Zagreb Croatia As a travel writer I’m usually too busy flying somewhere to enter competitions but every once in a while I throw my business card into the hat, thank goodness I did. I recently won an all expenses paid trip for two to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, courtesy of Monarch Airlines and the Zagreb
The West Coast of Finland & The Midnight Sun I’m going to take the rather unusual step of starting this travel piece with a recipe for what I think is the best blueberry pie I have ever tasted. Read on to find our where I tried it, maybe you’ll have a
VOLT Restaurant Paul Lincke – Ufer 21 10999 Berlin Germany Tel: 030 3384 02320 Kreuzberg has always been one of those edgy places. Marginalised by the close proximity of the Berlin wall for 28 years it has been the haunt of many a punk rock band of the 70’s, David Bowie and Iggy Pop
Porto Portugal Porto as we all know is the birthplace to that revered tipple Port. Despite a decline in popularity it has had many loyal followers over the centuries and continues to generate new admirers, including this writer. Even that great recorder of Dr Samuel Johnson’s work, James Boswell noted “Claret is the liquor
Catford Constitutional Club Catford Broadway Catford London SE6 4SN Tel: 020 8613 7188 Over the last few years Catford has been fighting back from the perceived reputation of being a bit down at heel. But faith is being restored in this much-loved forgotten South London suburb. It is with a heavy irony that where the
Belmond Reid’s Palace Hotel Funchal Madeira As your car takes you through in the in out drive of The Belmond Reid’s Palace Hotel you might be forgiven for thinking you had arrived at a large cliff top villa not a local legend with over 180 rooms. It is beautiful in an understated way, there
Pescatori 57 Charlotte Street London W1 4PD Tel: 020 7850 0539 You soon discover the sea really is your oyster when browsing over the menu at Pescatori. This established fish restaurant of Fitzrovia is still going strong after many years so I felt it was time to have look professionally speaking. Sitting away from most
Ben’s Cornish Kitchen West End Marazion Cornwall TR17 0EL Tel: 01736 719200 I was told a long time ago by a writer far more experienced than myself to never start any piece of creative writing with ‘It was a dark and stormy night’. As sensible as this suggestion is (and I have heeded the advice
St. Michael’s Hotel & Spa Gyllynvase Beach Sea Front Falmouth Cornwall TR11 4NB Tel: 01326 312707 Sitting at the end of an enchanting pathway that winds through trees and sub continental plants you will find the entrance to St. Michael’s Hotel and Spa. The view from my room which has it’s own patio with a
Webbe’s Rock-a-Nore Restaurant & Hastings Food and Wine Festival Hastings Sussex Now in its eighth year the Hastings Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of all things British, especially local wines and fish. Hastings is the perfect venue, organised by the famous fishermen’s huts in the Stade open space, it had something for
Fish Market 16b New Street London EC2M 4TR Tel: 020 3503 0790 New Street is one of those hidden quiet places in the City of London near Liverpool Street station. It has a few restaurants, cobbles and is a relief from the hustle and bustle near by. We sat outside in a charming ‘bamboo