Aj Discala loves Argentina and especially Buenos Aires. These are some recommendations on what to see, where to eat and what to do:

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• The Moreno Hotel in the area of San Telmo is a great Art Deco Hotel. www.morenobuenosaires.com
• The Alvear palace is definetly the hotel where to stay or at least go for a tea. www.alvearpalace.com

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• Florida garden in the city center is where all locals meet for a chic lunch or tea. Don’t miss their tostades.
• Los Amigos is known for the best simple Italian food. The restaurant is located in the area of Palermo Viejo which is the base of your stylists.
• Confiteria Ideal is the perfect place for a snack and some tango. The women are very chic and the decoration is just impressive.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best snack

• You don’t have to search any further. Go to La Biela which is one of the best places ever. They are known for the facturas, something similar to croissants but just better!

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite museums

• The museum of decorative arts is specialized in European art. Its also a great place for lunch and has a unique atmosphere. www.mnad.org
• The Evita museum which has been opened in 2002. It’s a very charming museum full of emotion.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• Take a Tango class
• Go to watch a soccer game. It will be a once in a lifetime experience. La Bombonera, the stadium just gets wild.
• Go and watch a polo game or training. You can also take a lesson.
• The library El Ateneo situated in an old theater is worth a stop. In addition, you can also have a drink there. Great place!

For Aj Discala there is nothing better than a few days on the Cote d’Azur in the beginning of Spring. Here are some tips of where to go and what to see.

So if you arrive in Nice you could stay in Saint Paul de Vence which is very charming city which is ideally located, says Aj Discala. Below are some tips:

Milan is known by most people for the capital of fashion and furniture. However, there is more to Milan than this says Aj Discala. It is a very elegant city with great shopping, entertaining and discovering. You will not be disappointed if you spend a few days in this great city. Aj Discala shares his favorite hotel, restaurants and bars for the aperitif, which is a must in the city!

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• The Bulgari Hote is the most sophisticated and luxe hotel in the city. Don’t miss their Sunday brunch.
• The Straf is a very modern and trendy boutique hotel. The rooms are sleek. What I love most about his place is its location next to the Duomo.
• The Hotel Principe Di Savoia is synonymous with traditional grandeur. It’s an institution in Milan.
• The Grand Hotel is one of the other great addresses in the city. It is a traditional hotel with a high comfort and great location.
• The Four Seasons is a must, the best hotel of the city sodon’t miss it.

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• Bice is a great restaurant with classic Italian food and a great atmosphere.
• Da Giacomo is my favorite restaurant in town. The decoration is great and the food is unforgettable.
• Quattorcento: (Via Campazzino, 14 )Great for a night out with friends hanging out in the garden, you almost forget you are in Milan. Also great for a romantic dinner for two.
• Paper Moon has the ebst spaghetti vongole and a great pizza. You wil love it.
• On via Pasubio there is a very cool bakery called Princi
• Nobu at Armani is great for aperitivo.
• Cracco a modern and expensive restaurant run by a 2 michelin stars Chef (Cracco). Near the Duomo, the restaurant, one of Milan’s best, is linked to the wonderful Peck food shop. Cracco’s creations include innovations such as pasta with sea urchins and coffee
• Da Giannino: combines friendly service and exclusive ambience, not to mention very good food with seasonal specialities.
• Da Claudio Pescheria dei Milanesi: very well known for its fish and seafood. Eat casually (and more cheaply) standing up dowstairs, or go to the elegant restaurant upstairs.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best aperitivo which is a MUST

As night falls in Milan ” il Milanese” goes to relax after a hard working day at his/her neighborhood bar or the “in” place of the moment to meet his/her group of friends over a drink and free snacks explains Aj Discala. They make their way to the bar and mingle in one of the city’s long-held social traditions: l’ Aperitivo. Every bar puts out some plate for those ready to start the evening, and in some of them the food is just great, even better that at some restaurants.

• 10 CORSO COMO: what can I say, super famous shop and bar, owned by the ex editor of Vogue Italy.
• JUST CAVALLI: popular with residents and fashion tourists.
• RADESTKY: simple, not particularly attractive bar but a classic among the upmarket crowd.
• Victoria Caffè: hidden behind the Teatro alla Scala, is intimate and recalls a Milan of the past. The art nouveau-style corner bar, frequented by theatergoers, performers and stagehands

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• Spend an evening at the La Scala Opera
• Shopping on Via Montenapoleone
• Don’t miss the Da Vinci’s last supper. However you will have to book weeks ahead.
• Have your breakfast at the bar counter of the restaurant as all people from Milan.
• Don’t miss the fashion temple 10 Corso Como

AJ Discala’s travel tips for Moscow

This city is a blend of modern, soviet and traditional architecture, vibrant if a little expensive nightlife and world class sites says Aj Discala. These are some recommendations on what to see, where to eat and what to do:

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• The Ritz-Carlton is the last must hotel in Moscow
• The Ararat Park Hyatt is definetly the place where to stay for its loction and service
• The Kempinski Hotel located on the Bolotnaya square is also a classic
• The Hotel Ukraina sits on the banks of the Moscow River facing the White House, meaning superb views from some rooms.

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• The Bolshoi is great for a big dinner with partners or clients
• Café Pushkin offers great traditional food in a spectacular atmosphere
• Vogue Café is nice for a lunch break
• Arkademiya is one of the nicest restaurants for an easy dinner after having spent the days around the art galleries
• The Bosco Bar located in the Gum department store offers one of the greatest views of Moscow, and outside seating.
• Pavilion is located in an impressive mansion at Patriarch’s Ponds, is a must restaurant of Russian cuisine

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite museums

• The Pushkin museum  always offers nice exhibitions
• The armory museum which is the oldest museum of Russia
• Don’t miss The Garage gallery which is the first non-profit arts centre on this scale in Russia,

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• Visit the Red Square, St. Basil’s cathedral and the Kremlin
• Browse the shops and bars of the old Red October chocolate factory along the river
• The Aleksandrovsky gardens are definetly worth a stop, they are the first public park of the city.
• The Bolshoi bridge and the bridge of the lovers
• Spend an evening at the Bolshoi theater

Berlin’s architecture has a fascinating range, from the historical to high modernism and more controversial post-modern projects, explains AJ Discala. It is today one of the fast moving cities in Europe. However, AJ Discala recommends visiting the city in Spring or Summer as it can get cold and windy in winter.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• The Adlon hotel is located in the heart of the city. Ask for a room with view to the Brandenburg Gate
• The Hotel de Rome is Rocco Forte’s new hotel in town. It’s defiantly the hottest place to stay right now.
• The Regent Hotel, which used to be the Four Seasons. Its worth a stay for its location
• Soho House just opened a house in Berlin in an absolutely stunning location. Whether you’re a Soho House member or not, booking a room there is definitely highly recommended.
• The Grand Hyatt in Berlin is located on Potsdamer Platz, the rooms are great, the service is over the top and the facilities all you can ask for.

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• Borchardt is my favorite restaurant. The food is just amazing. Do not miss it, t is a must in Berlin!
• The grill Royal is another must while visiting Berlin. Especially for its steak tartare. It is always packed and it has great atmosphere.
• Paris Bar is an institution in Berlin, its old fashioned but the food is great.
• Vau is the east’s landmark of new German cuisine, the menu is very innovative, you will love it.
• Bandol Sur Mer this Provencal is one hot spot in Berlin. Don’t miss the great French food.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best snack

• Konnopke’s Imbiss on Schönhauser Allee has been serving Currywurst since 1930. Currywurst is the idiosyncratic combination of pork sausage, cut into slices, smothered with a mixture of ketchup and curry powder and then served with a bread roll or fries. This might sound like a confusing mouthful, but in Berlin it’s a culinary institution

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite museums

Quite apart from its happening modern art scene, Berlin has a showstopper series of museums and galleries hiding some of the world’s most beautiful creations.

• Don’t miss the neues museum showing the iconic and beautiful bust of Queen Nefertiti that forms the centrepiece of the Egyption collection.
• The breathtaking Pergamon Altar (also in the window above) and Ishtar Gate wait for you in the Pergamon Museum;
• Don’t miss the emotionally charged Jewish Museum with its shifting displays about the historic plight of Jews in Germany; and the chilling Topography of Terror in the excavations of the ‘house prisons’ and HQ of the Gestapo and SS.
• Heinz Berggruen’s collection, opened to the public in 1996, is one of Berlin’s most popular modern art galleries, situated opposite the Schloss Charlottenberg.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• Take a a cruise down the River Spree which was one of the highlights – an opportunity to experience the sunshine, architecture and flora.
• Museum Island, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site lying in the middle of the Spree. It’s home to five of Berlin’s most important museums.
• Grunewald is Berlin’s largest forested area don’t miss it!
• Take an ear-popping trip in the lift to the observation platform at the top of the Fernsehturm.. The view is unbeatable by night or day. If heights make you hungry, take a twirl in the revolving restaurant, which offers an even better view.
• Visit Checkpoint Charlie, the famous east-west border control during the Cold War and now a tourist centre, for comprehensive display boards telling the Wall’s stor

Shanghai is the new competing city with Hong Kong explains AJ Discala. This city is simply breathtaking. Unlike Beijing, this fast-paced, art-packed city has retained much of its colonial heritage. From the tree-lined French Concession district to the majestic Bund, this makes Shanghai special. Why go to Shanghai while visiting Asia says AJ Discala: For the world-renowned chefs, thriving restaurants, lounges, clubs, bars and nightlife, plus a burgeoning art and design scene. All this will make your trip very interesting.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• Peninsula
• Waldorf Astoria

AJ Discala explains that Shanghai has more to offer than the big names, its famous for the great boutique hotel it offers:

• The must stay place in Shanghai is the PuLi Hotel & Spathe decoration with its wood flooring and silk accents is great. The Spa is also worth a stop.
• The JIA Shanghai, sister to JIA in Hong Kong, with its vibrant design and its great roof top bar. Ina ddition it’s perfectly located for shopping and culture.
• The newcomer is, URBN it is among the latest names to join the scene of nice boutique hotels.

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• Yongfoo Elite is one of the best Chinese restaurants in town. The service is great and you will enjoy the view on the garden.
• Lan Club is the new place in town. The food is great and its the hot spot of the local scene. The decoration is very modern.
• Fu 1088 is an other great restaurant with 30s-style private rooms and lovely regional specialties.
• Lost Heaven is worth a visit just for its unique decoration. Its in a traditional Chinese townhouse fro the 20s. The food is typical from the Yunnan region.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: where to have a drink

• The bar at The Peninsula Hotel is located on the Bund, the main street of Shangai along the river. The view is great on the Pudong forest. I really like the mix of Art Deco and modernity.
• The Waldorf Astoria bar is definitely a place to stop by for a drink.
• The Kee Club is a private club with a very nice atmosphere. The red walls creates a cozy feeling.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• Yuyan gardens: they are worth a visit.
• The Bund is a big promenade along the Huangpu river. It’s a it’s the heart of Shanghai.
• The Shanghai Art museum is unique as it’s located in an old horse race club house. It’s a great opportunity to discover modern Chinese art.
• The Sinan Mansion is a traditional area that has been renovated. Its reopened in 2011 and includes hotels, restaurants and art galleries. It’s the perfect place for a walk.
• Stop by at Era. Shanghai’s answer to Cirque du Soleil.
• If you have time don’t miss the Water Town of Zhu Jia Jiao, although very touristic, is worth the 1 hour drive for the wonderfully atmospheric old stone homes, veining alleys, and quiet canals.

AJ Discala recommends that if you think of one city to see in Asia then its Hong Kong. Hong Kong still reigns supreme as Asia’s predominant shopping, dining and style destination. Excess, success and 24 hour party times are always on the menu in this mile-a-minute metropolis famed for its high-rise living and high-end labels. These are some tips AJ Discala shares:

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best hotel

• The Peninsula is an institution in Hong Kong. Its located on the Kowloon side and offers you a great view on the skyline. It’s the crème de la crème.
• The Madarin oriental is simply the best in town, extremely cosy. It has a great location.  I usually do not like the ‘east meets west’ idea but it is so superbly done, bravo!
• Lan Kwai Fong Hotel is a boutique hotel, which is centrally located in the heart of Soho. Just one street up there is one of the few local markets and great restaurants. If you are looking for something with a modern HK twist you must stay here!
• Four Seasons hotel is a great hotel. It has big rooms, great amenities and service. The location is good, especially if you have business meetings in the IFC buildings, but a bit dead at night. The pool and gym are nice and offer a great view.
• Step into Causeway Bay JIA hotel for sleeker Starck interiors and homey, friendly atmos by the gallon.

Aj Discala’s travel tip: favorite restaurants

• The China Club is a fantastic place.  It has a wonderful atmosphere in combination with some of the best Chinese food I have had. One of my 3-4 favorites in the world. The ambiance is colonially magic and the artwork is spectacular.
• Isola in the IFC center offers a superb harbor views from the dining terrace. The pizzas are my favorite there. The drinks upstairs are a must-do.
• Gaia is the best Italian in HK. I love the tagliata and the pizza is great as well as everything else on the menu! Great atmosphere for dinner or Sunday brunch.
• Yun Kee is famous for its Peking Duck and the steamed fish. One of the best Chinese restaurants in town.
• Indochine has excellent food and the service is very attentive. The place is very cozy and colonial.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: best bars

• Felix is the bar on the top of the peninsula. Its very touristy but the view is still spectacular. Especially from the men’s bathroom.
• Feather Boa is a pleasant different bar. Great cocktails, interesting people and nice deco (used to be an antique shop). The chocolat strawberry martinis are a must.
• DragonI is one of the clubs in Hong Kong where many expats hang out.
• Kee Club is a private club. Felt very comfortable. Some kind of contrast to crowded HK. A classy place. Don’t miss it.

AJ Discala’s travel tips: things to do

• My favorite thing in Hong Kong was a walk to the top of The Peak.
• Go on a day trip to Lantau Island where you can see traditional fisher villages. You will also see the giant Buddha which is very impressive.
• You cannot miss an evening at the Happy valley Racecourse. The atmosphere is spectacular and its one of the only legal gambling activity in the city.
• You should go to Macau for a day trip. You can see the ancient colonial city and spend some time at the casino.
• There are different tracking tours you can do, the dragon back is one of the most famous ones.
• Every night at 8pm there is a light show offered. The Felix bar at the peninsula offers a great view.