Saturday 30 September 2017
What do you do when you inherit a Castle? Well of course, you make wine! Even if the castle happens to be in #Belgium in #Wallonia . It turns out that Vanessa Wyckmans-Vaxelaire was given the choice by her husband of him or a life on the stage (as a comedienne) and of course she picked him - and then, just because it seems like another perfect marriage they started to make wine. It's now a family passion - on the way to organic certification and with a wine tour, tasting and restaurant opening in April 2018 for the public. All in the glorious setting of #chateaudebioul which dates back to the 11th century. After a rather chequered history, it was bought by Vanessa's grandfather in 1906 - the founder of discount department stores in Belgium. He carried out extensive renovation but, by the time Vanessa inherited, the business was no more, so she and her husband needed a new way to generate an income. Their range of wines are really rather good - more about that and the rest of our wine and gastronomy trip which includes snails, saffron and of course more wine in Wallonia coming soon on the blog. #WallonieGourmande #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces
What do you do when you inherit a Castle? Well of course, you make wine! Even if the castle happens to be in #Belgium in #Wallonia . It turns out that Vanessa Wyckmans-Vaxelaire was given the choice by her husband of him or a life on the stage (as a comedienne) and of course she picked him - and then, just because it seems like another perfect marriage they started to make wine. It's now a family passion - on the way to organic certification and with a wine tour, tasting and restaurant opening in April 2018 for the public. All in the glorious setting of #chateaudebioul which dates back to the 11th century. After a rather chequered history, it was bought by Vanessa's grandfather in 1906 - the founder of discount department stores in Belgium. He carried out extensive renovation but, by the time Vanessa inherited, the business was no more, so she and her husband needed a new way to generate an income. Their range of wines are really rather good - more about that and the rest of our wine and gastronomy trip which includes snails, saffron and of course more wine in Wallonia coming soon on the blog. #WallonieGourmande #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces
Thursday 28 September 2017
Edward and Gilbert the two copper stills responsible for #greenallsgin on a fascinating visit to this old distillery. Founded in 1761, @greenallsgin is the oldest continuous gin distiller in the world. I went up to take a look around and learn more (oh and to drink some gin cocktails. More later on the blog - just in time for #cocktailweek! #greenallsgin #greenalls #gin #classic #british #london #londondrygin #londondry #theoriginalgin #original #drink #greenallsspirit #cocktails #greenallscocktails #heritage #ourheritage #stillhouse #distillery #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin
Edward and Gilbert the two copper stills responsible for #greenallsgin on a fascinating visit to this old distillery. Founded in 1761, @greenallsgin is the oldest continuous gin distiller in the world. I went up to take a look around and learn more (oh and to drink some gin cocktails. More later on the blog - just in time for #cocktailweek! #greenallsgin #greenalls #gin #classic #british #london #londondrygin #londondry #theoriginalgin #original #drink #greenallsspirit #cocktails #greenallscocktails #heritage #ourheritage #stillhouse #distillery #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin
Tuesday 26 September 2017
This is the original ceiling painting of the solar system in one of the rooms at at Casa Terreiro do Poco. You may notice there are one or two planets missing - it's just as the Portuguese believed it to be a few hundred years ago. It's a remarkable place where a massive suite like the one I stayed in, with a downstairs sitting room and kitchenette and a large double bedroom is around 85 euros a night. I've now written up a bit more about this, our first stop in #Alentejo in #Borba I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
This is the original ceiling painting of the solar system in one of the rooms at at Casa Terreiro do Poco. You may notice there are one or two planets missing - it's just as the Portuguese believed it to be a few hundred years ago. It's a remarkable place where a massive suite like the one I stayed in, with a downstairs sitting room and kitchenette and a large double bedroom is around 85 euros a night. I've now written up a bit more about this, our first stop in #Alentejo in #Borba I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
Sunday 24 September 2017
Just before I disappeared to Portugal, I was lucky enough to go along to #FodderPopup at @boroughwines - it's still running there until 30th September and will be moving to @oded_oren after that in a slightly different form. Full review on the blog tomorrow - but this was my favourite dish from the seven-course tasting menu (although a CLOSE RUNNER UP was the T Cake). Here, #Cornish #Cod poached in seaweed, sea vegetables, buttermilk and apple marigold. We learnt that the team forage all their own seaweed - and a lot more too. I loved the perfectly cooked fish with a lightly piquant sauce. What else would you expect though from a team with a heritage at #Fera the Manoir and Pollen Street Social. Many thanks to Michael Tompson and Ollie Downey for some very fine food and to Borough Wines for some excellent pairings - and a beautiful English Rosehip Spritz as a welcome drink (made with #Nyetimber and Sacred English Rosehop Cup Liqueur). And, particularly noteable was the gorgeous pottery, handcrafted from Kana London, Salutations Studio, Common Objects Studio, Victoria Bridal, Anna Beam and the Lazy Glaze. #toplondonrestaurants #lovelondon #londonisopen #londonigers #lookuplondon #luxuryfoodblog #londonblog #tbin #londoneats #instafood #foodography #zagat #eeeeets #instafood #bonappetit #feedfeed #foodpics #f52grams #huffposttaste #beautifulcuisines
Just before I disappeared to Portugal, I was lucky enough to go along to #FodderPopup at @boroughwines - it's still running there until 30th September and will be moving to @oded_oren after that in a slightly different form. Full review on the blog tomorrow - but this was my favourite dish from the seven-course tasting menu (although a CLOSE RUNNER UP was the T Cake). Here, #Cornish #Cod poached in seaweed, sea vegetables, buttermilk and apple marigold. We learnt that the team forage all their own seaweed - and a lot more too. I loved the perfectly cooked fish with a lightly piquant sauce. What else would you expect though from a team with a heritage at #Fera the Manoir and Pollen Street Social. Many thanks to Michael Tompson and Ollie Downey for some very fine food and to Borough Wines for some excellent pairings - and a beautiful English Rosehip Spritz as a welcome drink (made with #Nyetimber and Sacred English Rosehop Cup Liqueur). And, particularly noteable was the gorgeous pottery, handcrafted from Kana London, Salutations Studio, Common Objects Studio, Victoria Bridal, Anna Beam and the Lazy Glaze. #toplondonrestaurants #lovelondon #londonisopen #londonigers #lookuplondon #luxuryfoodblog #londonblog #tbin #londoneats #instafood #foodography #zagat #eeeeets #instafood #bonappetit #feedfeed #foodpics #f52grams #huffposttaste #beautifulcuisines
Friday 22 September 2017
I know it looks as if I might have ended up in Italy but this is actually @macellaio-rc on the #NorthcoteRoad #Battersea - an Italian Butcher's restaurant which serves some amazing Italian produce. Not somewhere for a veggie - I'd recommend their Aged Italian Beef or the classic Pigeon in Red Wine with Pear that I enjoyed last night. I also particularly liked the #Burrata and even enjoyed the #Lardo - oh and they do this wicked little dessert #LatteDolceFritto - And, they have an Italian wine list with over 300 wines!! Definitely worth a visit. #iglondon #londongram #instalondon #londonstyle #londonculture #lovelondon #londonisopen #londonigers #lookuplondon ##londonblog #tbin #luxurylondon #luxelondon #luxurylondonblog #toplondonrestaurants #luxuryfoodblog #londonblog #tbin #londoneats #instafood #foodography
I know it looks as if I might have ended up in Italy but this is actually @macellaio-rc on the #NorthcoteRoad #Battersea - an Italian Butcher's restaurant which serves some amazing Italian produce. Not somewhere for a veggie - I'd recommend their Aged Italian Beef or the classic Pigeon in Red Wine with Pear that I enjoyed last night. I also particularly liked the #Burratta and even enjoyed the #Lardo - oh and they do this wicked little dessert #LatteDolceFritto - And, they have an Italian wine list with over 300 wines!! Definitely worth a visit. #iglondon #londongram #instalondon #londonstyle #londonculture #lovelondon #londonisopen #londonigers #lookuplondon ##londonblog #tbin #luxurylondon #luxelondon #luxurylondonblog #toplondonrestaurants #luxuryfoodblog #londonblog #tbin #londoneats #instafood #foodography
Thursday 21 September 2017
Sunset in the #Alentejo - while we were out taking a tour of the #MalhadinhaNova estate - I remember the big skies in #Portugal from my last trip and this one was no less stunning. @malhadinhanova is a fabulous 5* spa hotel with restaurant, winery and stud. There's a gorgeous outdoor pool, the largest jacuzzi I've ever seen and some beautifully decorated luxury rooms. We learnt that the hotel is expanding, building a few villas and private suites right out in the country away from the main hotel building - and we saw the cows and pigs which are farmed for the Hotel's own use. Sadly it was too windy to take a balloon flight - but that just means I need to go back! Decorated in contemporary yet clearly portuguese style, this was a place where everything seemed effortless. Definitely worth a visit. @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
Sunset in the #Alentejo - while we were out taking a tour of the #MalhadinhaNova estate - I remember the big skies in #Portugal from my last trip and this one was no less stunning. @malhadinhanova is a fabulous 5* spa hotel with restaurant, winery and stud. There's a gorgeous outdoor pool, the largest jacuzzi I've ever seen and some beautifully decorated luxury rooms. We learnt that the hotel is expanding, building a few villas and private suites right out in the country away from the main hotel building - and we saw the cows and pigs which are farmed for the Hotel's own use. Sadly it was too windy to take a balloon flight - but that just means I need to go back! Decorated in contemporary yet clearly portuguese style, this was a place where everything seemed effortless. Definitely worth a visit. @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
Wednesday 20 September 2017
Our first stop in #Alentejo was in #Borba - at a charming hotel packed with antiques and with many original features including the stunning old handpainted walls in this room - the Tower Room. There's even a ceiling with a painting of the solar system known at that time, just missing a planet or two! I discovered later that the owners are not only collectors of antiques but also run an antique shop in Borba - so it's perhaps not surprising that the rooms are full of beautiful curious! What is perhaps more remarkable is that a massive suite like the one I stayed in, with a downstairs sitting room and kitchenette and a large double bedroom is around 85 euros a night. I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
Our first stop in #Alentejo was in #Borba - at a charming hotel packed with antiques and with many original features including the stunning old handpainted walls in this room - the Tower Room. There's even a ceiling with a painting of the solar system known at that time, just missing a planet or two! I discovered later that the owners are not only collectors of antiques but also run an antique shop in Borba - so it's perhaps not surprising that the rooms are full of beautiful curious! What is perhaps more remarkable is that a massive suite like the one I stayed in, with a downstairs sitting room and kitchenette and a large double bedroom is around 85 euros a night. I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel #secretplaces #boutiquehotel #LuxuryHotel
Tuesday 19 September 2017
I've been spending the last few days traveling around the #Alentejo - the kind of place where you just stumble upon palaces, castles, monasteries and churches. This part of the Alentejo is famous for marble - even the streets are paved with it. And, buildings like the one you can see in the background of the statue are made from it. The Paço Ducal de Vila Viçosa Duchal Palace was built in 1501 by the command of D. Jaime, Duke of Bragança as his family home. The palace was extended during the 16th and 17th centuries, to what you see today - a 110 metres length facade and a unique Portuguese architecture The square format of instagram doesn't really showcase the building properly - but I'll post more on #LondonUnattached in the next few weeks! I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
I've been spending the last few days traveling around the #Alentejo - the kind of place where you just stumble upon palaces, castles, monasteries and churches. This part of the Alentejo is famous for marble - even the streets are paved with it. And, buildings like the one you can see in the background of the statue are made from it. The Paço Ducal de Vila Viçosa Duchal Palace was built in 1501 by the command of D. Jaime, Duke of Bragança as his family home. The palace was extended during the 16th and 17th centuries, to what you see today - a 110 metres length facade and a unique Portuguese architecture The square format of instagram doesn't really showcase the building properly - but I'll post more on #LondonUnattached in the next few weeks! I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
Monday 18 September 2017
The rooftops of the hilltop fortress village of #Monsaraz in Portugal taken from a wine shop in what used to be the village school! With a population of around 700 now, the school closed 18 years ago when the number of pupils dropped to 2. It's one of the oldest settlements in Portugal, thanks to a great defensive position with a 360 degree view of the surroundings. It's on the right of the of the Guadiana River near the border with Spain. One of the seven most beautiful villages in Portugal, there's a castle, church, pretty streets with cafes - and the most perfect view of the #Alentejo including a view down to #Amiera - a man made lake that has transformed this part of Portugal thanks to the water now available for farming and viniculture. I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
The rooftops of the hilltop fortress village of #Monsaraz in Portugal taken from a wine shop in what used to be the village school! With a population of around 700 now, the school closed 18 years ago when the number of pupils dropped to 2. It's one of the oldest settlements in Portugal, thanks to a great defensive position with a 360 degree view of the surroundings. It's on the right of the of the Guadiana River near the border with Spain. One of the seven most beautiful villages in Portugal, there's a castle, church, pretty streets with cafes - and the most perfect view of the #Alentejo including a view down to #Amiera - a man made lake that has transformed this part of Portugal thanks to the water now available for farming and viniculture. I'm here with @Kaveyeats and @foodie_explorers @VisitPortugal #VisitAlentejo #tapportugal #Alentejo #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
Sunday 17 September 2017
I'm travelling to #Portugal myself very soon. But I'm deeply jealous of our contributor who spent last week taking part in the #PortWine harvest deep in the #DouroValley . She took some time out to catch her breath at @sixsensesdourovalley where she enjoyed a coffee break with this magnificent view. #SixSenses is a renovated manor house with a spa, rooms, suites and villas, a restaurant, a wine library (of course) swimming pool and organic garden. I'll be sharing more of her trip with #visitportoandnorth @visitportoandnorth and #tapportugal as well as my own shots. I just hope the weather is as nice in the #Alentejo! #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
I'm travelling to #Portugal myself very soon. But I'm deeply jealous of our contributor who spent last week taking part in the #PortWine harvest deep in the #DouroValley . She took some time out to catch her breath at @sixsensesdourovalley where she enjoyed a coffee break with this magnificent view. #SixSenses is a renovated manor house with a spa, rooms, suites and villas, a restaurant, a wine library (of course) swimming pool and organic garden. I'll be sharing more of her trip with #visitportoandnorth @visitportoandnorth and #tapportugal as well as my own shots. I just hope the weather is as nice in the #Alentejo! #VisitPortugal #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
Saturday 16 September 2017
Credit to @lucyonthego1 : I haven't been on a horse since I was 8 years old, but riding high up in the Catalonian mountains near Berga has to be one of the highlights of my trip so far, the views were out of this world! #hipicavilaformiu #CasVilaformiu #visit_bergueda #bergueda #berguedà Catalonia @Fempinya! #catalunyaexperience #mountains #spain @londonunattached
Credit to @lucyonthego1 : I haven't been on a horse since I was 8 years old, but riding high up in the Catalonian mountains near Berga has to be one of the highlights of my trip so far, the views were out of this world! #hipicavilaformiu #CasVilaformiu #visit_bergueda #bergueda #berguedà Catalonia @Fempinya! #catalunyaexperience #mountains #spain @londonunattached
Friday 15 September 2017
If you start the day by harvesting grapes in the middle of a #vineyard, then stopping for lunch with a view like this must be the perfect interlude. Kay was at #QuintadaPacheca with #VisitPortugal and @visitportoandnorth as part of a trip to learn more about the Port Wine Harvest in the #DouroValley. I'm off to #Portugal myself in a day or so and really looking forward to this kind of charming place. Quinta da Pacheca is a small #Deluxe hotel with just 15 rooms, where you can learn all about the #Winemaking process! #visitportoandnorth #visitporto #VisitPortugal #porto #discoverporto #portuguesefood #portuguesewine #travelbloggers #instatravel #porto_ig #portolovers#travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
If you start the day by harvesting grapes in the middle of a #vineyard, then stopping for lunch with a view like this must be the perfect interlude. Kay was at #QuintadaPacheca with #VisitPortugal and @visitportoandnorth as part of a trip to learn more about the Port Wine Harvest in the #DouroValley. I'm off to #Portugal myself in a day or so and really looking forward to this kind of charming place. Quinta da Pacheca is a small #Deluxe hotel with just 15 rooms, where you can learn all about the #Winemaking process! #visitportoandnorth #visitporto #VisitPortugal #porto #discoverporto #portuguesefood #portuguesewine #travelbloggers #instatravel #porto_ig #portolovers#travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #bbctravel
A fantastic and intriguing evening of wine tasting at @thegamebirdlon where we had a tour around the 17th-century cellars that now house around 8,000 bottles of wine. The cellars were used as an air-raid shelter by the American Airforce who were stationed @thestaffordlondon (lucky them!) and there’s a whole collection of original #WorldWarII memorabilia including newspapers, posters and gas masks. You can book the whole space for private dining too. We were looked after by Master Sommelier, Gino Nardella who has worked at #TheStafford for over 35 years. I’d assumed that #thegamebird was just a reference to a menu with a good selection of game dishes, but it turns out that there’s another twist to the name. It’s a tribute to Nancy Wake, a former resident of The Stafford and an eccentric spy who used the in-house American Bar during the Second World War. She apparently decided that she liked the place and moved in to live there during her last years. During the War she was a leading figure in a network that helped Dunkirk survivors – Allied airmen and Jews to safety. She was the most decorated woman of the Second World War and was a true heroine – parachuted into France in 1944 to prepare for the D-Day invasion for example, where she lived rough and managed the organizing and training of 7,000 Maquisards. Such was her love of The Stafford that she determined to spend her final years there – and although she never had the resources to pay her bills, the hotel was happy to accommodate her. Prince Charles and a whole host of anonymous donors used to contribute to her living expenses, which included 5 or 6 G&Ts in the American Bar each day! She died on August 7th 2011 at the age of 98. It’s particularly charming that the hotel’s restaurant is named after her – and that there’s still a picture of her in the #AmericanBar. #iglondon #londongram #instalondon #prettylittlelondon #londonstyle #londonculture #lovelondon #londonisopen #londonigers #lookuplondon #londonblog #tbin #londonarchitecture #historiclondon #tumblr
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