Penang at twilight, and a view of the stunning 60-storey Penang Global City Center.

A Day in the Life

So if you’ve only got a day to spend in Penang, then do spend the 24 hours eating. Here’s what I’d do in the SHY One-Day Food Marathon.

Breakfast: Pulau Tikus – you can pretty much pop into any of the coffee shops in this enclave and find good hawker food. My favourites: Hokkien mee, Bangkok Lane; Char Koay Teow, Sin Hoa and curry mee (shop at corner, opposite police station – we Penangites don’t go by names, we go by smells).

Mid-Morning Snack: Curry puffs with teh tarik at corner of Jones Road and Kelawei Road.

Lunch: Lorong Selamat. There are two char koay teow stalls here. One always has a queue, the other doesn’t and not being a believer in the myth that the longer the queue, the better the food is, I’d go for the quieter stall – they serve you with more appreciation and I reckon their fare is just as good. Must-try is the ice kacang.

Char Koay Teow. Pic: Malaysian Foodie.

Tea: Laksa’s a good light in-between snack. Try the laksa at Sun Plaza at Fettes Park.

Dinner: For variety, go to either Gurney Drive or the Northam Road Food Court by the sea or the New World Park Food Court at Swatow Lane. At Gurney Drive, I like the ba kut teh at Song River Café. At Northam Road, my favourite is the “Apom” – the lightest, crispiest pancake you will find this side of Peninsula Malaysia. And at New World Park, people go crazy for the “ice kacang” – sold by the same family who made it famous from their little side street stall at Swatow Lane.

Dessert/Supper: Crepe Cottage, Gurney Drive. Okay, not quite your typical hawker food but I find this old bluish house, that looks like it is about to fall down, is rather charming. It’s like sitting at home and waiting for your mother to prepare everything for you. I like my pancakes plain but they come with all kinds of fillings and huge dollops of ice cream. Beware the helpings. Share.

If you’re still hungry in the early morning, try Green House on Burmah Road. They open till the wee hours. The Hokkien Mee is famous here.

Best of the Rest

After all that food, you might want to work it out and Penang’s got a good variety of spots where you can get out into nature and enjoy the island air.

A view down the golden sands of Batu Ferringhi beach.

Go for a run on the beach (Batu Ferringhi is a nice long stretch of white beach) or along the Gurney Drive promenade. You can also go for long walks in the Botanical Gardens – I like this park in that it is not over-preened and over-manicured. You feel you are in a rainforest – you can run with the monkeys – and there are several off-the-beaten trails that you can hike up to Penang Hill.

You can also take a trek up Youth Park and stop at several shelters along the way. These shelters are built by and maintained by volunteers – some days, you will find fried noodles and dessert on offer, depending who’s brought what for the day.

You can also do longer hikes to the only national park in Penang, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, and when you get there, laze on the Pantai Kerachut beach which has a turtle hatchery. The hike is about 3km and takes about 90 minutes. Check http://www.malaysiasite.nl/kerachuteng.htm for details.

After the rigorous exercise, go for a massage. Avoid the high prices of hotels and go for a massage on Batu Ferringhi beach. Everyone has their favourite spot but there’s a family place run by SC Foo that’s been there for a long time that I think is great.

Hidden Gems

There is an under-appreciated side of Penang. Locals take it for granted and most foreigners, except those from Europe, are unaware of it. There’s a richness to Penang’s history as a major Chinese trading town and a British colonial outpost, that has not yet been stamped out by development (yet being the operative word).

Since its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site, awareness of this aspect of Penang has risen, both among the local communities and foreign visitors.

A good place to start is at the Penang waterfront area, at Weld Quay, which used to house the only link (by ferry) between the island and the mainland. You will find fishing villages that used to welcome the first emigrants from southern China, and stately buildings that served as the major financial and trading institutions in Penang’s rich trading past. And you will also find numerous Chinese temples, mosques, churches and Indian temples, right next to each other.

The sun rises over Georgetown, Penang. Pic: Shutterstock.com.

Take a walk along the pier or sit at the various bars and cafes here, where you can soak in a bit of nostalgia with your beer, cocktails or coffee. “Hainan Town” sits right on the waterfront, a great spot for looking out into the ocean and dreaming of the days of old, while Wisma Yeap Chor Ee is an example of the fine restoration work that’s been undertake to preserve the island’s past.

Weave in and out of the streets of the inner city and you’ll find the true Pearl of the Orient.

If you’d like a guide, visit the Penang Heritage Trust, which runs heritage walking tours. Their guides are well versed in historical anecdotes and they don’t just rattle off dates and events. Ask questions;  that’s the best way to ensure they tell you what you want to know, not what they want you to know.

Accommodation

Decide where you stay by what you want to do. If you want sea air and beach front, Batu Ferringhi Beach has plenty of choices. Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang is the best known and has two wings depending on budget. The high-end Rasa Wing comes with super-spacious suites, a bathtub in your balcony, champagne and snacks all day and butler service. Expect to pay RM900 (US$290) a night. There’s also the Hard Rock Hotel for about RM400 (US$130) upwards.

Gurney Drive, known for its eating haunts, also has a few hotels, with the G Hotel among the most popular. Located right next to Gurney Plaza, it’s convenient for both eating and shopping.

For something different and with a touch of history, try staying at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, otherwise known as the Blue Mansion, made famous in a recent movie of the same name. Also check out Clove Hall – an old black-and-white house in Clove Hall Road that is now a six-suite hotel.

A night view of Georgetown, Penang. Pic: Shutterstock.com.

Penang at Night

For live jazz and a relaxed feel, the G-Spot at G Hotel, Gurney Drive, hits the spot. By the way, this hotel’s duplex suite has a bathroom that has the best view of Penang – you sit in a bathtub and look out through high glass windows at the sea.

I like the feel of Bagan. Located in a sprawling old house which has been restored, this restaurant and bar serves pretty good food – I was surprised by how good the char koay teow was – and plenty of attitude in its live singer, who puts his own interpretation on every song he (or is it she) sings.

The new Sigi’s Bar & Grill On The Beach at Golden Sands has a lovely spot where you can dine on the beach and listen to a live band from the Philippines who can pretty much play anything you request.

The inner city has some good spots. Go to the areas – Chulia Street, Penang Road, Campbell Road – where the backpacker hotels are and you’ll find a bar or two that’s full of colour and local flavour. Or the Penang Waterfront area and near the Eastern & Oriental Hotel where there’s a good vibe happening.

Retail Therapy

I like Gurney Plaza for its location and convenience. Right on Gurney Drive, so you can pop into this mall before or after a meal. It’s got all the shops and brands you’d want. My favourite outlets for clothes are East India Company, British India minus the price; Factory Outlet for a huge range of casual wear; and on the higher floors, local designer boutiques for something different.

For foodstuffs, you can’t beat Chowrasta Market on Penang Road. The stalls have been there for years so the traders know their custom well. Things to buy – Penang biscuits and snacks, dried fruits and sauces to go with everything.

The night market on Batu Ferringhi beach, while rather touristy, is rather fun for browsing. It’s got the usual tourist stuff – T-shirts, fake watches, belts, bags, etc – but if you look hard enough, you may find that souvenir for friends back home to remind them that you’ve been to Penang, not them and they should then get on that low cost flight to the island.

The majestic span of the Penang bridge, one of the longest in the world, connects the island to the mainland.

Transport  

Getting there & away – Penang is easily accessible by land, sea or air. Regional budget airlines such as AirAsia and FireFly have routes from right across the region. It is easily accessible by train and bus routes from around Malaysia, and Thailand and Singapore, while you can also arrive/depart by ferry.

Getting around - The best way to get around Penang is to hire a car and drive yourself.  It’s a fairly easy place to find your bearings. Taxis are not easy to come by and the drivers refuse to charge by the meter, so if you get one, agree on a price beforehand. Local buses are not a bad option – there is a bus service that links Georgetown to the beach. Within the inner city, walk or take a trishaw – just agree on a price before you hop on.

Yeoh Siew Hoon is editor, commentator and leading media voice for Asia Pacific’s travel industry. She is the Editor-at-Large for SHY Ventures – a company that she founded, that is driven by the mantra: “Content, Communication, Connection”. Siew Hoon has nearly 30 years of experience in writing and penning her thoughts, speaking at conferences and facilitating workshops. Learn more about Siew Hoon and her work at www.webintravel.com. 

The announcement was made as the authority reached a milestone of about 10 per cent in carbon reduction. Such a pledge from a mammoth airport – one that operates 24 hours a day and served over 53 million passengers last year – should draw inspiration for other airports to adopt eco-friendly measures in their operations.

A three-year environmental plan was rolled out last year that aims to reduce carbon intensity by 2015 from its 2008 emission levels. Among those already accomplished were Aviation Security’s suspension of lifts after office hours, auto lights off policy at Cathay Pacific Catering and promotion of the paperless office at Sinopec.

The success of the plan has prompted the airport to raise targets even further. Additional plans include replacement of 100,000 lighting units with energy-efficient LEDs by end of 2014 and introduction of new electric passenger transfer cars by mid-2013 and eventually the whole fleet by 2017.

Although it costs more to implement these “green” measures – electric cars cost more than conventional ones – it is the long-term benefits that count.

If you liked this article check out our list of the best airports in Asia, or our guide to Asia’s worst airports

This article first appeared on AsianCorrespondent.com

British band Radiohead will play Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand from July. Pic: AP.

An article in April on Travel Wire Asia outlined the reasons Western pop stars are criss-crossing the region. Most of it is down to supply and demand with economic troubles in the West leading to artists seeking other markets. That along with the increased demand and ease of access into Asia have prompted numerous shows.

From the Associated Press:

“We’re getting so many concerts nowadays, it’s hard to decide which ones to go for!” said Mindy Chew, an information technology consultant in Malaysia who snapped up $120 seats to watch Lady Gaga’s show in neighboring Singapore within 30 minutes after tickets went on sale.

“Some of these shows are like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m expecting lots of drama at Lady Gaga’s show, lots of costume changes,” said Chew, who has caught performances by Gwen Stefani and Michael Buble in recent years in Malaysia’s biggest city, Kuala Lumpur.

Here are some of the acts set to rock Asia this summer.

Lady Gaga. Pic: AP.

Lady Gaga, Born This Way Ball, May-June, across Asia

Lady Gaga will perform across Asia in May and June at concerts in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. For Gaga’s Little Monsters it’s a fantastic chance to see the incredible sets, costumes and show she puts on. However the raunchy singer hasn’t been so welcome in Indonesia. In latest news the Indonesian police have said they will not issue her a permit for her show in Jakarta and it will have to be cancelled.

Baybeats Music Festival, 29 June – 1 July, Singapore

Not only is Baybeats free and non-ticketed but it features a broad range of music and both local and international acts, guaranteeing there’s something for everyone. The 2012 theme for the event is Celebrating Life – The Best of the Human Spirit through the Arts.

Radiohead, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, July

English rock band Radiohead, now with almost legendary status having been around so long, will hit Taiwan (25), South Korea (27-29) and Japan (29) in late July for some of the most anticipated shows in Asia this year. The band then returns to Australasia in November to play in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – all these shows are already sold out.

Jisan Valley Rock Festival, Jisan, South Korea, 27-29 July

This annual event is one of the big ones in South Korea this year. It is held at the Jisan Valley Ski Resort and has a featured lineup this year of Radiohead, The Stone Roses, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, James Blake and many more.

Pic: splendourinthegrass.com

Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, Australia, 27-29 July

The tickets might already be sold out but there’s good reason for this. Not only is Splendour the biggest Australian winter music event in the country but the location at Byron Bay is superb and the crowds while big at 30,000 are not overpowering. It makes for a superb three days of music and this year the lineup includes the Smashing Pumpkins, Spiderbait, Wolfmother and Missy Higgins.

Fuji Rock Festival. Pic: AP.

Fuji Rock Festival, Niigata, Japan, 29 July

Another huge event taking place in Japan this summer is the three day annual rock festival at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata. Organized by Smash Japan this is expected to draw 200 plus Japanese and international acts across numerous stages and 100,000 people. This year it will feature Elvis Costello, Django Django, Eddie Mac, The Stone Roses and Radiohead.

Summer Sonic Festival, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, 18-19 August

It’s definitely all happening in Japan this year. Yet another multi-day event taking place this year is the Summer Sonic Festival. This two-day festival in August features Japanese rock musicians and a number of international acts with a stellar lineup this year including Rihanna, Green Day, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Pitbull, Calvin Harris, Gym Class Heroes and Jamiroquai.

Katy Perry Teenage Dream tour, Singapore, 23 September

American songstress Katy Perry has been wowing audiences across Asia already this year with performances in Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. Her next return to Asia will be Singapore on September 23.

Coldplay, Australia and New Zealand, November

Fans in Australia and New Zealand went wild this week when Cold Play announced they would be touring later this year in the downunder summer. Tickets will go on sale on May 25.

Elton John, 17 November, Jakarta

Asian fans that have been patiently waiting for the famed British crooner since 2011 for his Greatest Hits tour, and will finally get to see the big man when he comes to Jakarta in November. John cancelled his show last year due to a hectic schedule.

Kitesurfing on Ko Samui, Thailand.

According to kitesurfing.com Asia offers 371 locations to choose from. Warmer weather and less busy waters might add to the attraction of an Asian kitesurfing holiday, especially since Asia’s top two kitesurfing countries, Thailand and the Philippines, are located in Southeast Asia.

What follows is a list of 5 of Asia’s best kiteboarding destinations. You’ll notice that they are all in Southeast Asia, but Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are also home to plenty of kitesurfing spots.

Sanur, Bali

This resort town caters mostly to European families. It’s not only famous for kitesurfing, but hosts an international kite festival each July. It features a kitesurfing school and a fair selection of accommodation and eating options to suit all budgets. And when the conditions aren’t right to go out on the water, there is the whole of the island of Bali to explore.

Kuantan, Malaysia

Kuantan is home to Balok Beach, a kitesurfing spot best surfed from December to March, but good year-round conditions mean it’s more or less possible any time you fancy. Kuantan is actually a fairly large city (pop. 500,000) with its own airport, so it’s not quite a rustic getaway, but has plenty of beaches and restaurants plus several shopping malls and a few resorts.

Pic: Shutterstock.com.

Hua Hin, Thailand

This resort town is popular with Thais as well as expats and foreign tourists. Kiteboarding is popular in Hua Hin, with several schools providing lessons and equipment rental. The kitesurfing season is best from January to May, with winds at 14-20 knots and shallow, slightly choppy water. Thailand’s International Kite Festival takes place in Hua Hin from March to May. And the kitesurfing opportunities are not just limited to Hua Hin. Chumpon a little further south and Koh Samui are also popular with kitesurfers.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

This is considered by many to be one of the best kitesurfing destinations in Asia, if not the world. It’s also not too hard on the pocket. Lessons start at around US$60 with discounts for beginner packages. At 20-25 knots, wind conditions are good all year, but generally best from November to April. The nightlife and restaurant scene is relatively quiet, but far from dead. This UK student loved kitesurfing and Mui Ne so much he went twice for extended stays during a four-month sojourn in Vietnam.

Boracay, Philippines

Another destination that is often touted as one of the best places to kitesurf in Asia. That’s quite a claim, but who am I to argue with BBC News? Bulabog Beach is regarded as Asia’s kiteboarding capital, with its reef-protected lagoon providing calm waters, especially suitable for beginners. Winds range from 12-30 knots and the high season for kitesurfing runs from November to April. The island is lovely and since it’s the Philippines, where English is widely spoken, language is less of an issue than with other destinations. Boracay’s popularity has brought mixed blessings however, with crowds and pollution putting a bit of a dent in the “paradise factor”. However, if you’re a fan of nightlife and like to be spoiled for choice, Boracay may be what you’re after.

Check here for a comprehensive, if uninformative, map of Asia’s kitesurfing spots. Though not as popular a tourist destination as the number two country in Asia in terms of sheer number of kiteboarding spots, the Philippines clocks up a whopping 81 locations to kitesurf, followed by Thailand with 61 and Japan with 42.

In an effort to crack down on the number of “illegal aliens” in the country who are working without the proper visas, have overstayed their visas or entered the country unlawfully, the police will reportedly be checking passports and residency registration documents. They’ve even enlisted the help of locals, using the Chinese microblogging service weibo to encourage people to report neighbors or colleagues known to be in the country under shady circumstances.

This message appeared on Chinese microblogging site weibo, appealing to locals to help with the 100-day campaign to crack down on illegal foreigners. Pic: weibo.com

According to China Daily, police will target neighborhoods known to attract large numbers of foreigners, including expat enclave Sanlitun, where everyone does their late-night partying. University districts are also more likely to draw a watchful eye.

The move comes after several months of shifts in visa laws and has officially been declared a response to the number of illegal workers in China, including English teachers, housekeepers and laborers.

However, the crackdown falls close on the heels of an alleged attempted rape case that drew headlines last week. An onlooker captured a video of what appears to be a British man assaulting a Chinese woman until passersby stop him and beat him to the ground. (More on that case here)

Some bloggers hinted that this incident prompted the hardline campaign, but warnings of a crackdown were being reported before the assault incident took place. Speculation has circulated in the expat community about the motivation for the campaign, with no clear consensus. The mandate to carry one’s passport and residency documents is nothing new, it’s just not regularly enforced — until, supposedly, now.

Casual travelers to the Middle Kingdom should fare just fine as long as they have their visas in order and don’t overstay their visit. If you are planning to travel here within the next three months, however, make sure to check in with someone at your hostel or hotel about registering at the local police station upon arrival. Best to have the proper documentation on you to avoid a hassle.

An editor at The Beijinger, a popular expat magazine, offered this advice to readers:

Check the date on your visa, make sure you’ve got your housing registration form (and if you haven’t, get down to the PSB now and sort it out), and we’d also recommend carrying photocopies of the photo and visa pages from your passport, as well as a copy of your housing registration form. It’s not cool, but it will save you trouble.

Meanwhile, the voice behind the satirical Twitter account The Relevant Organs, which is jokingly billed as “China’s soft-powered vanguard, rectifying your thought since 2010,” gave a snarkier, if more humorous, response:

Abuse of the new “report-a-foreigner” tip line will be severely punished with cash prizes and gift certificates.

— The Relevant Organs (@relevantorgans) May 15, 2012

REMINDER: Even if foreigners don’t have valid documents, it’s still technically illegal to beat them if anyone is watching.

— The Relevant Organs (@relevantorgans) May 15, 2012

Featuring all kinds of maddening roundabouts, a jumble of lanes and beguiling traffic flows, these intersections are enough to give you a headache.

From England to France, Russia, Vietnam and China, the gallery features pedestrian overpasses, tangles of freeways and confusing traffic flow that seems almost impossible to negotiate.

Here are some of the images. Click here for the full gallery.

Swindon, UK. Pic: Google Maps

Moscow, Russia. Pic: Google Maps.

Shanghai, China. Pic: Google Maps

Taipei, Taiwan. Pic: Seabaryo/Flickr

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. We were looking at a map of Gyeongsangbuk-do to see what else there was in the area, and there it was. As one of the most unusual – and grossest sounding – destinations on the map, it was the one we had to check out.

We have 곽명창 (Gwak Myeong Chang) to thank for his very kind translation and tour of the area. As with most tourist attractions, there’s English signs around – and there’s always more to the story. Climb about 5 minutes worth of stone stairs to reach the summit of Taebong (at 258 meters, it’s little more than a hill), and take in the sight:

The shrine for placentas and umbilical cords (세종대왕자태실 – Se-jong-dae-wang-ja tae-shil) came about thanks to King Sejong. Well known by every Korean for his administration’s creation of hangeul, he had 19 kids with two different wives. During his reign, he collected the tae-shil (umbilical cords and placentas) of his children and moved them from Gyeongbokgung palace to their present-day location of Seongju. This process of moving the shrines took five years, from 1438 to 1442.

With one exception, this area has remained mostly undisturbed through the ages. In 1455, Sejong’s son Prince Suyang became King Sejo, and proceeded to destroy five of his brothers’ shrines while elevating his own. The other fourteen shrines are essentially identical, whether they were Sejong’s sons or daughters.

But why umbilical cords? WTF? Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Well, it was part of the royal family, in a way. This is a sentimental country, in a weird sort of way.

I’ll note that this is not a large site – without a decent knowledge of Korean history and a vivid imagination, it might feel like you’ve seen it all in about five minutes. Sure, the site is unique, and a remarkable (if quirky) place to visit, but those used to surveying vast palaces or temples with many relics might feel a bit underwhelmed.

One of the individual pieces – 원손 (Won-son) or the posthumous King Danjong.

Virtually every chamber has the same construction – if you can read Korean (or the hanja), some of the different parts will make sense. For everyone else, the dotted line represents the ground level. The tiny pot near the bottom is what actually contains the umbilical cord and placenta.

Within walking distance is the Buddhist temple Seonseoksa (선석사). First built in 692 by high priest Uisang during the Silla Dynasty, it was originally located at the foot of a mountain to the west. In 1361, chief priest Naong decided to the move the temple to its present location. As the selected location was leveled, a huge rock emerged. The name Seonseoksa was given and is unchanged to this day. When the umbilical cords were moved here, Seonseoksa became the guardian temple of the sacred artifacts. Although there’s not much to see here, it’s a nice little stop off while in the middle of nowhere.

To be clear, this is way off the beaten path. As such, there are plenty of other sights worthy of your attention – this site, however, is unique across Korea. You’ll see a single taeshil in Changdeokgung (one of Seoul’s Joseon-dynasty palaces), but this is the only collection like it in the country.

Ratings (out of 5 taeguks - How do I rate destinations?):

Ease to arrive:

(WARNING: if you take a taxi, grab their card and be prepared to call them back – you will NOT see any empty taxis this far out)

Foreigner-friendly:

Convenience facilities:

Worth the visit:

Directions to the Umbilical cord shrine: From Dongdaegu train station or any of the Daegu Express Bus Terminals, hop on the Daegu subway to Seongdangmot station on line 1. Take exit 3 to street level, then look behind you for the 서부정류장 (seo-bu-jeong-ryu-jang), or the Seobu intercity bus terminal. Hop on a bus to Seongju (성주 – direct buses go from Seoul’s Nambu Bus Terminal to Seongju, but only 4 times a day). Once at Seongju, you’ll need to get on a local bus heading towards Chojeon (초전). Check the terminal’s wall for departure times. Tell the bus driver you’re going to 세종대왕 자태실 (Se-jong-dae-wang ja-tae-shil). A taxi from Seongju bus terminal would cost about 17,000 won and take about 20 minutes.

The aforementioned Seonseoksa is about a ten-minute walk via proper road, or a five-minute walk via an unmarked, undeveloped dirt trail. You’ll see the temple straight across as come down the stone stairs.

The official Xinhua News Agency says China Southern Airlines will cut its normal schedule of two flights daily between Guangzhou city and Manila down to a single flight on certain days, from May 26 to June 30. The report did not give further details.

Pic: Natasha von Geldern.

Decades of settlement by Mediterranean immigrants led to the foundation of Melbourne’s famous café scene right here, followed by years as the centre of Melbourne’s music subculture.

Back in 1839 Fitzroy was actually Melbourne’s first every suburb. Some of the remaining grand 19^th century buildings are looking a bit worn around the edges now.  Decorously peeling paint rubs shoulders with street art and graffiti.

These days the slow creep of gentrification is apparent and there are plenty of fashion boutiques and gift shops. It’s expensive to live in one of the terraced houses dripping with iron lace or even the cute former working men’s cottages.

But Fitzroy, and Brunswick Street, still draws the crowds to its authentic and enthusiastic indie scene.

The rundown buildings are part of Fitzroy's charm. Pic: Natasha von Geldern.

My favourite thing about Fitzroy is the multi-cultural vibe set up by waves of immigration over the past 150 years.

It’s not just the Italians with their espresso machines. There are Vietnamese, Chinese, Hispanic and African communities here.

The number of Latin American themed restaurants and bars is noticeable, including Tapas bar Naked for Satan.

Popular drinking establishments include Bimbo Deluxe, which also has food and live music, and the Little Creatures Dining Hall – a vibrant place that is home to one of Melbourne’s most-loved brews.

The Vegie Bar has been serving quality vegetarian fare for 20 years and I love the big airy space as well as the food for the body, mind and soul.

Pic: Natasha von Geldern.

Flowers Vasette has become a Brunswick Street landmark with its iconic signage and colourful displays.

Fitzroy is also a hotbed of artists and artisans with studios and galleries tucked away down sidestreets.

Not so tucked away is the art space at the Napier Hotel. Upstairs you’ll find three well-maintained exhibition areas, offering an affordable canvas for emerging artists.

So next time you’re in Melbourne head north of the CBD and spoil your senses in Fitzroy.