Monthly Archives: December 2013
Win a Free Bottle of Appleton Estate VX + How to Make a Mai Tai
Appleton Estate VX is one of my favourite rums, especially when it comes to mixed cocktails. So it’s a pleasure being able to spread some Christmas cheer with my readers and offer a free bottle to one of you. I’ve only got one bottle to give one lucky reader though. For everybody else, I thought I’d share not one but two recipes for my favourite rum cocktail, the Mai Tai! Keep reading for a couple of ways to mix one of the world’s tastiest cocktails along with your chance to nab a bottle of excellent Jamaican rum! Continue reading
Currency Conversion Concerns? Consider WeSwap Next Time You Travel.
Next time I go abroad (and all indications suggest I’ll be doing a lot more international travel in 2014), I’m going to consider giving WeSwap a try. It’s a new service with an aim to change the way currency is exchanged. Providing a social platform that matches you up and your particular currency with other travellers and their currencies, WeSwap cuts out the middleman and only charges 1% (compared to up 17% for some exchanges!) for an exchange. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Arrivederci and Grazie Mille!
Over the past several days I’ve been sharing highlights from my recent Ham Highway adventure across northern Italy in a special 14-part miniseries. The series features entries about the following destinations – Forni di Sopra, Sauris, San Daniele, Udine, Collio Goriziano, Trento, Torino, Parma, Modena, Nonantola, and Bologna – along with tips and suggestions to help you plan your own delectable Italian itinerary. Continue reading
Having a Dickens of a Happy Christmas with Attractiontix
Attractiontix got in touch with “seven of London’s most influential bloggers” to come together and create a special Festive Tube Map “highlighting the most fabulous feasts, seasonal shops and glorious grottos” in London. One-seventh of the map was my own Christmassy creation, the Dickens Express Line. Continue reading
London Daily Photo: From the Battery Club
20 reasons why Londoners love Christmas (Time Out)
As an American expat living in London, Christmas time makes me think of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. I reckon Spitalfields has the most Dickensian feel for London these days, and I love … Continue reading
Top 5 Sights to See in Turin (OneTravel)
Probably the nicest thing about any visit to Turin, Italy is simply having the opportunity to wander round the narrow lanes of the old city and happening upon its majestic galleries and long covered walkways. From elegant and antiquated cafes … Continue reading
London Daily Photo: Melange
Ancient Frescos and Fresh Mountain Air in Trento, Italy (CheapOair)
With a newly opened museum designed by star architect Renzo Piano; a distinctive sparkling wine with a rich tradition behind it; an exquisite regional gastronomy that’s big on flavour; and of course a stunning backdrop of snowcapped mountains, the lively … Continue reading
Good Stuff
Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some yummy treats I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy! Miss P’s BBQ Pop-Up I attended a porky preview of a new pop-up from … Continue reading
London Daily Photo: Trio
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Antica Corte Pallavicina
Just outside the blink-and-miss-it village of Polesine Parmense, Antica Corte Pallavicina is a gorgeously restored 14th century castle situated on the banks of the Po that’s been transformed into a six room boutique hotel with Michelin starred restaurant. As refined as it is rustic, the venue is the result nearly two decades of dedication by local chef Massimo Spigaroli (whose other Michelin starred restaurant, Al Cavallino Bianco is located in the same village). Dining at Pallavicina was a sumptuous affair, yielding one of the loveliest meals I’ve had this year. Knowing that practically everything I put in my mouth came from here and was made onsite made all the more tasty. Continue reading
London Daily Photo: Play-Doh Slopes
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: November Porc
Celebrating a decade since its inception, November Porc is a month long foodie festival held every weekend during (yep you guessed it) November with each weekend seeing the party move to a different village in the Province of Parma. If the idea of visiting Torino was the impetus to planning my trip, the possibility of attending one of the November Porc weekends was what led to designing my actual itinerary and coming up with its broad “Ham Highway” theme. Continue reading
London Daily Photo: Hackney Wick Pose
Win a Neo Starter Kit worth £199 and Control Your Home Heating from Anywhere
Heatmiser’s latest Neo system delivers control-from-anywhere functionality via your smart phone or tablet, making it the most convenient and effective method for controlling your home heating and hot water – wherever and whenever you want. Keep reading for your chance to win a free Neo Starter Kit valued at £199 to help you start taking more control over your comfort and home environment. Continue reading
London Daily Photo: Clapton Station
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: a-MuSe-ing and Bubbly Trento
After an all too short sojourn in Friuli (God, I hope I make it back there before too long), I hit the autostrada heading west to the region of Trentino for an overnight stay to see what sort of wonders its scenic city of Trento had to offer. With a newly opened museum designed by a star architect; a distinctive sparkling wine with a rich tradition behind it; and an exquisite regional gastronomy that’s big on flavour, locally sourced ingredients and seasonality – the answer I soon discovered was A LOT! Continue reading
Wine of the Month by @willbedwards: Pol Roger ‘White Foil’ Brut
Champagne is a wine intimately linked to celebration and festivities, and Christmas is the one day of the year when the ‘wine o’clock’ rule is entirely disregarded. Wine, and particularly Champagne, makes a wonderful gift at Christmas; or if like me you are just choosing a breakfast tipple, then the Pol Roger ‘White Foil’ Brut is a perfect candidate. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Delectable Collio Goriziano
With the charming Udine as my base for a couple of days, I spent an afternoon in the nearby wine country of Collio Goriziano visiting a wine producer and cheese maker, both of whom had been recommended to me … along with finding out about a local ham maker whom I wish I’d had the chance to meet. Here’s the scoop on what makes this little nook of northern Italy such a yummy destination. Continue reading
London Daily Photo: At the Window
Study of Russia by Annya Sand at Asia House Closes This Sunday: GO!
Ahead of the UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014, December 2013 will see Asia House host the exhibition Study of Russia by Annya Sand. Continue reading
Win a Pair of Tickets to The View from The Shard
The View from The Shard provides unparalleled 64km (40 mile), 360 degree views of London. Almost twice as high as any other viewing point in London, it is the only place where you can see all of London – all at once – making it the perfect first stop for visitors to the city and a brilliant place to take anyone who loves this city. Stuck for gift ideas this Christmas? Why not give that special someone the whole of London – in one great big sweeping panoramic perch from atop its newest and sleekest icon? Keep reading for details about The View gift certificates and for a chance to win two free tickets to share or keep for yourself. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Udine
Udine is the hub and historical capital of the small Friuli Veneza Giulia province of the same name. With a sizeable university, it’s a lively setting with an interesting mix of people and pretty decent nightlife. If you’ve been to your share of checklist-y must-see Italian destinations (such as … oh let’s say … Florence) or you simply get a kick out off veering off the beaten path in an attempt to see what real life in a foreign country is like then Udine is a brilliant town to keep in mind. Continue reading