Archive for the ‘Top Five’ Category
travel masterpieces
We’ve travelled quite a few (thousand) miles slowly mastering the art of travel, but, no matter how many times we pick up a paintbrush, the art of…art doesn’t come quite as easily. But we can find masterpieces in places you may not think to look. Ever searched for an art museum where once there was just a desert? Or found a gallery almost entirely underground on an island Down Under? Well we have… Guggenheim isn’t just about New York anymore, and Japan has a hotel and museum in one.
part hotel, part museum, one island
Enter into the art world.
Japan – From Naoshima Island, the hotel and art gallery in one, to the glass structures around Lake Toya, art and water seem to go well together in Japan. A balance we rather like.
Mongolia – Where once there was just sand, now lies perhaps one of the most remote art museums around – the Ordos Art Museum. But we know where it is…
Brazil – In Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, the Art Museum floats over the beach below for pretty spectacular Brazilian panoramics…
the brazilian spaceship
Australia – In Tasmania, the Museum of Old and New Art brings the beautiful and the lightly strange together in one underground world…
Bilbao, Spain – Food, art and wine all in one place sounds like a culture vulture’s dream, no? Over in Bilbao, Spain, the Guggenheim Museum feeds any modern art needs before you wander through endless vineyards…
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Loading ...after the stampede is over
On Wednesday, the Txupinazo rocket was launched, the gates opened, and the madness began in Pamplona. But in case being chased by wild bulls isn’t your idea of an escape from the grind (although the surrounding party is pretty unforgettable) there are plenty of lesser-visited spots in Spanish spaces you might think you know inside out already. Here are some of our picks:
el teide in tenerife
canary islands
With all year long sunshine, it’s hard to argue with this island group that’s actually a lot closer to Africa than Spain’s mainland. On Tenerife, climb up to Spain’s highest point over lunar landscapes. It’s a live volcano, but don’t worry, no hot lava in sight. For now.
seville
Back into the traditions of Moorish convents, gothic cathedrals and flamenco. In Seville, it’s all about open air squares, towers over the city and trying as many of the thousand-plus tapas bars as possible…
all about wine country
rioja
Spain’s most famous wine region. That’s reason enough really. Taste wine straight from the barrels before dining with the owners while you become a Spanish wine connoisseur.
balearic islands
First island that comes to mind is usually Ibiza, but across the waterways, the smallest island of Formentera is our favourite Balearic gem. And at low tide, a walk out to Espalmador for a natural mud bath is definitely far removed from the overload of glow in the dark body paint…
dali's inspirational town of cadaqués
catalonia
Just below the pounding of the bulls’ hooves, Catalonia has its own culture, its own language and its own colourful capital in Barcelona. Just south of there, head to Cadaqués to see where Dali got his inspiration.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...top 5 for local bites
With a summer of food festivals upon us and some of the best chefs in the world showing us how to make even the most simple of foodstuffs gourmet, here at Black Tomato, our thoughts are all on our favourite places to fill our stomachs.
So today, these are our top 5 picks to stop those grumblings:
colombian coffee houses
For a quick morning boost, that almost magical caffeinated liquid is mastered in the best parts of Colombia. Visit the plantations and get the real thing to take back home. This is no instant…
Truffles usually come in the form of those tiny shavings that make just about any dish a little touch gourmet. But at Western Australia’s Mundaring Truffle Festival next month, they’re right under your feet. Literally. It’s not just about the Outback… (but we love that too).
Everything from world-class concoctions to traditional bites like Charoset (a sweet paste made from fruit and nuts) can be uncovered in Israel. Head to Tel Aviv to find it, and plenty more traditional nibbles.
keep with tradition in israel
Organic brandy, spiced chocolates, earthy mushrooms… No lack of food to cosy up to during a South African mealtime. And the wine’s not bad either…
In Chile, a day out in the Atacama Desert will work up an appetite — we say, fill it with pastel do chocolo and tomaticán. The perfect warming dish.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...our top 5 swimming pools
Here at Black Tomato, we understand the importance of a good pool. Whether it’s a place to be seen, or somewhere to unwind and relax (with a cocktail in hand no less), we wanted to share with you our top 5 pools from around the world.
1. marina bay sands, singapore
We’ve told you about this pool before, and we just can’t get enough of it. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t look over the edge. At 650 feet in the air and 150 meters across, this infinity pool really does seem to go on forever. Lying along the edge of the building, this pool offers a breathtaking view of the Singapore skyline.
fasano pool
2. fasano, rio de janeiro
The marble pool at the Fasano hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one seriously sexy pool that calls for high heels and over-sized shades. Let Ipanema beach and the Two Brothers Mountains be the perfect backdrop while you soak up the rays in this goregous to-be-seen pool.
3. the library, koh samui
The Library in Koh Samui, Thailand is unique because of its distinctive color. If clear blue water bores you, have a dip in the red pool instead. The red tiles in the pool give the water the red hue, which further stands out against the white sand and blue water of the beach it overlooks.
This is one serious lap pool. This heated pool is the longest swimming pool in Taiwan at 60 meters as it spans the length of the building and overlooks the Sun Moon Lake. You’ll feel like you’re swimming in the lake since you’re surrounded by and connected to nature.
shoreditch pool
5. shoreditch house, london
Just a stone’s throw from BT HQ, Shoreditch House’s roof top pool and bar is the place for the classic pool party (and trust us, there aren’t many roof top pools in London). With sweeping views of London’s skyline, this roof top pool is the perfect spot to watch the sun go down and see the city light up at night with a cocktail in hand.
seeing red at the library hotel, koh samui, thailand
standing tall, the marina bay sands pool
seeing red, the library pool, koh samui
the long stretch at the lalu, taiwan
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