The SentinelAmsterdamIntegrity heart humour

TrAvel

picnicamsterdam

PerSPeCTIveSlIFeSTYleSCulTureTrAvel

OPINIONTeCHNOlOGYArTFIlM

MuSICTreNDSreCOMMeNDeDSPOrT

FeATure

vol 5 14ndash 31 July 2012

wales

CONTeNTS 02

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

03CONTeNTS

In this issueFeATure P 04

COlOPHON

The Sentinel Amsterdame-mail sentinelpostgmailcomwebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Nadia Liefmeyer Magenta Tuunes Antonia Egon Simon Owusu David King Dirkje Bakker-Pierre and Simon Joseph

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

Editors ndash Gary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form ndash Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmaster ndash wwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost ndash Amsterjammincom

Picnic Amsterdam

TrAvel P 12

Barcelona

CulTure P 52

Antwerp

MuSIC P54 SPOrT P 80 MOre

The Elastic Band The Gold Room TrAvel P 24Cardiff

TrAvel P 40Swansea and the Gower Peninsular

ArT P 50SMAK

MuSIC P 56The Elastic Band

CAFeacute revIew P 58Cafeacute Kostverloren

reSTAurANT revIew P 62Cedars

STAr beer GuIDe P 66Ter Dolen Blond

reCOMMeNDeD P 68

SPOTTeD P 70Where is this in AmsterdamFIlM revIew Room 2c

TreNDS P 72

TeCHNOlOGY P 76TechBit Sio-Bytes

SPOrT P 78On the volley

lsquoA shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnicsrsquo

lsquoMen with beautiful instruments forcing you to tap alongrsquo

lsquoIt can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming herersquo

lsquoFill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and seersquo

04FeATure

lsquoYou now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all timesrsquo

lsquoLocals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateriesrsquo

05FeATure

Picnic Amsterdam

05CulTure

incoming capital streams This level of caution and prudence seems to have bypassed the attention of the many cafeacute and restaurant owners throughout Amsterdam however It seems as though in this city which is visited by high numbers of tourists locals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateries

A sort of blanket pricing exists across the city which rather sickeningly makes it feel like the businessmen and women have decided that if so many of the visitors come from other European Asian or American cities which are criminally expensive it would be a good idea to set up a similar pricing structure here This does not work of course even in the medium term for most hospitality undertakings Yes some of the grand fancy and in vogue places can squeeze more out of those suffocating under the need to be trendy demon-strating the hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly special (no value-for-service or -quality in this equation) They may have the expendable income to fritter away on high prices but this leads to lsquoprice fixingrsquo The situa-tion now is that a shabby and smelly Amsterdam bar can simply and brazenly charge premium level prices for a beer and feel confident that your post-disgruntlement market research will simply show that everyone else charges the same inflated prices for cafeacute and restaurant consumables

I have held on for as long as humanly possible on this one but what on earth is going on with the inflated prices for having a decent time out in Amsterdam It would seem that the private and corporate owners of hospitality industry establishments are part of a shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnics in this paradoxically damp microclimate

This is not meant to be sensationalist or even funny It truly is the case that within what can broadly be called the city centre you now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all times to find the best value on individual and preferred drinks as well as the best prices for international culinary fare Although I am loathe to blame individual licence holders for this phenomenon I am fully aware that they too are being extremely greedy in attempting to make themselves as wealthy as possible from their customersrsquo patronage simply because lsquothe landlords started itrsquo

Since 2008 the well-developed myth of secure financial management has continued to be prevalent in the Netherlands and it has taken the fall of the government to highlight the austerity measures required Residents now have to closely double-check their outgoings and can no longer feel secure about their jobs andor inflation-linked

By Denson Pierre

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

CONTeNTS 02

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

03CONTeNTS

In this issueFeATure P 04

COlOPHON

The Sentinel Amsterdame-mail sentinelpostgmailcomwebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Nadia Liefmeyer Magenta Tuunes Antonia Egon Simon Owusu David King Dirkje Bakker-Pierre and Simon Joseph

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

Editors ndash Gary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form ndash Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmaster ndash wwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost ndash Amsterjammincom

Picnic Amsterdam

TrAvel P 12

Barcelona

CulTure P 52

Antwerp

MuSIC P54 SPOrT P 80 MOre

The Elastic Band The Gold Room TrAvel P 24Cardiff

TrAvel P 40Swansea and the Gower Peninsular

ArT P 50SMAK

MuSIC P 56The Elastic Band

CAFeacute revIew P 58Cafeacute Kostverloren

reSTAurANT revIew P 62Cedars

STAr beer GuIDe P 66Ter Dolen Blond

reCOMMeNDeD P 68

SPOTTeD P 70Where is this in AmsterdamFIlM revIew Room 2c

TreNDS P 72

TeCHNOlOGY P 76TechBit Sio-Bytes

SPOrT P 78On the volley

lsquoA shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnicsrsquo

lsquoMen with beautiful instruments forcing you to tap alongrsquo

lsquoIt can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming herersquo

lsquoFill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and seersquo

04FeATure

lsquoYou now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all timesrsquo

lsquoLocals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateriesrsquo

05FeATure

Picnic Amsterdam

05CulTure

incoming capital streams This level of caution and prudence seems to have bypassed the attention of the many cafeacute and restaurant owners throughout Amsterdam however It seems as though in this city which is visited by high numbers of tourists locals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateries

A sort of blanket pricing exists across the city which rather sickeningly makes it feel like the businessmen and women have decided that if so many of the visitors come from other European Asian or American cities which are criminally expensive it would be a good idea to set up a similar pricing structure here This does not work of course even in the medium term for most hospitality undertakings Yes some of the grand fancy and in vogue places can squeeze more out of those suffocating under the need to be trendy demon-strating the hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly special (no value-for-service or -quality in this equation) They may have the expendable income to fritter away on high prices but this leads to lsquoprice fixingrsquo The situa-tion now is that a shabby and smelly Amsterdam bar can simply and brazenly charge premium level prices for a beer and feel confident that your post-disgruntlement market research will simply show that everyone else charges the same inflated prices for cafeacute and restaurant consumables

I have held on for as long as humanly possible on this one but what on earth is going on with the inflated prices for having a decent time out in Amsterdam It would seem that the private and corporate owners of hospitality industry establishments are part of a shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnics in this paradoxically damp microclimate

This is not meant to be sensationalist or even funny It truly is the case that within what can broadly be called the city centre you now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all times to find the best value on individual and preferred drinks as well as the best prices for international culinary fare Although I am loathe to blame individual licence holders for this phenomenon I am fully aware that they too are being extremely greedy in attempting to make themselves as wealthy as possible from their customersrsquo patronage simply because lsquothe landlords started itrsquo

Since 2008 the well-developed myth of secure financial management has continued to be prevalent in the Netherlands and it has taken the fall of the government to highlight the austerity measures required Residents now have to closely double-check their outgoings and can no longer feel secure about their jobs andor inflation-linked

By Denson Pierre

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

03CONTeNTS

In this issueFeATure P 04

COlOPHON

The Sentinel Amsterdame-mail sentinelpostgmailcomwebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Nadia Liefmeyer Magenta Tuunes Antonia Egon Simon Owusu David King Dirkje Bakker-Pierre and Simon Joseph

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

Editors ndash Gary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form ndash Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmaster ndash wwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost ndash Amsterjammincom

Picnic Amsterdam

TrAvel P 12

Barcelona

CulTure P 52

Antwerp

MuSIC P54 SPOrT P 80 MOre

The Elastic Band The Gold Room TrAvel P 24Cardiff

TrAvel P 40Swansea and the Gower Peninsular

ArT P 50SMAK

MuSIC P 56The Elastic Band

CAFeacute revIew P 58Cafeacute Kostverloren

reSTAurANT revIew P 62Cedars

STAr beer GuIDe P 66Ter Dolen Blond

reCOMMeNDeD P 68

SPOTTeD P 70Where is this in AmsterdamFIlM revIew Room 2c

TreNDS P 72

TeCHNOlOGY P 76TechBit Sio-Bytes

SPOrT P 78On the volley

lsquoA shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnicsrsquo

lsquoMen with beautiful instruments forcing you to tap alongrsquo

lsquoIt can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming herersquo

lsquoFill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and seersquo

04FeATure

lsquoYou now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all timesrsquo

lsquoLocals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateriesrsquo

05FeATure

Picnic Amsterdam

05CulTure

incoming capital streams This level of caution and prudence seems to have bypassed the attention of the many cafeacute and restaurant owners throughout Amsterdam however It seems as though in this city which is visited by high numbers of tourists locals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateries

A sort of blanket pricing exists across the city which rather sickeningly makes it feel like the businessmen and women have decided that if so many of the visitors come from other European Asian or American cities which are criminally expensive it would be a good idea to set up a similar pricing structure here This does not work of course even in the medium term for most hospitality undertakings Yes some of the grand fancy and in vogue places can squeeze more out of those suffocating under the need to be trendy demon-strating the hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly special (no value-for-service or -quality in this equation) They may have the expendable income to fritter away on high prices but this leads to lsquoprice fixingrsquo The situa-tion now is that a shabby and smelly Amsterdam bar can simply and brazenly charge premium level prices for a beer and feel confident that your post-disgruntlement market research will simply show that everyone else charges the same inflated prices for cafeacute and restaurant consumables

I have held on for as long as humanly possible on this one but what on earth is going on with the inflated prices for having a decent time out in Amsterdam It would seem that the private and corporate owners of hospitality industry establishments are part of a shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnics in this paradoxically damp microclimate

This is not meant to be sensationalist or even funny It truly is the case that within what can broadly be called the city centre you now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all times to find the best value on individual and preferred drinks as well as the best prices for international culinary fare Although I am loathe to blame individual licence holders for this phenomenon I am fully aware that they too are being extremely greedy in attempting to make themselves as wealthy as possible from their customersrsquo patronage simply because lsquothe landlords started itrsquo

Since 2008 the well-developed myth of secure financial management has continued to be prevalent in the Netherlands and it has taken the fall of the government to highlight the austerity measures required Residents now have to closely double-check their outgoings and can no longer feel secure about their jobs andor inflation-linked

By Denson Pierre

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

04FeATure

lsquoYou now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all timesrsquo

lsquoLocals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateriesrsquo

05FeATure

Picnic Amsterdam

05CulTure

incoming capital streams This level of caution and prudence seems to have bypassed the attention of the many cafeacute and restaurant owners throughout Amsterdam however It seems as though in this city which is visited by high numbers of tourists locals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateries

A sort of blanket pricing exists across the city which rather sickeningly makes it feel like the businessmen and women have decided that if so many of the visitors come from other European Asian or American cities which are criminally expensive it would be a good idea to set up a similar pricing structure here This does not work of course even in the medium term for most hospitality undertakings Yes some of the grand fancy and in vogue places can squeeze more out of those suffocating under the need to be trendy demon-strating the hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly special (no value-for-service or -quality in this equation) They may have the expendable income to fritter away on high prices but this leads to lsquoprice fixingrsquo The situa-tion now is that a shabby and smelly Amsterdam bar can simply and brazenly charge premium level prices for a beer and feel confident that your post-disgruntlement market research will simply show that everyone else charges the same inflated prices for cafeacute and restaurant consumables

I have held on for as long as humanly possible on this one but what on earth is going on with the inflated prices for having a decent time out in Amsterdam It would seem that the private and corporate owners of hospitality industry establishments are part of a shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnics in this paradoxically damp microclimate

This is not meant to be sensationalist or even funny It truly is the case that within what can broadly be called the city centre you now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all times to find the best value on individual and preferred drinks as well as the best prices for international culinary fare Although I am loathe to blame individual licence holders for this phenomenon I am fully aware that they too are being extremely greedy in attempting to make themselves as wealthy as possible from their customersrsquo patronage simply because lsquothe landlords started itrsquo

Since 2008 the well-developed myth of secure financial management has continued to be prevalent in the Netherlands and it has taken the fall of the government to highlight the austerity measures required Residents now have to closely double-check their outgoings and can no longer feel secure about their jobs andor inflation-linked

By Denson Pierre

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

lsquoYou now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all timesrsquo

lsquoLocals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateriesrsquo

05FeATure

Picnic Amsterdam

05CulTure

incoming capital streams This level of caution and prudence seems to have bypassed the attention of the many cafeacute and restaurant owners throughout Amsterdam however It seems as though in this city which is visited by high numbers of tourists locals are being asked to pay lsquotouristrsquo rates for even thinking about entering some of the nicer cafeacutes and eateries

A sort of blanket pricing exists across the city which rather sickeningly makes it feel like the businessmen and women have decided that if so many of the visitors come from other European Asian or American cities which are criminally expensive it would be a good idea to set up a similar pricing structure here This does not work of course even in the medium term for most hospitality undertakings Yes some of the grand fancy and in vogue places can squeeze more out of those suffocating under the need to be trendy demon-strating the hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly special (no value-for-service or -quality in this equation) They may have the expendable income to fritter away on high prices but this leads to lsquoprice fixingrsquo The situa-tion now is that a shabby and smelly Amsterdam bar can simply and brazenly charge premium level prices for a beer and feel confident that your post-disgruntlement market research will simply show that everyone else charges the same inflated prices for cafeacute and restaurant consumables

I have held on for as long as humanly possible on this one but what on earth is going on with the inflated prices for having a decent time out in Amsterdam It would seem that the private and corporate owners of hospitality industry establishments are part of a shady conspiracy to force Amsterdammers into perpetual picnics in this paradoxically damp microclimate

This is not meant to be sensationalist or even funny It truly is the case that within what can broadly be called the city centre you now need some sort of lsquopick-the-bargainrsquo app with you at all times to find the best value on individual and preferred drinks as well as the best prices for international culinary fare Although I am loathe to blame individual licence holders for this phenomenon I am fully aware that they too are being extremely greedy in attempting to make themselves as wealthy as possible from their customersrsquo patronage simply because lsquothe landlords started itrsquo

Since 2008 the well-developed myth of secure financial management has continued to be prevalent in the Netherlands and it has taken the fall of the government to highlight the austerity measures required Residents now have to closely double-check their outgoings and can no longer feel secure about their jobs andor inflation-linked

By Denson Pierre

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

06FeATure

of friends colleagues lovers or visitors to arrange a picnic Make sure you have rainproof clothing portable shelter and a good sense of punctuality as the parks are becoming more and more cramped to overflowing these summer days Clearly Amsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishments They demonstrate what everyone should understand that it makes very little sense to pay euro240 for a standard glass of beer for example with a two-finger head in a lsquoreasonablyrsquo priced cafe when after only a short walk to one of the cityrsquos many supermarkets they can get the exact same measure of the very same beer brand for around 80 cents (and usually a 24-bottle crate for less than euro10)

As to where some cafeacutes think they are headed with prices for a standard glass of beer which are already just shy of euro300 in many establishments I have no idea It is simply not sustainable unless you run a prime tourist destination cafeacute or restaurant A couple of recent research trips throughout the city centre have confirmed this So many establishments have disappeared over the past two years and many of those still going are struggling along with 50 fewer punters Gone are the days when we would be willing to hang around for long periods and fund the cafeacutesrsquo business plans through relaxed justifiable fun spending With no significant rise in earnings on the horizon and no sign of the hospitality industry reviewing its prices it may be a long while before those days return

An exception does not make the rule but there are oases of fairness and reduced megalomania around In establish-ments with owners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy it and have sufficient and mature business nous to realise that they are not selling houses or cars a mark up of 50 on wholesale prices should ensure healthy profit all round What is actually happening in the vast majority of places however is that cafeacutes in particular are applying stupendous mark-ups of around 125 on whole-sale purchase prices

I lay the initial blame for this at the door of the property owners and their estate and business agents Even at the far edges of the glamour sections of the city an entrepreneur can expect to pay a basic rent of euro3000 per month for 80m2 of floor space Do the math to realise why it becomes a depressing domino-into-unaffordable-hell effect once they decide that the only way to stay afloat during a recession is to increase prices to ridiculous levels The people who suffer most are those with an addiction to the social aspects of going out for the alcohol drugs and prepared foods that are easily obtained in Amsterdam normal cosmopolitan city dweller wants

In all of this the supermarket giants have won a tremendous victory as the only way it seems possible to extend hospi-tality home or away in Amsterdam these days is for a group

lsquoThe hollow behaviour of proving they can afford to eatdrink somewhere that is expensive even though it is not particularly specialrsquo

lsquoOwners who do it not to become lsquomillionairesrsquo but because they enjoy itrsquo

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

FeATure 07

lsquoAmsterdammers are actually an intelligent bunch and have started to abandon optional trips to hospitality establishmentsrsquo

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

08FeATure

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

FeATure 09

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

10FeATure

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

FeATure 11

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

12TrAvel

lsquoScenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of

the European continentrsquo

BARCELONA

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

13TrAvel

By Denson Pierre

It is prudent not to exhaust your supply of adjectives too early on a trip through the province of Barcelona During the course of our final full day in the region there were to be even more surprises pristine beauty and further material to fuel contemplation

To descend from Sant Mateu de Bages (gt800m) to Collbatoacute (388m) is to be driven through highland scenery that I doubt can be easily surpassed anywhere else within the inhabited reaches of the European continent The mind is lightened by the stunning beauty that rolls by Collbatoacute is on the southern

BARCELONA TOP TO BOTTOM

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

lsquoSee close-up the natural earthen

columns and subter-ranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young

Antoni Gaudirsquo

14TrAvel

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

regional flavour but did not dampen the feeling that we were approaching the end of our remarkable journey

It was 400pm when we arrived at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat (4m) This major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and breeding areas in this increasingly industrialised area of Barcelona As well as being a haven for wading and fishing birds its watery constitution provides a home for many turtles snakes and numerous butterflies and insects which enjoy the natural balance of wild flowers shrubs grasses and trees found in unfarmed areas Pleasant short trails guide you around the daily and seasonal habitats of the creatures that congregate within the reserve By all means take a half day to visit or longer as you can also trek right out to the beach It is a scenic area and once you adjust to the noise it is possible to relax and spend some time thinking about how increas-ingly our human actions deeds and need to consume space and resources is making it impossible for other creatures to share space with us

All of this beauty and ecologically correct-mindedness actually takes place just at the end of the runway of El Prat International Airport Barcelonarsquos busiest Yes I know As soon as you get to the reserve the first thing you have to do

slopes of the famous Montserrat mountain and monastery meaning that our press group had to do some more climbing to reach a site that has been used by humans since Neolithic times The caves of Salnitre are intriguing to say the least even if the level of bending crawling and negotiating the many narrow permanent step-ladder systems took some doing for the less nimble among our group The local guides are relatively tiny compared to our group who were all above average height and not wanting in terms of other physical dimensions Nonetheless it proved to be a worth-while effort To see close-up the natural earthen columns and subterranean colours which are said to have also inspired the young Antoni Gaudi and then to emerge from the depths to meet groups of school children who seem to fly through these labyrinthine passages with eyes alight in the semi-darkness is a priceless experience

This was to be the shortest day of our trip in terms of activities so we enjoyed a prolonged lunch that included the necessary pre-meal watering after our exertions on Montserrat Moments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the shade of almond trees and large parasols sipping another local favourite Moritz (lager) beer The delectable red wine served during the fresh and tasty lunch at El Cup Collbato provided

lsquoMoments when clicheacute meets blissful reality are always nice and we sat around under the

shade of almond trees and large parasolsrsquo

lsquoThis major protected area is at the vanguard of saving bird and animal nesting and

breeding areasrsquo

15TrAvel

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

16TrAvel

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

and reduced our adrenaline levels interest in taxiing into the city dissipated Instead we strolled around a couple blocks from the hotel to find a terrace have a drink and wile away a couple of hours discussing what we would all show and tell about our truly amazing journey through Barcelona Province

As we prepared to make our way back to the hotel we heard the sound of firecrackers and triumphant shouting from nearby squares and surrounding apartments It was not an honorary send-off for us unfortunately but the night that a genuine living legend of the region Josep Guardiola had led FC Barcelona to another major trophy in his very last game as manager It can be as dramatic as it is beautiful and welcoming here

httpwwwdeltallobregatcatlang=en

is get used to anything from heavily loaded Airbus 319s operated by Vueling which uses this airport as its hub right up to Boeing 777s thundering away at full throttle at what seems like just 75 metres overhead It makes me wonder how the animals cope with their behavioural evolution being in bizarre and direct conflict with humansrsquo seemingly inces-sant need to fly

My greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estate For me it signalled the truth that the entire ecological movement needs all the help it can get at all times as the counterforce of destructive industrialisation accesses all areas and views the consequences of this with hypocritical hindsight alone For a chance to enjoy lsquopeacefulrsquo bird watching of rare and outstanding species this reserve cannot be beaten in terms of easy airport access or indeed the 20 minutes it takes to travel back to the grand old Barcelona city centre

That evening we returned to Hotel Ciutat del Prat another fine four-star business hotel that promised us a 15-minute journey into the city should we fancy it It was Friday night after all That said once we had eaten another fine dinner

lsquoMy greatest respect and admiration goes out to the naturalist and guides

who administer this excellent sprawling and educational real estatersquo

lsquoOnce we had eaten another fine dinner and reduced our adrenaline levels interest

in taxiing into the city dissipatedrsquo

17TrAvel

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

18TrAvel

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

TrAvel 19

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

20TrAvel

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

TrAvel 21

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

ClASSIFIeDS 22

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 251 620 008Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 23

24TrAvel

lsquoThis part of the world which is truly beautiful and lush with people who reflect their

surroundings in the tone of their behaviourrsquo

lsquoThere are not many more awe-inspiring bridges than this set as it is across

such prominent geological formationsrsquo

Dragon style Cardiff

25TrAvel

lsquoThe Welsh have enjoyed a command position boost to their identity since 1485rsquo

The route we took swept us towards and eventually under the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge There are not many more awe-inspiring bridges than this set as it is across such prominent geological formations This wonder of Victorian engineering was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who is so revered for his genius throughout his brief life that he won second place in the BBCrsquos comprehensive 100 Greatest Britons (2002)

Upon crossing the border into Wales signs become bilingual in accordance with legislative imperative and the adjustment in thinking becomes complete as we enter a country with an entirely distinctive character which is magical considering that the crossing is otherwise almost imperceptible The Welsh have enjoyed a command position boost to their identity since 1485 given that they have the coolest national flag in a contemporary sense and one which I am sure caused psychological anguish to neighbours and regularly invading enemies during the slower-moving olden times It features a fearsome-looking dragon a red one at that forever and imperiously waving in the wind Only Bhutan and Wales have made use of this mythical and universally feared beast as a major design element to their national flag

Some 20 years had passed since I last had the pleasure of visiting southern Wales In June the opportunity arose to do so again with a greater level of detail supported by the fine people at Cardiff amp Co and some hosting by the Swansea Bay Tourism Authority

The first thing I should admit is that I have a bias towards this part of the world which is truly beautiful and lush with people who reflect their surroundings in the tone of their behaviour The local dialects and accents are near music to my ears and remind me of my roots and the Trinidadian accent It is lilting and always sounds like it is leading into song

Cardiff city is truly transformed from its appearance a generation ago and this change has produced a rather lively urban scene It has all the ingredients to make it a highly recommended weekend escape not just for Londoners and southern Brits but also for us Amsterdammers given the easy connections from Schiphol to either Cardiff City (KLM) or with a little extra pre-planning and lower cost to Bristol (Easyjet) My wife and I opted for the English airport as the drive to Cardiff from there I remembered correctly was one immediately filled with spectacle especially to lowland eyes

By Denson Pierre

26TrAvel

27TrAvel

lsquoStories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the

city and its inhabitants are profoundrsquo

lsquoA host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an

enjoyable job to write and share the loversquo

to be worthy of special mention there needs to be outstand-ingly different content within its exhibits This particular museum is in the process of housing the cherished content of the National Gallery under its roof with the more child-friendly natural history hits on the lower levels Kids do not get much fun from studying masterly portraits but they do from dinosaur reconstructions renderings of red-haired and ancient warriors of the region and the evolution of welsh jewellery making The history of coal mining with images of so many sooty faces must add to their innate desire to face paint while their developing brains try to make sense of what old really means

In one of the most outstanding twists of fortune the people of Wales in general and Cardiff in particular are patronised by the estate of the posthumously world-famous Davies sisters Gwendoline and Margaret through chance of birth into wealth and an appreciation of impres-sionist art of the highest order went on to build a private collection of unbelievable richness There can be no more impressive a collection of works by Monet Manet Cezanne and the Davies themselves as well as a selection of their distinguished contemporaries on show anywhere outside the worldrsquos greatest museums All of this amazing art was simply bequeathed to the city and national chest of Wales by these truly remarkable women A trip to Cardiff to visit their gallery has to rank in the top 15 of must-see European museum experiences in terms of its portrait collection alone

It is always difficult to drag oneself away from such inspiring art and yet Cardiff also displays the most complete contem-

Our host on this Cardiffndashin-24-hours section of the press trip was the gentlemanly Ed Townsend an affable man with an educated and infectious passion for the cultural and potential commercial wealth of the region which is all the more welcoming and warming as he was an import to the region himself some 20 years ago It is all The Sentinel desires in one stop a host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an enjoyable job to write and share the love in this forum From the moment Ed collected us at the airport to our farewell handshake I felt we were in the company of someone truly living the experience of promoting Cardiff and its environs and doing so with such ease and humour that it has become a natural extension of his charming personality

Once into the city which is so redeveloped that I honestly needed to view it as a new city centre and dock area we quickly checked into the appropriately businesslike Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre Hotel and sped off to rendezvous with Ed at the Cardiff Castle gates just three minutesrsquo walk from the hotel The professionally guided tour of the castle and compound is a must-do as the stories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the city and its inhabitants are profound The tour of the architecture and accompanying anecdotes are not only enjoyable but also great value for money

An unhurried walk of about ten minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most undersold cultural destinations in the British Isles The National Museum of Wales is surprisingly grand in scale but particularly pleasant in space usage For any capital museum

28TrAvel 28

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

Dragon style Cardiff

25TrAvel

lsquoThe Welsh have enjoyed a command position boost to their identity since 1485rsquo

The route we took swept us towards and eventually under the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge There are not many more awe-inspiring bridges than this set as it is across such prominent geological formations This wonder of Victorian engineering was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who is so revered for his genius throughout his brief life that he won second place in the BBCrsquos comprehensive 100 Greatest Britons (2002)

Upon crossing the border into Wales signs become bilingual in accordance with legislative imperative and the adjustment in thinking becomes complete as we enter a country with an entirely distinctive character which is magical considering that the crossing is otherwise almost imperceptible The Welsh have enjoyed a command position boost to their identity since 1485 given that they have the coolest national flag in a contemporary sense and one which I am sure caused psychological anguish to neighbours and regularly invading enemies during the slower-moving olden times It features a fearsome-looking dragon a red one at that forever and imperiously waving in the wind Only Bhutan and Wales have made use of this mythical and universally feared beast as a major design element to their national flag

Some 20 years had passed since I last had the pleasure of visiting southern Wales In June the opportunity arose to do so again with a greater level of detail supported by the fine people at Cardiff amp Co and some hosting by the Swansea Bay Tourism Authority

The first thing I should admit is that I have a bias towards this part of the world which is truly beautiful and lush with people who reflect their surroundings in the tone of their behaviour The local dialects and accents are near music to my ears and remind me of my roots and the Trinidadian accent It is lilting and always sounds like it is leading into song

Cardiff city is truly transformed from its appearance a generation ago and this change has produced a rather lively urban scene It has all the ingredients to make it a highly recommended weekend escape not just for Londoners and southern Brits but also for us Amsterdammers given the easy connections from Schiphol to either Cardiff City (KLM) or with a little extra pre-planning and lower cost to Bristol (Easyjet) My wife and I opted for the English airport as the drive to Cardiff from there I remembered correctly was one immediately filled with spectacle especially to lowland eyes

By Denson Pierre

26TrAvel

27TrAvel

lsquoStories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the

city and its inhabitants are profoundrsquo

lsquoA host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an

enjoyable job to write and share the loversquo

to be worthy of special mention there needs to be outstand-ingly different content within its exhibits This particular museum is in the process of housing the cherished content of the National Gallery under its roof with the more child-friendly natural history hits on the lower levels Kids do not get much fun from studying masterly portraits but they do from dinosaur reconstructions renderings of red-haired and ancient warriors of the region and the evolution of welsh jewellery making The history of coal mining with images of so many sooty faces must add to their innate desire to face paint while their developing brains try to make sense of what old really means

In one of the most outstanding twists of fortune the people of Wales in general and Cardiff in particular are patronised by the estate of the posthumously world-famous Davies sisters Gwendoline and Margaret through chance of birth into wealth and an appreciation of impres-sionist art of the highest order went on to build a private collection of unbelievable richness There can be no more impressive a collection of works by Monet Manet Cezanne and the Davies themselves as well as a selection of their distinguished contemporaries on show anywhere outside the worldrsquos greatest museums All of this amazing art was simply bequeathed to the city and national chest of Wales by these truly remarkable women A trip to Cardiff to visit their gallery has to rank in the top 15 of must-see European museum experiences in terms of its portrait collection alone

It is always difficult to drag oneself away from such inspiring art and yet Cardiff also displays the most complete contem-

Our host on this Cardiffndashin-24-hours section of the press trip was the gentlemanly Ed Townsend an affable man with an educated and infectious passion for the cultural and potential commercial wealth of the region which is all the more welcoming and warming as he was an import to the region himself some 20 years ago It is all The Sentinel desires in one stop a host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an enjoyable job to write and share the love in this forum From the moment Ed collected us at the airport to our farewell handshake I felt we were in the company of someone truly living the experience of promoting Cardiff and its environs and doing so with such ease and humour that it has become a natural extension of his charming personality

Once into the city which is so redeveloped that I honestly needed to view it as a new city centre and dock area we quickly checked into the appropriately businesslike Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre Hotel and sped off to rendezvous with Ed at the Cardiff Castle gates just three minutesrsquo walk from the hotel The professionally guided tour of the castle and compound is a must-do as the stories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the city and its inhabitants are profound The tour of the architecture and accompanying anecdotes are not only enjoyable but also great value for money

An unhurried walk of about ten minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most undersold cultural destinations in the British Isles The National Museum of Wales is surprisingly grand in scale but particularly pleasant in space usage For any capital museum

28TrAvel 28

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

26TrAvel

27TrAvel

lsquoStories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the

city and its inhabitants are profoundrsquo

lsquoA host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an

enjoyable job to write and share the loversquo

to be worthy of special mention there needs to be outstand-ingly different content within its exhibits This particular museum is in the process of housing the cherished content of the National Gallery under its roof with the more child-friendly natural history hits on the lower levels Kids do not get much fun from studying masterly portraits but they do from dinosaur reconstructions renderings of red-haired and ancient warriors of the region and the evolution of welsh jewellery making The history of coal mining with images of so many sooty faces must add to their innate desire to face paint while their developing brains try to make sense of what old really means

In one of the most outstanding twists of fortune the people of Wales in general and Cardiff in particular are patronised by the estate of the posthumously world-famous Davies sisters Gwendoline and Margaret through chance of birth into wealth and an appreciation of impres-sionist art of the highest order went on to build a private collection of unbelievable richness There can be no more impressive a collection of works by Monet Manet Cezanne and the Davies themselves as well as a selection of their distinguished contemporaries on show anywhere outside the worldrsquos greatest museums All of this amazing art was simply bequeathed to the city and national chest of Wales by these truly remarkable women A trip to Cardiff to visit their gallery has to rank in the top 15 of must-see European museum experiences in terms of its portrait collection alone

It is always difficult to drag oneself away from such inspiring art and yet Cardiff also displays the most complete contem-

Our host on this Cardiffndashin-24-hours section of the press trip was the gentlemanly Ed Townsend an affable man with an educated and infectious passion for the cultural and potential commercial wealth of the region which is all the more welcoming and warming as he was an import to the region himself some 20 years ago It is all The Sentinel desires in one stop a host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an enjoyable job to write and share the love in this forum From the moment Ed collected us at the airport to our farewell handshake I felt we were in the company of someone truly living the experience of promoting Cardiff and its environs and doing so with such ease and humour that it has become a natural extension of his charming personality

Once into the city which is so redeveloped that I honestly needed to view it as a new city centre and dock area we quickly checked into the appropriately businesslike Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre Hotel and sped off to rendezvous with Ed at the Cardiff Castle gates just three minutesrsquo walk from the hotel The professionally guided tour of the castle and compound is a must-do as the stories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the city and its inhabitants are profound The tour of the architecture and accompanying anecdotes are not only enjoyable but also great value for money

An unhurried walk of about ten minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most undersold cultural destinations in the British Isles The National Museum of Wales is surprisingly grand in scale but particularly pleasant in space usage For any capital museum

28TrAvel 28

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

27TrAvel

lsquoStories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the

city and its inhabitants are profoundrsquo

lsquoA host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an

enjoyable job to write and share the loversquo

to be worthy of special mention there needs to be outstand-ingly different content within its exhibits This particular museum is in the process of housing the cherished content of the National Gallery under its roof with the more child-friendly natural history hits on the lower levels Kids do not get much fun from studying masterly portraits but they do from dinosaur reconstructions renderings of red-haired and ancient warriors of the region and the evolution of welsh jewellery making The history of coal mining with images of so many sooty faces must add to their innate desire to face paint while their developing brains try to make sense of what old really means

In one of the most outstanding twists of fortune the people of Wales in general and Cardiff in particular are patronised by the estate of the posthumously world-famous Davies sisters Gwendoline and Margaret through chance of birth into wealth and an appreciation of impres-sionist art of the highest order went on to build a private collection of unbelievable richness There can be no more impressive a collection of works by Monet Manet Cezanne and the Davies themselves as well as a selection of their distinguished contemporaries on show anywhere outside the worldrsquos greatest museums All of this amazing art was simply bequeathed to the city and national chest of Wales by these truly remarkable women A trip to Cardiff to visit their gallery has to rank in the top 15 of must-see European museum experiences in terms of its portrait collection alone

It is always difficult to drag oneself away from such inspiring art and yet Cardiff also displays the most complete contem-

Our host on this Cardiffndashin-24-hours section of the press trip was the gentlemanly Ed Townsend an affable man with an educated and infectious passion for the cultural and potential commercial wealth of the region which is all the more welcoming and warming as he was an import to the region himself some 20 years ago It is all The Sentinel desires in one stop a host who knows his or her area and its cultural tourism offer inside out making it an enjoyable job to write and share the love in this forum From the moment Ed collected us at the airport to our farewell handshake I felt we were in the company of someone truly living the experience of promoting Cardiff and its environs and doing so with such ease and humour that it has become a natural extension of his charming personality

Once into the city which is so redeveloped that I honestly needed to view it as a new city centre and dock area we quickly checked into the appropriately businesslike Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre Hotel and sped off to rendezvous with Ed at the Cardiff Castle gates just three minutesrsquo walk from the hotel The professionally guided tour of the castle and compound is a must-do as the stories of the castlersquos former masters and their historical and continued influence on the life of the city and its inhabitants are profound The tour of the architecture and accompanying anecdotes are not only enjoyable but also great value for money

An unhurried walk of about ten minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most undersold cultural destinations in the British Isles The National Museum of Wales is surprisingly grand in scale but particularly pleasant in space usage For any capital museum

28TrAvel 28

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

28TrAvel 28

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

29TrAvel

Cardiff at night and we were there on a Friday has a buzz I can only recall in Amsterdam back in the 1990s when good outings were still easily regular as the cost of a night on the razz did not provoke fear of warning letters from your bank about overspending Relatively speaking Cardiff is cheap so cheap in fact that even when we got used to the tiring conversion rate (the currency remains British Pounds Sterling) we had difficulty believing the low cost of things Amsterdam for those reading this who do not already know carries prices for hospitality adventures similar to those found in central London

A persistently bizarre practice in the United Kingdom is for cross-dressed lsquofancyrsquo-dressed and just plain silly-dressed groups of women and men to rampage around drinking excessively and calling it a lsquohenrsquo or lsquostagrsquo party You can normally sidestep or simply ignore these loud and gauche troupes as you may not need to be out until late at night when they all become stuck in the inevitable mound of vomit toxic blabbering and splayed bodies You will have a great time out in the city otherwise as there are so many real pubs with staff who genuinely enjoy working in them Cardiff city centre is hot and vibrant and to our surprise we were forced to give up on keeping pace with it given that we would be heading out to Swansea City and the Gower Peninsular early next morning

porary painting I have come across in terms of instant and absolute engagement with its narrative without prior awareness The subject matter is not out of this world but merely simple What happens once you countenance and absorb the artistic language of local artist Kevin Sinnott in the marvellously enthralling grand portrait Running Away with the Hairdresser is absolute envelopment within a story you feel as if you should know I am by no means an art critic but it is simply the most outstanding original painting I have come across in my lifetime Completely entertaining and thought provoking even though it takes the form of a still painting Genius

Naturally we also needed to hit the mean streets since life and travel are not just about immobile art but people and libations are also important research turf The national sport of Wales is rugby and a part of the culture around that ferocious sport (both there and in England) is good beer and not just the lsquopiss waterrsquo commonly associated with football fans (lagerspilsners) Once in Wales you suddenly have an opportunity to drink in pursuit of taste and more mellow experiences with alcohol because it is easy to find an endless supply of crafted Real Ales This type of beer is generally low on carbon dioxide which could be said is what regularly goes straight to and clouds the brain of volume drinkers of bubbly cold beer I rank truly great Real Ale alongside the best of the Belgian beers in terms of the overall quality of experience when taking them Beers with a story and made with craft is what educated alcoholism should be about not mass-produced chemical swills that regularly turn those who imbibe them into violent head bangers

lsquoCardiff city centre is hot and vibrantrsquo

lsquoTen minutes from the castle grounds takes you to what must be one of the most under-sold cultural destinations in the British Islesrsquo

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

30TrAvel

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

TrAvel 31

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

TrAvel 32

Jacopo Palma VecchiolsquoMars venus and Cupidrsquo

c1520

Courtesy of the National Museum of Wales

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

33TrAvel

Kevin Sinnottlsquorunning Away with the Hairdresserrsquo

1995

Copyright Kevin Sinnott courtesy of the Martin Tinney Gallery

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

34TrAvel

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

TrAvel 35

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

36TrAvel

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

TrAvel 37

ClASSIFIeDS 38

ClASSIFIeDS 38

ClASSIFIeDS 39

40TrAvel

lsquoOur intention was to go simple by taking the local bus out of the city

through pristine and picture-perfect countrysidersquo

lsquoIndulge in lovely breezy walks water sports or just sit and allow the beauty of

nature and the elements to wash over yoursquo

Gower Peninsular and Swansea City

41TrAvel

lsquoDonrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare

and fine alesrsquo

as such in this case by having a cathedral) By any other modern reckoning it would be considered merely a small village but Llandaff happens to be the seat of the Bishop of the Church of Wales The neighbourhood around the church is very nicely groomed and must be one of the more exclusive areas of greater Cardiff in which to live

Further along just before we spilled on to the highway to speed to Swansea we visited an inspirational highlight St Fagans National (open air) Museum Despite the rapidly changeable weather in this maritime area this museum is truly worth a half-day visit at minimum Youngsters will love it since the activities are numerous and the displays and educators first class Of particular interest is the recon-struction of period coal minersrsquo homes with contents that evolve over a hundred year period or so on a reconstructed street with gardens and fittings all adding up to a truly interactive and encyclopaedic experience

Back in Swansea our intention was to go simple by taking the local bus out of the city through pristine and picture-perfect countryside and depositing ourselves at Rhossili

Clearly the hospitality extended by Cardiff and Co stretches to making sure their near regional neighbours are served up with visiting journal-ists with due punctuality and in good humour Ed Townsend made it his business to drive us right to the door of our Swansea City lodgings The Dragon Hotel smack in the middle of old Swansea town This fine establishment retains a certain four-star glitz not entirely shared by many of the businesses left operating within the old city shopping area There is a slightly tired look to many shop fronts here and clearly Swansea is not booming as Cardiff is so scars of the United Kingdomrsquos wider and rampant reces-sion are sadly more apparent

Before we actually made tracks for Swansea Ed had another jewel up his sleeve Upon leaving Cardiff he first took us to one of the smallest cities you will ever come across (defined

By Denson Pierre

42TrAvel

43TrAvel

lsquoTotally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thingrsquo

lsquoLined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in

menus I did not expect to find in South Walesrsquo

in their flavouring and spice usage not to mention why they insult knowledgeable customers who celebrate the cuisinersquos taste experience by adding raisins to any meal which has a chilli factor Here in Swansea we were reminded about what full-flavoured Indian cuisine is all about outside of India that is The tarkha dhal was smooth and the vegetable jalfrezi straightened me out with its elements of life The flavour and chilli factors used made it hotter even than any vindaloo I have sampled over the years in the many so-called authentic Indian restaurants in Amsterdam

With cleared nasal passages we drank a couple of Peroni pilsners during what turned out to be a waste of a couple of hours watching the Spain versus France bore-fest of a Euro 2012 quarter-final at The Wig grand pub At the final whistle we braved the now driving rain for at least fifty metres to the next pub along where we dried off with another fine glass of ale and shared the company of lsquohappyrsquo totally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thing This meant an entire pub filled with both genders sitting and standing around with huge measures of drink and no apparent regard for how the volume-drinking fixation is warping their body form over time turning way too many people into a clumsily obese and unhealthy bunch That sort of take on behaviour is for another trip or topic however Swansea has its issues but it is also the gateway to some tremendous nature and is filled with people who are generally warm and countrified despite the cityrsquos urban trappings and a Premier League football team thrown in to aid its pull

This protected area was the first in the history of the United Kingdom to be accredited as a region of rare and outstanding natural beauty It is of course somewhere you simply have to get to yourself rather than read what it feels like to be there The local bus 118 from the spiffy new bus station in Swansea takes less than an hour to get there and it works well for the return journey as the buses are pretty much hourly until around 800pm

Out on the Gower Peninsular you are enticed to indulge in lovely breezy walks water sports or just sit and allow the beauty of nature and the elements to wash over you You will be happy to know that locals also leave their cars at home and bus out to the coast and cliffs for the day And donrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare and fine ales

Swansea City is also filled with pubs of character characters and wide-ranging quality drinks What we did not expect to find was that a walk along a certain street at a time when tiny hunger pangs are sounding can lead to a great experi-ence We asked a couple of locals in the hugely professional Potterrsquos Wheel pub where we might find the best food in town They directed us down St Helenrsquos Road which blew us away It is lined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in menus I did not expect to find in South Wales We surveyed what must have been at least 500 metres of display menus and aromas until we settled on Anarkali Tandoori Restaurant

At this point it is worth saying that I have never figured out why sub-continental restaurants in Amsterdam are so limp

44TrAvel

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

Gower Peninsular and Swansea City

41TrAvel

lsquoDonrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare

and fine alesrsquo

as such in this case by having a cathedral) By any other modern reckoning it would be considered merely a small village but Llandaff happens to be the seat of the Bishop of the Church of Wales The neighbourhood around the church is very nicely groomed and must be one of the more exclusive areas of greater Cardiff in which to live

Further along just before we spilled on to the highway to speed to Swansea we visited an inspirational highlight St Fagans National (open air) Museum Despite the rapidly changeable weather in this maritime area this museum is truly worth a half-day visit at minimum Youngsters will love it since the activities are numerous and the displays and educators first class Of particular interest is the recon-struction of period coal minersrsquo homes with contents that evolve over a hundred year period or so on a reconstructed street with gardens and fittings all adding up to a truly interactive and encyclopaedic experience

Back in Swansea our intention was to go simple by taking the local bus out of the city through pristine and picture-perfect countryside and depositing ourselves at Rhossili

Clearly the hospitality extended by Cardiff and Co stretches to making sure their near regional neighbours are served up with visiting journal-ists with due punctuality and in good humour Ed Townsend made it his business to drive us right to the door of our Swansea City lodgings The Dragon Hotel smack in the middle of old Swansea town This fine establishment retains a certain four-star glitz not entirely shared by many of the businesses left operating within the old city shopping area There is a slightly tired look to many shop fronts here and clearly Swansea is not booming as Cardiff is so scars of the United Kingdomrsquos wider and rampant reces-sion are sadly more apparent

Before we actually made tracks for Swansea Ed had another jewel up his sleeve Upon leaving Cardiff he first took us to one of the smallest cities you will ever come across (defined

By Denson Pierre

42TrAvel

43TrAvel

lsquoTotally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thingrsquo

lsquoLined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in

menus I did not expect to find in South Walesrsquo

in their flavouring and spice usage not to mention why they insult knowledgeable customers who celebrate the cuisinersquos taste experience by adding raisins to any meal which has a chilli factor Here in Swansea we were reminded about what full-flavoured Indian cuisine is all about outside of India that is The tarkha dhal was smooth and the vegetable jalfrezi straightened me out with its elements of life The flavour and chilli factors used made it hotter even than any vindaloo I have sampled over the years in the many so-called authentic Indian restaurants in Amsterdam

With cleared nasal passages we drank a couple of Peroni pilsners during what turned out to be a waste of a couple of hours watching the Spain versus France bore-fest of a Euro 2012 quarter-final at The Wig grand pub At the final whistle we braved the now driving rain for at least fifty metres to the next pub along where we dried off with another fine glass of ale and shared the company of lsquohappyrsquo totally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thing This meant an entire pub filled with both genders sitting and standing around with huge measures of drink and no apparent regard for how the volume-drinking fixation is warping their body form over time turning way too many people into a clumsily obese and unhealthy bunch That sort of take on behaviour is for another trip or topic however Swansea has its issues but it is also the gateway to some tremendous nature and is filled with people who are generally warm and countrified despite the cityrsquos urban trappings and a Premier League football team thrown in to aid its pull

This protected area was the first in the history of the United Kingdom to be accredited as a region of rare and outstanding natural beauty It is of course somewhere you simply have to get to yourself rather than read what it feels like to be there The local bus 118 from the spiffy new bus station in Swansea takes less than an hour to get there and it works well for the return journey as the buses are pretty much hourly until around 800pm

Out on the Gower Peninsular you are enticed to indulge in lovely breezy walks water sports or just sit and allow the beauty of nature and the elements to wash over you You will be happy to know that locals also leave their cars at home and bus out to the coast and cliffs for the day And donrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare and fine ales

Swansea City is also filled with pubs of character characters and wide-ranging quality drinks What we did not expect to find was that a walk along a certain street at a time when tiny hunger pangs are sounding can lead to a great experi-ence We asked a couple of locals in the hugely professional Potterrsquos Wheel pub where we might find the best food in town They directed us down St Helenrsquos Road which blew us away It is lined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in menus I did not expect to find in South Wales We surveyed what must have been at least 500 metres of display menus and aromas until we settled on Anarkali Tandoori Restaurant

At this point it is worth saying that I have never figured out why sub-continental restaurants in Amsterdam are so limp

44TrAvel

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

42TrAvel

43TrAvel

lsquoTotally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thingrsquo

lsquoLined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in

menus I did not expect to find in South Walesrsquo

in their flavouring and spice usage not to mention why they insult knowledgeable customers who celebrate the cuisinersquos taste experience by adding raisins to any meal which has a chilli factor Here in Swansea we were reminded about what full-flavoured Indian cuisine is all about outside of India that is The tarkha dhal was smooth and the vegetable jalfrezi straightened me out with its elements of life The flavour and chilli factors used made it hotter even than any vindaloo I have sampled over the years in the many so-called authentic Indian restaurants in Amsterdam

With cleared nasal passages we drank a couple of Peroni pilsners during what turned out to be a waste of a couple of hours watching the Spain versus France bore-fest of a Euro 2012 quarter-final at The Wig grand pub At the final whistle we braved the now driving rain for at least fifty metres to the next pub along where we dried off with another fine glass of ale and shared the company of lsquohappyrsquo totally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thing This meant an entire pub filled with both genders sitting and standing around with huge measures of drink and no apparent regard for how the volume-drinking fixation is warping their body form over time turning way too many people into a clumsily obese and unhealthy bunch That sort of take on behaviour is for another trip or topic however Swansea has its issues but it is also the gateway to some tremendous nature and is filled with people who are generally warm and countrified despite the cityrsquos urban trappings and a Premier League football team thrown in to aid its pull

This protected area was the first in the history of the United Kingdom to be accredited as a region of rare and outstanding natural beauty It is of course somewhere you simply have to get to yourself rather than read what it feels like to be there The local bus 118 from the spiffy new bus station in Swansea takes less than an hour to get there and it works well for the return journey as the buses are pretty much hourly until around 800pm

Out on the Gower Peninsular you are enticed to indulge in lovely breezy walks water sports or just sit and allow the beauty of nature and the elements to wash over you You will be happy to know that locals also leave their cars at home and bus out to the coast and cliffs for the day And donrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare and fine ales

Swansea City is also filled with pubs of character characters and wide-ranging quality drinks What we did not expect to find was that a walk along a certain street at a time when tiny hunger pangs are sounding can lead to a great experi-ence We asked a couple of locals in the hugely professional Potterrsquos Wheel pub where we might find the best food in town They directed us down St Helenrsquos Road which blew us away It is lined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in menus I did not expect to find in South Wales We surveyed what must have been at least 500 metres of display menus and aromas until we settled on Anarkali Tandoori Restaurant

At this point it is worth saying that I have never figured out why sub-continental restaurants in Amsterdam are so limp

44TrAvel

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

43TrAvel

lsquoTotally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thingrsquo

lsquoLined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in

menus I did not expect to find in South Walesrsquo

in their flavouring and spice usage not to mention why they insult knowledgeable customers who celebrate the cuisinersquos taste experience by adding raisins to any meal which has a chilli factor Here in Swansea we were reminded about what full-flavoured Indian cuisine is all about outside of India that is The tarkha dhal was smooth and the vegetable jalfrezi straightened me out with its elements of life The flavour and chilli factors used made it hotter even than any vindaloo I have sampled over the years in the many so-called authentic Indian restaurants in Amsterdam

With cleared nasal passages we drank a couple of Peroni pilsners during what turned out to be a waste of a couple of hours watching the Spain versus France bore-fest of a Euro 2012 quarter-final at The Wig grand pub At the final whistle we braved the now driving rain for at least fifty metres to the next pub along where we dried off with another fine glass of ale and shared the company of lsquohappyrsquo totally local folk out doing their customary Saturday night thing This meant an entire pub filled with both genders sitting and standing around with huge measures of drink and no apparent regard for how the volume-drinking fixation is warping their body form over time turning way too many people into a clumsily obese and unhealthy bunch That sort of take on behaviour is for another trip or topic however Swansea has its issues but it is also the gateway to some tremendous nature and is filled with people who are generally warm and countrified despite the cityrsquos urban trappings and a Premier League football team thrown in to aid its pull

This protected area was the first in the history of the United Kingdom to be accredited as a region of rare and outstanding natural beauty It is of course somewhere you simply have to get to yourself rather than read what it feels like to be there The local bus 118 from the spiffy new bus station in Swansea takes less than an hour to get there and it works well for the return journey as the buses are pretty much hourly until around 800pm

Out on the Gower Peninsular you are enticed to indulge in lovely breezy walks water sports or just sit and allow the beauty of nature and the elements to wash over you You will be happy to know that locals also leave their cars at home and bus out to the coast and cliffs for the day And donrsquot be surprised to find the hospitality establishments serving up expansive fare and fine ales

Swansea City is also filled with pubs of character characters and wide-ranging quality drinks What we did not expect to find was that a walk along a certain street at a time when tiny hunger pangs are sounding can lead to a great experi-ence We asked a couple of locals in the hugely professional Potterrsquos Wheel pub where we might find the best food in town They directed us down St Helenrsquos Road which blew us away It is lined with mainly ethnic restaurants of varying degrees of chique with a variation in menus I did not expect to find in South Wales We surveyed what must have been at least 500 metres of display menus and aromas until we settled on Anarkali Tandoori Restaurant

At this point it is worth saying that I have never figured out why sub-continental restaurants in Amsterdam are so limp

44TrAvel

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

44TrAvel

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

TrAvel 45

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

46TrAvel

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

TrAvel 47

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

Familiar and yet always innovative Marriott

The Prague Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of the city center a few steps away from historical landmarks such as the Municipal House and a short walk from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise

The hotel interior was recently renovated its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet personal safe mini-bar satellite TV with LCD screens movies and music on demand voice mail data ports individual climate control and a comfortable working area

The hotel offers 1450 square meters (11 conference rooms in total some with daylight) of newly renovated flexible conference reception and banquet space located on one level Whether you need to organize a board meeting for 8 participants or a conference reception for 750 delegates the Prague Marriott will provide a tailored service that exceeds your expectations The professional event management team will create a successful event you will always remember

Since July 2009 we have incorporated ldquogreen eventsrdquo into our everyday standards By applying the principles of reduce reuse and recycle to all events and meetings we make them more eco-friendly and help guests and meeting planners reduce their carbon footprint on the environment

ClASSIFIeDS 28

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

YOU WONrsquoT FIND BETTER PRICES IN THE CZ THAN IN OUR AIRPORT SHOPS

It pays to shop at the airport Many brand outlets with a wide selection of exclusive goods carry The Best Price Guarantee logo which means you get the best prices in the Czech Republic

A4indd 8 12412 1012

ClASSIFIeDS 49

ArT 50

SMAK is one of Europersquos more interesting and happening museums for the modern arts

Located in the popular tourist city of Ghent they are very active and always aim to organise original and contemporay exhibitions and art events This summer their main event is TRACK a unique art experience that takes you all the way through the city of Ghent (featured in Sentinel issue 5-12) Itrsquos a truly lsquomodernrsquo museum of modern arts and defenitely worth a visit after you have tried the cathedrals and tasted all of the beers (or rather in reverse order)

wwwsmakbe

SMAK

51ArT

52CulTure

Antwerp the best beer houses

53CulTure

lsquoThe best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer

cafeacutesrsquo

lsquot WaagstukStadswaag 20

Bier CentralDe Keyserlei 25

Duke of Antwerpde Keyserlei 29

lsquot Antwerps bierhuyskeHoogstraat 14

Kulminator Vleminckveld 32

Oud Arsenaal Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4

Enjoy them all and we look forward to swapping tasty stories about these vibrant places in the future

With this very short piece we say farewell to Antwerp and Flanders for the time being In the meantime we need to keep our options open of course but hopefully the information contained in recent editions of The Sentinel will fill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and see

Courtesy of Hans the brewer (httpwwwpakhuisinfo) we present to you the best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer cafeacutes to help soothe you after a hectic day of shopping or working in the city

By Denson Pierre

SPOrTClASSIFIeDS 54

51ArT

52CulTure

Antwerp the best beer houses

53CulTure

lsquoThe best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer

cafeacutesrsquo

lsquot WaagstukStadswaag 20

Bier CentralDe Keyserlei 25

Duke of Antwerpde Keyserlei 29

lsquot Antwerps bierhuyskeHoogstraat 14

Kulminator Vleminckveld 32

Oud Arsenaal Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4

Enjoy them all and we look forward to swapping tasty stories about these vibrant places in the future

With this very short piece we say farewell to Antwerp and Flanders for the time being In the meantime we need to keep our options open of course but hopefully the information contained in recent editions of The Sentinel will fill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and see

Courtesy of Hans the brewer (httpwwwpakhuisinfo) we present to you the best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer cafeacutes to help soothe you after a hectic day of shopping or working in the city

By Denson Pierre

SPOrTClASSIFIeDS 54

52CulTure

Antwerp the best beer houses

53CulTure

lsquoThe best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer

cafeacutesrsquo

lsquot WaagstukStadswaag 20

Bier CentralDe Keyserlei 25

Duke of Antwerpde Keyserlei 29

lsquot Antwerps bierhuyskeHoogstraat 14

Kulminator Vleminckveld 32

Oud Arsenaal Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4

Enjoy them all and we look forward to swapping tasty stories about these vibrant places in the future

With this very short piece we say farewell to Antwerp and Flanders for the time being In the meantime we need to keep our options open of course but hopefully the information contained in recent editions of The Sentinel will fill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and see

Courtesy of Hans the brewer (httpwwwpakhuisinfo) we present to you the best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer cafeacutes to help soothe you after a hectic day of shopping or working in the city

By Denson Pierre

SPOrTClASSIFIeDS 54

Antwerp the best beer houses

53CulTure

lsquoThe best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer

cafeacutesrsquo

lsquot WaagstukStadswaag 20

Bier CentralDe Keyserlei 25

Duke of Antwerpde Keyserlei 29

lsquot Antwerps bierhuyskeHoogstraat 14

Kulminator Vleminckveld 32

Oud Arsenaal Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4

Enjoy them all and we look forward to swapping tasty stories about these vibrant places in the future

With this very short piece we say farewell to Antwerp and Flanders for the time being In the meantime we need to keep our options open of course but hopefully the information contained in recent editions of The Sentinel will fill your trip(s) to Antwerp and the region with many enjoyable things to do taste and see

Courtesy of Hans the brewer (httpwwwpakhuisinfo) we present to you the best of Antwerprsquos other specialist beer cafeacutes to help soothe you after a hectic day of shopping or working in the city

By Denson Pierre

SPOrTClASSIFIeDS 54

SPOrTClASSIFIeDS 54

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

ClASSIFIeDS 55

56MuSIC

TheElastic Band lsquoThree hours later

and everyone present is glowing from a music-led good-time Saturday nightrsquo

By Magenta Tuunes

MuSIC 57

It is 14 July and another distinctly autumnal summerrsquos night in Amsterdam so I take the opportunity to check out the much-talked-about group of friends who entertain with traditional Irish and bluegrass music a few times a year at Mulliganrsquos Irish Music BarWith such a dearth of decent affordable live music in the city it is a treat to join the regulars tourists and music lovers in enjoying a group of men with beautiful instruments forcing you to tap along and enticing the more liberated to perform a modified jig From reels and country favourites to Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash sing-a-longs blend in nicely with the litres of alcoholic beverages which fly over the bar once this type of music captures the spirit of all present

The Elastic Band has been going for some six years now and is a surprisingly shy group of men once they assume their performance personas Two members Barry Teehan (voice jokes mandolin) and Max van Gelder (Irish accordion Irish whistle acoustic bass guitar) also work in the pub proving that good music does not always pay well The other members are Dominic Crosbie (guitar) and Siard de Jong (fiddle) Given the tight fit of this venerable Amsterdam pub intimate to nicely crowded is the best description Everyone is happy so the atmosphere feels good Three hours later and everyone present is glowing from a music-led good-time Saturday night The bandrsquos objective is to record what they have clearly become so good at and it shouldnrsquot be long before they are picked up by a company who can package them for proper commercial gain

58CAFebAr revIew

CafeacuteBar ReviewCafeacute Kostverloren

CafeacuteBar Review

lsquoA large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny displayrsquo

By Denson Pierre

CAFebAr revIew 59

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam

In recent years a few A-class cafeacutebars and eateries have appeared in the small area surrounding the Kinkerbrug in Amsterdam Oud West Of these one has prospered during the course of the disappointing summer weather-wise Cafeacute Kostverloren either by luck or astute business foresight opened its cafeacute and terrace a couple of years ago in an area that had been screaming out for a classy cafeacute The ownersrsquo chosen configuration now draws punters from across Amsterdam and even international residents and tourists

AmbianceWithout being too self-consciously hip Cafeacute Kostverloren is a cool place A large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny display The interior concept features an open kitchen which is a spectacle rather than an intimidating space and a huge saloon themed as a living room a great concept for single men in particular to spend a Sunday afternoon TV sport session with a special meal price offer This is understanding and innovative On Mondays there is even a pub quiz to take the edge off the start of the working weekRating 5

StaffregularsThe proprietors here seem to know what they are doing with recruitment and how to keep staff well motivated always smiling and readily helpful Things run smoothly and service is always brisk Regulars include many residents of the nearby cluster of streets and even though a few lsquotrendiesrsquo appear in between the groups it retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyRating 5

Televised sportNot yet busy with international sport banks of flat-screen

TVs showing predominantly Dutch-interest sports feature even on the terrace as was the case during the recent Euro 2012 The cafeacutersquos Ajax Tour-de-France and Studio Sport meal-on-your-lap-in-the-living-room concept makes the saloon a very appealing theatre for viewing televised sportRating 4

PricesThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social fun including alcohol and food Cafeacute Kostvelorenrsquos kitchen turns out average-priced fare and caters for vegetar-ians Pricier dishes are offered for those whose budgets stretch Drinks are generally in the reasonable to cheaper category You can turn up with euro10 enjoy four premium-quality vaasjes and still take home euro120 in change This is remarkable in present day Amsterdam and keeps people coming back The beer selection both on tap and in bottles is outstanding and the range of liqueurs and spirits more than adequateRating 5

MusicDepends on the shift manager so it can be a bit of a lottery given the tens of thousands of music files available via the digital sound system With so many of the staff below 30 years of age they can display too much of a preference for uninspiring Dutch technohouse music but even so the playlists are reasonably variedRating 3

Smoking area provisionDuring the summer months the cafeacute is a magnet for smokers as the cosy terrace reduces the chance of conflict with the more than 70 of punters who do not smoke At times of rain and cold weather the brilliantly coloured awnings provide sufficient cover under which puffers can satisfy their craving Rating 4

Total rating 2630(Ratings from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

60CAFebAr revIew

lsquoIt retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyrsquo

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

By Magenta Tuunes

MuSIC 57

It is 14 July and another distinctly autumnal summerrsquos night in Amsterdam so I take the opportunity to check out the much-talked-about group of friends who entertain with traditional Irish and bluegrass music a few times a year at Mulliganrsquos Irish Music BarWith such a dearth of decent affordable live music in the city it is a treat to join the regulars tourists and music lovers in enjoying a group of men with beautiful instruments forcing you to tap along and enticing the more liberated to perform a modified jig From reels and country favourites to Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash sing-a-longs blend in nicely with the litres of alcoholic beverages which fly over the bar once this type of music captures the spirit of all present

The Elastic Band has been going for some six years now and is a surprisingly shy group of men once they assume their performance personas Two members Barry Teehan (voice jokes mandolin) and Max van Gelder (Irish accordion Irish whistle acoustic bass guitar) also work in the pub proving that good music does not always pay well The other members are Dominic Crosbie (guitar) and Siard de Jong (fiddle) Given the tight fit of this venerable Amsterdam pub intimate to nicely crowded is the best description Everyone is happy so the atmosphere feels good Three hours later and everyone present is glowing from a music-led good-time Saturday night The bandrsquos objective is to record what they have clearly become so good at and it shouldnrsquot be long before they are picked up by a company who can package them for proper commercial gain

58CAFebAr revIew

CafeacuteBar ReviewCafeacute Kostverloren

CafeacuteBar Review

lsquoA large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny displayrsquo

By Denson Pierre

CAFebAr revIew 59

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam

In recent years a few A-class cafeacutebars and eateries have appeared in the small area surrounding the Kinkerbrug in Amsterdam Oud West Of these one has prospered during the course of the disappointing summer weather-wise Cafeacute Kostverloren either by luck or astute business foresight opened its cafeacute and terrace a couple of years ago in an area that had been screaming out for a classy cafeacute The ownersrsquo chosen configuration now draws punters from across Amsterdam and even international residents and tourists

AmbianceWithout being too self-consciously hip Cafeacute Kostverloren is a cool place A large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny display The interior concept features an open kitchen which is a spectacle rather than an intimidating space and a huge saloon themed as a living room a great concept for single men in particular to spend a Sunday afternoon TV sport session with a special meal price offer This is understanding and innovative On Mondays there is even a pub quiz to take the edge off the start of the working weekRating 5

StaffregularsThe proprietors here seem to know what they are doing with recruitment and how to keep staff well motivated always smiling and readily helpful Things run smoothly and service is always brisk Regulars include many residents of the nearby cluster of streets and even though a few lsquotrendiesrsquo appear in between the groups it retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyRating 5

Televised sportNot yet busy with international sport banks of flat-screen

TVs showing predominantly Dutch-interest sports feature even on the terrace as was the case during the recent Euro 2012 The cafeacutersquos Ajax Tour-de-France and Studio Sport meal-on-your-lap-in-the-living-room concept makes the saloon a very appealing theatre for viewing televised sportRating 4

PricesThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social fun including alcohol and food Cafeacute Kostvelorenrsquos kitchen turns out average-priced fare and caters for vegetar-ians Pricier dishes are offered for those whose budgets stretch Drinks are generally in the reasonable to cheaper category You can turn up with euro10 enjoy four premium-quality vaasjes and still take home euro120 in change This is remarkable in present day Amsterdam and keeps people coming back The beer selection both on tap and in bottles is outstanding and the range of liqueurs and spirits more than adequateRating 5

MusicDepends on the shift manager so it can be a bit of a lottery given the tens of thousands of music files available via the digital sound system With so many of the staff below 30 years of age they can display too much of a preference for uninspiring Dutch technohouse music but even so the playlists are reasonably variedRating 3

Smoking area provisionDuring the summer months the cafeacute is a magnet for smokers as the cosy terrace reduces the chance of conflict with the more than 70 of punters who do not smoke At times of rain and cold weather the brilliantly coloured awnings provide sufficient cover under which puffers can satisfy their craving Rating 4

Total rating 2630(Ratings from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

60CAFebAr revIew

lsquoIt retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyrsquo

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

58CAFebAr revIew

CafeacuteBar ReviewCafeacute Kostverloren

CafeacuteBar Review

lsquoA large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny displayrsquo

By Denson Pierre

CAFebAr revIew 59

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam

In recent years a few A-class cafeacutebars and eateries have appeared in the small area surrounding the Kinkerbrug in Amsterdam Oud West Of these one has prospered during the course of the disappointing summer weather-wise Cafeacute Kostverloren either by luck or astute business foresight opened its cafeacute and terrace a couple of years ago in an area that had been screaming out for a classy cafeacute The ownersrsquo chosen configuration now draws punters from across Amsterdam and even international residents and tourists

AmbianceWithout being too self-consciously hip Cafeacute Kostverloren is a cool place A large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny display The interior concept features an open kitchen which is a spectacle rather than an intimidating space and a huge saloon themed as a living room a great concept for single men in particular to spend a Sunday afternoon TV sport session with a special meal price offer This is understanding and innovative On Mondays there is even a pub quiz to take the edge off the start of the working weekRating 5

StaffregularsThe proprietors here seem to know what they are doing with recruitment and how to keep staff well motivated always smiling and readily helpful Things run smoothly and service is always brisk Regulars include many residents of the nearby cluster of streets and even though a few lsquotrendiesrsquo appear in between the groups it retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyRating 5

Televised sportNot yet busy with international sport banks of flat-screen

TVs showing predominantly Dutch-interest sports feature even on the terrace as was the case during the recent Euro 2012 The cafeacutersquos Ajax Tour-de-France and Studio Sport meal-on-your-lap-in-the-living-room concept makes the saloon a very appealing theatre for viewing televised sportRating 4

PricesThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social fun including alcohol and food Cafeacute Kostvelorenrsquos kitchen turns out average-priced fare and caters for vegetar-ians Pricier dishes are offered for those whose budgets stretch Drinks are generally in the reasonable to cheaper category You can turn up with euro10 enjoy four premium-quality vaasjes and still take home euro120 in change This is remarkable in present day Amsterdam and keeps people coming back The beer selection both on tap and in bottles is outstanding and the range of liqueurs and spirits more than adequateRating 5

MusicDepends on the shift manager so it can be a bit of a lottery given the tens of thousands of music files available via the digital sound system With so many of the staff below 30 years of age they can display too much of a preference for uninspiring Dutch technohouse music but even so the playlists are reasonably variedRating 3

Smoking area provisionDuring the summer months the cafeacute is a magnet for smokers as the cosy terrace reduces the chance of conflict with the more than 70 of punters who do not smoke At times of rain and cold weather the brilliantly coloured awnings provide sufficient cover under which puffers can satisfy their craving Rating 4

Total rating 2630(Ratings from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

60CAFebAr revIew

lsquoIt retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyrsquo

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

CafeacuteBar Review

lsquoA large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny displayrsquo

By Denson Pierre

CAFebAr revIew 59

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam

In recent years a few A-class cafeacutebars and eateries have appeared in the small area surrounding the Kinkerbrug in Amsterdam Oud West Of these one has prospered during the course of the disappointing summer weather-wise Cafeacute Kostverloren either by luck or astute business foresight opened its cafeacute and terrace a couple of years ago in an area that had been screaming out for a classy cafeacute The ownersrsquo chosen configuration now draws punters from across Amsterdam and even international residents and tourists

AmbianceWithout being too self-consciously hip Cafeacute Kostverloren is a cool place A large and stylish terrace allows individual style and fashion to be on sunny display The interior concept features an open kitchen which is a spectacle rather than an intimidating space and a huge saloon themed as a living room a great concept for single men in particular to spend a Sunday afternoon TV sport session with a special meal price offer This is understanding and innovative On Mondays there is even a pub quiz to take the edge off the start of the working weekRating 5

StaffregularsThe proprietors here seem to know what they are doing with recruitment and how to keep staff well motivated always smiling and readily helpful Things run smoothly and service is always brisk Regulars include many residents of the nearby cluster of streets and even though a few lsquotrendiesrsquo appear in between the groups it retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyRating 5

Televised sportNot yet busy with international sport banks of flat-screen

TVs showing predominantly Dutch-interest sports feature even on the terrace as was the case during the recent Euro 2012 The cafeacutersquos Ajax Tour-de-France and Studio Sport meal-on-your-lap-in-the-living-room concept makes the saloon a very appealing theatre for viewing televised sportRating 4

PricesThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social fun including alcohol and food Cafeacute Kostvelorenrsquos kitchen turns out average-priced fare and caters for vegetar-ians Pricier dishes are offered for those whose budgets stretch Drinks are generally in the reasonable to cheaper category You can turn up with euro10 enjoy four premium-quality vaasjes and still take home euro120 in change This is remarkable in present day Amsterdam and keeps people coming back The beer selection both on tap and in bottles is outstanding and the range of liqueurs and spirits more than adequateRating 5

MusicDepends on the shift manager so it can be a bit of a lottery given the tens of thousands of music files available via the digital sound system With so many of the staff below 30 years of age they can display too much of a preference for uninspiring Dutch technohouse music but even so the playlists are reasonably variedRating 3

Smoking area provisionDuring the summer months the cafeacute is a magnet for smokers as the cosy terrace reduces the chance of conflict with the more than 70 of punters who do not smoke At times of rain and cold weather the brilliantly coloured awnings provide sufficient cover under which puffers can satisfy their craving Rating 4

Total rating 2630(Ratings from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

60CAFebAr revIew

lsquoIt retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyrsquo

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

60CAFebAr revIew

lsquoIt retains the flavour of traditional Amsterdam and all age groups seem to blend in nicelyrsquo

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

lsquoThis is a rare example of a cafeacute that has balanced its pricing so as not to exclude those wanting a classy yet simple outing for social funrsquo

CAFebAr revIew 61

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

62reSTAurANT revIew

cedars80

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Restaurant Cedars Heemstedestraat 80 Amsterdam

Lebanese cuisine has been somewhat overlooked in the Netherlands Although they offer varied and interesting dishes Lebanese restaurants are not easy to find in Amsterdam Even if yoursquove been living here longer than yoursquod care to mention you could easily miss the Cedars restaurant mainly due to its location

Close to the World Fashion Center and the ring road it isnrsquot likely that you would lsquoaccidentallyrsquo come across Cedars unless you happen to live or work in that area The location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractions however The huge terrace on the water is a unique feature and on the afternoon we visited the restaurant it was like being on holiday far far away from the city By chance the summer had decided to make an appearance It hadnrsquot been spotted before and was gone the next day but on that particular afternoon the sun was shining it was hot and the time we spent on the waterside was pure enjoyment

The enthusiastic staff treated us to a great Lebanese white wine which was as nice and fresh as can be and a great accompaniment to the Lebanese bread that arrived at our table in bulk along with a tasty olive oil while we waited for the meal itself

We were feeling very lazy and enjoying the warm weather so instead of choosing dishes ourselves we decided to go for the chefrsquos set menu of vegetarian mezze and a surprise

By Antonia Egon

reSTAurANT revIew 63

main course From that moment on dishes began arriving at our table and they just kept on coming What really stood out were the great salad starters It is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a while The in-between course of lentil soup was so good it made me want to return as soon as possible I love lentil soups in general and especially when I taste a new great variation as was the case here It had great depth of flavour and is certainly up there with the best Irsquove ever had

Then the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishes varying from great traditional hummus a gorgeous sundried pepper puree two types of roasted aubergine salad two different Lebanese yoghurt combina-tions grape leaves filled with rice homemade falafel and filo pastry filled with goatsrsquo cheese Everything was very pure and fresh and it was all accompanied by an unlimited supply of Lebanese bread

The mezze was left on the table while the main course was served which I think is a great system taking a bit of this and that as you please The main course was a simple but very tasty rice dish with grilled vegetables although maybe next time I will opt to stick with the smaller dishes and have as many as possible

Sitting in the sunshine on the waterside feeling like Irsquod departed Amsterdam for the countryside is an experience well worth repeating

lsquoThe location is actually one of the restaurantrsquos biggest attractionsrsquo

lsquoIt is hard to describe the freshness and intense flavours but they were some of the nicest I had sampled in a whilersquo

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

64reSTAurANT revIew

lsquoThen the mezze arrived It consisted of a selection of ten different dishesrsquo

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

reSTAurANT revIew 65

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

66STAr beer GuIDe

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

the sentinelstar beer guide

lsquoBrewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beerrsquo

Having been a fan of Leffe Blond (66 abv) for many years last year I became a convert to this ever so slightly weaker bitterer and cloudier alternative which is brewed in a former abbey in northern Belgium Brewery De Dool claims that Ter Dolen Blond is Limburgrsquos first genuine abbey beer a qualifi-cation that requires a second fermentation in the bottle Delightfully smooth velvety and refreshing Ter Dolen nevertheless supplies a full flavour without knocking your socks off after two bottles In 2010 it was voted the third best Belgian Abbey Beer by Belgian newspaper De Standaard

By Gary Rudland

TER DOLEN BLOND (61 ABV)

STAr beer GuIDe 67

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

68AMSTerDAM

Leidseplein Amsterdam 190712

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

We fi nd the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

69

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions Join the friendly atmosphere have a good pint of Guinness and the good old-fashioned ldquoCraicrdquo

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contem-porary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon the experience of an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance

The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Cafe TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace The modern artistic interior with a warm bustling atmosphere and inviting music attracts quite a mixed crowd Tisfris offers a friendly and effi cient service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is situated in lsquoHet Sieraadrsquo on Postjesweg It sits in the former clockmaker and jewellerrsquos academy building and has a large waterside terrace Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

To Be Seen and Tasted Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and Tasted

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

reCOMMeNDeD

Opera PrimaKinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

TisfrisSt Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

EDELPostjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

Cafeacute Kostverloren2e Kostverlorenkade 70 in Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

IncantoAmstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

70SPOTTeD

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

Room 2cfilm

Room 2cfilm

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences never appreciated this lsquosleeperrsquo but who has not loved seeing the arms held aloft in victory and cried lsquoescapersquo out loud This is the greatest of films and one which draws us in and never lets go All the performances are superb but especially that of Tim Robbins How to describe this film if you havenrsquot seen it Easy just trust me and watch it because it still amazes me

ldquoEverybody needs somebodyrdquo is just one of the catchy sing-along lines from this rip-roaring musical comedy which just gets better and better as time and lives pass Itrsquos not just the antics of 1980rsquos head cases Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi but where else would you find fun cameos from Ray Charles Aretha Franklin James Brown and Cab Calloway If thatrsquos still not enough to guarantee your foot-tapping enjoyment and laughter John Candy also features

By David King

By dpmotions

The Shawshank redemption (1994)

The blues brothers (1980)

FIlM revIew 71

TreNDS 72

lsquolsquoThey didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo yearsrsquo

Change 02

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

73TreNDS

The ever-changing world of fashion is on a roller-coaster ride and no-one knows where itrsquos going to end The global climate is not the only thing (this summerrsquos record-breaking low temperatures are just one example) forcing changes There is a broad array of things happening at the moment none of which has anything to do with style but which are having an overwhelming impact upon the day-to-day wheeling and dealing in fashionland

02 The economyWith the euro fighting for its life the pound swimming around in circles the dollar having nothing to wear but hand-me-downs unemployment reaching catastrophic levels in southern Europe the rising price of everything and the falling level of disposable incomehellip Well itrsquos not difficult to paint the picture and we all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like by now The lsquomultiple-dip recessionrsquo as they are now calling it on the opinion pages influences many a consumer trend including the money being spent on clothes

The results are manifold more and more people are waiting for sales to start buying clothes which results in various knock-on effects The sale periods are not only starting

earlier and earlier in some cases a perpetual sale seems to be emerging (to accompany the very perpetual rain) Also at the moment people who go to the sales are likely to think ldquoWell if it is 30 off this week maybe it will be 50 off next weekrdquo and wait a little longer

They may end up buying nothing at all perhaps because they realise they didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo years when credit cards still seemed unending in credit and harmless Now they can work through mountains of never-worn dresses shoes jeans handbags and other impulse bargains that remain in the untouched caverns of their walk-in closets There is still quite a long time yet to go until next summer and maybe by that time the economy will have recovered and the cycle can start all over again

ClASSIFIeDS 74

Room 2cfilm

Room 2cfilm

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences never appreciated this lsquosleeperrsquo but who has not loved seeing the arms held aloft in victory and cried lsquoescapersquo out loud This is the greatest of films and one which draws us in and never lets go All the performances are superb but especially that of Tim Robbins How to describe this film if you havenrsquot seen it Easy just trust me and watch it because it still amazes me

ldquoEverybody needs somebodyrdquo is just one of the catchy sing-along lines from this rip-roaring musical comedy which just gets better and better as time and lives pass Itrsquos not just the antics of 1980rsquos head cases Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi but where else would you find fun cameos from Ray Charles Aretha Franklin James Brown and Cab Calloway If thatrsquos still not enough to guarantee your foot-tapping enjoyment and laughter John Candy also features

By David King

By dpmotions

The Shawshank redemption (1994)

The blues brothers (1980)

FIlM revIew 71

TreNDS 72

lsquolsquoThey didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo yearsrsquo

Change 02

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

73TreNDS

The ever-changing world of fashion is on a roller-coaster ride and no-one knows where itrsquos going to end The global climate is not the only thing (this summerrsquos record-breaking low temperatures are just one example) forcing changes There is a broad array of things happening at the moment none of which has anything to do with style but which are having an overwhelming impact upon the day-to-day wheeling and dealing in fashionland

02 The economyWith the euro fighting for its life the pound swimming around in circles the dollar having nothing to wear but hand-me-downs unemployment reaching catastrophic levels in southern Europe the rising price of everything and the falling level of disposable incomehellip Well itrsquos not difficult to paint the picture and we all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like by now The lsquomultiple-dip recessionrsquo as they are now calling it on the opinion pages influences many a consumer trend including the money being spent on clothes

The results are manifold more and more people are waiting for sales to start buying clothes which results in various knock-on effects The sale periods are not only starting

earlier and earlier in some cases a perpetual sale seems to be emerging (to accompany the very perpetual rain) Also at the moment people who go to the sales are likely to think ldquoWell if it is 30 off this week maybe it will be 50 off next weekrdquo and wait a little longer

They may end up buying nothing at all perhaps because they realise they didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo years when credit cards still seemed unending in credit and harmless Now they can work through mountains of never-worn dresses shoes jeans handbags and other impulse bargains that remain in the untouched caverns of their walk-in closets There is still quite a long time yet to go until next summer and maybe by that time the economy will have recovered and the cycle can start all over again

ClASSIFIeDS 74

TreNDS 72

lsquolsquoThey didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo yearsrsquo

Change 02

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

73TreNDS

The ever-changing world of fashion is on a roller-coaster ride and no-one knows where itrsquos going to end The global climate is not the only thing (this summerrsquos record-breaking low temperatures are just one example) forcing changes There is a broad array of things happening at the moment none of which has anything to do with style but which are having an overwhelming impact upon the day-to-day wheeling and dealing in fashionland

02 The economyWith the euro fighting for its life the pound swimming around in circles the dollar having nothing to wear but hand-me-downs unemployment reaching catastrophic levels in southern Europe the rising price of everything and the falling level of disposable incomehellip Well itrsquos not difficult to paint the picture and we all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like by now The lsquomultiple-dip recessionrsquo as they are now calling it on the opinion pages influences many a consumer trend including the money being spent on clothes

The results are manifold more and more people are waiting for sales to start buying clothes which results in various knock-on effects The sale periods are not only starting

earlier and earlier in some cases a perpetual sale seems to be emerging (to accompany the very perpetual rain) Also at the moment people who go to the sales are likely to think ldquoWell if it is 30 off this week maybe it will be 50 off next weekrdquo and wait a little longer

They may end up buying nothing at all perhaps because they realise they didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo years when credit cards still seemed unending in credit and harmless Now they can work through mountains of never-worn dresses shoes jeans handbags and other impulse bargains that remain in the untouched caverns of their walk-in closets There is still quite a long time yet to go until next summer and maybe by that time the economy will have recovered and the cycle can start all over again

ClASSIFIeDS 74

Change 02

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

73TreNDS

The ever-changing world of fashion is on a roller-coaster ride and no-one knows where itrsquos going to end The global climate is not the only thing (this summerrsquos record-breaking low temperatures are just one example) forcing changes There is a broad array of things happening at the moment none of which has anything to do with style but which are having an overwhelming impact upon the day-to-day wheeling and dealing in fashionland

02 The economyWith the euro fighting for its life the pound swimming around in circles the dollar having nothing to wear but hand-me-downs unemployment reaching catastrophic levels in southern Europe the rising price of everything and the falling level of disposable incomehellip Well itrsquos not difficult to paint the picture and we all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like by now The lsquomultiple-dip recessionrsquo as they are now calling it on the opinion pages influences many a consumer trend including the money being spent on clothes

The results are manifold more and more people are waiting for sales to start buying clothes which results in various knock-on effects The sale periods are not only starting

earlier and earlier in some cases a perpetual sale seems to be emerging (to accompany the very perpetual rain) Also at the moment people who go to the sales are likely to think ldquoWell if it is 30 off this week maybe it will be 50 off next weekrdquo and wait a little longer

They may end up buying nothing at all perhaps because they realise they didnrsquot need any new summer clothes in the first place since their wardrobes are overflowing with all the stuff they bought during the lsquogoodrsquo years when credit cards still seemed unending in credit and harmless Now they can work through mountains of never-worn dresses shoes jeans handbags and other impulse bargains that remain in the untouched caverns of their walk-in closets There is still quite a long time yet to go until next summer and maybe by that time the economy will have recovered and the cycle can start all over again

ClASSIFIeDS 74

ClASSIFIeDS 74

ClASSIFIeDS 75

TeCHNOlOGY 76

TechBit Sio-Bytes

Pioneers amp SettlerslsquoBeing early is not always a good thingrsquo

TeCHNOlOGY 77

By Simon Owusu

Pioneers take the arrows settlers take the land In the world of computing this mantra can always be used to map the course of any new piece of technology software or product that is first to market The philosophy behind the mantra is that being early is not always a good thing

Being first takes an incredible amount of research develop-ment time resources and effort in planning and strategy Being early can be deadly for the pioneers and the early adopters before a new innovation achieves success and becomes well-established The pioneers can either be the companies breaking into a new market establishing a new technology or premiering a new product Pioneers also include the adopters of the new technology or product The settlers are those who will follow in the wake of the pioneers and take the spoils the late adopters As with the western migration in the US when the pioneers moved into a new land they had to battle against the arrows of the Native Americans suffering huge losses Once the lands were secure the settlers moved in building upon the blood sweat and tears of the pioneers The settlers at little to no risk concentrated on building their settlements

lsquoSettlers moved in building upon the blood sweat and tears of the pioneersrsquoStart-up companies and the lsquonerdsrsquo are synonymous with the pioneers while the settlers are the general public or the companies that wait to build upon the successes of others When we map the successful companies or the established technologies and products we use today a clear path exists back to their pioneers We are also able to see the early adopters the group of individuals who are always quick to adopt anything at great peril to their time and usually their sanity The settlers the general public are always quick to shoot lsquoarrowsrsquo at the early adopters mocking the pioneers with names such as geeks nerds dorks etc

Settlers are usually quick to dismiss a pioneerrsquos new product or technology through criticism that the pioneerrsquos plan will never work However through the pioneersrsquo perseverance and thick skin the general public slowly come to realise and later accept the fight fought Settlers then come to embrace the technologies or new products they previously ridiculed In terms of companies settlers reluctantly adopt plans set out by pioneers and usually to their own benefit and profit adopt the new technologies or mimic the pioneersrsquo products The mantra is evident in the many waves of technology that have been borne by and through the internet to produce

all the fancy gadgets and cool computing products we have at our fingertips today A few examples follow of what the pioneers provided and what the settlers took and built upon

The first early adopters of the internet were traditional nerds who accessed the internet through immensely slow dial-up modems with speeds of 9600 Bauds (which would take an hour to send a 5MB file compared to milliseconds today) They accessed Bulletin Boards Systems to swap Dungeon and Dragon tips together with images music and software At the same time very popular among these nerds was IRC (Internet Relay Chat) IRC was a real-time communication protocol that allowed groups of people to exchange messages with each other in lsquochannelsrsquo as well as enabling private communication between two people This was the realm of nerds and their world alone They endured the slow speeds the on-off nature of the online experience and a distinct lack of available alternatives

From 1977 to around 1989 the founding blocks of the internet were developed and brought forward by this small group of individuals that fell into the nerd category The general public were unaware and uninterested in what was to become all of our futures being forged in dark rooms by mostly socially inept individuals constantly mocked about their dedication to the bits and bytes of a new land Fast forward to today and the settlers are enjoying the spoils of the land fought for by the nerds and now woven into the everyday lives of the general public Dial-up modems have been replaced by super-fast broadband IRC has been replaced by numerous Messaging clients like AOL and AIM to the likes of Twitter on the internet The same trends follow our major social networks Facebook was not a pioneer of the term but followed many other networks such as MySpace Bebo Hi-five etc But these were just the halfway step from the social networks of the nerd community the aforementioned Bulletin Board Systems of our nerd pioneers was the undiscovered land that turned into the landing ground for many of todayrsquos social networks This was the first social community on the internet the sole domain of our nerds

lsquoOur future is on the battle-grounds of todayrsquos nerds where the fights are being fought and arrows being enduredrsquoThe benefit of knowing this mantra is that it provides an insight into the technologies of the future Our future is on the battlegrounds of todayrsquos nerds where the fights are being fought and arrows being endured They are the pioneers of the technology-driven world where everyone else is waiting to settle for the spoils without the fight I applaud you nerds (among whom I include myself in a small way)

SPOrT 78

lsquoMy expectations havealways been high Irsquom a TottenhamHotspur supporterrsquo

79SPOrT

Ever since I was a boy growing up in North London my love for the club has been unconditional ndash until now Long gone are the days when I stood on the terraces watching my latest heroes ndash Hoddle Ardiles Archibald Villa to name but a few ndash believing they were invincible But my memories of relative successes are fading Frustration has slowly turned into dejection and the vain hope of ever achieving something great again has slowly worn away as Nicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memories of those who were there every year a new elegy to the fading grandeur of past glory

If I sound like Irsquom drowning in the depths of despair now let me take you back to the 1980s when I first became disil-lusioned Having bounced straight back from a relegation low-point at the end of the 1970s we won the FA Cup twice but fell short of winning the league by a few lousy points on five separate occasions Just like Soft Cell was singing back then my love was becoming tainted Nowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporter Your average footy fan is so far removed from the life ndash and wage packet ndash of a professional footballer that itrsquos bound to cause impatience irritation and contempt especially when at times it looks as though the players canrsquot even be bothered to drag themselves on to the pitch What I wonder would your club have to achieve to repay all that commitment from its fans

The Starting Point

Here we go then the start of another football season Whatrsquos in store for your team Will you be watching Have they made some good signings Have they got a chance of winning anything Do you even care Not me Irsquom giving it all up

Previously my expectations have always been high Irsquom a Tottenham Hotspur supporter It started back in the 1970s when I first became conscious of the beautiful game Bill Nicholson ndash our most successful manager ndash was setting the standard ldquoSpurs have got to be the best in the land not the second bestrdquo he declared Since then the goalposts have moved further and further away

One of my earliest memories is the euphoria surrounding the UEFA Cup victory in 1972 A glorious night in the history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club inventors of lsquopush lsquonrsquo runrsquo and the first double-winners in English football Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years ago six years before I was even born who havenrsquot won a single major trophy for more than 20 years who have lost in more than 10 cup semis and two cup finals since 1991 and have managed a top-four finish just twice in the 22 years of the Premier League The mighty Tottenham Hotspur the nearly boys the almost-rans

By Simon Joseph

On The Volley

lsquoGlory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years agorsquo

lsquoNicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memoriesrsquo

SPOrT 80

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

TeCHNOlOGY 77

By Simon Owusu

Pioneers take the arrows settlers take the land In the world of computing this mantra can always be used to map the course of any new piece of technology software or product that is first to market The philosophy behind the mantra is that being early is not always a good thing

Being first takes an incredible amount of research develop-ment time resources and effort in planning and strategy Being early can be deadly for the pioneers and the early adopters before a new innovation achieves success and becomes well-established The pioneers can either be the companies breaking into a new market establishing a new technology or premiering a new product Pioneers also include the adopters of the new technology or product The settlers are those who will follow in the wake of the pioneers and take the spoils the late adopters As with the western migration in the US when the pioneers moved into a new land they had to battle against the arrows of the Native Americans suffering huge losses Once the lands were secure the settlers moved in building upon the blood sweat and tears of the pioneers The settlers at little to no risk concentrated on building their settlements

lsquoSettlers moved in building upon the blood sweat and tears of the pioneersrsquoStart-up companies and the lsquonerdsrsquo are synonymous with the pioneers while the settlers are the general public or the companies that wait to build upon the successes of others When we map the successful companies or the established technologies and products we use today a clear path exists back to their pioneers We are also able to see the early adopters the group of individuals who are always quick to adopt anything at great peril to their time and usually their sanity The settlers the general public are always quick to shoot lsquoarrowsrsquo at the early adopters mocking the pioneers with names such as geeks nerds dorks etc

Settlers are usually quick to dismiss a pioneerrsquos new product or technology through criticism that the pioneerrsquos plan will never work However through the pioneersrsquo perseverance and thick skin the general public slowly come to realise and later accept the fight fought Settlers then come to embrace the technologies or new products they previously ridiculed In terms of companies settlers reluctantly adopt plans set out by pioneers and usually to their own benefit and profit adopt the new technologies or mimic the pioneersrsquo products The mantra is evident in the many waves of technology that have been borne by and through the internet to produce

all the fancy gadgets and cool computing products we have at our fingertips today A few examples follow of what the pioneers provided and what the settlers took and built upon

The first early adopters of the internet were traditional nerds who accessed the internet through immensely slow dial-up modems with speeds of 9600 Bauds (which would take an hour to send a 5MB file compared to milliseconds today) They accessed Bulletin Boards Systems to swap Dungeon and Dragon tips together with images music and software At the same time very popular among these nerds was IRC (Internet Relay Chat) IRC was a real-time communication protocol that allowed groups of people to exchange messages with each other in lsquochannelsrsquo as well as enabling private communication between two people This was the realm of nerds and their world alone They endured the slow speeds the on-off nature of the online experience and a distinct lack of available alternatives

From 1977 to around 1989 the founding blocks of the internet were developed and brought forward by this small group of individuals that fell into the nerd category The general public were unaware and uninterested in what was to become all of our futures being forged in dark rooms by mostly socially inept individuals constantly mocked about their dedication to the bits and bytes of a new land Fast forward to today and the settlers are enjoying the spoils of the land fought for by the nerds and now woven into the everyday lives of the general public Dial-up modems have been replaced by super-fast broadband IRC has been replaced by numerous Messaging clients like AOL and AIM to the likes of Twitter on the internet The same trends follow our major social networks Facebook was not a pioneer of the term but followed many other networks such as MySpace Bebo Hi-five etc But these were just the halfway step from the social networks of the nerd community the aforementioned Bulletin Board Systems of our nerd pioneers was the undiscovered land that turned into the landing ground for many of todayrsquos social networks This was the first social community on the internet the sole domain of our nerds

lsquoOur future is on the battle-grounds of todayrsquos nerds where the fights are being fought and arrows being enduredrsquoThe benefit of knowing this mantra is that it provides an insight into the technologies of the future Our future is on the battlegrounds of todayrsquos nerds where the fights are being fought and arrows being endured They are the pioneers of the technology-driven world where everyone else is waiting to settle for the spoils without the fight I applaud you nerds (among whom I include myself in a small way)

SPOrT 78

lsquoMy expectations havealways been high Irsquom a TottenhamHotspur supporterrsquo

79SPOrT

Ever since I was a boy growing up in North London my love for the club has been unconditional ndash until now Long gone are the days when I stood on the terraces watching my latest heroes ndash Hoddle Ardiles Archibald Villa to name but a few ndash believing they were invincible But my memories of relative successes are fading Frustration has slowly turned into dejection and the vain hope of ever achieving something great again has slowly worn away as Nicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memories of those who were there every year a new elegy to the fading grandeur of past glory

If I sound like Irsquom drowning in the depths of despair now let me take you back to the 1980s when I first became disil-lusioned Having bounced straight back from a relegation low-point at the end of the 1970s we won the FA Cup twice but fell short of winning the league by a few lousy points on five separate occasions Just like Soft Cell was singing back then my love was becoming tainted Nowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporter Your average footy fan is so far removed from the life ndash and wage packet ndash of a professional footballer that itrsquos bound to cause impatience irritation and contempt especially when at times it looks as though the players canrsquot even be bothered to drag themselves on to the pitch What I wonder would your club have to achieve to repay all that commitment from its fans

The Starting Point

Here we go then the start of another football season Whatrsquos in store for your team Will you be watching Have they made some good signings Have they got a chance of winning anything Do you even care Not me Irsquom giving it all up

Previously my expectations have always been high Irsquom a Tottenham Hotspur supporter It started back in the 1970s when I first became conscious of the beautiful game Bill Nicholson ndash our most successful manager ndash was setting the standard ldquoSpurs have got to be the best in the land not the second bestrdquo he declared Since then the goalposts have moved further and further away

One of my earliest memories is the euphoria surrounding the UEFA Cup victory in 1972 A glorious night in the history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club inventors of lsquopush lsquonrsquo runrsquo and the first double-winners in English football Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years ago six years before I was even born who havenrsquot won a single major trophy for more than 20 years who have lost in more than 10 cup semis and two cup finals since 1991 and have managed a top-four finish just twice in the 22 years of the Premier League The mighty Tottenham Hotspur the nearly boys the almost-rans

By Simon Joseph

On The Volley

lsquoGlory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years agorsquo

lsquoNicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memoriesrsquo

SPOrT 80

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

SPOrT 78

lsquoMy expectations havealways been high Irsquom a TottenhamHotspur supporterrsquo

79SPOrT

Ever since I was a boy growing up in North London my love for the club has been unconditional ndash until now Long gone are the days when I stood on the terraces watching my latest heroes ndash Hoddle Ardiles Archibald Villa to name but a few ndash believing they were invincible But my memories of relative successes are fading Frustration has slowly turned into dejection and the vain hope of ever achieving something great again has slowly worn away as Nicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memories of those who were there every year a new elegy to the fading grandeur of past glory

If I sound like Irsquom drowning in the depths of despair now let me take you back to the 1980s when I first became disil-lusioned Having bounced straight back from a relegation low-point at the end of the 1970s we won the FA Cup twice but fell short of winning the league by a few lousy points on five separate occasions Just like Soft Cell was singing back then my love was becoming tainted Nowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporter Your average footy fan is so far removed from the life ndash and wage packet ndash of a professional footballer that itrsquos bound to cause impatience irritation and contempt especially when at times it looks as though the players canrsquot even be bothered to drag themselves on to the pitch What I wonder would your club have to achieve to repay all that commitment from its fans

The Starting Point

Here we go then the start of another football season Whatrsquos in store for your team Will you be watching Have they made some good signings Have they got a chance of winning anything Do you even care Not me Irsquom giving it all up

Previously my expectations have always been high Irsquom a Tottenham Hotspur supporter It started back in the 1970s when I first became conscious of the beautiful game Bill Nicholson ndash our most successful manager ndash was setting the standard ldquoSpurs have got to be the best in the land not the second bestrdquo he declared Since then the goalposts have moved further and further away

One of my earliest memories is the euphoria surrounding the UEFA Cup victory in 1972 A glorious night in the history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club inventors of lsquopush lsquonrsquo runrsquo and the first double-winners in English football Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years ago six years before I was even born who havenrsquot won a single major trophy for more than 20 years who have lost in more than 10 cup semis and two cup finals since 1991 and have managed a top-four finish just twice in the 22 years of the Premier League The mighty Tottenham Hotspur the nearly boys the almost-rans

By Simon Joseph

On The Volley

lsquoGlory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years agorsquo

lsquoNicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memoriesrsquo

SPOrT 80

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

79SPOrT

Ever since I was a boy growing up in North London my love for the club has been unconditional ndash until now Long gone are the days when I stood on the terraces watching my latest heroes ndash Hoddle Ardiles Archibald Villa to name but a few ndash believing they were invincible But my memories of relative successes are fading Frustration has slowly turned into dejection and the vain hope of ever achieving something great again has slowly worn away as Nicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memories of those who were there every year a new elegy to the fading grandeur of past glory

If I sound like Irsquom drowning in the depths of despair now let me take you back to the 1980s when I first became disil-lusioned Having bounced straight back from a relegation low-point at the end of the 1970s we won the FA Cup twice but fell short of winning the league by a few lousy points on five separate occasions Just like Soft Cell was singing back then my love was becoming tainted Nowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporter Your average footy fan is so far removed from the life ndash and wage packet ndash of a professional footballer that itrsquos bound to cause impatience irritation and contempt especially when at times it looks as though the players canrsquot even be bothered to drag themselves on to the pitch What I wonder would your club have to achieve to repay all that commitment from its fans

The Starting Point

Here we go then the start of another football season Whatrsquos in store for your team Will you be watching Have they made some good signings Have they got a chance of winning anything Do you even care Not me Irsquom giving it all up

Previously my expectations have always been high Irsquom a Tottenham Hotspur supporter It started back in the 1970s when I first became conscious of the beautiful game Bill Nicholson ndash our most successful manager ndash was setting the standard ldquoSpurs have got to be the best in the land not the second bestrdquo he declared Since then the goalposts have moved further and further away

One of my earliest memories is the euphoria surrounding the UEFA Cup victory in 1972 A glorious night in the history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club inventors of lsquopush lsquonrsquo runrsquo and the first double-winners in English football Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years ago six years before I was even born who havenrsquot won a single major trophy for more than 20 years who have lost in more than 10 cup semis and two cup finals since 1991 and have managed a top-four finish just twice in the 22 years of the Premier League The mighty Tottenham Hotspur the nearly boys the almost-rans

By Simon Joseph

On The Volley

lsquoGlory glory Tottenham Hotspur who last won the league 51 years agorsquo

lsquoNicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memoriesrsquo

SPOrT 80

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

lsquoNicholsonrsquos glorious rsquo61 and the famous double-winners must also be disappearing from the collective memoriesrsquo

SPOrT 80

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

lsquoNowadays frustration detachment and alienation are symptomatic of the lsquoarmchairrsquo supporterrsquo

lifetime and what will happen to me if we canrsquotSo in order to avoid all further disappointment frustration and heartache Irsquove decided to give it all up ndash for one season at least One whole season fully committed to being fully detached from Tottenham Hotspur and the beautiful game

Now some have said lsquolosing is part of the game part of sport and you have to learn to take it on the chinrsquo which I agree is a valid point But let me just remind you of how much the game has changed Itrsquos not a level playing field anymore itrsquos a road to nowhere for most supporters Even thatrsquos an under-statement by todayrsquos standards So unless yoursquore a fan of Manchester Cityrsquos or Chelsearsquos opulence the arrogance of the nouveaux riche and their billions of pounds in investment then yoursquore really missing the point

This life-without-football began in earnest the day after the European Championship final Just as events reached boiling point in Kiev I was deleting the RSS feeds from my laptop and the sport apps from my smartphone I donrsquot watch the news on telly and I told the people around me that I was distancing myself from my love of the game for one year and that they should try to avoid speaking about it at all costs Being the middle of summer and the closed season anyway this shouldrsquove been easy rightNo Irsquove found it difficult from day one difficult to keep my mind off of football or to avoid incoming news about new managers and possible transfers Can I ever really become fully detached

Well there you have it Thatrsquos my challenge And Irsquom sure all that extra time Irsquoll have on my hands can be put to better use but to what Irsquove no idea Not yet

Therersquos probably no need to remind you what happened at the close of last season But for those of you who donrsquot know Spurs won nothing (again) and missed out on Championrsquos League football (again) by a single point (again) One point one lousy point was all it wouldrsquove taken to finish third and avoid the maddening disappointment caused by Chelsea winning the Championrsquos League

Shortly thereafter came the rumours that our chairman Daniel Levy was lsquoleft dismayedrsquo by the end of season slump subsequently ndash and not for the first time ndash he sacked the manager who seemed to be making a difference

Tottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitula-tion So to only win four of the last 13 games was no great surprise and certainly meant that we did not merit a place amongst Europersquos elite The turning point was Arsenal away Having gone into this game sitting comfortably in third place 10 points ahead of our North London rivals and finding ourselves 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes we contrived to lose the game 5-2 precipitating the downward spiral that was not just disappointingly Spurs-like but utterly heartbreaking

When Chelsea won the cup heartbreak turned into dismay and then into despair Di Matteo showed us what it takes to make that step from almost-rans to champions ndash even if it was anti-football or winning ugly Yet as Bill Nicholson said ldquoItrsquos no use just winning wersquove got to win wellrdquo and to be fair Spurs played some of their best football in decades last season it was a pleasure to watch But can Spurs ever win anything again ndash pretty or ugly Will it happen in my

81SPOrT

lsquoTottenham already have a reputation if thatrsquos the right word for self-destructing and a great capacity for capitulationrsquo

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

ClASSIFIeDS 82

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

ClASSIFIeDSClASSIFIeDS 83

SPOrT 84SPOrT

Just three weekends from now we will be deep into realising yet again that it is not possible to second guess real-world Premier League managers We will all have players in our FFG-CL teams who will not in reality play a significant role and bring us the desired fantasy points This might mean making an early dip into the substi-tute allocation (12 per competitor) If and when that happens we could do worse than consider these two newcomers (one is really a returnee having been around as a reserve team player and first team substitute) to the Premier League

SHINjI KAGAwA (MANCHeSTer uNITeD) It is fair to say that this Japanese footballer plays and moves with a rhythm and swagger more consistent with a top-class South American professional He is quick skilful and most importantly unpredictably explosive down either flank or even straight down the middle His ball manipulation and ambidextrous shooting ability is exciting but his greatest assets are his timing of runs and incisive dynamism It is not possible to easily categorise his attacking play but he is maybe best considered as a goal-scoring ball-playing deep-lying forward His passing range can create the illusion that he is typical midfielder but watch closely and you will

regularly find him in the 16-metre box on the end of attacks Kagawa is perhaps the most complete player to come out of Japan to date and his European introduction as part of the consecutive Bundesliga title-winning Borussia Dortmund team has been the best possible This is a player who just might be primed to take the Premier League by typhoon

FAbIO bOrINI (lIverPOOl) Back in the Premier League and he appears to have had the necessary refreshment of his passion and ability to clinically accumulate goals after a year playing point for Roma in Serie A Here is a player with a very very good goal-to-appearance ratio this early in his career He has been taken to Liverpool by a manager who has known him since he was a teenager at Chelsea and while on loan at Swansea managed six goals in just nine appearances for Brendan Rogers This is the sort of performer a manager remembers and covets so it was no surprise to see Rogers now at a club of considerably greater stature than Swansea City in terms of pedigree and player quality ready to assist Borini beyond last seasonrsquos tally of nine goals in 24 appearances He now has a full season to do his best and prove his worth Liverpool may have found themselves one of those precise Gary Lineker-like finishers to spearhead their attempt to regain their once formidable stylistic standing and ability to win a higher percentage of matches than has been the case in many a recent season

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

SPOrTSPOrT 85

The senTinel FAnTAsy FooTbAll leAgue

2012-2013

SPOrT 86

THE BLUE ONE IS BACK

If you are not already signed-up to play our fantasy football game you can do so now

Mail to sentinelfantasyfootballgmailcom for rules and

conditions Paper forms also available from behind the bar

at OrsquoDonnellrsquos Bar (Amsterdam)

Act now as due to heavy demand from our regular

players late reactions can lead to disappointment as we

do have a preferred upper limit on managersplayers we

accommodate in the game

SPOrT 87

The master managers are grouped again to challenge for the golden envelopeWe use this game to complement our main

reporting on matches teams and players from the English Premier League involved in their domestic

and European competitions

FANTASY FOOTBALL GOLDCHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2012-2013

All that glistens is sometimes

ClASSIFIeDS

wwwczechtourismcom

88

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

SPOrTSPOrT 85

The senTinel FAnTAsy FooTbAll leAgue

2012-2013

SPOrT 86

THE BLUE ONE IS BACK

If you are not already signed-up to play our fantasy football game you can do so now

Mail to sentinelfantasyfootballgmailcom for rules and

conditions Paper forms also available from behind the bar

at OrsquoDonnellrsquos Bar (Amsterdam)

Act now as due to heavy demand from our regular

players late reactions can lead to disappointment as we

do have a preferred upper limit on managersplayers we

accommodate in the game

SPOrT 87

The master managers are grouped again to challenge for the golden envelopeWe use this game to complement our main

reporting on matches teams and players from the English Premier League involved in their domestic

and European competitions

FANTASY FOOTBALL GOLDCHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2012-2013

All that glistens is sometimes

ClASSIFIeDS

wwwczechtourismcom

88

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

The senTinel FAnTAsy FooTbAll leAgue

2012-2013

SPOrT 86

THE BLUE ONE IS BACK

If you are not already signed-up to play our fantasy football game you can do so now

Mail to sentinelfantasyfootballgmailcom for rules and

conditions Paper forms also available from behind the bar

at OrsquoDonnellrsquos Bar (Amsterdam)

Act now as due to heavy demand from our regular

players late reactions can lead to disappointment as we

do have a preferred upper limit on managersplayers we

accommodate in the game

SPOrT 87

The master managers are grouped again to challenge for the golden envelopeWe use this game to complement our main

reporting on matches teams and players from the English Premier League involved in their domestic

and European competitions

FANTASY FOOTBALL GOLDCHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2012-2013

All that glistens is sometimes

ClASSIFIeDS

wwwczechtourismcom

88

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

SPOrT 87

The master managers are grouped again to challenge for the golden envelopeWe use this game to complement our main

reporting on matches teams and players from the English Premier League involved in their domestic

and European competitions

FANTASY FOOTBALL GOLDCHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2012-2013

All that glistens is sometimes

ClASSIFIeDS

wwwczechtourismcom

88

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

ClASSIFIeDS

wwwczechtourismcom

88

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT