The river views in Istanbul are fit for a Sultan January 3, 2010 IF you have never been to Istanbul, then this is the year to do it. the Turkish capital is one of the two European Capitals of Culture for 2010 it is sharing the privilege with Pecs, in Hungary. Istanbul is an interesting choice: it has long been considered the meeting place between east and west, [...]
Think twice about your resolutions December 21, 2009 AFTER a season of excess, it’s no wonder New Year’s Day comes with a hearty dose of self-recrimination and impassioned vows to improve. There’s no doubt that the more your liver is aching, the more painfully your belly is straining against your belt, and the emptier your bank account, the more you feel the need [...]
Coffee is good for you, but I’m eating broccoli instead December 21, 2009 IT SEEMS like only yesterday that we were writing in these pages about how bad coffee is for you. Too many cups a day, we reported, can lead to exhausted adrenal glands, an increased chance of osteoporosis, huge swings in blood sugar levels and other more obvious effects such as indigestion and sleeplessness. Enough to [...]
Stuck in London for Christmas? Hole up in a luxury hotel December 20, 2009 OH dear. A bit of snow, as we had on Thursday, and London goes into panic mode. Flights are delayed, cancelled and rearranged, and with the threat of a BA strike only tenuously averted, getting out of London over the Christmas period seems anything but a sure bet. But look on the bright side. It’s [...]
TRAVEL NOTES December 20, 2009 Snow-shoeing on Etna For something off the beaten (snowy) track, try a winter adventure set against Sicily’s most stunning scenery. Snowshoe on Europe’s largest active volcano, Mt. Etna, with the Bay of Naxos sparking below, or cross-country skiing across ancient lava flows. No experience necessary for either. Back on foot, walk to the gorge of Alcantara [...]
A true blue sci-fi classic December 17, 2009 Film AVATAR Cert: 12a It’s the most expensive and technically ambitious film ever made, and the most hyped – and wouldn’t you know it, it’s also pretty good. Avatar is a compendium of director James Cameron’s familiar themes – aliens against soldiers, futuristic technology, bone-crunching sci-fi action, corny romance and an epic pomposity that, as [...]
Knightley shines in biting satire December 17, 2009 Theatre – First Night THE MISANTHROPE Comedy Theatre FOR HER theatrical debut, Keira Knightley plays a Hollywood starlet accused of the same beauty-over-talent deficiencies with which Knightley herself is regularly charged. And boy does she give it back. Her character, megastar Jennifer, is happily surrounded by toadying sycophants in her London hotel. The misanthrope of [...]
WHAT TO ENJOY THIS CHRISTMAS FILMS, MUSIC, GAMES December 17, 2009 FILM NINE Daniel Day-Lewis leads Chicago director Rob Marshall’s star-studded tribute to Italian cinema. NOWHERE BOY Former YBA Sam Taylor-Wood’s biopic of John Lennon’s early years. DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker rom com. Nuff said. DVD IN THE LOOP Malcolm Tucker takes on the White House in the [...]
Getting to the BOTTOM of ladies’ underwear December 17, 2009 You know the feeling. It’s two days before Christmas and there is a creeping sense of dread threatening to ruin your festive spirit. So far seasonal cheer has extended to quaffing too many glasses of strong lager and trying not to abuse your boss at the office party. But now there’s no more putting off [...]
Say pants to those dull boxers December 17, 2009 Paul Smith Striped boxer shorts Price: £30 www.paulsmith.com Ted Baker Soball printed trunks Price: £18 www.tedbaker.com Topman Turquoise bright check trunks Price: £6 www.topman.com Calvin Klein Botanical Deco print trunk Price: £18 www.underu.com