Category Archives: Luxury

San Francisco: Golden Getaway | #TCTikiTour

The thunder clapped, and the rain came down in heavy sheets. Our California Tiki Tour was off to a perfect start with an exotic night out in San Francisco. Continue reading

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Jamaica’s Blue Mountains (espressoCrazy)

As ubiquitous as coffee is, it actually can only grow in very limited areas of the world, basically high on mountain slopes in the tropics and a few subtropical regions. Continue reading

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Difference Coffee Company

Entrepreneur Amir Gehl is on a mission to create the “ultimate terroir-led coffee collection” not to mention what’s got to the be the world’s most expensive collection of coffee capsules, with his new venture Difference Coffee Company. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #59

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.

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The Ultimate List of All the Best Filet Mignon Spots in America (Going Places)

August 13th is National Filet Mignon Day, a day to indulge and to savor the most tender cut of beef. Here’s a rundown of a few of America’s best steakhouses known for their filet mignon. Continue reading

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Cane to Cocktail: Master Blender Joy Spence

The highlight of my Cane to Cocktail tour of Jamaica was the opportunity to experience a slice of island living with Appleton Estate Master Blender, Joy Spence, and to savour the rums she created with her there to discuss the science and the craft that goes into making them. Continue reading

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The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys

Mia – a tikichris contributor, Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, and mother of a toddler – visits The Langham London with her three-year old son for the launch of its new Children’s Tea with Hamleys – and gives it “triple … Continue reading

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Cane to Cocktail: At the Source

Produced only in Jamaica on one single estate in a small, circumscribed geographic area, Appleton Estate rum is one of the world’s few rums with a terroir. The core event of my Cane to Cocktail tour was a visit to the estate to discover what sets it apart from other rums and gives it such deep flavour. Continue reading

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Cane to Cocktail: Half Moon Resort, Montego Bay

There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little rarefied rest and relaxation now and again. And I’m glad I got to do just that in fine Caribbean style for a few nights of my Cane to Cocktail tour at the splendorous Half Moon resort in Montego Bay. Continue reading

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Cane to Cocktail: Blue Mountain Bliss

The Cane to Cocktail tour continued onwards and upwards into the mighty Blue Mountains for a taste of some of the world’s best coffee and sundowner with dinner at a cozy little boutique hideaway. Continue reading

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5 of The Best Resorts in Mexico (Going Places)

No surprise to beachgoers in the know – the white sand beaches of Cancun are home to a number of the world’s top resorts, with many of them offering access to epic extravagance at great prices. But it’s not just Cancun lulling holidaymakers into a state of beachside bliss. Continue reading

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Roux Farmhouse Brunch at Roux at The Landau

Luxury hotel weekend brunching in London just got a lot more luxuriously brunch-y with a new farm-to-table Sunday offering at The Langham London hotel’s Roux at The Landau fine dining restaurant. Continue reading

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Raw Wine Fair 2016

Held at the Old Truman Brewery 15 and 16 May and featuring wines from more than 200 growers, Raw Wine Fair will present for a fifth year in a row a delicious and intriguing collection of fine, natural, organic and biodynamic wine from across the globe. Continue reading

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Mia in Mauritius: Perfect Ending to Our Visit to Paradise

Our joint highlight of our Mauritius stay turned out to be the two last days at the Shanti Maurice Resort. Continue reading

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Cross the Arid Namibian Desert on a Self-Driven Safari (City AM)

It’s hard to imagine a landscape more dramatic than that of the largely uninhabited southern African desert nation Namibia. Dot its picturesque lands with a hefty assortment of big game and wildlife and you’ve got the right conditions for an … Continue reading

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Mia in Mauritius: Julia’s Top Three

For more tips to make the most of your time in Mauritius, blog contributor Mia shares more highlights from her visit. In this post, Mia lets us in on the preferred doings of another from her entourage: her sister, Julia. Continue reading

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Shepherd Market Wine House

Bravo to Ben Van de Meutter – manager, buyer, and Head Sommelier at Shepherd Market Wine House – for knowing his stuff and backing it up with enthusiasm and presenting his wares in an approachable manner and in an easy-going and comfortable setting. Continue reading

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The Langham London Launches New Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood

The Langham London’s Executive Pastry chef Cherish Finden and her team have launched a new Wedgewood Afternoon Tea. Inspired by (and served with) classic Wedgwood collections and featuring butterfly and daisy motifs, the new tea service is a salute to spring and the warmer and sunnier days to come. Continue reading

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Uncannily Great Dining at The Balcon, Sofitel St James Hotel

All the right points were hit seemingly with prescience during my recent dinner at the Sofitel St James Hotel’s Balcon resulting in one of the better restaurant experiences of my year thus far. Continue reading

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Easter Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

Hop(p)ing for a happy Easter? You’re guaranteed a delectable and playful one with the limited run Easter Afternoon Tea offering by The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #53

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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Cocktails and Ceviche Pairing Menu at Asia de Cuba

Asia de Cuba, everybody’s favourite Chino-Latino restaurant has officially launched its rum bar with its own sugarcane press and a new cocktails and ceviche pairing menu with drinks featuring Havana Club rums. Continue reading

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Fleurs des Rêves: Bompas & Parr X Perrier-Jouët at The London Edition

Dudes. Listen up. Dark forces are at work. No longer is it going to be a safe bet to selecting some nice flowers to offer to your beloved. Now – compliments of a luxury trio consisting of Bompas & Parr, The London Edition, and Perrier-Jouët – you might have to make sure your chosen blooms aren’t of the ordinary hum-drum one constant colour variety but newfangled and fascinating colour changing Fleurs des Rêves. Continue reading

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Two Champagnes, One Chef | GH Mumm | Perrier-Jouët

Invited by two Champagne houses – GH Mumm and Perrier-Jouët – for an overnight visit to the Champagne region for a meet with their Chefs de Caves (Didier Mariotti of Mumm and Hervé Deschamps of Perrier-Jouët), I enjoyed a behind the peek of what goes into blending two of the world’s most celebrated quaffs and how distinctive each is. A bubbly affair to be sure, the occasion served as an excellent opportunity to discover how these wines differ, while enjoying two showcase dining experiences (one for each wine) crafted by in-house chef for both Mumm and Perrier-Jouët – Josephine Jonot. Continue reading

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A Taste of Jersey in London (Great British Chefs)

The weekend of 29 January saw head chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge making space in his kitchen for chef Mark Jordan of the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey. Continue reading

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Namibia | Index

It’s hard to imagine a landscape more dramatic than that of Namibia. Add to the scenery an amazing (and rather accessible) assortment of big game and wildlife. Then, lightly apply a sprinkling of well-maintained roads across the country to help folks get to its towns and settlements, best beauty spots, and welcoming network of bush camps and luxury lodges. If you like the idea of hitting the open road, experiencing true wilderness, seeing lots and lots of game, and still being able to take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed every night, Namibia’s the place for you. Continue reading

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Namibia | Sossusvlei

Last stop on my luxury safari road trip across Namibia was Sossusvlei. Not just the ultimate destination of my itinerary but also the ultimate choice for a desert break. Continue reading

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Namibia | Skeleton Coast

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp was a khaki canvas paradise of haute design fixed lightly to one of the world’s most desolate and pristine wilderness areas. Open just over a year, this fully solar powered joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the neighbouring Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein, was the very model for cutting edge – and sustainable – luxury. Continue reading

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Namibia | Doro Nawas

Although I only had one night at Doro Nawas, it was an impactful stay in one of the most serenely beautiful places I’ve ever been – something I could just as easily say of the whole of Namibia itself. Continue reading

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Namibia | Etosha

Thoroughly well rested from my relaxing stay in Windhoek and more than ready for some serious safari action, I hit the road en route to the first lodge one my itinerary: Andersson’s Camp, set within Ongava Game Reserve on the border of (and with its own private gate to) Etosha National Park. Continue reading

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Namibia

This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice. But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it. Continue reading

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Chefs Mark Jordan and Pascal Proyart Team Up for a Taste of Jersey in London

Head Chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge will host Chef Mark Jordan of Michelin starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey at the end of this month for two nights offering guests an opportunity to try collaborative seafood tasting menus. Continue reading

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Your Ultimate Guide to Delicious Dallas (Miles Away)

Dallas is a dynamic place, and if you’re in town and seeking a bite of something tasty, you’ll have a run of delicious options catering to all palates and budgets – from food trucks to luxury hotels. And Dallas isn’t just a culinary hub for the great state of Texas, it’s also one of the best and most diverse dining scenes in all of America! Yum. Continue reading

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Best of the Best of 2015

I hope that in some small way my 2015 blogging helped you have more fun, discover something amazing, save some money or otherwise make more of your time than you might have otherwise. Continue reading

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Best Hotels of 2015

My list of favourite hotels veers toward the luxury end of the spectrum. But there are some budget friendly considerations included. In large part, hospitality and appreciation won out over bling or lavish excess. Continue reading

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