Author: editor

Bob Templer’s World of Book Shops

In honour of World Book Day, Globetrotting writer / journalist / professor Bob Templer takes us on a tour of his top ten bookshops around the world.

Bob Templer is the author of Shadows and Wind, one of the best accounts of modern Vietnam.  It was written while he was working at AFP in Hanoi during the early 90s.  Bob now splits his time between NYC and Budapest.

He lived in and around two dozen countries and has visited more than 100 countries for work and/or play.  He seeks out bookshops wherever he travels and finds it hard to pass one without walking in.  Books are the only kind of shopping he likes!

His perfect present would involve any book on architecture – plus a whole set of first editions of James Bond and John Le Carre and to be set up a beach house somewhere to enjoy them! His favourite holiday destination is Tiger Tops in Nepal where he comes dangerously close to donating his entire life savings to baby elephants every time he visits. Here are some of his favourite places to shop:





Elliot Bay book company – Seattle, downtown | Buzzhopper


Browse over 150,000 titles in this lovely, multi-storey bookshop with a fab cafe.




Kinokuniya Books (South Shinjuku branch) – Tokyo | Buzzhopper




Librairie Delamain SA bookshop – Paris, palais royale | Buzzhopper




Arthur Probsthain bookshop – London | Buzzhopper




ArchitekturZentrum (The Architecture Museum) bookstore – | Buzzhopper




Buchhandlung Walther König (Bookstore) – Berlin. Burgstrasse | Buzzhopper




Strand Bookstore – NYC | Buzzhopper




Queens Park Bookstore – London, Queens Park | Buzzhopper




William Stout Architectural Bookstore – San Francisco | Buzzhopper



				


	


			
				


	

							
Favoloso Milano! | Milan Fashion Week
			


	
	
	

			
The bold and the beautiful descend on Milan.  Strutting their stuff with consummate ease.  We celebrate with some local hotspots handpicked by our resident fashionista, Nicolo Grechi.


Where to shop, at fabulous prices!


Nicolo is no stranger to fashion, but he does love a good bargain! (Don’t we all?).  Here he shares his top shopping spot for a fix of retail therapy.


Foxtown


Foxtown is less than an hour’s drive from Milan, and definitely worth the effort to get there.  40-70% off high fashion brands like Gucci and Prada?  Yes please!


Foxtown, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Fashionista #Gucci #Prada #Bargain #Luxury




Eats and treats


Nicolo loves eating out and is always happy to share his favourite spots with you.  Check out a few of his favourite spots!


1. Zio Pesce


Love Seafood?  This is the place for you.


Zio Pesce, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #Seafood


2. Trattoria L’incoronata


Rustic and humble, near the epicentre of Milano’s fashionista district.  Perfect for refuelling before you go back out there.


Trattoria L’incoronata, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #Rustic #Italian


3. Mucche e Buoi


Definitely one for the carnivores.  Chic, cosy and romantic.  The costata di maialino nero is highly recommended.


Mucche e Buoi, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #MeatEaters #Italian #Romantic







				


	


			
				


	

							
Valentines & Anti-Valentines.
			


	
	
	

			
Whether you’re in mood for romance this weekend – or have the very opposite in mind, we’ve got something for you.  Handpicked by London Buzzhopper, Ant O Neill


Anti-Valentines


It seems more of us are anti-valentines so… where to find drunken Ewoks, easy pickups and which bar is reputed to have the busiest condom bar in London?


1. Gordons


It’s all things to everyone, and definitely a place where people are amenable to company after a few jugs of wine.


Gordon’s Wine Bar – London | Buzzhopper

The Oldest London’s wine bar. A Crazy place & crazy atmosphere to taste some crazy wines 🙂 #gordons #gordon #wine #winebar #londres #london #england #gordonswinebar #taste #winetasting #winetastings #atmosphere #specialplace #winelover #winelovers #winelife #holiday #vintage #oldschool #spirit #parker #cave #restaurant #famous






2. Da Hems


Going Dutch has never been so much fun – crowded and on the lewd side of friendly.


De Hems – London | Buzzhopper

“A beer a day keeps the doctor away!” #BeerTasting #NicholsonPaleAle #NicholsonsPub




3. Walkabout


It’s a meat market that also sells meat in the form of burgers. Live music, sport on the telly, and drunken Antipodeans abound


The Walkabout – London | Buzzhopper

Glemmer alt om slankekur🙈🙈🙈 #kænguruburger #Trorvispringeraftensmadenover🙊 #Londoncalling #walkaboutLondon


4. Faltering Fullback


Your dream local. Pool, jukebox, nooks and crannies galore, Thai food, Monday pub quiz, and an Ewok village. Seriously.


The Faltering Fullback – London | Buzzhopper




5. Our Black Heart


One-stop-shop for Emos, Goths and other slutty rock types


Our Black Heart – London | BuzzhopperBeer of the day- Roguenbier Rye Ale. Made with Rogue farms Dream Rye and Rogue grown hops, free range coastal water and Weizen yeast. Lots of rye and dried fruit flavours with a creamy texture and a balanced finish. 6.6%, on tap now! #roguebrewery #craftale #craftbeer #ryeale #camden #london #ourblackheart #theblackheart #london #beer


 


And for those more in more of a Romantic mood 


1.Royal Festival Hall 5th Floor Balcony Bar


Romantic views of the Thames from five floors up


Royal Festival Hall 5th Floor Balcony Bar – London | Buzzhopper

Perfect dinner view.




2. St Moritz


Advance booking essential, but get doe-eyed over heaps of fondue


St. Moritz – London | Buzzhopper

try Swiss food in London last two days😭😭😭 #angelchiufooddiary






3. Tate Modern


Everyone loves a bit of art, and the bars give great views of St Pauls


The Tate Modern – London | Buzzhopper

Sculpture inspo from the Tate 🌂👌🏼. #popart #tatemodern #londonart #wednesdayfeels




4. 500


 Elegant Italian food, truffles galore


500 – London | Buzzhopper

tak tohle byla fakt bomba, complimenti allo chef 💥👌#500restaurant#hradcanska#pasta#yummy#delicious#instafood#foodie






5. Long Bar at the Sanderson


Elegant cocktails in elegant surroundings; what’s not to love?


The Sanderson – London | Buzzhopper





				


	


			
				


	

							
London – Where to go to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016
			


	
	
	

			
 From upmarket and modern Chinese to cheap and cheerful and take away, our Asian food addicts Lena Grivakes and Melinda Chan Butts reveal their favourite places.


THE place for go for spicy Szechuan in Soho.  Book ahead – popular for groups, dates and business appropriate. If you can’t get in, try their sister restaurant Bar Shan across the road. Can be pricey, but worth it.

Bar Shu – London, Chinatown | Buzzhopper




You know the dumplings are really fresh when you walk past them being made in the window at the entrance. Extensive menu. Good for Chinatown dates as well as groups.

 Leong’s Legend – London | Buzzhopper




How often had you ordered Peking duck that comes with a paintbrush? A modern twist on traditional dishes. Expect exquisite tastes with stunning presentation.

A Wong (chinese) – London | Buzzhopper




The name simply says it all. Good choice for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. This place also specialises in soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) watch them be freshly prepared. 

 Dumpling’s Legend – London | Buzzhopper 


The  best dim sum in London is found in Marylebone away from touristic Chinatown. Book the private room to host private  business dinners.

 Phoenix Palace – London | Buzzhopper


Take home and cook!  Buy fresh egg noodles and specialities such as lor bak goh (turnip cake).

 Lo’s Noodles – London | Buzzhopper





				


	


			
				


	

							
Sydney Top Spots for Chinese New Year in 2016
			


	
	
	

			
Kung Hei Fat Choy!  It’s the Year of the Fire Monkey and Buzzhoppers are  gathering friends and family to celebrate the New Year.  Festivities run all month in Sydney so get into the spirit with our top picks from our Asian Food Addicts! 


Click on any tip to read more


1. Din Tai Fung  – Each xiao long bao (Shanghai dumplings) is lovingly handmade and intricately folded 18 times.  No reservations so avoid peak dining hours.  Casual and great for groups.  There are six locations in Sydney.


Din Tai Fung – Sydney | Buzzhopper


2. Our Buzzhopper Agatha Bolla suggests the handmade noodles here.  Cheap and cheerful..the food here tastes like  “a party in your mouth.”


Sea Bay Restaurant – Sydney | Buzzhopper




3. Hankering for Chinese after-hours?  Here’s our top late night eat for Sydney. All your favourite classics in Chinatown and open until 4 am.


Golden Century – Sydney | Buzzhopper




4. If you fancy dumplings with craft beer, then this is the place to go


The Royal Albert Hotel – Surry Hills, Sydney | Buzzhopper


5. A special occasion such as Chinese New Year calls for seafood feast and the aptly named Sea Treasure does it best. Alternatively, meet friends for dim sum in North Sydney – but come  early (11am) to avoid the long queues. And don’t miss out on the delectable mango pancake. 


Sea Treasure – Crows Nest, Sydney | Buzzhopper



				


	


			
				


	

							
Our global picks of  the (last minute) Christmas shopping and Sales
			


	
	
	

			
Last minute Xmas Shopping? See our local’s top shops and markets for fashion, art and books and  a shop that’s so cool, you’ll want to keep all the items for yourself!




We’ve rounded up some of the top festive spots around the world


 


Jump to:







Sydney


Twice tipped on Buzzhopper! One of the most fun shopping experiences for gifts for those quirky one-off gifts.  Holy Kitsch! in Sydney has a witty and fun range of gifts that are so cool, you’ll want to keep for yourself.  Our founder’s favourite is an embroidered framed sign which says “Please do not do coke in the bathroom.” Not cheap at AUD75, but it’s definitely a conversation piece – and likely to become the most photographed item in your house.


Holy Kitsch! – Surry Hills, Sydney | Buzzhopper


Holy Kitsch! – Newtown, Sydney | Buzzhopper








We’re in Sydney and Christmas shopping with art lover and glassblower Doug Williams, a US biotech exec who heads straight to The Artery gallery whenever he’s in Sydney.   “Let the tourists get hosed in Circular Quay and come here for the best range of art and prices in town.”  Unique stocking stuffer gifts and souvenirs  from AUD20. The artwork is priced from AUD65 for smaller pieces and range from 500AUD for larger paintings. A good representation of aboriginal artists from  up and coming to established names.




Artery Aboriginal Art – Darlinghurst, Sydney | Buzzhopper






 We’ve spied that Australia’s best-known eyewear secret currently has a special – AUD95 for frames with lenses. Just bring your prescription in.


 http://www.buzzhopper.com/tip/780




Bailey Nelson Eyewear – Bondi Beach, Sydney | Buzzhopper




London


Liberty


Do you really want to battle the crowds at Selfridges and Harrods and other high street department stores? Liberty is a so much more civilized experience. The lingerie range at Liberty is superb and  their beauty department is unsurpassed for niche brands. We love cult Brit brand probiotic Aurelia skincare range found only at Liberty. Their night facial oil works wonders.


Why not stay for a traditional English afternoon tea  scones to celebrate finishing  your Christmas shopping. Almost rude not to!

Liberty London Cafe’ – London | Buzzhopper


Elementary


Pop into this minimalist concept shop in trendy Redchurch st in Shoreditch. Choosing any of their ‘where did you get that?’ items will be a tough choice. Do I give this as a present, or keep it for myself?’


Elementary – London | Buzzhopper


Jensen’s Gin


Buzzhoppers love Jensen’s Gin so much, their shop has become an impromptu meeting place for us all on a weekend meet-up at Maltby St Ropewalk food market.

Jensens Gin – Bermondsey Distillery – London, Bermondsey | Buzzhopper


Sports Epoque


Sports Epoque – London, Regents St | Buzzhopper


Tiny London


For children from 0 – 12 – pick up something fun and witty from Tiny London. Buy something different for the kids. From onesies to witty bibs to t-shirts and sweatshirts, it’s sure to become their ‘favourite’ item.


What we love – The boy’s “Lock up your daughters’ t-shirts”.  I bought several when my son was younger, and  I fear I should have bought more.  Wish they made them in teenage sizes!


So Tiny – London | Buzzhopper


Milan


Our family loving Milan Buzzhopper who loves La Scala, the great outdoors and secret parks reveal her top picks for her Christmas shopping this year.


For kids


Original, retro and a lot of educational toys


CITTA DEL SOLE – Milano | Buzzhopper


For everyone


Especially hard to please teens and kitchen gadget lovers.  Great place to pick up candles too and check our their range of inexpensive Italian glassware.  Good travel  products range for people always on the go.


HIGH TECH – Milano | Buzzhopper


Peck


Family and friends will love anything and everything from Milano’s famous gourmet food shop. Unwrapping their beautiful packaging is an experience in itself .


Peck Food Hall/Store – Milano | Buzzhopper


Cashmere


Classic his and hers cashmere at discount prices –  which means you can simply buy more!


L CASHMERE – Milan | Buzzhopper


Chocolate


Witty delicious designs that look too good to eat. But do eat it!  The shoe and handbag chocolates are perfect as girlfriend gifts and stocking stuffers. After all, what’s Christmas without chocolate?


CACCAO-LAB – Milano | Buzzhopper


 


 

				


	


			
				

			
				


	

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Experience a very festive Nordic season in London. Mark your diaries! Places  we’ll  be Buzzhopping for the next two weekends – Hampstead, Marylebone and Albion Road. 
			


			

			
		

	
	
	

			
IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN  TEMPTED BY HELSINKI BUT HAVEN’T YET MANAGED TO GET OUT THERE, THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE COMING UP TO GET A TASTE RIGHT HERE IN LONDON.


Our London Buzzhopper, and lover of all things Nordic Ant O’ Neill  gives us a round up of his favourite Nordic festivities,  all to be found in London’s backyard. So if you’ve been hankering for something a bit Nordic (and who hasn’t?) –  it’s your lucky week. But you’ll have some tough choices to make.


Eschew that Winter Wonderland nonsense in Hyde Park. Forget those odious ‘Frost Fairs’ that line the South Bank and allow you to buy exactly the same food you’ll get in Camden Market, but from a wooden hut. No, the real deal is to be had elsewhere. Over the next two weekends you’ll be able to sample the best of Christmas from the Nordic states and with a bit of careful planning, you could do them all.


All are family-friendly, it hardly need be said.


Here’s a roundup. Note that whilst they all centre around churches, it’s due to the fact that these (and the associated seaman’s missions) have long become the foci for Nordic communities in London. So don’t be put off if Calvinism isn’t your thing, and nobody is going to try and talk you round to the Lutherian viewpoint; they’ll be more interested in selling you food and drink.


The Danish Christmas Bazaar


This is up Hampstead way and probably the smallest of the lot. But your £2 entry will soon see you holding a Rød pølse, Denmark’s wonderful red sausages – although the Fransk Hapsdog in its cored-out bun with spicy remoulade is the clear winner here.


Saturday 28th November 11am – 5pm

Sunday 29th November 11am – 4pm


The Swedish Church Fair


Marylebonites, this one is for you. The outdoors section features Glögg, Sweden’s answer to mulled wine and a vast improvement on the British version which is like drinking a molten Glade™ air freshener. Pea soup, gifts, handicrafts, marzipan pigs – yes, that’s a thing! – and a pop-up café in the church hall where you can buy meatballs, beer and other goodies. You’ll never look at Ikea again. The £2 entry is valid for all three days.


The market runs for three days and also incorporates indoor markets in the Norwegian, Estonian and Finnish churches. The latter is the one to hit – aside from selling lots of delicious Fazer chocolate, there’s a kitchen out the back doing reindeer stew, makkara – Finland’s awesome hotdogs – Karhu beer, Lonkero (gin and grapefruit, difficult to stop drinking and even more difficult to stand up afterwards), and salmiakki and chocolate mint vodka shots. Previous events have included reindeer pens, husky-sled rides for the kids, and guest appearances by Moomintroll himself. There will also be music – it’s Sibelius’s 150th anniversary, after all – raffles, giveaways and unique Nordic gifts to buy. If you see me there I might even be persuaded to tell you how to find my favourite East End boozer, one that I’ve never written about on Buzzhopper… this one is word of mouth only. But a salmiakki shot might loosen my tongue…


Thursday 19th November 11am – 8pm

Friday 20th November – CLOSED

Saturday 21st November 11am – 7pm

Sunday 22nd November 12pm – 5pm


The Finnish Christmas Fair


The trip to Rotherithe for this one is wll worth it. The Finnish fair boasts all of that awesome Fazer chocolate, delicious korvapuusti buns and more Moomin-themed presents than you could shake a Fillyjonk at. On theSaturday and Sunday, Albion Road becomes a full-on market, with stalls from the Estonian and Norwegian churches too. In previous years there have been husky sled rides for the kids and yer actual reindeer. It’s something like 50p to get into the Finnish church hall but once inside, you’ll be able to get into the covered garden for food and drink – reindeer stew, delicious makkara sausages, and tempting-but-oh-so-lethal salmiakki shots and lonkero, Finland’s original alcopop. And Moomintroll himself will be there for the kids.


Wednesday 18th November 12pm – 8pm

Thursday 19th November 12pm – 8pm

Friday 20th November – 11am – 12pm

Saturday 21st November 10am – 7pm

Sunday 22nd November 10am – 5pm

				


	


			
				

			
				


	

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Our Leaf Peeping Guide across Massachusetts by Boston Buzzhopper Doug Williams
			


			

			
		

	
	
	

			
Our Boston Buzzhopper and biotech exec Doug Williams  tells us where to find the best spots around Boston to catch the final days of leaf peeping this month.


He grew up in the Berkshires, the heart of leaf-peeping territory but confesses he only appreciated the beauty and splendour of the season when he moved away.  His childhood memories are filled with hours of endless raking and bagging of dead leaves which changed color, fell off the trees, and fouled the yard.




Having moved away and broken my rake, I now know why people come from far and wide to see the fall splendor.




IMG_4535


pic: Stefano Zanocello  






Hi Doug, tell us where you’d go for leaf peeping if you’ve got a day or two, or the weekend?


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