Tag Archives: travel blog

Portugal Please: Até Logo

Posted on 2014-04-23 by tikichris

If you’re into engaging with friendly salt-of-the-earth folks in a beautiful and largely rural setting, Portugal should be at the top of your list of destinations. Continue reading →

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Wandering Round Walthamstow, Northeast London (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-04-23 by tikichris

At the northern end of the London Underground’s Victoria Line lies the quaint and quirky Walthamstow. Wedged between the ancient Epping Forest (yeah, a real forest in London), the River Lea and some of East London’s more ‘authentic’ (read edgy) … Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Comporta Comfort Food at O Zé

Posted on 2014-04-23 by tikichris

One last lunch, one last chance to take in all the yummy hospitality I’d come to expect while travelling through Portugal – a stop in the seaside town of Comporta en route to the airport in Lisbon yielded one of the best meals I had during my stay in the country. With an emphasis on serving traditional dishes from Alentejo using fresh, local, sustainably sourced, and mostly organic ingredients – the family owned O Zé Restaurante Lounge pleased my palate and ensured I headed back London satisfied to be sure yet already longing to return for more festive feasting. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Padaria Joana Roque, Traditional Alentejo Bakery

Posted on 2014-04-22 by tikichris

Instant Grandma! That’s what I got my final morning of my Portugal Please road trip when I dropped by the a traditional home bakery in the village of Vidigueira where Joana Roque’s been baking the same bread in the same method for more than 40 years. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

Posted on 2014-04-21 by tikichris

My Portuguese adventure coming to a close, I was left with only one more night to savour before flying back to Blighty. Good thing my last night was in an absolutely fantastic setting! Otherwise, I might have started to doubt for a second the hospitality show to me throughout this lovely little country as well as the foodie expertise that’d gone into the execution of my Festival of Food itinerary. As the trip unfolded though, I never once questioned the restorative benefits of my adeptly planned week-long ramble through Portugal. Indeed, I arrived back home eager to share the stories of my time abroad. The story I’m sharing today is one of a luxury homestead that’s an easily recommendable destination: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. Continue reading →

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SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Cooksister Blogger, Jeanne Horak-Druiff (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-04-21 by tikichris

Jeanne Horak-Druiff is a South African who lives in London. Her delicious and photo-rich food and travel blog, Cooksister, is held in high regard among London’s eclectic mix of bloggers and foodies. The blog for Jeanne is a side project, … Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Evocative Evora

Posted on 2014-04-20 by tikichris

Leaving the Almojanda farm, I hit the open road for an afternoon in UNESCO World Heritage city of Evora. The hour and a half drive was pure scenic joy. I’d been to Evora before years ago and getting to go back there was a treat – and something I’d be happy to repeat several times over. Indeed, when talking with the Sunvil folks about the design of my Festival of Food itinerary I specified that I was especially keen to stop in Evora. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Delicious Diterra and Tasty Terrius

Posted on 2014-04-19 by tikichris

Another day, another delicious opportunity to have a taste of the Festival of Food offerings in the Alentejo. Before leaving the Portalegre area, I spent my morning at the family-run Almojanda farm sampling a variety of products from its own Diterra range (under the brands of Almojanda and Fadista) as well as items from Terrius, another food producer from up the road about 20 kilometres in Marvão. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Eggs-cellent Time in Portalegre

Posted on 2014-04-19 by tikichris

Next on my Portugal Please road trip itinerary was the southern and sunny region of Alentejo where the appetising promise to “road test” the new Festival of Food offering from British tour operator, Sunvil, lay ahead. First stop in this gorgeous land of cork farms and vineyards … of ancient Moorish ramparts and prim churches hiding grandiose interiors … was the hilltop border town of Portalgre where I arrived just in time to attend the annual and eggy Feira de Doçaria Conventual for a taste of traditional sweets from the region and more. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Coimbra

Posted on 2014-04-18 by tikichris

Capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages with a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site university established in 1290 (making it the fifth oldest in the world), Coimbra is a city steeped in age old tradition yet imbued with a youthful spirit. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Suckling Pig Paradise, Bairrada

Posted on 2014-04-18 by tikichris

From Aveiro, I drove south to the town of Mealhada for a meal that had me squealing with piggy delight. Mealhada and its region of Bairrada (still within the greater region of Centro) seem to be the suckling pig capital of the world, where the main drag through town is lined with restaurant after restaurant boasting leitão à Bairrada (as suckling pig is called there). For my feast, I paid a visit to one of the most popular and best established eateries, the rather prosaically named Restaurante Típico da Bairrada. Continue reading →

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Ai Weiwei at Lisson Gallery, London (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-04-17 by tikichris

Just announced are the details of an upcoming exhibition by firebrand artist, Ai Weiwei, at London’s renowned Lisson Gallery. The show will be the Chinese conceptual artist’s third solo exhibition with Lisson Gallery, and for the show he has created … Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Charming and Cheeky Aveiro

Posted on 2014-04-17 by tikichris

Know as the “Venice of Portugal,” Aveiro is an attractive little coastal canal-crossed town in the Centro region of Portugal. I spent a couple of days in this part of the country, marvelling at how awesome the region was yet how largely undiscovered by tourists it seemed to be. Pretty, walkable and full of lovely shops, bars and restaurants, Aveiro was a particularly fine place for my introduction to the area. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Amarante Quickie

Posted on 2014-04-17 by tikichris

Halfway between Provesende and Porto (or at least that’s how it seemed riding around in the press trip van), is Amarante. Like so many of the places I visited in Portugal, Amarante was sweet, cosy and somewhat kitsch without ever crossing over into being twee or cloying. With the others in my party needing to catch and flight (and me with a tight road trip itinerary of my own), I was really only in Amarante long enough for a short walk and (of course) a tasty snack. However, I saw enough to know I would love to return and reckon if you’re thinking about visiting Porto or the Douro Valley, you’d be wise to consider a stop in Amarante too. Continue reading →

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A Look at a Few of England’s World Record Sites (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-04-16 by tikichris

England. It’s a land that’s as celebrated as much for its pomp and circumstance as for its more subtle eccentricities. Those who know the English well are aware of their love of competition – whatever the contest. No matter how … Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Morgadio da Calçada

Posted on 2014-04-16 by tikichris

Situated atop a plateau yielding (yet more) beautiful panoramic views of the Douro River and its undulant valley, the tiny ancient village of Provesende was my final stop in the area. Here I took a quick wander round the village and a proper snoop inside 17th century mansion (with contemporary accommodations) Morgadio da Calçada. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Even More Douro Valley Quintas

Posted on 2014-04-16 by tikichris

No, I didn’t just lounge around at a couple of scenically situated hotels while in the Douro (although, that would be a terrifically recuperative way to spend one’s time). When I wasn’t enjoying my stay in the luxury laps of Quinta do Vallado and Quinta Nova, I was bopping all over the rest of the valley trying to visit as many different vineyards as possible – and loving every minute of it. Here are a few brief notes about the rest of the Douro Valley quintas I visited, including Quinta do Crasto, Quinta da Pacheca, Quinta do Panascal and Quinta do Seixo. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please:  Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo

Posted on 2014-04-16 by tikichris

A lovingly restored 18th century manor cum 21st century four star hotel and the centrepiece of a lofty patchwork of vineyards rolling down to the Douro River: Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo was my home for a night. Leaving Vallado for a full-on day of winery visits around the Douro, my second evening in this idyllic valley wound down in equal parts elegance and comfort. Continue reading →

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5 Great Authors to Take with You on Your Next Trip (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-04-15 by tikichris

Text messages, emails, tweets, status updates – when’s the last time you read something more than a few paragraphs long and solely for the sheer joy of reading it? Got a long haul flight or some time lounging by the … Continue reading →

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Portugal Please:  Sniffing Around Quinta do Vallado

Posted on 2014-04-15 by tikichris

After a quick sightseeing jaunt and overnight stay in Porto, I was off to the Douro Valley for a few days of scenic sipping. My first night there, I had the ultra-luxe pleasure of spending some time – and a very restful night – at Quinta do Vallado. To put it plainly, I loved everything about this place. It hurt a little to have to leave and I’m aching to return for another chance to admire in situ this wine hotel’s blend of tradition with modern design; savour more of its homey food; and, of course, enjoy its fabulous wines. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Porto

Posted on 2014-04-15 by tikichris

My Portugal Please tour commenced in the compact and cosy city of Porto, which proved to be an excellent gateway to the Douro Valley and a fine place to visit in and of itself. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit for a city break, Porto is only a two hour flight away from London with plenty to see and do and eat and drink and browse and buy. Here are some highlight from my all too brief time there. Continue reading →

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Portugal Please: Wão. What a Trip!

Posted on 2014-04-14 by tikichris

Does it ever seem like far too many folks are stuck in the same tired rut of a far too well beaten path, only hitting a few main sites in a short selection of only a few Western European countries – namely Spain, France, and Italy – and never realising that there’s so much more to explore just as close, just as scenic, just as steeped in tradition … and often accessible at far greater value than most of the EU? Not you and me though. We’re going to Portugal! Continue reading →

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Good Stuff

Posted on 2014-04-13 by tikichris

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. Dodo Chilli Dipping Sauce I recently got … Continue reading →

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Celebrate Record Store Day in Soho, London (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-04-12 by tikichris

Fingering your way through crate after crate of vinyl discs in search of that one final piece of sonic perfection that’s been eluding your otherwise complete collection of cherished LPs is a lot like hunting for Easter eggs, just way … Continue reading →

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Istanbul in an Instant

Posted on 2014-04-11 by tikichris

For my birthday, Kemey and I spent a long weekend in Istanbul. Yes indeed, ya gotta do the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia/Basilica Cistern/Topkapi Palace/Grand Bazaar shuffle when you’re there, but there’s so much more to see and do in this massive and dynamic city. Here are just a few of the “other” highlights from our trip. Continue reading →

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Tops Sights and Sounds Around Muscle Shoals, Alabama (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-04-06 by tikichris

Nestled along the banks of the Tennessee River, the area of Muscle Shoals in northwest Alabama is a nature lover’s dream. It’s a music lover’s dream too, where a small handful of recording studios have been responsible for some of … Continue reading →

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A Great Lunch in Italy with Coffee as Good as I Get Back Home (espressoCrazy)

Posted on 2014-03-30 by tikichris

Towards the end of 2013, I hit the road for a gourmand adventure across the north of Italy. One of the trip’s many highlights was the day I spent in Modena taking in the sights and sounds … and delectable … Continue reading →

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London’s Best Record Stores (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-03-24 by tikichris

Record stores: London’s got ’em. Some of the best in Europe actually, and here’s a crème de la crème list of this city’s finest establishments dedicated to the needs of the finickiest vinyl junkies. Sound good? Then you better hurry up and … Continue reading →

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Time for Art at the Folkestone Triennial 2014 (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-03-20 by tikichris

The seaside town of Folkestone is located about 70 miles from Central London on the southeastern coast of Kent. High speed trains run regularly to/from London St Pancras International with a journey time that’s just under an hour. Every three … Continue reading →

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7 of NOLA’s Oldest Restaurants (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-03-19 by tikichris

Here’s a historically delicious look at seven of the finest and oldest restaurants in New Orleans. It makes a heck of a gourmand wish list as well. I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting one of these places, Tujague’s (love … Continue reading →

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5 Travel Photographers You Should Know About (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-03-18 by tikichris

What could be better inspiration for planning your next trip than browsing the sites of a few of the world’s best photographers? Here’s a list of five of my favourite photographers with their lenses turned toward some of the world’s … Continue reading →

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Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery to Re-Open Autumn 2014 (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-03-18 by tikichris

A glimmering gem in the crown of British art spaces, the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester has been closed to the public for several months but is to reopen this autumn following a £15 million (roughly $25 million) transformation. On … Continue reading →

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Dine Like a Creole King at the Palace Cafe in New Orleans (CheapOair)

Posted on 2014-03-17 by tikichris

You could spend a lifetime writing about the New Orleans dining scene. During a recent NOLA excursion, I did my best to slurp up as sizeable a spoonful of gumbo as possible during my brief stay. And I’ve gotta tell … Continue reading →

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4 French Quarter Shops for Fun and Funky NOLA Gifts (OneTravel)

Posted on 2014-03-05 by tikichris

In Nawlins for Mardi Gras and feeling guilty because certain friends, family members or colleagues couldn’t come with you to enjoy all the fun? Or maybe you’re hoping to rub it in about what a great time you had once … Continue reading →

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Dixie Detours: Miami in a Minute

Posted on 2014-03-03 by tikichris

The final stop of our Dixie Detours visit to the US was Miami, where an overnight layover afforded Kemey and me the chance to check in on some friends who had recently moved there – big thanks to Tanya and Francesco for being such fantastic hosts and showing us around so much of your fine town – while soaking up some south Florida sunshine before heading back to Blighty. Continue reading →

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