I’ve said it before but when it comes to brunch (or food in general for that matter), it’s absolutely no secret that this gal is a pretty big fan. After doing a bit of digging for the best brunch in Glasgow (where we recently stayed for a long weekend), we came across Singl-end and what was a serious calling of delicious vegetarian and vegan meals and freshly baked loaves – all under one roof! We wasted approximately zero minutes in heading to the Singl-end Garnethill and before we knew it, we had a table for two ready to give us the energy we needed for our little explore around the city.
Having not visited Amsterdam in over a year (I know, what was I thinking?), I was extremely excited to go back to one of my favourite cities in Europe for a quick weekend escape, especially in prime time spring. Although our main purpose was to finally see the vivid tulip fields at Keukeunhof, we couldn’t resist revisiting some of our favourite corners in the Dutch capital.
We’d heard loads of wonderful things about Winkel 43 and its delicious Dutch apple pie (appeltaart) on our first visit and it quickly began a favourite brunch spot of ours. Naturally when good food is involved, I didn’t even need to drag Sam into starting our day with some traditional Dutch pastries. Trust me, it’s hard not to go back once you try their homemade apple pie!
It’s no secret that you can eat some of the best food in the world in New York. From $1 pizza slices to gourmet dishes at renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, the Big Apple offers meals for all budgets in every corner. There is, however, a common misconception that better meals equal higher prices. As bizarre as it might sound, you don’t necessarily have to spend most of your budget to eat well in the Big Apple.
In fact, you can find food markets filled with stall after stall of tasty meals all over NYC. Not only do you get to sample great food from a variety of cuisines, this actually comes at the fraction of a price of a restaurant. Sam and I are always up for a good food market and, luckily for us, London is teeming with them. As is natural, our American cousins across the Atlantic have the same idea and we were happy to find some incredibly delicious food halls among the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. Here’s a selection of some of the best food markets in New York City to grab a bite to eat.
Sometimes all you need is pancakes. The good ole fluffy, delicious and mouth-watering kind. When it comes to pancakes, America does it best. New York surprised me with Bubby’s stand out Banana and Nut Pancakes, a shoutout to the origins of authentic American cuisine with a modern touch which, to be completely honest, I thought would never be matched anywhere outside the US. Boy, was I wrong.
Some weeks ago, Sam and I spent a weekend exploring the wonderful city of Liverpool. As per usual during our travels, brunch had to happen at some point and before we knew it, we found ourselves queuing to get inside Moose Coffee. Despite having no idea what to expect, we’d heard this cute diner was one of the best places in Liverpool to enjoy a Sunday brunch date. And OMG, if Tom Hardy and I have something in common (!!!) it’s that we were both blown away by Moose’s incredibly delicious American-style menu.
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?
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…
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.
