Eugenie Haitsma-Mulier

To be considered a 'regular' at Kikkie van de Prinsensluis is an honourable acclaim. With the vibe of a typical, Dutch brown bar with the mahogany tables, wooden planked floors and a golden-toned light, but with a wine list to rival any top cave à vins in Paris, Kikkie is a supremely cosy spot on a bustling corner of de Joordan. It's walk-in only but wine bar, Twee Prinsen is just across the street to while away the wait. The menu shifts, but regular features include the schnitzel served with a remoulade-citrusy sauce and the iconic brioche bun burger.

A small theatre with an international reputation, the Almeida is on a mission to launch the next generation of actors. And it frequently does, with productions such as Annie Ernaux’s The Years and Peter Morgan’s Patriots transferring straight to the West End. This is the place to come to be in the know about the London theatre scene.

Friends Angelina Volk and Leopold Thun launched this gallery a week after they handed in their university dissertations in 2016. Its opening show was a functioning sauna by Lithuanian artist Augustus Serapinas – who went on to become the youngest ever exhibitor at the Venice Biennale. Emalin now has two Shoreditch outposts (inside a former locksmith shop near Bethnal Green and, since 2024, in the 18th-century Clerk’s House); both are a must-visit on an east London art trail.

Fancy a cheeky glass? Lulu's is a deli by day, selling delicious sandwiches and produce, and a lovely wine bar with bottles from around the world by night.

Located just south of Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile, the Winter Palace Hotel is rightfully iconic. It's remarkable Victorian façade is matched with the luxurious interiors. The highlight however, has to be the pool. Surrounded by palm trees, take a book and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

It may quite possibly be the most beautiful restaurant in Luxor: it's glass panelled windows, wooden beams, and ceramic tiled flooring make it a interior design heaven. What is more, the ambience is exceptional, the food even more so. Choose from a number of cold and hot mézzes and come prepared to share!

Close by the old town of Luxor, are the temples at Karnak. It's a site which covers more than 2 sq km of ground (it even puts the size of the Notre-Dame to shame!) so though it can be intimidatingly large, the best way to explore is to simply wander around. Work your way around the complex, stopping by the Temple of Amun-Ra.