Places to eat & drink around the World - Reviews

Affordable things to do in Cannes, Côte d’Azur | TRAVEL GUIDE

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelSeptember 15, 2018September 17, 2018 blushrougette

Cannes – the city of stars, glamour and luxury tourism. Along with the likes of Saint-Tropez, Nice and Monaco, Cannes is a favourite jet set for those looking for a holiday à la mode. Yachts, luxury cars, haute couture shops and private white-sand beaches contribute to the savoir-faire that is so characteristic of the elegant resorts of the South of France. Despite its rather small size compared to the other popular coastal destinations in the French Riviera, Cannes gains worldwide visibility through major global events each year. A mecca of international cinema, the read carpet of the Cannes Film Festival attracts famous movie stars and faces from all over the world each second half of May. The Cannes Yachting Festival, which kicked off earlier this week, displays the biggest boat trade show in the world in the prestigious Cannes Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto. And it doesn’t stop there. In March each year, thousands of experts from the international real estate market gather at MIPIM for a four-day networking event. Phew!

But there’s so much more behind the yachts and celebrity spotting. Cannes has that je ne sais quoi, a Mediterranean fishing village past that can still be felt in the historic streets. I thought I’d include a list of my favourite places in Cannes that don’t necessarily have to do with the luxurious and often out-of-budget character of the area. Let’s get ready and explore this charming French city, shall we?

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The 10 Best Things to do in Lisbon, Portugal | TRAVEL GUIDE

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelJuly 4, 2018August 27, 2018 blushrougette

Welcome to Lisbon, the gorgeous city built on seven hills!

There are many ways I could describe Lisbon. It’s bohemian, yet it screams romanticism all over. It’s lively and spirited in nature, yet life seems to go calm and undisturbed. It’s Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque…all at once! There’s always something spectacular to marvel at in Lisbon and its magic and charm seem to have persisted throughout the years. Every corner, colourful building and cobbled street hide unpredictable surprises. I’d be lying if I said that Lisbon isn’t one of my favourite dots on the map!

As you can see, Lisboa is a very special place. Of course, I couldn’t resist encapsulating everything we love about the city of Fado in a travel guide. Grab a cuppa, sit down and get comfy, this is going to be a lovely long one…

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Top 10 things to do in Madeira, Portugal | TRAVEL GUIDE

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelJune 20, 2018August 27, 2018 blushrougette

Madeira has to be one of Portugal’s best kept secrets. I cannot begin to describe how beautiful this small volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is. Stupendous green landscapes cover the entirety of Madeira, turning it, somehow, into a floating garden. The rocky mountains, moist laurisilva forests and vineyards cover the higher peaks and valleys. Meanwhile, the subtropical palm trees and rough cliffs crown the coast. You will inevitably fall in love with the extraordinary micro-climates. The sense of relaxing atmosphere will hit you as soon as you step on the island. And you won’t help but think if you should just ignore your return flight and settle in a beach house in Funchal instead. Oh well.

But there is more. Madeira is full of incredible places to explore, an exquisite gastronomy and a singular history that still lives up to this day. So where do you start? Check our list on the top 10 things you must do in Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthplace.

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Best pancakes in New York: Bubby’s | REVIEW

Around the World, Food and Drink, Travel, US DestinationsMay 10, 2018August 10, 2018 blushrougette

Once we landed in JFK, I was on a mission to find the best pancakes in New York City and Bubby’s had exactly what we were looking for. Unlike Sam, this was my first time in New York and in the US itself. I must confess I found it extremely overwhelming at first. New York was way more than I have ever imagined and my usual trip planning and excitement that has always helped me with travelling wasn’t enough to mentally prepare me for the charm (and the size) of this glorious city.

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Best brunch place in Brussels, Peck 47 | REVIEW

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelMay 3, 2018August 10, 2018 blushrougette

I must confess brunch is hands down one of my favourite meals of the day. Why? Because not only do you get breakfast, you also get lunch, of course. Two for the price of one, people! Bargain. Plus, it is quite a millennial chic thing to go for nowadays and it can be very healthy if you make it properly. In my case, I love it when I can pair it with a freshly squeezed green juice or a nice cuppa. Sometimes even chai latte (an all time favourite of mine), if I am feeling adventurous. And then I am good to go for the rest of the day.

This is exactly what we needed on our last day in Belgium. We had only stayed 24 hours in Brussels, but I was already feeling the after-effects of eating too much chocolate in one go. We’d heard wonderful recommendations about Peck 47, a cute little brunch spot close to Bourse de Bruxelles and where we were staying. We decided to give it a go and once we got there, we couldn’t resist popping in.

Cosy, centric and cheerful, there seems to be a reason this brunch place is often crowded.

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Your ultimate guide to Belgian cuisine (Part 2) – Brussels

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelApril 26, 2018August 10, 2018 blushrougette

Woah. That was some gooood food. So good, I think I am still full from those frites in Bruges. We promised we’d do the same in Brussels and here I am, true to our words, thinking of the countless chocolate pralines I engulfed in under 24h. Who am I kidding? I am certain we finished a bag (or two) in just half an hour. But it is all for the sake of taking advantage of the time spent in Belgium and bringing it closer to you. Plus we burn the calories by endless walking while exploring each city, right? Does that work as an excuse? Please say yes.

With a bod now far from that of Jean-Claude van Damme (he’s known as ‎”The Muscles from Brussels” for a reason), we have put together a little guide of some of our favourite places to get immersed in the best of Belgian food in Brussels (and some other extras).

Enjoy!

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Your ultimate guide to Belgian cuisine (Part 1) – Bruges

Around the World, European Destinations, Food and Drink, TravelApril 11, 2018August 10, 2018 blushrougette

Quite surprisingly and despite its size, Bruges has an enviable gastronomy that matches the variety and quality of that in larger cities. For those with a sophisticated palate, this small city is actually the home of several Michelin star restaurants. Many others can also be found along Bib Gourmand and GaultMillau listings. Impressive!

However, and despite our little fancy moments (and of those we have many), Sam and I try to go local whenever possible. We love going back to the roots and get the most of each regional cuisine as much as we can.

In this case, Belgian cuisine seems to reflect that of neighbouring France, Netherlands and Germany. Say hello to moules, fries, waffles, chocolate and beers galore!

It has been difficult to pick among all the cute little places in Bruges, believe me! However, we think these are the places to eat traditional Belgian food in Bruges. Along with where the best pubs in Bruges are, to wash it down with a Belgian beer.