8 of the most beautiful airports

(CNN) -- It's about making an entrance.

Dramatic entries are a given with air travel, and airports should convey a sense of welcome and arrival to travelers landing in a new city, like the great train stations of yesteryear, says architecture critic Paul Goldberger.

That doesn't usually happen.

"An inspiring grand welcome to a place is not something you get in most of them," says Goldberger, contributor to Vanity Fair, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his architecture criticism at The New York Times and author of "Why Architecture Matters." "Most only aspire to a sense of efficiency and most don't even achieve that."

Where they exist at airports, the more impressive spaces are usually located in the airports' departure halls. Those passengers are rushing to clear security and catch flights and don't have time to appreciate their space. The arrivals hall usually doesn't inspire much.

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"When you arrive, you're shunted to a lower level to baggage claim and go through what feels like a service (exit)," says Goldberger, who regularly flies through New York and New Jersey's bustling but not very beautiful airports.

Although most airports don't meet his wish for a "grand welcome" -- even the ones he likes -- some architects are designing lovely airports that are worth admiring. Here are some of the airport designs Goldberger has appreciated or is hankering to see for himself.

Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain)

The design by architect Richard Rogers for Barajas' Terminal 4, completed in 2006, is one of Goldberger's favorites.

"He took what is really a conventional plan, and he did a traditional airport beautifully," he says. Rogers' elegant architecture includes "magnificent steel tresses and columns, and a very long concourse that gradually changes colors," says Goldberger. "The colors fade over the course of what must be half a mile. It's quite breathtaking."

Beijing Capital International Airport (China)

Sir Norman Foster has been "more successful than anyone else at rethinking the airport and designing it in a new way that pretty much works," says Goldberger. Foster's international terminal design in Beijing was completed in 2008 in time for that summer's Olympic Games.

Instead of a stretched-out layout or satellite terminals, Terminal 3 "is essentially two huge triangular shapes, where the points face each other and are connected by a train," he says. "That works quite well and is attractive."

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Kansai International Airport (Osaka, Japan)

Architect Renzo Piano's most remarkable achievement in this case may have been winning a design competition in 1988 for an airport that would sit on a man-made island that did not yet exist.

Located 25 miles away from Osaka, Japan (and three miles off the coast), Kansai airport was completed in 1994 and can handle air traffic 24 hours per day. The island is now connected to the mainland by a 2.5 mile-long, two-level bridge. The airport is lovely, but "it's more the achievement than the architecture itself," says Goldberger.

King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Completed in 1981, Skidmore, Owing and Merrill's design of the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah seems to capture the essence of Saudi Arabia's nomadic tradition.

The firm developed tent-like structures using little energy to keep the space cool in the desert. Pictures of the terminal impressed Goldberger, which is why it's on his bucket list as an airport to visit.

"Jeddah seems like a fascinating attempt to marry the nomadic tradition of desert tents with monumental modern architecture," says Goldberger. "A seeming impossibility, but I think they pulled it off."

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Raleigh-Durham International Airport (North Carolina)

Often overlooked as an example of good airport architecture, Raleigh-Durham International Airport's Terminal 2 was designed by Fentress Architects of Denver and completed in 2011.

Inspired by its Southern roots and its service to the Research Triangle hub of companies and universities, "it's a terminal that has a lot of wood and glass inside, a nice alternative to steel and glass," says Goldberger.

Aeropuerto de Carrasco (Montevideo, Uruguay)

Seeking to modernize and expand the airport serving Uruguay's capital, airport operators turned to native son and world renowned architect Rafael Vinoly. Completed in 2009, the Carrasco airport's structure seems inspired by the rolling dunes along the country's coastline.

The design is intriguing to Goldberger, which is why the Carrasco airport is also on his list of airports to experience.

"I've wanted to see Uruguay because Vinoly's swooping shape looks wonderful in photographs," says Goldberger. "It looks like something inspired by Eero Saarinen's design" for Trans World Airlines at John F. Kennedy International Airport (then called Idlewild Airport).

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TWA Terminal (New York)

It's not in use anymore, but Goldberger says it still stands out as an architectural marvel. (Maybe if it was still open, Goldberger would like flying out of John F. Kennedy International Airport better.)

Designed by Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962, this gorgeous terminal had a significant flaw: It wasn't built to change and grow with the growth of travel and the enormous aircraft that would soon come to Idlewild Airport, now JFK International.

"It was one of the great airport designs of all time, and it was completely unworkable for security and the volume of traffic (to come)," says Goldberger. "It remains a beautiful and incredibly inspiring building."

Matteo Pericoli mural (John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York)

No, this doesn't mean Goldberger likes flying out of the American Airlines terminal where this mural is located.

Italian architect and artist Matteo Pericoli was commissioned to paint a mural of the great architecture of the world on a wall at the American terminal. So while Goldberger isn't crazy about the airport, the mural "is one of my favorite things at any airport."

A pleasant experience matters, too

When Goldberger is trying to get from one city to another, sometimes his requirements for a nice airport are the same as anyone else. At the last minute, that's why he also tacked on these "fairly ordinary terminals that are nevertheless pleasanter to be in than the norm": San Francisco International Airport's newly redone Terminal 2 and the JetBlue Airways terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

"Lots of light, nice places to eat, wide-open spaces, views of (the) field, places to work, rest, etc.," he wrote, via e-mail. "Great architecture isn't always necessary to raise an airport above mediocrity."

What's your favorite airport anywhere in the world? Please share in the comments section below.

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Britain's 10 best fish and chip shops

(CNN) -- Finding superlative examples of Britain's national dish isn't as easy as tracking down great cheese in Paris or sublime sushi in Japan.

Serving originally as cheap and filling fodder for the country's burgeoning 19th-century working class, most of the 250 million portions of fish and chips sold today by Britain's 10,000 or so vendors of the dish -- "chippies" to locals -- remain unappetizing concoctions of gray-colored fish in soggy batter, accompanied by anemic chips and flaccid little sachets of ketchup.

Little wonder that so many first time visitors to the UK wonder what all the fuss is about -- never mind where to find mouthwash strong enough to remove the taste of stale cooking fat from their mouths.

That's a shame, because some establishments are great exceptions to the mediocre rule.

Many are family-run enterprises that use local produce and provide an experience that marries the aroma of the ocean with the warmth of the hearth inside one delicious paper-wrapped package.

Our 10 of the best fish and chip shops in Britain list culminates with the latest winner of a prestigious national award.

10. Chez Fred (Bournemouth)

Commitment to quality shows at every stage at this legendary South Coast chippy, from the chunky chips cooked in rapeseed oil to the house-made mushy peas, a traditional fish and chip accompaniment in Britain.

The cod and haddock are certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Ethical but supremely tasty, these are PC fish and chips par excellence.

We recommend: plaice fillet with large chips and mushy peas.

Chez Fred, 10 Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth; +44 1202 761023

9. The Company Shed (West Mersea, Essex)

It's smart to keep an eye on your watch if you make the journey to this ramshackle but welcoming little seafood shack near the ancient Roman town of Colchester; if your timing is off, you risk being stranded when the tide surrounds the miniscule island where the chippy perches.

Not that this would be such a bad thing, with the fabulous array of seafood to be consumed at the basic picnic tables here, from native oysters at 80p each to crab-and-lobster rolls, cockles, prawns and locally smoked salmon.

Prices are a fraction of what you'd pay in London, and you can bring your own wine.

We recommend: the cold seafood platter.

The Company Shed, 129 Coast Road, West Mersea, Essex; +44 1206 382 700

8. The Big Fish (Stratford-upon-Avon)

Owner Marina Angelides continued the fishy theme in her career (she used to sing in a band called The Big Catch) when she opened this restaurant and takeaway.

Dispensing with the retro (or just shabby) look many chippies favor, the Big Fish is all sweeping windows and smooth design curves.

The menu caters to gluten and wheat-intolerant diners, but less picky piscine fans might set their sights on the Big Fish Combo of cod, whitebait, calamari, scampi, haddock goujons (bread-crumbed mini-fillets), chips, coleslaw and salad.

We recommend: wholetail scampi with chips and salad.

The Big Fish, Unit 3, Maybird Shopping Park, Stratford upon Avon; +44 1789 204 202

7. Rock and Sole Plaice (London)

With high prices matched by low quality, the West End of London is something of a fish and chip tourist trap.

The venerable Rock and Sole Plaice is a local exception -- this Cypriot-run chippy near Covent Garden Piazza has been serving portions of perfectly flaky battered cod, crunchy chips and mushy peas since 1875.

The West End theater posters lining the walls hint at the odd big name thesp who drops in: both Peter O'Toole and Anthony Hopkins eat here when they're in town.

We recommend: cod and chips with mushy peas.

Rock and Sole Plaice 47 Endell St., London; +44 207 836 3785

6. Latimer's Fish Deli (Sunderland)

A former fisherman, owner Rob Latimer presides over the unusual combination of fishmonger and chippy on this site.

Spanking fresh squid, lobster, crab and langoustines are available alongside the usual fried things.

We recommend: the catch of the day.

Latimer's Fish Deli, Shell Hill, Whitburn, Sunderland; +44 191 529 2200

5. Burton Road Chippy (Lincoln)

This prosaically named chippy in genteel Lincoln is almost as much of a local legend as the devilish imps that supposedly escaped from the city's spectacular cathedral in medieval times.

The preferred fish here is battered haddock -- cod typically rules in the south of Britain and haddock in the north.

Everything is fried to order and almost all the menu items are prepared on the premises from scratch.

We recommend: haddock, chips and scraps (bits of batter from the bottom of the fryer).

Burton Road Chippy, 169 Burton Road, Lincoln; +44 1522 575 201

4. Whetstone Fish Bar (Leicester)

Buried deep in the Midlands, far from the coastline, it's the commitment to quality ingredients that makes this chippy run by the parents of UK TV presenter Gok Wan stand out -- fish are delivered daily from the port of Grimsby.

The fish cakes are tire-sized, and this is just the place to try a chippy custom peculiar to the region: pouring thick gravy over the chips before consuming with the fish. (It's nicer than it sounds.)

We recommend: haddock, chips and gravy.

Whetstone Fish Bar (no website), 63 Victoria Road, Whetstone, Leicester; +44 116 286 6866

3. Magpie Cafe (Whitby)

Queues form long before opening at this handsome sandstone old-timer on the harborfront of this sleepy Yorkshire fishing town.

The variety of fish stands out here, with sustainable and rarely seen specimens including gurnard, pollock and hake served alongside cod and haddock classics in an oak-beamed dining rooms upstairs.

If the restaurant is full, you can sit on the harbor wall with a takeaway.

We recommend: fried pollock, chips and mushy peas.

Magpie Cafe, 14 Pier Road, Whitby; +44 1947 602058

2. Seniors Fish and Chips (Thornton, Lancashire)

In classic fish and chip territory -- a small northwestern town of narrow Victorian terraced streets -- Seniors has been attracting queues around the block from its car park location since 2006.

Haddock and cod are supplemented by sea bass and plaice.

Servers will bake rather than fry for you if the thought of an entire deep-fried fish is going to break your vow to finally lose some weight this year.

We recommend: fish goujons, steak pudding and chips.

Seniors Fish and Chips, 91 Fleetwood Road North, Thornton; +44 1253 858585

1. The Bay (Stonehaven)

And officially the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Britain?

For 2013, the winner of this hotly contested competition -- in which everything from customer service to sustainability and hygiene is inspected and marked -- is located in a fishing town on the far northeast coast of Scotland.

The Bay's challenging-sounding specialities include deep-fried black pudding -- a compacted tube of congealed pig's blood cooked with oatmeal, suet, bread and potato.
From its harborside location, the Bay restaurant also serves haddock straight from the North Sea and mackerel caught by a family member.

We recommend: haddock and chips with black pudding on the side.

The Bay, Beach Road, Stonehaven; +44 1569 762000

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World's priciest city to be an expat is...?

Hong Kong (CNN) -- Oslo, Norway ranks as the world's most expensive city for expatriates, according to a new survey by ECA International, a global human resources consultancy firm. In the top 10, seven of the planet's priciest cities lie in Europe, two are found in Africa, while just one rests in Asia.

The rise of Norway's capital to the top spot knocks Tokyo, Japan off the position it has claimed since 2010. This year, Japan's capital ranks as the world's sixth priciest city for overseas workers.

"Prices in Oslo tend to be more expensive compared to other parts of the world (because of) the cost of production and labor," says Lee Quane, Regional Director, Asia for ECA International. "Services include dry cleaning, shoe repair, hair dressing - items which are more labor intensive - meals eaten out at restaurants as well. We also see the impact of taxes. For example alcohol and tobacco is relatively expensive."

According to ECA International data for Oslo, a movie ticket costs the equivalent of $18.76, a beer at a bar costs $14.10, while a soda will set you back $3.43.

Tokyo's fall from the top of the charts follows weakness in Japan's currency over the past several months, adds Quane.

The yen has fallen by as much as 20% since Shinzo Abe became prime minister in December 2012. Abe has laid out a plan for a return to inflation -- with an official 2% target -- after two decades of deflation, a stagnating economy and Japan's exporters like Sony and Panasonic recording billions of dollars in annual losses.

A weaker yen gives more buying power to foreigners visiting and exchanging their money.

Still Tokyo remains the most expensive city in Asia for expats, in the survey by ECA International, beating Seoul, Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.

A ticket to a Tokyo movie will take $19.09 out of your wallet, a soft drink is a more affordable $1.61 compared to Oslo, while a kilo of rice costs $10.00 -- the highest price in the entire ECA International survey.

Overall, Asia's city rankings have recently seen "a lot of stability," adds Quane. The global position rankings of Hong Kong and Singapore have only "moved one or two points", which he considers "a good thing" and a signal towards a longer-term economic recovery after the 2008 global financial crisis.

One surprise, says Quane, is the Philippine capital of Manila which jumped 19 points since the 2012 survey.

"The main reason was due to the strength of the currency. What we have seen is that the Philippines has been one of the strongest economies in Asia in the last 12 months as we've seen more foreign direct investment go there. Because of that, we've seen the currency strengthen and that pushed the Philippines up in ranking."

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