Every year at this time, jazz of every imaginable kind takes over London’s music hubs, clubs, pubs and air waves for the two weeks of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Judith Schrut looks back at this year’s Festival.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a jazz newbie, the annual EFG London Jazz Festival will have you ah-ing, oo-ing and hard-to-choosing over its wide ranging programme of jazz giants, rising stars, exciting new talent and innovative sounds and styles. You’ll find hundreds of events in dozens of venues. Continue reading →
With the highest point east of the Mississippi River, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and all sorts of other scenic areas to explore within easy reach — western North Carolina offers an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Offering urban comfort nestled next to true wilderness, the city of Asheville makes a great base for nature lovers looking to connect with the wilds of this beautiful and mountainous region.
Here’s our look at some of the best outdoorsy things to do in Asheville.
If you’re a craft beer lover, then the city of Asheville in North Carolina needs to be a destination on your travel bucket list.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountain, it’s one of the East Coast’s top beer towns with a heady range of big and small breweries and some excellent places to enjoy drinking their award-winning products. In fact, the city is often cited as having one of the highest amounts of breweries to capita in the country. Maybe it’s because of all running freshwater that’s natural to the area that appeals to beer brewers (and probably played a part in drawing the area’s original settlers) or it could be the region’s general humid climate, which always makes a cold beer taste so much better, that contributed to the residents’ appreciation for the beverage. Whatever the reason, there’s just something about Asheville and good beer.
Here’s a tasting of some of the best Asheville breweries to check out (and what pints to try) when you’re visiting western North Carolina.
Whatever the weather and whenever the season, your wedding should go exactly the way you’ve always wished. For some couples, winter is the best time of year to tie the knot. Indeed, the colder months of the year offer all sorts of opportunities for cozy occasions and heartwarming romantic moments. Plus, a winter wedding often can turn out to be more fun, less expensive, and even more memorable than if your big day was held during another time of year.
But making sure your winter wedding is as magically perfect as you deserve it to be requires some forethought as well as a bit of introspection. So, here are 7 winter wedding ideas that’ll help you find the perfect location to say “I do”.
Remember my Win a Surprise Food, Drink or Travel Book competition from August and then again in September? Well, I still have more books than space to shelve them. So I’m back at it with a third surprise book giveaway.
I’ve gone through my personal library and decided I should share some of my books with the world. I’ve got lots of cookbooks and food and drink themed books, and travel books. Up for a bit of mystery and want to receive a free book for free?
Here’s your chance to win one with my latest competition. Continue reading →
Family run Lamezia Pizza & Fresh Pasta is a welcoming little eatery that serves big portioned, big flavoured Calabrian cuisine.
Too much of what I see happening across the London food and drink scene resolves around hype, gimmick, gentlemen amateurs pursuing a dream, ex-bankers discovering their true selves … stuff that, increasingly, I give less and less of a shit about. So when I come upon a restaurant like Lamezia, where owner Maria Dell’aquila recently has taken over from her parents after they opened the restaurant a decade ago, I breathe a sigh of relief. A few bites into trying Maria’s food, my next sign is one of hearty satisfaction.
Ahhh, Thanksgiving. A time to feast with family and close friends and celebrate what we’re most grateful for, but it’s a holiday that can also be an especially hectic time for those of us who need to fly to spend it with our loved ones. Yet, there’s no law that says your Turkey Day traditions have to include travel-related hassles. A cool head (not to mention a bit of planning ahead) can help you keep the worries and annoyances at bay while allowing you to focus on meaningful moments and the true spirit of the holiday.
No one can guarantee you’ll make it through Thanksgiving without getting a gravy stain on your favorite shirt or that you’ll enjoy your big family meal without sparking a heated political argument (probably with your cranky uncle). But if you follow these few simple tips, you’re sure to have some stress-free travel.
Raise your hand if you thought only Chinese cooks made fabulous steamed dumplings.
Yeah, me too. Until a few days ago that is, when I was introduced to momos, fresh and fragrant Indian steamed dumplings as prepared by Rajesh Parmar, head chef at West End restaurant Soho Wala. You may recall we checked out Chef Rajesh’s original and tasty Indian street food when Soho Wala first opened its doors earlier this year. Now he’s introducing London diners to the wonderful world of momos, just one of many delicious dishes featured on the restaurant’s new autumn menu.
Spread the word: Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is in full swing. Judith Schrut thinks it’s a real page turner.
The 13th London Literature Festival, on this week at the Southbank Centre, is packed with live readings, book launches, debates, workshops, poetry, music and family events, many free.
Distinctively delicious cuisine is one of the greatest gifts Japan has shared with the rest of the world. The best place in Japan to indulge in some of the country’s tastiest dishes is definitely Tokyo. This fast-paced but perfectly polite megacity is a food lover’s dream come true, IF you know where to go!
Here’s our advice on the yummiest bites and most relevant sites to check out in Tokyo.
On of only a very few handful of vermouth bars in London, Vermouth 49 at Maltby Street is an ideal spot for causal and flavoursome drinks.
I don’t know if you noticed, but I haven’t been publishing nearly as many posts as I was, say, last year around this same time. Part of that has to do with recent changes in my schedule, and part of that has to do with the fact that after a while everything starts to get a bit samey with respect to reviewing stuff around town, going on press trips, etc. I’m suffering from a pretty big case of been there done that.
Demi Perera reports on Ocean Encounters, a photography exhibition by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Greta Thunberg has successfully challenged the conversation on climate change. Our oceans, which play a key role in the debate have featured heavily. Such times calls for multinationals to be held socially accountable and do more to preserve our natural world. As ever, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts lead the way with Ocean Encounters – a photographic exhibition to be held at Shangri-La Hotel Paris and Shangri-La Hotel At The Shard London in support of its innovative SANCTUARY project.
COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME.
Here’s your chance to win a Polaroid Pop Instant Digital Camera and start snapping awesome shots of you and your friends ASAP!
I’ve got one of these handy little instant print cameras to give away to one lucky tikichris reader. It prints photos instantly in the iconic 3×4 inch Polaroid format. The camera includes a 3.97 inch touchscreen LCD for framing shots and using the camera’s menu as well as 1080p full HD video recording capability.
Here’s something hot and saucy for ya that you definitely shouldn’t bwack at: the second instalment in my series of blog posts and podcast episodes about my trip to Buffalo, New York to visit the National Buffalo Wing Festival as a VIP judge.
Still in Buffalo and reeling from the a few frenetic days at the festival, the fellas catch up with Nick and Mike and the Orange Buffalo crew at iconic Buffalo pizzeria La Nova.
Listen now to the fourth episode in the Spread It, Dip It, Wing It series:
Mature, aware, and adeptly in tune with what you love (and don’t love) — those who enjoy being in their 40s know full well that having found their stride now is an excellent time to see the world on their own. Of course, not everyone who’s over 40 feels perfectly secure about hitting the road alone, especially if they’ve never done it. Everyone can benefit from learning how to make the most of opportunities to embark on adventures by themselves.
So here are a few tips to help ensure your experiences traveling alone in your 40s are as amazing as you deserve them to be.
Wedged between the Rokko mountain range and Osaka Bay, Kobe is the sixth largest city in Japan with more than a million and a half people. Its namesake beef doesn’t come from the city itself but from the surrounding farmland of Hyogo Prefecture where Kobe is the capital and the key port.
As the story goes, it was an Englishman visiting the port of Kobe who first had the idea of eating beef from cows raised in Hyogo – or at least was the first person known to have acted on the notion.
He tucked in to his legendary meal back in 1868, when Japan only just had opened up trading with the West. At that time the Japanese diet did not include meat, and cows in Japan were used mostly as draught animals.
Since then, though, Kobe beef has been celebrated as what many believe to be the best in the world, and no local farmer would dare make the area’s prized Tajima cows put in a day of labour to earn their keep.
Traveling for work can be a great way to experience a destination without having to shell out for flights or accommodation – as long as you’re careful and don’t overdo it during your free time. Finding that right balance can be tough, but it’s not impossible.
To help you make the most of your time out of office but on the company dime, consider these nine nifty business travel tips that’ll help you enjoy your next trip for work.
One of the best things about life is arguably food. There is now adventure and excitement associated with food; this makes eating a vivacious activity.
The act of eating has evolved from just merely satisfying hunger to a creative past-time with new dishes and cuisines being created ever so often by the best chefs. The sheer variety of dishes and meals available for consumption these days may sometimes leave people confused on what to eat. The things that we eat and where eat them have a considerable impact on our images. From deciding on what foods to sample to the best Indian restaurants in London food trends are available to help you make the right choice.
So what are the biggest food trends of 2019, and where are the coolest places to enjoy these spectacular dishes? Continue reading →
COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME.
Hey folks. I hope you’ve been enjoying my Spread It, Dip It, Wing It blog and podcast series about my visit to the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York. There are more podcast episodes and blog posts to be shared soon. But before I get too much further along with that, I thought I’d pause for a moment and see if I can help you to ‘wing it’ in America as well.
I’ve teamed up with Lonely Planet to offer tikichris readers the chance to win two books: a copy of the newly published The Unique States of America and your choice of one of these two titles, New York & the Mid-Atlantic or New York & Mid-Atlantic’s Best Trips.
Did you know that 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Negroni cocktail?
Obviously, the folks at Campari (a key ingredient in a Negroni – along with equal parts gin and red vermouth, and an orange peel) are well aware of this anniversary. As is the bar team at Henrietta Hotel. To celebrate such a refreshing anniversary, the brand and the hotel have teamed up for a limited run Experimental Negroni Club cocktail bar.
I dropped by for the launch, tried a few of the dozen Negronis featured on the drinks menu, and had lovely time doing so. Continue reading →
Well-traveled wine lovers know that many of the most delicious wines come from some of the most beautiful places. Such an enticing correlation holds especially true in Latin America, where age-old viniculture and new world ingenuity result in wonderful wines being produced in utterly gorgeous settings.
Ready for a glassful of excellence paired with an eyeful of natural wonder? Allow us to pour out a few recommendations on where to get your fill of both in the wine regions of Latin America.
Here’s something hot and saucy for ya that you definitely shouldn’t bwack at: the third instalment in my series of blog posts and podcast episodes about my trip to Buffalo, New York to visit the National Buffalo Wing Festival as a VIP judge.
Neil Davey and Chris Osburn take flight to Buffalo, New York to visit the annual National Buffalo Wing Festival for a miniseries of Spread It, Dip It, Wing It episodes all about the world’s most famous hot wing. While in Buffalo, the boys make a beeline for the Anchor Bar, the original home of the Buffalo wing. Before digging in to an epic mound of wings (there might have been some slices of pizza … and beer … consumed as well), they sit down with Mark Dempsey, CEO and partner of the Anchor Bar of the history of this now famously flavoursome food.
Listen now to the third episode in the Spread It, Dip It, Wing It series:
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For more about the National Buffalo Wing Festival go to buffalowing.com.
For more about the Anchor Bar go to anchorbar.com.
Paying attention to car maintenance is extremely important, especially it comes to having a fun and safe road trip.
I’ve had the good fortune of getting to take a number of amazing driving adventures – sometimes riding shotgun, sometimes behind the wheel … sometimes even paid to write about the experience!
Early on in my road tripping days I discovered what a hassle things could be if there was an issue with the car. Even a minor hitch would throw things off so much that plans could be ruined and that carefree feeling that accompanies a driving holiday could be all but squelched. Logging more hours on the road, I learned proper car maintenance saves money too. More than those factors though, the safety aspects of a well maintained car are paramount, no matter if you’re driving across the country or simply popping round to the local supermarket to do your weekly shopping.
In all cases, taking care of your tyres and making sure they’re ready for what may lay ahead are key to making the most of your journey. Continue reading →
With promises of pristine beaches, sunshine, and cultural landmarks, destination getaways are among the most popular for tourists every year. They offer people an experience they can’t find elsewhere, but what makes the difference between a great getaway and an unforgettable one? Your chosen destination has a lot to do with it, but you’ll be happy to know there are a few other, golden ways to maximize your trip.
Follow these, and you can wave goodbye to stress and create some incredible memories.
COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME.
Hey gang. Remember my Win a Surprise Food, Drink or Travel Book competition from about a month ago? Well, I (still) have more books than space to shelve them. So I’m continuing to give more away.
I’ve gone through my personal library and decided I should share some of my books with the world. I’ve got lots of cookbooks and food and drink themed books, and travel books. Up for a bit of mystery and want to receive a free book for free?
Here’s your chance to win one with my latest competition. Continue reading →
The southern German city of Munich is the political and cultural capital of Bavaria. An ideal destination for experiencing the finer things in life – no matter how humbly or extravagantly – Munich shines brightest as a beacon for travelers interested in history and art. And of course beer.
You probably know this city for its famous Oktoberfest celebrations. Running roughly from mid-September into the first week of October, the traditional Volksfest sees six million people descend upon the city to drink beer from giant steins while cheering on parades and a range of events. For locals and Bavarians-at-heart, it’s a time to don lederhosen and alpine hats and revel in the good-natured fun of the occasion.
Beyond the best excuse to drink a lot of beer that perhaps ever has been dreamed up, a visit during the Munich Oktoberfest (or any time of year for that matter) offers the chance to discover one of Europes’ my beautiful cities.
For those of you looking for a break from the boozing, here’s a look at what to do during the Munich Oktoberfest (or anytime)!
Here’s something hot and saucy for ya that you definitely shouldn’t bwack at: the second instalment in my series of blog posts and podcast episodes about my trip to Buffalo, New York to visit the National Buffalo Wing Festival as a VIP judge.
Neil and Chris take flight to Buffalo, New York to visit the annual National Buffalo Wing Festival for a miniseries of Spread It, Dip It, Wing It episodes all about the world’s most famous hot wing.
Also heading to Buffalo are Nick and Mike, the founders of London’s own Orange Buffalo. They’ll be competing at the festival and sharing their high quality made-from-scratch sauces with tens of thousands of Buffalo wings fans coming from across America and around the world to attend this epic annual event.
This episode features an interview with Nick and Mike of Orange Buffalo about how they got started selling hot wings in London and their thoughts about their trip to the States to compete at the National Buffalo Wing Festival:
Antiquated cobblestone lanes lined with pretty pastel homes and shops, charming bars and restaurants serving richly flavored dishes and refreshingly cool cocktails, and dozens of historic sights to see within a short walk or drive from the city center – San Juan is an ideal vacation destination. While you’re there though, you’d be doing yourself a favor by making sure to set aside some time to explore a bit more of the marvelous island of Puerto Rico.
Whether you’re looking to find the heart of the rainforest, explore a quiet beach, or see the city lights on the other side of the island, options for day trips from San Juan abound. Here’s our take on the best ways to spend a day away while on your San Juan vacation.
COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME.
Gin is in! And the difference in flavour from one quality gin to the next can be vast.
Here’s your chance to enjoy a taste testing tipple (or four) by winning a miniature gin gift set from Il Gusto featuring four 40ml bottles of fruity gin liqueurs.
Blessed with a fantastic climate, London has recently been famous as the most dynamic city in the world. This city is growing at a fast rate and is undoubtedly one of the most progressive cities. Whether you are on a business trip or a leisure vacation, London has a lot to offer. There are many budget hotels in London that you can choose for your next stay. A seamless combination of rich cultures, heritage buildings and gigantic malls, London attracts a sizeable chunk of travellers from all around the world.
With the growing passion for travelling, everyone wants a memorable trip that lasts for a lifetime, as an enjoyable experience matters a lot. The hotel plays a crucial role in any trip, and it has to be unique and exciting. There is no such place where you cannot find a hotel. You need to check if it falls within your budget. You came across many online advertisements, blogs about hotels that catches your attention and tempts you to visit there. Continue reading →
September is the final month for this year’s Underbelly Festival Southbank, but oh what a month! Judith Schrut tells us more.
Summer’s nearly over (cue loud wet sobs) but London’s Underbelly Festival still has a jampacked, ubercool month of comedy, cabaret, circus and sass to run. Underbelly proudly presents affordable live entertainment annually from April through September for all ages and tastes, along with plenty of street food, open air bars and Thameside views. Many shows are priced at £10 and under.
