Most Affordable Places to Visit Each Month of the Year (Miles Away)
Need a break that doesn’t bloat your budget? Have a look at our list of most affordable places to fly to each month of the year.
From January to December, we’ve got your travel destinations covered. A few of these recommendations may actually surprise you!
Preview: London Festival of Close-Up Magic
I was delightfully bewildered witnessing the slight of hand and uncanny trickery of magician Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) when I caught his Magic Hour back in March. Now Tony’s back with a full-on Festival of Close-Up Magic and I can’t wait to see what surprises lay in store.
The very first London Festival of Close-Up Magic will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July 2016, launching with Magic and Mixology featuring Middleton and two other magicians wowing their audiences in the atmospheric surroundings of The Vaults. After that, the festival will continue with a series of performances by award-winning magicians in the plush surroundings of the Grand Royale Hyde Park hotel. Continue reading
More Fizz, Fewer Bottles with SodaStream
SodaStream invited me to take the Plastic Bottle Challenge and use one of its automatic sparkling water makers in an effort to cut back on buying bottle water. The results so far have been a sparkling success!
I grew up drinking lots of fizzy drinks. I’ve pretty much dropped that habit. I might still have a soda here and there throughout the year – but seriously just a very few, like less than once a month. I still crave the fizz though. Continue reading
Win a Range of Chika’s West African Inspired Snacks
COMPETITION IS OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!
Craving a taste of the exotic? Well, have I got the competition for you! Keep reading to find out how you can win a range of flavourful West African inspired snacks from Chika’s.
Prize includes the following snacks: Continue reading
Recipe: Coconut Oil, Chipotle and Sesame Wings | #WingingIt
Here’s an easy to follow recipe for deeply flavoursome, coconut-y wings – a great dish for BBQs, snacks or starters.
This recipe is totally about big flavour indulgence, but there’s an argument to categorise these wings as health food. Nutritious coconut oil is so much better for you than most other oils while superfood sesame seeds are an excellent source for manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fibre.
These directions are for cooking the wings in the oven. However, I had delicious success grilling them outside on Webber Mastertouch. The smokiness from the grill worked exceptionally well with the coconut and chipotle notes. Continue reading
The Top 10 Motorcycle Road Trips in the US (Going Places)
Anybody who rides will tell you that few experiences can compare to cruising a perfect ribbon of road or conquering the curves of a winding mountain pass.
Are you hoping to hit the highway this summer for a motorcycle road trip? Consider one of these 10 rides.
Putting the Lad in Salad with Haywards Pickles
In an effort to “put the lad in salad, Haywards Pickles hosted a recent event sharing easy to make recipes with a focus on getting men to eat more healthily and take more initiative in the kitchen.
I tagged along to the happening. I really enjoyed myself too. Continue reading
Häagen-Dazs Wimbledon Weekend at Selfridges Roof
Catch the tennis and eat free ice cream on the roof at Selfridges all weekend long with Häagen-Dazs Wimbledon Weekend.
All live Wimbledon matches are being aired for free viewing on large screen TVs from 11.30am at the outdoor rooftop space at Forest on the Roof, including the Gentlemen’s Singles semi-finals on 8 July, the Ladies’ Singles final on the 9th and the Gentlemen’s Singles final on the 10th. Continue reading
I’d Do It Again in a Heartbeat: An Interview with tikichris (Wexas)
Chris Osburn is a London-based travel blogger and consultant. He writes an award-winning travel blog, tikichris, featuring a variety of photo-rich posts to highlight the best of London culture alongside food and drink and travel related stories and tips. In addition to blogging, Chris works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.
Chris recently went on a self-drive trip around Namibia with Wexas, and we were keen to hear a bit more about his trip and his other travel experiences …
Brunch at Daisy Green
Brunch at Daisy Green? It’s among London’s tastiest I reckon or at least that’s how I recollect my yummy time dining there.
A total treat (and a treat I’ve craved more than once to eat again since my visit a couple of weeks ago) was the Fancy Bacon Roll. What makes this bad mama jama such a fancy feast? Continue reading
Crowd Surf Ready Fitness Class with Stubhub and Gymbox
I’d like to say I was ready for the Crowd Surf Ready Fitness Class at Gymbox in partnership wit Stubhub. But I was not. It kicked my ass. But in a good way – and I was glad to have signed up for a session.
StubHub and Gymbox have teamed up to offer the “ultimate festival fitness class” for summer. Using Gymbox’s fitness experts and unique outlook on gym routines, the class class focuses on maximising your energy and toning the muscles needed surf a crowd and support others doing so during a concert. Continue reading
3 Days in London (Trainline)
Trainline invited me to share a three day itinerary for rail passengers arriving via Euston Station.
Here’s a snippet from my piece and a link to the full article:
Welcome to London! I love living here and am happy to share a few recs on making the most of your time in this amazing city. In particular, London’s food and drink scene is a definite draw for me and is highlighted prominently in my suggestions for your three-day trip. But there’s so much more to London than great places to eat and drink and there’s certainly plenty to do between each fabulous meal.
Having a Tiki Time at Musée Quai Branly, Paris
So I didn’t get to Paris in time for Musée Quai Branly’s anniversary weekend festivities held 25 and 26 June. But I did manage to make it over in time to check out its Matahoata Marquesas exhibition and take a quick look at its exhibition devoted museum founder, President Jacques Chirac.
Good news for you, both exhibitions are still on. Matahoata runs only until the 24th of this month while the Chirac exhibition is on until 9 October 2016. Continue reading
Limited Edition Football Club Box from Sushi Shop
Sushi. But not as you know it. That was my experience munching my way through a range of sushi rolls and such from Sushi Shop.
Receiving a voucher from Sushi Shop, I dropped by the Marylebone branch over the weekend to grab something to go for a casual get together with friends. Continue reading
Top Places to See in July (Going Places)
We’re right in the middle of summer, and as temperatures start rising we know you’re just itching to head out on a little holiday to make the best use of the months of sunshine.
Just to help you plan before you pack your bags and book your flight, we’ve put together a few select cities and countries that are going to be absolutely beautiful to visit during the month of July.
Video: Europcar and Mercedes-Benz | The Carousel of Dreams
Carousel of Dreams is a whimsical little film produced by Europcar in partnership with Mercedes-Benz inviting you to relive your childhood dreams – with a touch of grown up luxury.
The key element of Carousel of Dreams is a merry-go-round for adults (the first ever according to the Europcar folks) with five of the latest Mercedes-Benz models for riders to relax in while going for a leisurely spin. Continue reading
A Visit to McDonald’s
I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of McDonald’s or that going to one of its outlets is the usual sort of subject matter for me write about. But when the invitation was extended to take part in a “fun local event, where you’ll find out about the exciting changes happening in the restaurants,” I accepted.
As with my visit to KFC HQ a couple of years ago, I saw the invitation as a chance for me to try to add some nuance to the discussion about what it means to eat fast food and the role McDonald’s plays in a community. Continue reading
Win the Summer Collection from Hotel Chocolat
COMPETITION IS OVER AND THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!
Craving something chocolaty? Hotel Chocolat has got you covered with a range of summery chocolate treats. I’m looking out for you too, by teaming up with this luxury chocolate maker to offer a chance for two readers to win Hotel Chocolat’s Summer Collection.
Valued at £35, the Hotel Chocolat Summer Collection features a Chocs-to-Chill H-box with 15 refreshing summer chocolates best served straight from the fridge, Mini Champagne Truffles, Creamed Caramel Puddles, Raspberry & Caramel Lick, and two Summer Selectors. Continue reading
Get Arty, History and Coffee in Austria’s Capital (City AM)
The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Franz Joseph I of Austria – head honcho of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for nearly 70 years – presents a grand opportunity to delve into Vienna’s imperial past while catching up on some of its more contemporary delights as well.
… The noble pursuit of viewing compelling art and sipping the perfect cup of coffee can make for a meaningful Viennese excursion – but can also work up a mean appetite.
A Foodie’s Guide to Yacht Chartering in the Caribbean
One of the many great reasons to charter in the Caribbean is the unique flavours of the region. Food can shape our experience in the most profound way and should be a large part in any vacation worth its salt.
The Caribbean islands each offer dishes that are distinct to their region, and when chartering a yacht through the area, you have the perfect opportunity to try them out. With yacht ownership comes the freedom to decide where and when to go to each location, you’ll have an entirely different experience from anyone that stays in an all-inclusive hotel; so seize the opportunity to sample as many of these delicious dishes as possible! Continue reading
Liberty Cheesesteak Company: Real Deal Philly Cheesesteak
Londoners, d’yever have the pleasure of tucking into an authentic Philly cheesesteak? If you were told you were having one here in London (or anywhere not actually in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) you may have been duped – DUPED! – into eating an inferior sandwich with a bogus Philly moniker slapped on it. But I am pleased to report that no caveat emptor is required when caving in to your carnal cravings and grabbing a cheesesteak from the folks at Liberty Cheesesteak Company. It’s the real deal.
Don’t get Liberty founder and South Philly native cum Londoner, JP Teti, started on faux cheesesteaks. It sets him off. Or maybe do get him started on the subject, as it’s a great way to see a man on a mission come alive with passion and pride. Continue reading
Summer with Morrisons
Morrisons kindly sent me a selection of its summertime and BBQ items to devour … erm I mean review. I obliged.
Assuming we’ll see a summer this year in Britain, Morrisons will have you covered for all your BBQ and picnic needs. I enjoyed having a taste what’s on offer. Here are some highlights. Continue reading
Cook Like a Chef With Correct Tools – Knife, Board and Towel
Recipe – check! Ingredients – check! Dinner guests invited – check! Towel – Che … Wait … What?
Yes, a towel? A must for any chef worth his/her name, one of the top three most important ingredients for a successful meal. If you are going to cook anything you need three essential tools to effortlessly complete your dishes: a very sharp (chef’s) knife, a solid cutting board and one to three kitchen tea towels. Continue reading
A Trip to Monte Carlo is Always a Good Idea
There is no doubt, Monte Carlo is one of the best destinations in Europe. The glamorous city on the French Riviera is a great place to go if you want organise a short trip or long relaxing stay.
Monte Carlo has some of the best weather year round in Europe, making a walk around the city and your vacation amazing no matter what season you go. The city waterfront has incredible boutiques where you can stroll around with the backdrop of the Mediterranean. If you get the chance to see the city more inland you will find charming medieval streets and beautiful churches. Continue reading
Top 3 Summer Recipes
If you are looking to beat the heat this summer during meal time then you may want something that is light and doesn’t weigh you down. You may consider some of these easy to make dishes that can be prepared inside or outdoors. Also cooking outside on a grill is a fun way to get your family outside and keep the extra heat from the kitchen out of your house.
Below are the top 3 summer recipes that you and your family will enjoy not only during summer but year round as well. Continue reading
8 Places to See Before You Die (Going Places)
You may be asking yourself “Why stop at eight? Certainly, there are way more amazing places out there for you to visit.
So let this worldly little octet serve as your starting point for getting out there and experiencing the wonders of the world we live in!
Olia Hercules & Marley Spoon Collaboration
Recipe kit delivery service, Marley Spoon, has teamed up with Olia Hercules, The Observer’s Rising Star of 2015 and author of Mamushka cookbook, for the month of June.
Combining her Ukrainian heritage with Cypriot, Italian, Moldovan, Laos and Caucasian influences, to name a few, Olia has created a selection of exciting dishes for Marley Spoon that will be featured on both the Two-Person and Family menus. As is the case with all Marley Spoon recipes, these are delivered in boxes with the seasonal ingredients, in exact quantities, to cook at home. Continue reading














































