Monthly Archives: September 2018

Discussing Fact and Fiction with Historian Kevin Duffus | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 38

Another tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog, Episode 28 of tikichris Talks finds me in conversation with research historian, author and documentary filmmaker Kevin Duffus. Continue reading

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Win Free Parking at Glasgow or Gatwick Airport with Airport Park and Ride

Planning to fly out of Gatwick or Glasgow anytime in the next year? I’ve teamed up with Airport Park and Ride to make your travels easier and cheaper with up to two weeks of free parking at either of these airports. Continue reading

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Charleston, South Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

I learned about Blackbeard’s blockade and all sorts of local lore during a guided tour with captivating storyteller Eric Lavender of Charleston Pirate Tours. As informative and insightful as he was hilarious in his deadpan delivery, roaming around some the city’s most historic and beautiful streets with Eric in his full pirate garb was a great way to spend a morning – and an activity I’d recommend to anyone visiting Charleston. Continue reading

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10 Places Worth Visiting for the Fall Foliage in America – NOT in New England! (Miles Away)

Yes, of course, New England is undeniably beautiful during fall; however, the region doesn’t hold the patent on fall foliage. There are loads of other areas of the U.S. where Mother Nature puts on a fiery festival to admire before winter sets in. Continue reading

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Ocracoke Historian Philip Howard | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 37

Episode 37 of tikichris Talks is a tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog. It features an interview with Ocracoke Island historian, Philip Howard. Philip is the eighth-generation descendant of William Howard – the fourth and last colonial owner of Ocracoke who before that allegedly served as quartermaster for the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 | Comida to Crave

The Tequila & Mezcal Fest will be here soon and I’ve got a sneak peek of what to eat when you go. The biggest agave extravaganza in Europe isn’t only an opportunity to drink premium Mexican spirits in a festive … Continue reading

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Ocracoke, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

From Greenville, I made for the Outer Banks, specifically to the island of Ocracoke, where Blackbeard’s legacy seemed to hang in the air like Spanish moss on a live oak. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #79 | Goodies from GO!

Good stuff and lots of it!   Judith Schrut’s been to London’s first GO! Organic Festival and has the low down on some fine things to see, sip and savour we thought worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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Greenville, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

As much as I savoured reacquainting myself with such a tasty town, I was primarily there to take a peek into the East Carolina University lab where artefacts from Blackbeard’s sunken flagship are being preserved and studied for a more accurate record of North Carolina’s coastal heritage. Continue reading

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Sushi Shop 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Box

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sushi Shop has partnered with three legendary street artists to create three distinctive designs for a limited edition 42-piece sushi box. Continue reading

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In Blackbeard’s Wake

Ahoy, y’all! I’m back in London and starting to sift through the notes from my latest road trip. This one was along the US Atlantic coast of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on the trail of fact and fiction pertaining to one of the world’s most notorious pirates: Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Win a Bottle of Patron Reposado Tequila

Love tequila? My team up with Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 just got a lot tastier with this competition offering the chance for one tikichris reader to win a bottle of some of Mexico’s best: Patron Reposado. Continue reading

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Must Eat Mexico City (Going Places)

What happens when one of the world’s most delicious cuisines meets one of the world’s most dynamic megacities? Damas y Caballeros, welcome to Mexico City! We hope you’ve brought your appetite. This expansive capital city is a cultural and culinary hub that’s as exciting a foodie frontier to explore as anywhere in the world. Continue reading

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My Coffee with Melitta | What to Look for When Buying a Machine

From sleek cutting edge technology to tried-and-true champs of yore, the range of machines offered by Melitta has you covered whatever way you like to make your coffee Continue reading

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3 Tips on Booking the Right London Hotel for You

Planning a visit to London and wondering which part of town will be your ideal base? Continue reading

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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

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London Art Openings | Impressionists: From Manet to Cezanne

Courtauld Impressionists: From Manet to Cézanne at the National Gallery showcases 40 Impressionist masterpieces, most of which are on loan from the Courtauld Gallery, which is currently closed as part of a major transformation. Continue reading

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Nineteen 87 Premium Baked Dog Food

Using the finest ingredients from farms here in the UK, the folks at Nineteen 87 take care to get the right mixture to achieve a decent taste for the pets. I can’t vouch for the taste, but they really smell very good, unlike some dog food and treats which are so horribly stinky, you can’t even put some in your pocket. Continue reading

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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

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September at Skylight Rooftop Review

Okay I get it, you’ve likely had your fill of rooftops this year. How about rooftops where you can try your hand at croquet and petanque? Not so likely. This week, why not challenge your friends to a game with an unrivalled view at Skylight at Tobacco Dock in Wapping. Continue reading

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Jose Pizarro | All Consumed Episode 3 | #TCTalks Episode 36

For this episode of tikichris Talks I’m sharing the third and episode of All Consumed, a podcast that I coproduce with fellow food, drink and travel writer Neil Davey. It features an in depth discussion with Chef Jose Pizarro. Continue reading

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Up In My Grill at The King & Co

What started as affordable, flavoursome steaks has now morphed into a wide menu of burgers, crispy lamb belly, aubergine parma mess and short rib. And because old habits die hard, I did try all of the dishes that Up In My Grill will be serving during the two-month residency at The King & Co. Continue reading

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Win Tickets to the Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018

Coming to London the first weekend of October for its fifth anniversary is the Tequila & Mezcal Fest – the biggest agave extravaganza in Europe. As part of my team up with Teq Fest, I’ve set aside a pair of day tickets to share with one lucky tikichris reader. Continue reading

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The Secrets of Successful Solo Travelers (Going Places)

For the uninitiated, the idea of travel by one’s self can seem daunting. But those with experience traveling on their own are well aware that it often can lead to life affirming adventures and the happiest of memories. Achieving success as a solo traveler starts with identifying why you’re going it alone and what you want to get out of your time away. Continue reading

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Best of the Fests | Long Road Country and Americana Festival

Top country and Americana stars are lining up for the inaugural Long Road Country, Americana and Roots Festival. Old and New World traditions will unite in the grand surrounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire. Continue reading

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Open Air Cinema | Where is the Nomad?

Judith Schrut  joins the Nomad for a cinematic trip across Australia’s outback. Since 2010, the Nomad Cinema has been popping its outdoor screens up in Brompton Cemetery, Hyde Park Lido, St Paul’s Cathedral Gardens and other intriguing London locations, along … Continue reading

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Continental Canine | Conclusion

Federica Carr returns to London with sidekick Amber ready to share some final thoughts about their adventures riding the trains across Europe. Continue reading

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Secret Adventures Farmyard Cinema: Unbranded

Secret Adventures put on a one of a kind cinema experience for an award winning film, Unbranded, and I had the pleasure of going along to the the viewing. Located in a city farm located in one of the most unexpected places, you would never have guessed that you were in the heart of Waterloo. Continue reading

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Continental Canine | Italy, Finally!

We arrived in Milano – once again on time – on a warm, still, early August morning. The thin light of dawn was peering through the glass domed roof of Milano Centrale as Amber very happily walked off the Thello and onward, sniffing and wagging. I felt a conscious happiness sweeping through me, because we were finally in Italy and things felt different, familiar and safe in a way I can’t fully explain. Continue reading

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Green Means GO! Here’s a Look at Europe’s Best Road Trips (Miles Away)

Here’s our look at nine countries with some of Europe’s best road trips – all worth checking out from behind the wheel on your next vacation! Continue reading

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Continental Canine | Swiftly Through Paris and Zurich

Amber was happy to get off the taxi and go for a sniff as well as a much welcome toilet break. We had just over an hour to kill before our TGV and a good chunk of it was taken by queuing at the ticket office to buy Amber’s pass. On continental trains dogs over 10kg and/ or on a lead (as opposed to in a crate) have to pay a fee, usually 50% of a standard second class ticket fare). Continue reading

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Must Try Iconic Foods From Around The World

Have you ever dreamt of tasting scrumptious food while sitting in the cafe with a breathtaking view? We know where to find this beauty. This mouth-watering article will help you choose the destination for the next food tour. What can … Continue reading

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Continental Canine | The UK

Across four countries, and hopping on an off six or seven trains, we reached our destination in one piece and without any issues, which is no mean feat. Continue reading

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