Aguaviva (364 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan) — The name means “jellyfish,” which explains why this ultracool, ultramodern place has dim blue lighting like a tranquil ocean, and lamps shaped like jellyfish floating overhead. Elegantly groomed oysters and clams float on cracked ice along the raw bar. Eating here is like submerging oneself into the […]
Hambara (22, 6-ti Septemvrt Street, Sofia) — the cavernous space within is entirely candlelit and spread across two floors with shaky wooden benches and tables. During the Communist period, as of now, patrons know of this venue strictly by word of mouth. People here are notorious for failing to observe the smoking ban, but this […]
The Pablo Casals Museum is the Spanish master’s legacy to the people of Puerto Rico. The museum collection includes manuscripts, memorabilia, photographs and a library of videotapes of Festival Casals concerts. Casals moved to Puerto Rico with his wife in the 1950s. He became the conductor of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and the president […]
The San Juan Museum of Art and History was built in 1855 as a market and restored in 1979 as a cultural center, showcases Puerto Rico art and music, including concerts and festivals. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am – 4pm, (787) 724-1875.
The tropical island of Puerto Rico is located in the middle of the Caribbean Basin, between the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti), and a chain of Lesser Antillean islands to its east, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico (Spanish for “Rich Port”), was originally populated by Taíno Indians before […]
Bilkova (22 Tsar Ivan Shishman Street, Sofia) – this pub was named after a pharmacy that once sold herbal remedies at this spot decades ago. Visitors will find an unpretentious and outgoing crowd enjoying beers and spirits at reasonable prices. Locating it shouldn’t be a problem – just follow the murmur of revelers hanging around […]
Black Label Whisky Bar (7 Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, Sofia) – with its classical Baroque interior (complete with oil paintings of Bulgarian historic figures, it’s no surprise that this bar was once a military club that hosted fancy balls for the local elite. Still, the dress code here is formal, so patrons should know this before […]
Vkusnoto Kebapche (20 San Stefano Street, Sofia) – this is a restaurant that foreigners go to when they want to sample Bulgarian cuisine. The literal translation of this restaurant’s name is “tasty sausage roll” – which is one of its specialties. This is a kind of sausage roll made of ground pork and grilled on […]
Vino and Tapas (38 Knyaz Al. Dondukob Blvd., Sofia) – this restaurant serves a selection of Mediterranean dishes, along with both Bulgarian and International wines. The atmosphere is cozy and resembles an authentic wine cellar. It’s hidden in Sofia’s downtown area. Although in this neighborhood, the bars and restaurants rarely have gardens, in the warm […]
Tavan (98 Balgariya Blvd., Sofia) – located on top of a 12-story office building, this is a rooftop restaurant which serves a variety of international dishes (from fresh Aegean sea fish & seafood, to chilled meat from Argentine, American steaks, pasta pork Vienna Schnitzel, and Risotto with Porcini mushrooms). The area is very close to […]