Rennes – living with history – travel review
History is everywhere in Rennes but it’s actually considered by thoroughly modern folks to be one of the most liveable cities in France. That’s a...
Lambrusco – another taste – wine review
If you are of a certain age then even the name ‘Lambrusco’ will likely raise a smirk. Once the smirker’s composure has been restored then...
Parmigiano Reggiano – a cracking good cheese – travel review
If we are sent on a mission to buy a flavourful hard cheese we will likely want to buy Parmigiano Reggiano. If we are looking...
Balsamic vinegar in Emilia Romagna – travel review
Balsamic vinegar, in Italian ‘aceto balsamico’, is a vinegar originating in Italy – the syrupy dark-brown condiment that one finds in Italian restaurants and gracing...
Bayeux – A stitch in time – travel review
It’s inevitable that the first thing people think of when you mention Bayeux is the tapestry. Though it’s not actually a tapestry but a very...
Umbria’s Autumn Gastronomy with Valentina Harris – travel review
Valentina Harris is perhaps our most celebrated and prolific Italian food writer, TV presenter and chef. Yes, the lady truly is Italian, although one could...
Gouda – a cheese for all seasons – travel review
We have many cheese choices in specialist shops and even our local supermarket. Gouda can easily be overlooked. It seems to have been with us...
Jim De Jong – Say it with flowers …and cheese – travel review
Rotterdam is fast becoming known for food. It’s the Netherlands and it might be a bit of a cliché, but, yes there is cheese. Chef...
Reims – Tasteful Souvenirs – travel review
Reims is a beautiful and historic city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. It is only 130 km from Paris with easy access by train....
The Sparkle of Vilmart & Cie – travel review
The Champagne house Vilmart & Cie was founded in 1890 by Désiré Vilmart and is considered by many an authority to be perhaps the leading...
Around Gouda – travel review
Gouda is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland. It’s an historic town which was granted city status in 1272 by Floris...
La Belle Epoque – 5-star floating through Burgundy – travel review
What a grand title for a barge! Luckily the lady lived up to her name and our expectations, which she did actually exceed in every...
24-Hour Food Frenzy Safari – Street food and more – travel review
The name ’24-Hour Food Frenzy Safari’ might, to the untutored, give the impression of something of a greedy teen munchies extravaganza. Well, in truth, it...
Bern – classic and chic – travel review
Bern might not be the first place one would think of for a short city-break. In fact, Switzerland probably isn’t a country one would list...
Champagne – a brief encounter – drinks review
One is spoilt for restaurants in London. Highend Michelin-starred, white-tableclothed establishments abound. The weather becomes warmer. We dream of those balmy days and longer evenings...
Famous Detective Falls in Switzerland! Sherlock! – travel review
Now I have the attention of my dear, curious reader! Always eager for some dramatic news. Did our hero trip over a ski pole? Perhaps...
Rotterdam – beds, buildings and gastronomic surprises – travel review
It’s attracting lots of gastronomic and architectural attention, and it does indeed offer a wealth of national and international food outlets. The new Markthal is...
Rotterdam – building with new energy, treasuring old charm – travel review
I had visited Holland once before. That was Amsterdam and many years ago. I travelled by air and the flight was quick – Holland is...
The Markthal, Rotterdam – travel review
We are thinking about a pre-Christmas break, a rejuvenating Spring get-away, a Summer city break, and there are the familiar cries of ‘Let’s go to...
Groningen – Contemporary and Historic – travel review
Groningen isn’t the first destination in The Netherlands of which one might think. It’s invariably Amsterdam that gets that accolade, and a very fine city...