Dani García’s mission: to balance craziness and reason. In his molecular kitchen, the two-Michelin-star chef uses avant-garde techniques to interpret traditional dishes from his native Andalusia. He was also the first Spanish chef to experiment with liquid nitrogen. At the BIBO Madrid, his third and most recent restaurant, one of his latest creations is salmorejo de centollo (sea spider with green apple, photo).
7351
The First World Hotel in the Genting Highlands roughly 50 kilometers northeast of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, boasts 7351 rooms, which makes this three-star hotel the largest in the world. Not for long, though: Abraj Kudai in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is poised to overtake. The mega hotel is due to open with 10 000 rooms this year.
Sunset Boulevard, the heart of Hollywood, can be over the top – but pockets of normality exist. The Gwen serves meaty dishes and has an in-house butcher shop. The new restaurant seats 80 diners; the decor is muted and the atmosphere, relaxed.
Palace of dreams
The Tuschinski Theater in Amsterdam with its art-deco facade of glazed tiles, ceramic sculptures and wrought-iron grids and lamps, is one of the most spectacular cinemas in the world. Built shortly after World War I by Polish immigrant Abraham Tuschinski, the main auditorium had an astonishing 1600 seats. Happily, it has survived unscathed and is now owned by film distributor Pathé.
A stroll through loud, buzzing Marrakesh may leave you yearning for a peaceful spot. Welcome to Riad Yasmine, a boutique hotel in the old city, with seven rooms and suites and a rooftop terrace with a great view over the “Red City.”