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Monthly Archives: March 2018
The Ins and Outs of Flying Standby (Going Places)
Your bags are all packed and you’re itching to get on the plane for your vacation to begin. Wouldn’t an earlier flight be nice? Or even an upgrade to a better class? Or perhaps you’re looking for a shorter journey than the one you booked. Continue reading
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Posted in Going Places, OneTravel, Travel
Tagged air travel, Going Places, OneTravel, standby
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Eat Puglia
Certainly, with so much delicious food and drink to match picture postcard scenery and warm hospitality, your days in Puglia are sure to start and end with gorgeous gastronomy. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Eat Puglia, Food, Italy, Puglia, Restaurants, Travel, Wine
Tagged Drink, Eat Puglia, Food, italian food, Italy, Judith Schrut, pasta, puglia, restaurants, Travel, wine
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Nuwara Eliya I Top 5 Activities
It is near impossible to avoid the allure of tea plantations (which are inconceivably beautiful) and the chance to photograph the tokenised smiling faces of poverty within them. However, if you would like a more mindful experience here is a list of ways you can have a more discerning connection with Nuwara Eliya. Continue reading
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Brunch with Bea Vo | #TCTalks Episode 16
For the 16th episode of tikichris Talks, I catch up over brunch with Bea Vo – the Managing and Creative Director of Stax Diner, Boondocks Restaurant, The Famous Flames and the newly opened Butterscotch Bakery. During our meal, we chat about business, baking and Bodak Yellow. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Drink, Food, interview, London, Podcast, Restaurants, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, american food, Bea Vo, Boondocks Restaraurant, brunch, Butterscotch Bakery, CAFES, coffee, Drink, Famous Flames, Feed Your Soul, Food, interview, London, PODCAST, restaurants, Soul Food Enterprises, Stax Diner, The Famous Flames, tikichris talks, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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The Best 3-Day Getaway Ideas for the Easter Weekend (Going Places)
The appearance of chocolate bunnies on store shelves can only mean one thing: it’s almost Easter. For those with a bit of wanderlust, it’s also a great time to take a day off work and make it a long weekend of adventure. Continue reading
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Posted in Easter, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel
Tagged easter, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel
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Nuwara Eliya | Little England?
The Post Office Demi Perera continues her series about Nuwara Eliya, with a visit to Sri Lanka’s Little England. Nuwara Eliya is well known as Sri Lanka’s Little England and Tea Country with sprawling hillsides covered in waist-high tea bushes attracting … Continue reading
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3 Destinations for a Sizzling Hot Pre-Summer Vacation (Going Places)
If you absolutely cannot wait for balmy, lazy days, consider hopping on a plane to one of these perennially warm destinations. Continue reading
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Posted in Going Places, OneTravel, Travel
Tagged Going Places, OneTravel, pre-summer vacation, Travel
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Minimix at The Megaro
Alexandra Kalinowski gets dragged out for a night at a plush dive near King’s Cross. It’s not often you’ll find me out four nights in a row. But a bar designed as your personal minibar with unlimited help yourself popcorn … Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Travel
Tagged Alexandra Kalinowski, BARS, cocktails, Drink, Food, hotels, king's cross, London, Minimix, Minimix at The Megaro, restaurants, The Megaro Hotel, Travel, WC1, WC1 8AB, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Good Stuff #74
Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more (well, in this case just stuff to sip) – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading
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Posted in Beer, Coffee, Drink, Good Stuff, London, Shopping, Wine
Tagged #SpiritOfSharing, beer, Bord Bia, coffee, Drink, good stuff, Green Lady, Hop Stuff Brewery, Irish Food Board, Kinahan’s Irish Whiskey, Kinahan’s LL, Kinsale Mead Company, London, Mead, Shopping, Spirit of Sharing, Stag Roasters, tea, Tipperary Boutique Distillery, whiskey, Wicklow Way Wines, wine, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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The Marula Festival – Swaziland
Petra Shepherd sways her way to Swaziland to experience its annual Marula Festival. Swaziland, South Africa’s postage sized neighbour is one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa and embraces and upholds its own unique and ancient traditions. Both the … Continue reading
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Posted in africa, Drink, Travel
Tagged africa, Drink, Marula, Marula Festival, Petra Shepherd, south africa, swaziland, The Marula Festival, Travel
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Nuwara Eliya | Sri Lanka’s Mythical Wonder
Demi Perera explores the under appreciated history and wonder of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Continue reading
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Posted in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, Travel
Tagged Demi Perera, Ferncliff, Ferncliff Bungalow, Hanuman, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Rama and Sita, Ramayana, slow tourism, Sri Lanka
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Pedals in Puglia
The sun is out, the sea deep blue, your sexy (e)bike is beckoning you! Welcome to your first morning on Contrasts of Puglia, Headwater Holidays’ self-guided cycling tour on the heel of Italy’s “boot”. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Puglia, Restaurants, Travel
Tagged coffee, cycling, Drink, e-bike, Food, Fun, Headwater Holidays, Italian coffee, Italy, Judith Schrut, masseria, Monopoli, olive oil, Polignano a Mare, puglia, self-guided, Travel, wine
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Win a Craft Cider Taster Box from Crafty Nectar
I’ve teamed up with Crafty Nectar – the UK’s number one craft cider destination and subscription box – to offer one tikichris reader the chance to discover a range of award-winning ciders delivered direct to your door! Continue reading
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Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Shopping
Tagged #WinCraftCider, cider, competition, craft cider, crafty nectar, Drink, Food, free, freebies, London, RT to win, Shopping, twitter competition, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Kanada-Ya | #TCTalks Episode 15
Japan’s legendary Kanada-Ya has just launched its third ramen bar in London. This one’s on Upper Street near Angel Station. I think the generous bowls of ramen served at Kanada-Ya’s St Giles High Street and Panton Street branches are some of the yummiest things to slurp in town – and are well worth braving the sometimes rather lengthy queues to have. I love the classic tonkotsu (pork bone broth, chashu pork belly, wood ear fungus, seaweed and spring onion) with my noodles served “hard” (there’s a choice of soft, regular, hard and extra hard) with loads of grated sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Continue reading
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Posted in Food, interview, London, Podcast, Restaurants, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, angel, Food, interview, islington, japanese food, japanese restaurants, Kanada-Ya, Kazuhiro Kanada, London, N1, N1 0PN, PODCAST, ramen, restaurants, soup, tikichris talks, Tony Lam, Travel, upper street, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Considerations for Home Renovations
Thinking about doing some home reno. I’ve done my share, am pleased with the results and definitely love my home, but I did find the experience rather daunting at times. In retrospect, I probably wouldn’t have been quite so overwhelmed if I had kept a few basic factors in mind. Continue reading
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Three Food & Wine Matches Made in Heaven (31 Dover)
For your most quaff-able of considerations, here’s a trio of food and wine pairings that definitely do the trick for me. Two might not come across as terribly revolutionary but many a wine lover might find my third suggestion rather novel. Continue reading
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Posted in 31 Dover, Drink, Food, Shopping, Wine
Tagged 31 Dover, 31Dover.com, Drink, Food, food and drink pairings, Shopping, tikichris on, wine
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(Northern) California Dreamin’ | Berkeley
We’re heading south now, down Highway 101 to Berkeley, home of the Free Speech Movement, the top public university in the USA and my Alma Mater. Continue reading
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Posted in (Northern) California Dreamin', Art, Books, California, Celebrities, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, Movies, Museums, Pizza, road trip, Shopping, Travel, USA, Wine
Tagged Art, bart, bay area, Berkeley, cafe, california, Campanile, carillon, Cheeseboard Pizza, Chez Panisse, cinema, coffee, Drink, film, Free speech movement, head shop, hippie, Judith Schrut, movie, museum, Northern California, pizza, restaurants, Shopping, Travel, university, university of california, wine
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Staying Sober on St. Paddy’s? Here’s How to Do It & Where to Go! (Going Places)
Let’s take a look at a few alcohol-free ideas for doing up St. Patrick’s Day that won’t leave you suffering from a hangover the next day or wondering where you parked your shillelagh. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Going Places, OneTravel
Tagged Going Places, OneTravel, ST PATRICKS DAY, Travel
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Win a 2-in-1 Egg-Shaped Bottle filled with Chocolate Cream and Calvados from Il Gusto
Who says Easter eggs are only for kids? Il Gusto’s got something oval for the grownups to hunt as well: a 2-in-1 egg-shaped bottle filled with chocolate cream and aged calvados. Continue reading
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Posted in Chocolate, Competition, Drink, Easter, Food, Freebies, Shopping
Tagged #WinChocolateCalvadosEgg, calvados, chocolate, competition, Drink, easter, Food, free, freebies, il gusto, RT to win, Shopping, twitter competition
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Dream Destinations for Lovers of Irish Literature (Miles Away)
If you find inspiration for your travels in the pages of great literature you’ll love this list of cities rich in sights to see and contextual meaning for some of Ireland’s most accomplished writers. Continue reading
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Posted in Books, CheapOair, Ireland, Miles Away, Travel
Tagged books, cheapoair, ireland, Irish Literature, literature, Miles Away, Travel
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Where to Dine in Dublin | Index
I hope found some savoury insight or at least some sweet recommendations in my series about dining in Dublin. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, Wine
Tagged Drink, dublin, Food, ireland, restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Pepper Pot Cafe
I had a phenomenal breakfast at The Pepper Pot Cafe and can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t find The Pepper Pot’s offer a delicious one. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
Tagged bagels, bagles, breakfast, CAFES, coffee, D02 CH28, Drink, dublin, Dublin 2, Food, ireland, Powerscourt Centre, restaurants, reviews, smoked salmon, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, William Street
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5 Common Healthy Diet Misconceptions
There are certain diet myths that might be making it more difficult for you to reach your fitness goals and live a healthier lifestyle. In recent years, some of these myths have been brought to the public’s attention by experts who’ve conducted extensive research to debunk the misconceptions. Continue reading
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Posted in Books, Drink, Food
Tagged books, Drink, Food, Nina Teicholz, The Big Fat Surprise
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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Rolling Donut
So donuts in Dublin are definitely a thing! And The Rolling Donut does them deliciously well.In particular, two of the more decadent creations from its menu made my taste buds swoon: the salted caramel pistachio and the maple bacon. Both cost about €3 and one with a cup of pretty damn good coffee (for €5) made an excellent breakfast. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
Tagged Bachelors Walk, breakfast, CAFES, coffee, D01 YN15, donuts, Drink, dublin, Dublin 1, Food, ireland, North City, restaurants, reviews, Rolling Donut, The Rolling Donut, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
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Creating Your Own Campaign
Whether it is a charity fundraiser, a movement to social awareness about important topics, or if you are promoting a personal cause, creating your own campaign can be a great way to get your message out there. Continue reading
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Where to Dine in Dublin | Piglet Wine Bar
Piglet Wine Bar, a laidback little eatery on the edge of Temple Bar was a last minute idea for dinner – but one that turned out to be brilliant. I loved the concept and the food and left wishing there was something similar in my hood back home in London. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, Wine
Tagged BARS, Cow's Lane, D08 F959, Drink, dublin, Dublin 8, Food, ireland, Piglet Wine Bar, Pineau, pineau des charantes, restaurants, reviews, seafood, Temple Bar, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, wine, wine bar
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Jude S Walko’s Incantation | #TCTalks Episode 14
I’ve known Jude S. Walko since I was 12 years old. We grew up in the same area of North Georgia and went to school together for a few years and even to the same university for a while. So with the release of indie horror film The Incantation – Jude’s directorial debut – I thought it would be fun to catch up with my old friend and interview about the movie, his work in show business and more. Continue reading
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Posted in interview, Movies, Podcast, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, film, horror, horror movies, Incantation, independent cinema, independent film, interview, Jude S Walko, jude walko, London, Movies, PODCAST, The Incantation, tikichris talks, Travel
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Where to Dine in Dublin | Fish Shop, Benburb Street
Fish Shop, Benburb Street is a supremely simple chip shop and wine bar about a block away on Benburb Street – was. So I went there – and had what I reckon will go down as one the very best meals of my year. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, Wine
Tagged BARS, Benburb Street, burgers, D07 X3PN, Drink, dublin, Dublin 7, Fillet O' Fish, Fillet O' Fish Shop, Fillet O' Fish Shop fish burger, fish and chips, fish burger, Fish Shop, Fish Shop Benburb Street, Food, ireland, lunch, North City, restaurants, reviews, seafood, smithfield, Smithfield Dublin, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, wine, wine bar
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(Northern) California Dreamin’ | To the Redwood Forest
Northern California’s incredible redwood forests are a natural wonder not to be missed. Trees growing here are amongst the world’s tallest and oldest, some over 380 feet high or 2,000 years old. Continue reading
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Posted in (Northern) California Dreamin', California, Drink, driving, Food, Hotels, Travel, USA
Tagged (Northern) California Dreamin', artisans, beer, cabins, california, camping, Food, Forest, Judith Schrut, Northern California, Redwood forest, Redwoods, Travel
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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Winding Stair
Given its prominence in guide books and listicles as well as its tourist-accessible location near the Ha’penny Bridge, my instinct was to stay clear of The Winding Stair. Then I read the menu. Continue reading
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Posted in Books, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin, Wine
Tagged books, Bookshop, D01 R9Y5, Drink, dublin, Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Food, ireland, Lower Ormond Quay, lunch, North City, restaurants, reviews, Shopping, The Winding Stair, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
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Win Chocolate Easter Pen Pals from Hotel Chocolat
Hotel Chocolat has some really cute new treats for its 2018 Easter collection. I’ve got some particularly fun new items stashed away in a basket and I’m on the hunt to share them with one lucky tikichris reader. Continue reading
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Posted in Chocolate, Competition, Easter, Food, Freebies, Shopping
Tagged #EasterPenPals, #WinEasterPenPals, Box of Chocolates, chocolate, competition, easter, Easter chocolate, easter eggs, Easter Pen Pals, Food, free, free chocolate, freebies, Hotel Chocolat, milk chocolate, RT to win, Shopping, twitter competition
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Where to Dine in Dublin | Oxmantown
Oxmantown’s Black Pudding breakfast sandwich was a morning meal worth waking up for – particularly with its rather kindly price of €5.90. An assemblage of Jack McCarthy’s “Queens” black pudding with tomato relish, pickles, aioli, and rocket on supremely spongy sourdough, it hit the spot and kept any inkling of hunger at bay well past my usual lunchtime. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
Tagged breakfast, cafe, coffee, D07 Y0C2, Drink, dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin 7, Food, ireland, Mary's Abbey, North City, Oxmantown, restaurants, reviews, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
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Raw Wine with Isabelle Legeron | #TCTalks Episode 13
Isabelle Legeron is France’s only female Master of Wine, the leading advocate for the natural wine movement, and the driving force behind Raw Wine – the UK’s biggest fair for natural, organic and biodynamic wine with satellite events now in New York, Los Angeles, and Berlin. Anything but a wine snob, Isabelle is someone I’ve learned a great deal from about how to enjoy and better appreciate wine. It was a pleasure getting to interview her for this 13th episode of tikichris Talks. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, interview, London, Podcast, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel, Wine
Tagged #TCTalks, artisan wine, biodynamic wine, Drink, interview, ISABELLE LEGERON, London, NATURAL WINE, organic wine, PODCAST, raw wine, RAW WINE FAIR, Shopping, The Store, the strand, tikichris talks, Travel, WC2, WC2R 1EA, wine, Wine Air, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Where to Dine in Dublin | Bunsen
Before my trip I’d done some preliminary Googling for “best restaurants” in town and in the area where I was staying (Temple Bar). Bunsen kept coming up. I certainly wasn’t against having a good burger and couldn’t argue with it being just a couple of minutes away from my room. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Dublin, Food, Ireland, Restaurants, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
Tagged Bunsen, Bunsen Burgers, burgers, cheeseburgers, D02 NA0, Drink, dublin, Dublin 2, Essex Street East, Food, hamburgers, ireland, restaurants, reviews, Temple Bar, Travel, Where to Dine in Dublin
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Affordable European Destinations You Should Visit This Year (Going Places)
Here’s a look at three particularly fine and affordable European cities that thrifty travelers will want to visit this year. Continue reading
