YOUR WEEKLY GUIDE TO ALL THINGS POSITIVE TO BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. TRY OUR TASKS, MANTRAS AND MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS TO BOOST YOUR JOURNEY IN THE WEEK AHEAD.
Put Some Air In Your Balloon today !
LOVE IS A WONDERFUL THING BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE IS SELF LOVE. SO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF ALONE THIS VALENTINES DAY HOW ABOUT CELEBRATING A LOVE AFFAIR WITH YOURSELF !
LOOK IN THE MIRROR TELL YOURSELF WHAT YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF.
COOK A BEAUTIFUL MEAL FOR ONE ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN TASTE.
GO TO A SPA BOOK A PAMPER PACKAGE.
RUN A BUBBLE BATH . BE EXTRA DECADENT WITH A COCKTAIL IN THE BATH TOO !
OR JUST COSY UP IN SOME FABULOUS PJS AND WATCH A FAVOURITE MOVIE.
YOU CHOOSE ! AS LONG AS YOU MAKE THE DAY ABOUT SELF APPRECIATION AND DEVELOPING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF.
OF COURSE IF YOU HAVE A PARTNER THEN YOU CAN DO THIS EXERCISE TOO JUST NOT TODAY ! AT LEAST MAKE THIS DAY ABOUT YOUR LOVING PARTNER AND HOW GRATEFUL YOU ARE BTO HAVE THEM IN YOUR LIFE.
MWAH MWAH XXX
JOJO. X
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:UNLESS YOU APPRECIATE YOUR OWN QUALITIES AND THINK YOU DESERVE TO BE LOVED HOW CAN YOU EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO APPRECIATE THEM.
AS VALENTINES DAY IS UPON US WHAT BETTER CITY TO VISIT THAN BERLIN. KEEP PARIS AND ROME. BERLIN IS FAR SEXIER AND GREAT IN THE WINTER MONTHS. SO BE INVENTIVE THIS YEAR AND WHISK YOUR PARTNER OFF FOR A BEAUTIFUL BERLIN LOVE IN !
Normally when I write the travel articles I have visited the places I write about several times. But I must confess I have never visited Berlin before until recently as it didn’t excite me. How wrong could I be !! I have totally fallen in love with the place and cannot wait to return . What an exciting, efficient intriguing city. Do not wait any longer like I did …..
So I am going to share with you my 48 hours of fun and culture
FRIDAY 4.30pm
Whisked to our Hotel The Ritz Carlton at Potsdamer Platz. Now on of my firm favourite hotels and perfectly situated between East and West Berlin. Undeniably chic with an Art deco design with three great bars and an award winning restaurant. Unpack and explore the local area.
6.30pm
Dinner at COA almost opposite the hotel. Asian fusion fresh healthy food. Woks and bowls lightly cooked. Dim Sum 5E for three so we ordered a whole selection. Prawn Massaman curry swiftly followed 11.90E . great value amazing food and cool surroundings.
8.00pm
Back to the hotel and head to the Curtain Club. Live music and one of the most innovative cocktail menus that confuses the senses. We order a Prophecy which arrives smoking with wood chips to “let the reincarnation of your soul flow through your throat”. My ‘Mori San’ a sake based drink promoting positivity, security and balance. Mysterious venue I felt like Marlene Dietrich !
SATURDAY 10.00am
We embark on a day of sightseeing but not before heading to the Berlin Mall 15 minutes walk. The mall was so empty with some fabulous shopping and we were presented with maps on entering .Worth a visit and lots of coffee bars. We then grab a taxi which was fairly easy but the buses run every 10 minutes 24 hours a day, to what remains of the Berlin wall. 10 minute journey. The wall is steeped in history and the graffiti makes very interesting reading. ensure you visit the EAST SIDE GALLERY part of the wall. It is the 30th Anniversary of the wall coming down this November and there is a festival and concert planned. Checkpoint Charlie is another stop point but more central 10 minutes away.
1.00pm
We decide to lunch at Pirates Berlin with a view of the wall and the river on the other side. A club with a small beach we sit on the deck outside as it was a lovely sunny day. What a fun place great service and good food. This is the only restaurant on the east bank of the East side gallery. Would reccomend. Very much burgers, pizza and pasta. But had a sweet potato and avocado salad for 9 E and a German staple a half kilo of grilled tiger prawns.
2.30pm
After lunch ( we spent longer here than anticipated soaking up the atmosphere), grab another taxi to THE BRANDENBURG GATE. One of Berlins most important and historical monuments. It really is a lovely part of Berlin around this part the long Boulevards remind me of Paris in a bygone era. In fact its address is Pariser Platz.
We visit the ‘ Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’ 2711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid. Haunting and very quiet.
The Reichstag Building and German Parliament is a short walk away but we discover you have to prebook to tour inside. Strolling through the park on our return we decide to sample Bratwurst hot dogs at one of the many kiosks. Wnen in Germany.
7.00pm
After my reflexology appointment in the wellness area this must be arranged in advance but a welcome relief from my day of walking. Still full from Bratwurst we decide to head out for cocktails. So we head for a legendary Kaiser Cup cocktail at the equally legendary HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI. This is a Hotel from the golden age. The hotel where Michael Jackson famously , for the wrong reasons, dangled his child from the window. Dietrich, Chaplin, Garland have all stayed here. A hotel from a bygone era. A pianist gently tinkling the ivories this was a very sophisticated setting. There is a reasonable light bar menu too if you should need sustenance with the very potent Kaiser Cup.
On our return to the Hotel we cant resist the call of The Fragrance Bar where Cocktails are made based on your favourite perfume . “A sensorial experience”. Guests are invited to discover their signature drink by finding their favourite elements of a fragrance. This is like a mad scientists laboratory with a long line of test tubes. One problem I love smoky woody perfumes but I didn’t love my smoky woody cocktail. Neither of which I remember the name, sorry, blame it on the Kaiser Cups. But this bar is one of a kind. Even if you stay at another Hotel, come here for this aromatic experience. After one cocktail (well at this bar !) we head to bed.
SUNDAY 10.00am
As we love our art we decide a visit to the Dali museum a short walk away is a must. We spend a morning here and buy some beautiful arty books. This was an impressive museum with some great works. Very quiet and nicely laid out. A real treat.
12.00pm
We head back to the hotel to checkout and leave the luggage with concierge. A table at POTS the widely acclaimed restaurant at the Ritz Carlton perfect for a special lunch to end a perfect trip in a perfect city.
My word the food here was special 26 euros for three course set menu !!
Beetroot,mozarella and pistachio to start , followed by red perch with saffron and fennel and banana souffle. The sommelier paired the wines perfectly and allowed us some tastings at the table. I have been saving myself for this lunch . Magnifique ! ( I know its French but my German is not good )
After lunch our driver is waiting in the foyer to whisk us on the short drive to the airport. Everything about this City is efficient, clean , spacious and surprisingly relaxing. I cant believe i waited so long I certainly wont wait too long to return. 10/10
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: BERLIN REALLY IS AN EXCITING CITY AND A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT AND ONLY LESS THAN 2 HOURS FLYING TIME.PUT THE CABARET BACK INTO LIFE X
