Category Archives: Luxury

Learning to Cook (City AM)

The Cook Islands is a nation comprising 15 small islands sprinkled across a patch of the South Pacific, roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. As remote as they are spectacular, the collection of islands is reminiscent of Hawaii before its mid-century tourism-boom, and though the largest of its islands is today ringed by boutique hotels, much of the country is untouched and feels wildly tropical. Continue reading

Posted in City AM, Cook Islands, Hotels, Luxury, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chocolate | Pierre Marcolini’s Winter Collection

Celebrated Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini’s passion for sweet treats dates back to his childhood when, so the story goes, he would happily exchange toys with his brother for an extra portion of dessert. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Belgium, Celebrities, Chocolate, Food, London, Luxury, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Franciacorta: Italian Sparkling Wines

Franciacorta has been described as the “best wine you’ve never heard of” and I’ll be honest, I had not heard of it until I was invited to taste some at its Annual London Showcase. The event was hosted by the Vice President of Franciacorta, Silvano Brescianini and Franciacorta’s UK Brand Ambassador, Tom Harrow.  Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, Italy, London, Luxury, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Mykonos Exclusive Villas Near Super Paradise Beach

Legendary for its party lifestyle, Super Paradise beach is the go-to destination for some thousands of visitors every year, both VIPs and humble humans with a strong desire to join the Mykonos jamboree! Continue reading

Posted in Greece, Hotels, Luxury, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Pair of Tickets to The Whisky Show

Who wants a pair of day tickets to this year’s Whisky Show, valued at £110 each and including a two-course lunch, one Dream Dram token and access to more than 600 whiskies to be tasted? Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Luxury, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The American Bar at the Stafford London Hotel

Classy cocktails and a mighty burger were hallmarks of my al fresco dine at The Stafford London Hotel’s historic American Bar. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pom Harrington of Peter Harrington Rare Books | #TCTalks Episode 31

For episode 31 of tikichris Talks, I chat with Pom Harrington, second generation owner of Peter Harrington Rare Books in Chelsea (with another location in Mayfair). During our conversation among the shelves of his Fulham Road bookstore, Pom shares his insight of what makes a book rare and valuable and what’s in his private staff. Continue reading

Posted in Books, interview, London, Luxury, Podcast, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SeasonaliTea at The Langham London

With the launch of The Langham London’s SeasonaliTea, Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett presents a fresh approach to the afternoon tea. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unexpected Texas: How to Get the Best of Your San Antonio Holiday (Metro)

The seventh biggest city in the US and second largest in Texas, San Antonio is as hip to current trends as any urban centre. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Luxury, Metro, Restaurants, road trip, Texas, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cheese and Mocktail Pairings | Paxton & Whitfield X The Stafford London

Stalwarts of upscale and historic St James’s – Paxton & Whitfield (cheesemongers since 1797) and The Stafford London (one of this city’s most historic and storied hotels) – teamed up for a recent mocktails and cheese pairing, which I was more than happy to oblige an invitation to taste and critique. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meat | All Consumed Episode 2 | #TCTalks Episode 21

For this episode of tikichris Talks I’d like to share an episode All Consumed, another podcast that I coproduce with fellow food, drink and travel writer Neil Davey. It’s the second episode of All Consumed, and the topic is meat. Continue reading

Posted in All Consumed, Food, interview, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Best International Spa Destinations to Relax and Recover (Going Places)

To help you restore your health and well-being, here are six of the best spa destinations around the world that will get you on the road to relaxation and recovery. Continue reading

Posted in Going Places, Luxury, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chef Vivek Singh | #TCTalks Episode 19

I’ve been following the career of Chef Vivek Singh for nearly as long as I’ve been writing about food. So it was a real privilege to interview him for this 19th episode of tikichris Talks. During our conversation, Chef Singh and I talk about his new restaurant at the Battersea Power Station as well as how his take on Modern Indian cuisine helped shape how Londoners eat today. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, interview, London, Luxury, Podcast, Restaurants, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win 23-Piece Anne-Sophie Pic Box from Sushi Shop

The Anne-Sophie Collection from Sushi Shop features some of the most delicious sushi I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat. So it’s a pleasure to announce my team up with Sushi Shop for this competition offering the chance to win a box. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Food, Freebies, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Bridge Quarter / Bermondsey High Street Properties for Sale at Deep Discount

The properties (all part of one development) have been built to a high standard and are perfectly placed within walking distance of Bermondsey High Street, Borough Market, and The City – and within 600 metres of London Bridge. Continue reading

Posted in London, Luxury, Money | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuwara Eliya | Ferncliff

During my time in Nuwara Eliya I stayed a Ferncliff, a colonial period family home built in 1832. It’s an entrancing, historic place. For a romantic such as myself its poise was a distraction. Each morning here I spent the early hours of dawn lucidly dreaming of the very place I was staying only woken when the butler gently knocked on my door with breakfast. Continue reading

Posted in Hotels, Luxury, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Spend a Romantic Weekend in Milan (Metro)

Whether you’re jetting down for an inaugural look-see with your newfound fling or embarking upon an umpteenth tour with your better half, Milan makes a magnificent destination for any romantic urban retreat. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Italy, Luxury, Metro, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Madrid I Fine Food Art of Ramón Frexia

Demi Perera recounts one more moreish moment in Madrid as her series about the Spanish capital continues. The grand finale of my exquisite culinary tour of Madrid with Luxury Travel Advisors was an unforgettable 20 course meal crafted by chef Ramón … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Love Madrid, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

Langham London Head Pastry Chef, Andrew Gravett, will open his kitchen to small groups as part of a one-time-only Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, Valentine's Day, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ocean Liners: Speed and Style | Full Steam Ahead at the V&A

Relive the ‘Golden Age’ of ocean travel at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s  2018 opening exhibition,  Ocean Liners: Speed and Style. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design, London, Luxury, Museums, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Slovenia’s Capital Ljubljana Should be Your Next European Weekend Break (Metro)

Looking for a luxury weekend that won’t break the bank? You need look no further than Ljubljana. Continue reading

Posted in Ljubljana, Luxury, Metro, Slovenia, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chef Luigi Taglienti of Lume Milano | #TCTalks Episode 10

Ten episodes deep with tikichris Talks and I’m in Milan conducting an interview with Michelin star chef Luigi Taglienti at Lume, the chef’s highly lauded and multi award winning restaurant. The interview follows directly after an opportunity to try a pescatarian version of Taglienti’s eight course tasting menu – which quite possibly was the most elegantly restrained and exquisitely flavourful dining experiences of my life. Continue reading

Posted in Food, interview, Italy, Luxury, Podcast, Restaurants, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Madrid | Chef’s Table Tour

In the first post of her series about falling in love with Madrid’s gastronomy, Demi Perera begins her Love Madrid journey at Mercado de San Anton to gather provisions for creating a sumptuous Spanish lunch to share with friends. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Love Madrid, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, Spain, Street Markets, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anne-Sophie Pic for Sushi Shop | Episode 8 | #TCTalks

Episode 8 of tikichris Talks features two interviews from back in October when I had the pleasure of attending a sneak preview of the three Michelin Star Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s collaboration with the Paris-based upscale takeaway restaurant group, Sushi Shop. Continue reading

Posted in Food, France, interview, London, Luxury, Paris, Podcast, Restaurants, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ljubljana Lux | Index

I hope enjoyed the slowing down to enjoy some of the finer things in Slovenia with me. Continue reading

Posted in Ljubljana, Ljubljana Lux, Luxury, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catching up with Difference Coffee Company

My August 2016 introduction to Difference Coffee Company and its founder Amir Gehl has now gone cold and requires a top up. But rather than a refill, Difference deserves a new cup as Amir has upped even his own game. Continue reading

Posted in Coffee, Luxury, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ljubljana Lux | Strelec Restaurant

Exquisite food and magnificent views were experienced in full force at Strelec Restaurant in Ljbubljana, where my lunch turned out to be one of the best meals I had in 2017. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Ljubljana, Ljubljana Lux, Luxury, Slovenia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ljubljana Lux | InterContinental

In sharp contrast to Ljubljana’s largely low rise look, the sleek modernist 20-storey InterContinental Ljubljana certainly stood out as a gleaming landmark during my lux weekend break in the Slovenian capital. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Ljubljana, Ljubljana Lux, Luxury, Restaurants, Slovenia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ljubljana Lux

Twee Slovenia’s tiny capital Ljubljana saw a city break upgrade near the end of 2017 with the launch of the InterContinental Ljubljana – the city’s first ever five star luxury hotel. With the hotel’s opening came the chance to discover in newly established style one of Europe’s most accessible yet least explored cities. Continue reading

Posted in Hotels, Ljubljana, Ljubljana Lux, Luxury, Slovenia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 7 | Metaxa

Welcome to the seventh episode of tikichris Talks. This one features an interview with Metaxa Managing Director Stephanie Ancel and Metaxa Master Constantinos Raptis. Our conversation took place at in November at theSt James Bar of the Sofitel London St James Hotel – one of my favourite bars in London actually – and was followed by a tasting of head barman Matteo Giannuzzi’s Dragon’s Son cocktail with Metaxa 12 Stars as the key ingredient. It’s a rich mix definitely worth you seeking out for a sip. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, Hotels, interview, London, Luxury, Podcast, Restaurants, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best of the Best of 2017

I hope the year was as fun and delicious for you as it was for me, and I look forward to sharing more amazing experiences with you in 2018. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Beer, Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Pizza, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Hotels of 2017

I stayed in a lot of hotels over the past 12 months. Most of them were perfectly adequate, and I wouldn’t be against checking in at them again. A select few far exceeded even my highest expectations and deserve some extra recognition. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Cook Islands, Hotels, Luxury, Netherlands, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best London Cocktails of 2017

My quest for the Best of 2017 slurps on with sips of the city’s most interesting and delicious cocktails. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best London Bars and Pubs of 2017

Having a drink in London is still a fine way to spend time. Here’s my take on the finest places to do so. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Beer, Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Pubs, Restaurants, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best London Restaurants of 2017

Londoners, did you dine well in 2017? I sure did – especially at five particularly amazing London restaurants. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment