There are many ways to celebrate this day especially when travelling with friends & exploring new dimensions
August 6 marks the World Friendship Day. There are many ways to celebrate this day even while travelling or especially while travelling with friends. The variety is immense. While Japan’s anime-theme cafés would be an ideal way to celebrate the day, another attractive option would be to the spend it in iconic hotels of St Moritz in Switzerland or sip over some Qatari ice gahwa.
A press statement by Brandit India compiles a list of some of the most unique spots and drinks served around the world:
Japan’s vividly themed cafés
Anime-themed cafes are big rage in Japan
Known for its unique cultural experiences, the press statement says that Japan is replete with the most adorable to the most bizarre cafés. Anime enthusiasts can spend a day visiting Pokémon Cafe, Straw Hat Cafe, Ufotable Cafe, Totoro Cafe and Bakery, or Animate Cafe Ikebukuro. For an unconventional experience, places like Maidreamin Cafe, Vampire Cafe and Harry the Hedgehog Cafe are ideal. There are also unique animal and bird themed cafés, like Tokyo Snake Centre in Shibuya City and Alpaca Café, Cafe Calico, Asakusa Nekoen, Temari no Ouchi and Neko no Mise, Fukuro no Mise, and Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou. For nature lovers, Aoyama Flower Market Tea House is a charming and affordable establishment filled with vibrant flowers.
Japan’s Sumiyaki coffee is a must-try as unlike conventional coffee beans, Sumiyaki Coffee is roasted with sumi (charcoal) to lend the coffee beans a smoky yet balanced aroma and enhances their flavour profile as well as shelf-life.
Thailand’s special iced coffee
Thailand hosts a variety of exotic experiences, from special iced coffees to cannabis cafés
Thailand is dotted with garden-themed eateries, pet-themed cafes and retro-style diners with pulsating ambience. Places perfect for a café hopping adventure include the Lalitta Café in Chiang Rai, Bubble in the Forest in Bangkok, Versailles de Flore in Chiang Mai, Ma Doo Bua Café in Phuket and Mong Chang Café in Pattaya.
A must-try is the Oliang, a Thai iced coffee. This popular beverage is made from a blend of robusta coffee grounds, condensed milk, various grains and seeds including cardamom, corn, and sesame seeds. For a more exotic experience, travellers can visit the RG420 cannabis café in Khao San.
Visitors can also head to Phuket’s Chalong Bay Rum Distillery to try their 100 pc natural sugarcane rum. A guided tour of the distillery is also available with an interactive cocktail-making workshop. The rum can be quaffed while relishing the delectable cuisine prepared by a Michelin chef with Chalong Bay Mojito.
Qatari ice gahwa
Qatar’s cafes boast of a host of distinct experiences & new blends
Coffee enthusiasts can sample everything from gahwa to lattes to cortado as they travel the world through Qatar’s cafes. According to the statement, Msheireb Downtown Quarter in the heart of Doha’s cultural district is home to many excellent coffee shops, including Rusk Artisanal Bakery, Arabica and the Ministry of Coffee in its Barahat Msheireb town square. Travellers can grab a cup of speciality coffee, stroll about admiring the architecture and then stop by the four historic homes that house the Msheireb Museums.
Kava koffee in Katara Cultural Village offers specialised blends while taking a leisurely stroll through the art galleries, stores, and exhibition spaces. The iced gahwa available at the Duhail Sports Club near Qatar University offers a modern twist on the traditional gahwa.
Royal tea in St Moritz
For a royal tea affair, visitors can try the timeless lobby of Badrutt’s Palace
In the luxurious ski resort of St Moritz in Switzerland, everyone loves the teatime just as much as the British do. The statement says that this alpine haven takes great pride in its appreciation for fine teas, whether enjoyed in the opulent hotel lobbies, cosy tea rooms or coffee houses. The grand hotels in St Moritz like the Kulm Hotel or the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains open their lobbies to the public for most hours of the day, ideal for an afternoon tea. They are known to serve freshly brewed teas and snacks.
For a royal tea affair, visitors can try the timeless lobby of Badrutt’s Palace, known as Le Grand Hall. The place boasts an antique armchair to enjoy a cup of tea while savouring the sweet idleness with a selection of delicacies from the in-house patisserie. The menu presents 28 different types of tea from around the world.
Cafés with a view in Seychelles
Takamaka Rum Distillery tour is an immersive experience for all rum lovers
Each of the popular islands of Seychelles offers distinct cafe experiences. According to the press statement, cafes in Mahé showcase a lively atmosphere while cafes in La Digue embody the Seychellois way of life.
Along Anse Volbert’s beach in Praslin, Cafe des Arts features rustic wooden cabanas sitting on the sandbank, ideal for private and intimate dining. Just minutes away from the bustling capital of Victoria, Wildflour Cafe is another popular destination for both tourists and locals. With a strong emphasis on wholesome cooking and the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the cafe has a cosy outdoor ambience with a green aesthetic. The café also boasts a unique bat-viewing station.
The Takamaka Rum Distillery tour is an immersive experience for all rum lovers. The tour culminates in a tasting session at the Rum Shack, with a diverse range of Takamaka rums, accompanied by delicious snacks.
