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
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