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer
Columbia O: Spain taste
We went exploring a new area of Shanghai we heard so much about: Columbia Circle. This is a heritage building complex located in Yan’an area. Near the pool area, you can find several cafés, restaurants and beautiful spots to get pictures.
Pirata 🏴☠️ is a Mediterranean style restaurant where, if you are lucky to grab a spot, you can enjoy a nice glass of wine or a beer in romantic dinner by the pool. Food is very good, although the tostadas/toast are expensive for small serve. Ambience is nice, music is mostly Spanish (trova).
If you want to eat paella or any cazuela 🥘 dish, you need to wait 45 minutes while it gets done. Therefore, this is not a place to visit if you are hungry. Iberian ham is delicious. Beer 🍺 it’s a bit bitter than you may expect in China. My recommendation is to try the paella with red wine 🍷.
📍 Yan'an West Road 1262 Haonan 90 Meters, Changning
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodstreet #foodie #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaicuisine #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #architecture #oldarchitecture #oldshanghai #oldshanghaistyle #oldarchitecture #europeanarchitecture #artexhibit #restaurantweek #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations
#museumquest#seafoodfeast#roadtrip#summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer
Columbia O: Japanese Food
We went exploring a new area of Shanghai we heard so much about: Columbia Circle. Columbia Circle is located in Yan’an area.
Heiseiya is a Chinese version of a typical izakaya. Perfect for a meal or spare your time drinking in Japanese styled restaurant. Decoration resembles any izakaya, food tries to be authentic (not completely, according to my Japanese friend) and music are old Japanese songs from the 70’s-80’s.
During our visit the restaurant was super crowded, we had to wait a few minutes while a table became available. Food was quite nice, specially the fish and the rolls. There’s no sushi 🍣 or many traditional dishes available, either. Nevertheless, their liquor many is quite complete. A bottle of any umeshu (wine plum) is 300RMB, and it’s quite big.
Dishes are affordable, some are small but others are big. Better to come in company, to share a few dishes. In case you decide to come alone, you can sit in entrance bar to enjoy your food and drinks 🍺 on a very Japanese style.
📍 Yan'an West Road 1262 Haonan 90 Meters, Changning
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodstreet #foodie #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaicuisine #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #brunch #citylife #architecture #oldarchitecture #oldshanghai #oldshanghaistyle #oldarchitecture #europeanarchitecture #artexhibit #restaurantweek #restaurant #weekend #weekendrecommendations
#scenicspotphotoguide#historicculture#museumquest#summervacation#urbanexplorer
Songjiang quest: Brunch
A beautiful place to have brunch in Songjiang area is A++ Bistro. Located next to Fuyue hotel is an easy place to spot, although some renovations outside may not make it so interesting at first glance, just wait to go inside and taste the food! This restaurant is supposed to be 3 floors, but I guess our timing was bad.
Either for a coffee ☕️ , spaghetti 🍝 or some ribs, brunch options get better and better if you decide to go with company. More people implies more dishes you get to try. Not a big fan of drinking my coffee while eating ribs (that’s for digestion after a meal), but you can change the coffee for juice or go with water.
Some of the salads 🥗 look quite tasty. Meat 🥩 cuts are big, perfect for meat lovers. Pasta and roasted chicken is also delicious. They have some nice dessert options too but we didn’t try it.
📍 Rongyue Road No.178 Floor 1-3, Songjiang
#dessert #foodieheaven #food #foodietrip #foodstreet #foodie #songjiang #criskotsu #shanghaistyle #shanghaicuisine #shanghaidelicacies #shanghai #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #brunch #citylife #coffeelover #coffeeshop #coffeehouse #coffee #dessert/afternoontea
#café#romanticrestaurant#summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer
Songjiang quest: Saizeriya
As many knows, Saizeriya is a common Italian-like restaurant franchise in Beijing and Shanghai. Originally from Japan (this is new information for me 😯), Saizeriya can be found in many countries now, including China and Singapore.
This Saizeriya branch in Wanda Plaza was beautiful. You can find almost same food in any Saizeriya restaurants, however this branch was out of the ordinary. Inner decoration was fancy, even had a romantic ambience. Perfect for sharing a glass of wine with your seafood 🦞 pasta, to visit with your family or your group of friends.
Saizeriya seeks to provide “good food at affordable prices”, reason why it’s the favorite location for many (specially students). Although, I was surprised to see how my Chinese friends are not such of big fan of this franchise mostly tagged for them as “foreign food”. Well, foreigners love the open drink bar 🥤. 😂
📍 Wanda Plaza, No.658, Guangfulin Road, Songjiang
#shanghaistyle #shanghai #shanghaidelicacies #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #dessert #delicious #criskotsu #foodieheaven #foodie #food #foodietrip #shopping #shoppingwithaview #shopaholic #italianstyle #italianfood #seafoodfeast
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Songjiang quest:Never’s enough ice cream
DQ Ice Cream shop is located in third floor of Wanda Plaza. So many delicious options for coffee, cold drinks, ice cream 🍨 and cakes 🍰. And way more affordable than other ice cream/cake shops around.
Cakes are gorgeous, extremely sweet (for my taste). Chocolate cake and vainilla ice cream is an amazing blend. Some tropical fruit options look very refreshing for this summer hot days, specially mangoes 🥭 and coconuts🥥 . Just try to eat fast so your ice cream won’t melt 🍦.
This particular shop has one of the nicest decoration I have seen for a DQ shop. The Shanghai sign using paper ice cream cups was very creative.
📍 Guangfulin Road 658 Long No.668 Wanda Shopping Mall Floor 3 3027 Store No., Songjiang
#shanghaistyle #shanghai #shanghaidelicacies #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #dessert #delicious #criskotsu #foodieheaven #foodie #food #foodietrip #shopping #shoppingwithaview #shopaholic #icecream #cake #dessert #dessert/afternoontea #café #coffeeshop #coffeelover
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Songjiang quest: Shop & Tech
During my week in Songjiang, had the pleasure to visit Wanda Plaza branch. This shopping 🛍 mall complex is located in Gold Street, and gives you a fancy and high tech look you might be missing in your summer.
Day or night, Wanda Plaza is a must visit location in Songjiang. Probably, the biggest shopping center in the area. So many fancy clothing stores, jewelry, children areas to play and have fun as family. Most restaurants are located in third floor, and you have so many great options to chose from Korean, Thai and food from different areas of China.
The big screens in the roof are captivating, the cars expo in F1 and even some area where young people just show their skills in urban dance. There are some amusement games or stands either inside or outside Wanda Plaza, depends of the day you can see it at it’s best expression.
I can assure you, not a place where you can get bored.
📍 No.658, Guangfulin Road, Songjiang
#shanghaistyle #shanghai #shanghaidelicacies #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #dessert #delicious #criskotsu #foodieheaven #foodie #food #foodietrip #shopping #shoppingwithaview #shopaholic #technology #shoprecommendations #seafoodfeast
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Songjiang quest: Thai-Vietnam cuisine
During my week in Songjiang, had the pleasure to visit Wanda Plaza. So many stores and shops to enjoy!! This shopping 🛍 mall gives you a fancy and high tech look you might be missing in your summer.
Tai Cook is an amazing restaurant in 3F, food is nice, and comes in cuter presentation than most Thai restaurants. Ambience is calm, perfect for a romantic date or groups (bigger tables have traditional looking decoration that seems to be more comfortable than any other table).
Food is great. I liked the big offer of dishes available in the menu, allows you to try new things. Plates are big, so careful if you order too much food. Curries and Thai rice is always the best option. Once you arrive, you get courtesy shrimp 🦐 crisps, that are better quality than the ones you get I other restaurants.
As for me, I always like to try the rolls. This particular dish had a great combination of mushroom and shrimp, with a very nice presentation. Definitely will come back soon.
📍 Wanda Plaza, No.658, Guangfulin Road, Songjiang
#shanghaistyle #shanghai #shanghaidelicacies #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #dessert #delicious #criskotsu #foodieheaven #foodie #food #foodietrip #shopping #shoppingwithaview #shopaholic #thaifood #thai #seafoodfeast
#romanticrestaurant#summervacation#urbanexplorer
Songjiang quest: Ice cream drinks
During my week in Songjiang, had the pleasure to visit Wanda Plaza. So many stores and shops to enjoy!! This shopping 🛍 mall gives you a fancy and high tech look you might be missing in your summer.
Haagen-Dazs shop in 1F was extremely nice, with a fancy ambience and delicious options for this summer. You can chose between a Mojito cocktail 🍹/bubble tea with liquor, an ice coffee (also resembled bubble tea), several cold cakes 🎂 🍰 or many ice cream options you can chose from (and select your own style).
My “Mojito” was quite tasty and refreshing. Cakes are absolutely gorgeous, look like art you don’t want to eat. Ice cream cones are also beautiful, but feel like they are going to melt before you’re able to eat them. Specially during a hot July day.
📍 Wanda Plaza, No.658, Guangfulin Road F F1 1038, Songjiang
#shanghaistyle #shanghai #shanghaidelicacies #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citylife #dessert #dessert/afternoontea #delicious #cocktail #drinks #icecream #criskotsu #icebrew #foodieheaven #foodie #food #foodietrip
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Songjiang quest: Craving for pizza?
Closer to Songjiang downtown you find Shihuite Chengyuan Commercial Plaza. Papa John’s Pizza is located in 1F (do not confuse with B1), although is easy to spot from the street due to its “Pizza” sign. Even if you are not thinking in pizza, you can’t stop thinking about it once you see it.
Papa John’s is a popular franchise worldwide, nevertheless many people think food is same in every restaurant or country. Well, is not. This particular restaurant in bigger than others you can find in Shanghai, probably the only pizza restaurant in the area. Songjiang branch offers different pizzas 🍕, fried chicken 🍗 , spaghetti 🍝, BQQ options, some pizza quesadillas (pic) and most meals are a Chinese adaptation of Italian food.
Despite the popular name, like will happen with many restaurants in China, try to think in this restaurants like a gastronomic fusion. If you open your mind, you will realize food different, and quite good. This place had little people inside, but many order by delivery. Also, this particular restaurant has a small section for children.
📍Rongmei Road No.518, Songjiang
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#food #foodietrip #foodies #foodie #familytravel #familyfriendlyrestaurant #desserts #shanghaicuisine #pasta #shanghaidelicacies #roadtrip
Songjiang quest: Night visit to Shihuite
Closer to Songjiang downtown you find Shihuite Chengyuan Commercial Plaza. This plaza is a bit small than Wanda Plaza or shopping malls near Gold Street, However, there are a few special details about this mall.
More than a shopping mall, this commercial center has few options for adventurous people: trampoline (pic 3), indoor skateboard 🛹 area (pic 4) and a martial arts 🥋 small academy in 2F. Skate area is in B1, just under the circus 🎪 like awning.
This commercial plaza has few resting areas, beautiful to visit during the night. Few restaurants, clothing shops and bakeries are located along 1F. If you walk for a few minutes you will find Songjiang downtown. During the day, there is a close by park you can visit too.
📍Rongmei Road No.518, Songjiang
#songjiang #cityoverlook #cityneversleeps #citytopics #cityneversleeps #cityscape #skate #shanghai #shanghaistyle #summervacationtravel #nightlife #nightillumination #criskotsu #mall #shopping
#roadtrip#summervacation#urbanexplorer