Monthly Archives: December 2013

London Daily Photo: Milkmaids Passage

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Christmas, Competition, Drink, Freebies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Money, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Art, Beer, Cars, Chocolate, Coffee, Design, Food, Italy, Parma, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: At the Base of St Augustine’s Tower

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Bounteous Bologna

That I’ve been to Bologna four times (twice just this year) should speak volumes about how much I love this city. It and the region of Emilia-Romagna have as prominent a cuisine and as celebrated a food culture as anywhere in the world. Even among Italians from other parts of the country, the gastronomic sensibilities of the Bolognese are held in the highest esteem. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Street Markets, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

London Daily Photo: Bracing Broadway Market

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Attractiontix, Books, Christmas, London, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: From the Battery Club

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Balsamico and Lambrusco

During my day in Modena, I made a postprandial excursion to the nearby village of Nonantola (still within the provincial boundaries of Modena) where I visited a balsamic producer and a winery. Finding out what makes aceto balsamico tradizionale such a prized delicacy and why local quaff Lambrusco is a lot better than many wine snobs seem willing to realise added up to a wonderful way to spent an afternoon. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Christmas, London, Time Out | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Italy, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Modena: Fast Cars and Slow Food

For a town with a population of fewer than 200,000 people, the list of icons associated with Modena is impressive. Pavarotti, Ferrari, Maserati, Balsamico, tortellini … whatever floats your proverbial boat, odds are you’ve been inspired by someone or something Modenese at some point in your life. Continue reading

Posted in Cars, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Street Markets, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

London Daily Photo: Melange

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in CheapOair, Drink, Food, Italy, Shopping, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Food, Good Stuff, London, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Trio

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Parma, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

London Daily Photo: Play-Doh Slopes

Posted in Christmas, London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Food, Italy, Parma, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Twelve Days of Christmas Afternoon Tea at the InterContinental London Park Lane

It’s no secret. I’m a big fan of the fine foodie offerings InterContinental London Park Lane. With Executive Chef Paul Bates calling the palate pleasing shots (not to mention chef Theo Randall doing his own tasty thing with onsite upscale Italian restaurant), I’ve never never even come close to having a less than ideal dining experience here. So an invitation to try the hotel’s limited edition Christmas afternoon tea was one I greedily accepting. This was my second time to enjoy an afternoon tea at the InterContinental and it did not disappoint. If anything, my expectations for a high level of quality and service were exceeded. Continue reading

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

London Daily Photo: Hackney Wick Pose

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Torino Unshrouded

Initially pursuing an opportunity to visit Torino (perhaps better known to some of my readers by its anglicized name, Turin) was what eventually led to me coming up with my the full blown “Ham Highway” itinerary. The city was (and I assume still is) keen to have bloggers visit to write about the city. There was a chocolate festival scheduled for when I knew I would be able to go, and I was pretty sure I could get a commission to write about it. The more I looked into Torino, the more I of a hunch I had that it would be the sort of “content rich” place that I’d enjoy checking out. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Christmas, Coffee, Drink, Food, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Apps, Competition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Clapton Station

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Beer, Design, Drink, Food, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted in Christmas, Drink, Social Media, Will Edwards, Wine, Wine of the Month | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Italian Alps: Best Beer on the Mountain?

So if you’ve been following my blog at all over the past week or so, you’ve no doubt noticed the posts about my recent Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway tour of northern Italy. An alternate title for this … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Italy, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Drink, Food, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: At the Window

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Art, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Christmas, Competition, Freebies, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Art, Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

London Daily Photo: Red Cap

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TONIGHT: Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard Christmas Shopping Night Out

Tonight, Seven Dials will be transformed into a pedestrian shopping haven with the entire area closed to traffic. There will be live music including performances by “vintage pin-up singer” Roo Savill and urban pop trio Mama Do as well as other bands and DJ in shops and around the area; street food from Urban Food Fest and sweets from Merinuqe Girls; free cocktails at St Martin’s Courtyard; a Champagne & Fromage pop-up bar; in-store parties; free makeovers; exclusive one-day offers; comps and giveaways; a festive spirit in the air and lots lots more … there’s even a tikichris special! Check it out. Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Fashion, Food, Freebies, London, Music, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment