Tasty Treats

When given the option I love to stay in hotels whilst on holiday, someone else making your bed, changing your towels and preparing all your food? Sounds great. However, there are times when staying in a villa or an apartment is preferable, particularly when there's great local produce to cook with.

I regularly take trips to Cascais in Portugal and the fish you can eat there is always a highlight. When I'm catering on holiday I need quick, easy and simple dishes.

It doesn't come much simpler than fish kebabs, quick, tasty and super colourful! Enjoy with a glass (or two) of crisp white wine.

 Darkness descends on Cascais

As every story has 2 sides...

There are some places you visit and you have a fairly good idea what to expect. Going to Istanbul I was very uncertain what I would see, things I would experience and how I would feel about it.

The city definitely reminded me of Budapest and Vienna, but also had the hustle and bustle, markets and feel of Bangkok. The mixture of European influence and Asian atmosphere was an interesting combination for the senses, in many ways it felt like the best of both worlds, since I loved Bangkok but enjoy the style of European cities. 

I went for a 4 day break and definitely could have spent an extra day or two in the city if I had the time to spare. I was fairly out of season (the weather was sunny but it wasn't super warm), yet on the Saturday the city was packed. From what I heard people come from outside the city to do their shopping on the Saturday, so prepare for Bangkok- level busy. 

Take 5: 

1. Wondering around the city at night; beautiful buildings, lively atmosphere and warm enough to wear a light jacket.

2. Climb to the top of the Galata tower for incredible views over the city. 

3. We experienced quite a mixture of food, but by far the most enjoyable thing was the selection of baklava on offer.

4. The Spice Market- a sensory overload, where you are invited to try things first. 

5. A boat trip up the Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait); windy, but a must-do, you get to see both sides of the city.

Morning Beauty

There are moments when cities can look more beautiful than you ever imagined. A morning view of London from Primrose Hill creates exactly that.

The serenity looking over the city makes it easy to forget how bustling it can be.

Do you have any serene pictures of busy world cities?

5 of the Best in Budapest

Budapest is another interesting European city; capital of Hungary, it is neatly nestled in Central- East Europe. With the river Danube flowing straight through the middle, Buda is the name for the area on the West Bank and Pest the name for the East Bank. They estimate 20 million tourists visit the city each year, and visited for a few days, myself, I can see why. Temperatures in the winter can be bitterly cold between -4C (24.8 F) and 1C (33.8 F), but in summer they can experience blue skies and very warm weather, with highs of 28C (82.4 F).

It's always difficult to sum up all the great things to see in a city if you only a couple of days to visit it, but I've put together my top 5 below. This list takes in my personal favourites and things not to be missed.

1. Gellert Spa and Bath. Go on, spoil yourself.

2. Take yourself to Gerbeaud Cukrászda for a coffee and cake. Spoil yourself some more. The sweet treats here are delectable, delicious and divine.

3. Sit by the Danube and watch the world go by for an afternoon or evening, or even take a boat trip along the Danube.

4. If you're looking for somewhere to go out I suggest 'Rio del cafe' overlooking the Danube river. It's open air so only an option in the summer, but it has a very cool vibe, not too expensive and is a bit different to the other clubs in the city.

5. Go to Castle Hill (Varhegy) for incredible views over the city.

Budapest is a great place to wonder around and get lost in the city. Truly, one of my favourite European destinations.

The Dream Team:: Belle dans le sud

Courtesy, Hotel-du-cap-Eden-Roc

I've always dreamt of taking a holiday in the South of France, taking a few weeks in the summer time to travel along the coast. It is one of my dream vacations, which I hope will one day happen. The chic and elegant style of the buildings, the coastline and the people. I think it would be truly relaxing and decadent.


I name this post 'beautiful one in the South', but truly there are so many gorgeous hotels along the French Riviera that it is difficult to pick one. But, I think I've managed it. I want to take a look at one of the hotels in my 'dream team', Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc. The hotel looks to be pure luxury and it hasn't gone unnoticed. This hotel was apparently the favourite of President Kennedy and has continued to be highly regarded as the best place to stay, recently being voted the 'Best European Resort' by the Sunday Times Travel Supplement. High praise, indeed.


So, what's to like? Quite literally, where shall I begin?


There are a variety of rooms to choose from, varying from the 'Traditional' to the 'Eden Roc Suite' and then onto the Villas. The interior of the rooms is clean, stylish but truly French in its origins, with Louis XV and XVI decor. Beautiful cabinets, chests and ornaments; each room looks to have its own individual and unique charm. The Eden Roc Suite looks out of this world, everything you would expect in a suite at a luxury resort, with the addition of a sea view and a terrace, with a hot tub. Exquisite. The bathrooms look grand and luxurious, which is always a welcome treat when on vacation.


A few steps from the hotel there are two separate gorgeous villas to choose from, if you want to take the whole family away (I wouldn't suggest it, but if you have to!). These villas, of course, come with a butler and look every bit as decadent as the hotel.


The hotel has also received accolades for its food. You would have to begin your evening La Rotonde, the piano bar housed in the pavillion for a cocktail or two, before moving on to the restaurant, for some fine food from Arnaud Poëtte. There's also the lounge bar and grill serving sushi and tapas. Something to satisfy the most varied appetites. 

Courtesy, Eden Roc

On top of gorgeous rooms and heavenly food, there are tennis courts, a swimming pool and a wellness centre to occupy your time, if you aren't happy sitting and watching the water.


This hotel has definitely cemented its place in my Dream Team. Now, please take me there. 


If you, too, have an appreciation for gorgeous weather, beautiful hotels and decadent decor then you must check out the website. Or, go even better and spoil yourself by visiting the hotel when it reopens on the 5th April 2012. (Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc)

Madrid, the chic and stylish city

I've long maintained that you don't have to stay at the most luxurious hotels to enjoy a chic and stylish holiday. Never is this more true than on a city break. Getting out to visit the city is far more important, with the room playing second fiddle to seeing the exciting and interesting culture the city has to offer.

So, here are my top places to visit for a stylish and chic break in my favourite city in Spain; Madrid.

Lunch
You won't necessarily get a seat and it's not waiter service, but without doubt you will find incredible food. For fantastic variety, food with great flavour and interesting creations head to Mercado de San Miguel. From sweet to savoury, traditional Spanish to global cuisine and all topped off with a drink. Usually bustling, this is well worth a trip.

Mercado del san miguel. Below left fruits, Below right sweet treats.

Day Activity
Parque del Retiro is well worth a visit, especially in the summer months. Amble through the park to see beautifully landscaped gardens, gorgeous plants and finally a boat ride. It can be fun for friends or romantic with someone special. You can hire a row boat for a little over 5 euros for 45 minutes. Enjoy the sunshine or get some exercise rowing around the lake.

Parque del Retiro in the sunshine.

Dinner
For the best tapas in the city, head to Lateral. Their restaurants are dotted all over the city, but I would head to Plaza de Santa Ana. It's lively into the night and had a great outside seating area. The tapas is both delectable to look at and delicious to taste. My top pick: Pimientos del piquillo rellenos de carne.

The best tapas in Madrid (Photo courtesy of Lateral website, linked below)

Drinks
For cocktails with the girls or if it's a romantic get away a drink with your loved one, the place to head to is The Penthouse. The best news, you only need to stumble a few yards from Lateral in Santa Ana. The Penthouse is one of those bars which has a lot going for it, great cocktails, stylish ambience and best of all unbeatable views of the city. The drinks aren't cheap, but they are worth it, you're paying for a great experience too.

So, once you've exhausted yourself with a long day in the city it won't matter whether your returning to a budget hotel or a luxurious one.

Nora x

Check out Lateral and Penthouse, below.
http://www.cadenalateral.com/inicio/inicio.html
http://thepenthouse.es/