The Ostermalm area of Stockholm is amongst the most exclusive areas in the city and a perfect one to choose as a base to discover Stockholm. There are countless streets lined with quite fantastic shops selling items of varying nature. Not only can you find a string of top end designer cloth shops, there are also a collection of other boutiques to choose from, making this area one of the most popular for shopping with visitors to the city. Below are some of the luxury boutiques worth visiting and some streets where you may find a number of boutiques in a cluster. Svenskt Tenn Web: www.svenskttenn.se It seems fitting, what with Sweden’s association with furniture, to start this summary by mentioning a luxury furnishings boutique which can be found in Ostermalm. This is a well established shop which has been the pilgrimage of many interior design lovers. The furniture and decor on sale here are unique and of genuine quality. Malmstenbutiken Address: Strandvägen 5b Carl Malmsten, the celebrated interior designer who opened this store, did so with a vision of restoring traditional Swedish craftsmanship. Today, after a full refurbishment programme, the shop sells top quality interior design items. The shop is considerably bigger than the small ...

Prague is not only an ideal location for couples or those in search of culture, there is also plenty for kids to enjoy in the city. Below are some of the child friendly activities in the Stare Mesto area of Prague. Lego Museum Lego has for decades been one of the favourite pastimes for kids, and today is no different. This Lego museum is a great way for children to discover Lego through the years by viewing fantastic Lego constructions, playing with Lego and also having the chance to purchase it. This is the largest Lego museum in the world and boasts a staggering 2,000 unique constructions, each of which will capture your child’s imagination in a different way. Hall of Mirrors If you have been to a hall of mirrors before you will know all about what to expect, but if you haven’t, the idea is that you have to find your way around a maze, with the twist being that all of the walls are made of either see through materials or mirrors. Hours of fun. Ultra Ant Climbing Wall Take your child to this attraction and let them indulge in the instinctive activity of climbing. There are different walls to climb to suit ...

Excellent transport links from London’s many railway stations ensure that there is a very wide choice of day trips that can be taken from London. Close to south east London is Greenwich, which is home to the Cutty Sark, the famous tea clipper that is currently being restored, and the Greenwich observatory. It is possible to stand astride the Greenwich Meridian and have one foot in the eastern hemisphere and another in the western. Greenwich Park is massive and there are plans afoot to hold the three-day eventing equestrian competition in the park when the Olympics are hosted by London in the summer of 2012. Charing Cross is the true centre of London and all measurements to the capital are taken from there. Thirty minutes by train from Charing Cross station is the market town of Sevenoaks, once voted as the most pleasant town in which to live in England. At the top end of the town is Knoll House, which was home to the Sackville-West family and resides in one of the most stunning deer parks in the UK. If you are travelling by car, there are other historic houses to visit in the area including Penshurst Place and Hever ...

Paris is such a wonderful and exciting place to take Children. It is so rich historically that you and your family can combine a relaxing holiday with attractions that will keep your children entertained all day. Going away with family needs military organisation and lots of planning ahead to avoid any unnecessary stress. You are on holiday after all. Champs Elysées Paris is an exclusive Avenue which is home to cinemas, café’s and high end shops. Look out for the horse-chesnut tree’s which guard this world famous avenue. This prosperous stretch of land which runs for approximately 2 kilometres is in the top 3 more expensive piece of real estate in Europe. Only topped by London’s Bond street. Here are four must visit family attractions near the Champs Elysées, Paris which will keep you and your loved ones entertained. La grande roue de la Concorde From mid-November to he end of February, you can treat your kids to a unique experience when boarding the Ferris wheel of the Concorde. Thrill and delight guaranteed! Admire the capital from 65 meters high and enjoy a unique view of the Champs Elysees and the Tuileries to the Louvre. The Gourmet Chocolate Museum Children love Chocolate and so ...

Hollywood is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA. From the Hollywood Boulevard to the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall over the many long-standing cinemas in Hollywood, this diverse neighborhood attracts every American at least once in their life-time. If you chose to spend a family holiday in a Los Angeles holiday rental make sure to experience these top family attractions in Hollywood! Hollywood Beach As far as family suitable beaches go, this is one of the very best in the entire USA. Aside from the obvious fun which can be had on the beach and in the sea, there are endless activities for the family to enjoy all along the beach. Crazy golf and open air music are complemented by children’s play areas, restaurants and space to roller skate. Madame Tussaud’s This is a world famous institution in which famous figures are recreated using wax. Walking amongst life size models of the world’s most famous people is a surreal experience at any time, but there is something special about doing it in Hollywood, a place that is synonymous with famous people. The figures are constantly changing in keeping with the new faces which pop all, although there are always ...

Hollywood is synonymous with fame, fortune and glamour. For decades it has been the place where aspiring actors have travelled to in search of work and where countless movies and TV programmes have been made in the shadow of the famous Hollywood sign. When you visit Hollywood and maybe stay in a Los Angeles holiday apartment don't just visit this diverse neighborhood for the Hollywood Boulevard or the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall.... make sure you catch a movie in one of the many theaters around. Here is our top 5 movie theaters in Hollywood, Los Angeles: Arclight Hollywood This is truly a theatre experience which challenges the standard expectations of a trip to the theatre. The films which are showing are displayed on a train station style departure board and are accompanied by a large station style clock. There are a selection of current and classic films to choose from, all of which can be enjoyed using state of the art sight and sound. Purchase your Arclight Hollywood Tickets online to avoid queuing. Cinespace This venue has the ultimate Hollywood feel to it. There is large nightclub, a restaurant and lounge. It is the only place in the city where you can have ...

Choose a Los Angeles apartment for rent in Beverly Hills to be staying in one of America’s most exclusive communities midway between downtown Los Angeles and the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Beverly Hills is where many Hollywood’s movie stars live and it therefore offers a fantastic shopping scene (think Rodeo Drive) and of course incredible dining opportunities. Here is Holiday Velvet ‘s pick of the most fabulous restaurants with a view in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles: The Grill on Hollywood Address: 6800 Hollywood Blvd Ste 407 Phone: (323) 856-5530 Hollywood Boulevard is perhaps the most famous street in Beverly Hills, and this restaurant offers fantastic views of the Kodak theatre, the venue which plays host to the Oscars each year. Sitting in this restaurant enjoying a traditional burger you can pretend that you are preparing to go and collect you award, or you can just sit and watch the hoards of people and general activity which fill this street. Barneys Address: 9570 Wilshire Boulevard Phone Number: (310) 777-5877 This is a high quality restaurant which offers a variety of dishes falling into the categories of Kosher, Jewish and American which reflects the culturally diversity in the area. The seafood here is particularly good and is a perfect ...

Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro is an excellent vacation destination for adventurous and fun loving people from all over the world; it is also the prefect destination for those vacationers who are looking to dance to the samba. Brazil is known for its samba music and one of the major reasons that tourists from all over the globe flock to Rio de Janeiro is to enjoy the rhythm of various samba schools, which are characterised by powerful African-influenced drum beats and steps. Samba is the music of the Rio de Janeiro carnival and if you are staying in a Copacabana holiday apartment should not fail to catch a samba performance. Copacabana Palace Hotel - The Copacabana Palace Hotel, is one of the most prestigious and luxurious landmarks in Copacabana and has helped to build the samba hotspot reputation in the region. The place has been hosting some of the most exciting and fascinating samba parties for years; some of the most exciting carnival balls, featuring the best samba tunes, are hosted in the Copacabana Palace Hotel during the evening, attracting both tourists and locals looking to party. Bunker 94 - Another good place to visit to enjoy Samba music is Bunker ...

If someone asked you to think of the countries you most associate with furniture design and production it is very likely that you would include Sweden in your list. It is no surprise therefore that Stockholm has a number of quality of furniture design shops. If you chose to rent a holiday apartment in Stockholm Vasastan then make sure you visit some of these incredible furniture design and accessories shops. Design House Stockholm Address: Smålandsgatan 11 This large shop is an absolute interior design haven. Alongside top quality furniture you can find a whole host of accessories and household items to transform your home. The furniture ranges from genuinely luxurious recliner chairs to subtle yet classy dining furniture. This shop prides itself on the concept that eccentric furniture is not a shield for quality. ROOM Address: Rörstrandsgatan This is another furniture and interior design shop in the Vasastan area which is an absolute must for anyone looking to take home a unique piece of decor. The items on sale here are varied in style, with some classic recreations of historic household items and colourful more contemporary items all within metres of each other. The shop is spacious and light which gives you plenty of time ...

If you have booked your holiday apartment in Stockholm Kungsholmen you don't need to walk very far to treat yourself to a fabulous Scandinavian dinner experience. Typical Scandinavian food often includes herrings, smoked salmon, meat, salad, cheeses and of course rye bread. Below are some top Scandinavian restaurants on the small island of Kungsholmen in Stockholm. Make sure you try them while on holidays in Stockholm! Stadshuskällaren (Hantverkargatan 1 - tel: +46 8 506 322 00) The food and ambience at Stadshuskällaren are exceptional. The restaurant hosts a number of high profile events in Stockholm at which exclusive guests experience the best in Scandinavian dining, as served here since 1901. The same menu used at these events is available to guests as well as a range of other traditional dishes. The restaurant also does a delicious breakfast. Restaurang Salt (Hantverkargatan 34 - tel: +46 8 652 11 00) Enjoy great views over the harbour and sit on the terrace in the summer. Restaurang Salt offers dishes from around the world but also typical Scandinavian dishes and seafood. Situated in the Laholmen Hotel, you will be siotting amongst tourists and locals. Restaurang Flemings (Fleminggatan 2-4 - tel: +46 8-508 267 09) This is a very large restaurant ...