Travels for Taste

Tales of travel and food with a touch of spice

An Insider’s guide to London Bridge

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Discover the area around London Bridge

London Bridge is a bustling area is packed with so many attractions – Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Borough Market, The Shard, HMS Belfast, Southwark Cathedral and a plethora of amazing pubs, restaurants, farmers markets, street food vendors, theatres … the list goes on. If that has piqued your interest and you are curious to explore this area and tap into the some of the lesser-known gems then, read on!

About two years ago, DH surprised me with tickets to the viewing gallery at The Shard. I can never forget the breathtaking views from the dizzying heights of the viewing gallery and the feeling of falling in love with London all over again. Though I have explored most of the popular attractions around London Bridge and the Shard, in particular, I have always wanted to delve deeper into the offerings of this bustling city within a city. So when an opportunity to spend a day wandering around, drinking in familiar sights and sounds presented itself I found myself feeling as excited as a first-time visitor to London Bridge. For my fellow Londoners and anyone visiting from surrounding cities, it is a fairly straightforward journey into London Bridge station. In fact, the recently refurbished station is so well planned it is important to spend some time admiring how the existing parts of the station have been merged to create one big, airy, spacious fabulously modern station complex. London Bridge station has connections to overground lines and tubes. To tourists travelling into London, this part of the London Bridge area is a good choice to book your stay. An easy way to book is to look for hotels near the Shard, there is something to suit everyone’s needs. It is one of the most well-connected areas of Central London in terms of transport links and the neighbourhood has lots to offer everyone from young families to couples and even solo travellers.

I have put together a rough guide which is a mix of the most popular tourist attractions, some lesser-known spots and my pick of the best places to eat and drink at while near London Bridge.

Must-see attractions

Tower Bridge

Why did I wait so many years to experience this amazing marvel of engineering? No sensible answer to this question but it was the highlight of my day! I can never forget the feeling of gingerly stepping on the glass walkway and looking down into the deep waters of the Thames from such crazy height. One of London’s favourite icons, this bridge was celebrated its 125th last year.

London Bridge

It was only when we saw some toddlers and teenagers walking on the glass walkway and clicking selfies that we dared step on it 😉 It also makes one realise who fearless little ones really are, how their minds just absorb everything new around them and they embrace it so quickly and without hesitation… food for thought..

Don’t forget to also check out the stunning engine rooms and walk around and read about the very first team of people that worked around the clock to keep this busy moving machinery working at its best.

Tower of London

Whether you want to go admire the crown jewels or dive into a 1000-year-old rich historical background, this World Heritage site is a must-see. Don’t forget to pose and grin near the Beefeaters – uh-uh not the gin, these uniformed guards have been guarding the Tower since Tudor times.

Borough Market

This burgeoning market has been a part of the rich tapestry of Southwark for the past 1000 years. Home to thousands of vendors selling everything from fresh organic produce, artisan cheese, preserves, fresh seafood, exotic meat to many stalls selling exotic world cuisine. It truly is London’s largest, most popular and amazing food market.

Read my post about why you simply have to visit the historic Borough Market a fabulous foodie destination

Southwark Cathedral

This architectural beauty has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows dating back to the 19th century. The building also has been witness to its only Royal wedding dating to 1423.

Winchester Castle Ruins

Not to be missed, the ruins of this once very grand castle are to be found right behind Borough market. In its glory days during medieval times, it was one of the largest and most important buildings.

Admire the stunning rose window and marvel at the architecture of an era gone by. Entry is free but restricted. There is a beautiful medieval-style garden in the remains of the Great Hall.

Hop aboard The Golden Hinde

Perfect little ship to explore with little explorers, this was the first-ever English ship to sail across the world. For tour and other available experiences head here

Theatres and Galleries

Shakespeare’s Globe: If Music is the food of love….. An absolute must-see is the iconic Globe theatre. Dating back to 1599 this wonderful building is a cultural hub celebrating the life and works of Shakespeare.

Bridge Theatre: Home to a huge 900-person capacity auditorium, this modern building caters to contemporary audiences.

London Bridge area is home to many amazing galleries showcasing amazing artists and works of art. Some of them are London Glassblowing, Science Gallery, Bermondsey Project Space and the White Cube Gallery.

St. Katherine’s Dock

St.Katherine’s Docks is a secret little gem. It is also Central London’s only marina and is tucked away right next to Tower Bridge. The picturesque docks form the perfect background for a plethora of cafes and newer office buildings.

Home to a vibrant community this landmark exudes an old-world charm which adds to the tranquil vibe of the marina. The Dickens Inn is a charming 18th-century warehouse which now houses the famous pub, restaurant and inn and is a sight to behold especially in the spring and summer months when the flowers dotting its facade are in full bloom.

The Dickens Inn

HMS Belfast

Witness to D-Day, it is said that HMS Belfast fired one of the first shots of D-Day itself. This now decommissioned battleship is the last remaining vessel of her type – one of the largest and most powerful light cruisers ever built. At the peak of her glory, she was equipped with the most advanced radar systems of the time. Highly recommended for a very engaging visit for young children and parents this national museum and one of London’s favourite Landmark celebrated her 80th anniversary in 2018.

View of the HMS Belfast from Hays Galleria

Sky garden

London’s highest public garden, this building offers panoramic views of London city. The best part is one can enjoy these views for free. Mind you the free tour tickets get booked up pretty quickly. Keep an eye out on their website and very actively updated social media for booking details and timings. They also have two all-day drinking and dining spaces called the Sky Pod Bar and City Garden Bar.

London Bridge – a riverside destination where Historical Landmarks like Tower Bridge sit next to the tallest building in the country. Home to one of London’s best and biggest food market, this neighbourhood has some of the coolest bars, restaurants, theatres and even a quiet marina.

Where to Eat and Drink around London Bridge

Breakfast at Borough Market

With a mind-boggling variety of fresh fruit juice vendors, artisan coffee and all manner of baked goodies available here, it is the best place to head for a delicious breakfast. The market opens at 10 am so get there early. After getting some breakfast I would suggest going to the Southwark Cathedral, followed by wandering past the ruins of the Winchester castle and admiring the Golden Hinde.

Then make your way to the Tower Bridge for their self-guided tour, tickets can be booked online for slightly cheaper than at the venue. Hopefully, you will have worked up an appetite by this time so head to one of the many fabulous restaurants.

Vivaat Bacchus: I booked us a table at this beautiful restaurant because they are known for their range of wines. They are South African by origin and the menu heavily features rare breed meats. They also have a beautiful cheese room stocked with a wide variety of cheese.

I picked a steamed sea bream for my main paired with a Merlot from their Lunch deal meal deal, available at their London bridge branch. Priced at £12.95 it was very delicious, light yet filling option. My husband chose the open steak sandwich. This whopper of a sandwich is made up of 125gm of Surrey Hills aged sirloin steak served on sourdough bread with triple cooked chips and lots of juicy caramelised onion.

Open steak sandwich

Work off the lunch by strolling across Hays Galleria, admire the tall ceiling of this covered market, enjoy riverside views of tall glass building including the walkie-talkie building – home of the Sky Garden. Then you can pick from a tour of the HMS Belfast or the Tower of London.

Take a break after admiring the crown jewels by relaxing with a pint or two at the beautiful Dickens Inn at St. Katherine’s Docks.

Local ale and three varieties of chips!
Bar at The Dickens Inn

After enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the marina, head to Sky Garden. Watch the sunset while you enjoy a cocktail at the Sky Pod Bar.

Work off the fatigue by getting some caffeine at the Rabot 1745 overlooking the Borough Market which will have shut by then but the surrounding bars and restaurants will be coming to life.

Rabot 1745, London Bridge

Enjoy a walk by the riverside or take your pick from the many shows at the local theatres. We decided to walk by the river and then headed to Waterloo which is a short tube ride away. Taxis are easily available too. We walked along the Waterloo Bridge, one of our favourite things to do and take in the beautiful views of the London Eye and Southbank on one side and the stunning St.Pauls Cathedral on the other bank.

Dinner was a hearty Cuban meal at a vibrant restaurant called Cubana behind Waterloo station. The brightly coloured walls are full of posters depicting the countries history, mix and match metal filigree chairs and rustic wooden tables huddle together for space. But no one complains because the martinis are flowing and they are the stars at Cubana. Mock guns and other bric-a-bac adorn the walls around us while the bar area and covered outside seating seem to be overflowing with hungry folks.

We left for home, exhausted but happy, feeling like we had just headed home from a day trip outside London.

If you want a more relaxed day out why not consider a trip to Denbies Vineyard? Read my post about my day trip here.

Also, find some great ideas for family days out find my Top 5 picks of some amazing places of outstanding natural beauty in and around London.

*Disclaimer: The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own

Creamy Celeriac and smoked Red Pepper Soup

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A perfect winter warmer

Winter might be on its way, what with milder weather already here but chilly evenings definitely call for a hearty and delicious soup. This time though I had a few red peppers at home and I knew I wanted to smoke them and add them either into a soup or stew instead of my regular dips. So this humble, often ignored root vegetable found its way into my kitchen. Though I have cooked with celeriac in the past, this particular recipe has turned out so well I will be making it over and over again.

Creamy Celeriac soup with fiery spices and smoked red pepper

This soup is a fusion recipe where I use some common methods used in Indian recipes. I choose celeriac because I often walk past in when am shopping for vegetables at our local supermarket or the farmers market but never really bring it home.

Definitely one to save, why not bookmark or print and save this easy to recreate the recipe and you add something new to your weeknight meal plan?

Creamy and moreish Celeriac soup

Flavour Notes

The smoked red pepper and the mild red chilli really packs a punch while the herbs work hard in the background to add delicate undertones which hold their own even with the smoky pepper and healing garlic.

This soup is a brilliant winter warmer and is packed with flavour and healing properties thanks to the turmeric

Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians this soup is really versatile and a meal in itself.

Creamy Celeriac and Smoked Red Pepper Soup

5 from 8 votes
Deliciouslythick and creamy celeriac soup with added flavours from smoked Red Pepper androasted garlic
Print Recipe
Servings: 4
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Medium sized Celeriac
  • 1 Medium Red Onion
  • 1 Long sweet Red Pepper
  • 5 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 Mild Red Chilli
  • 1 Sprig of Rosemary
  • 1 Sprig of Thyme
  • 2 Sage leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 small stick of Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • Mixed Seeds for Garnish
  • 2 tsp Olive Oil
  • Salt as per taste
  • Freshly CrackedBlack Pepper

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Any Blender, I use my Froothie Optimum Blender

Method
 

  1. Wash theceleriac thoroughly, using a sharp knife carefully remove the hard-outer skinand chop into cubes
  2. Pre-heatoven to 190 °C
  3. Roughly chop the red onion and red chilli 
  4. Line abaking tray with foil and place the celeriac chunks, Scatter the thyme androsemary and drizzle some olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Roast in thepre-hea ted oven for around 40 minutes
  5. In the last 20 minutes ofthe roasting process, add the chopped red onion, garlic and chilli. If you donot have an oven, simply roast the chopped red onion and garlic in a heavybottomed pan over a medium flame with some olive oil, add the herbs and the cubedceleriac, sauté,add minimal water and cook with a lid on, until the celeriacis soft.
  6. While the celeriac cooksin the oven, wash and pat dry the red pepper. Using tongs place on an openflame, turning frequently to char the outside skin. This will impart a deepsmoky flavour to the sweet red pepper. (I love doing this over charcoal on aBBQ during summer!)
  7. Let the red pepper cool, then use the back of a spoon to gently peel off the charred skin
  8. Once theceleriac is cooked, set aside and allow to cool enough to add in the blender
  9. Blend the roasted celeriac,red onion, garlic and the smoked red pepper. Remove the rosemary and thymebefore adding into the blender. Add just enough water to form a thick grainy mixture.I don’t like to blend too fine, this way the soup has a nice thick texture
  10. Heat the remaining Oliveoil In a heavy bottomed pot, sautee the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Thensputter some cumin and then pour the vegetable mixture from the blender. Addthe red chilli powder and turmeric powder and mix well. Simmer on a low flamefor a few minutes with lid on
  11. Seasonwith salt, freshly cracked black pepper
  12. Garnish withthe mixed seeds and one sage leaf per bowl. I like to sautee the sage leaf in adrop of olive oil before garnishing – it renders the sage leaf crisp and allits fabulous flavours release into the little oil
  13. Serve hotwith crusty bread slathered with lashings of butter or vegan butter

Definitely one of the many recipes that I will be making as part of my batch cooking, this soup makes a tasty lunch box treat. You can get really creative with toppings and to add some more oomph why not try drizzled with some coconut cream on top(vegan option) or if you a dollop of thick set creamy yoghurt.

While you are here, browse through my other Soup Recipes

I love reading recipes created by my fellow bloggers, so here are some easy to create recipes, do check them out:

Cinnamon Lounge, Isleworth, London – A review

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Isleworth’s local Indian restaurant

Travelling in from Twickenham station on a chilly November evening, I arrive at Cinnamon Lounge just before evening opening time.

Chef- Patron Shameem Ahmed shares his journey from training at India’s famed Oberoi Hotel Group to owning and heading Cinnamon Lounge. Multi-award winning Chef Shameem is well known in the industry and is professionally trained with a degree in Hotel Management. Before venturing out on his own he has successfully headed at popular restaurants in Richmond and Brentford.

The whole restaurant has a very festive vibe going with the Christmas decorations up. As I settle in, being greeted by a very cheery member of their team, I decided to sample the Virgin Pinacolada. Creamy coconut goodness bursting with citrusy tropical flavours, sunshine in a glass this drink.

Virgin Pinacolada at Cinnamon Lounge

New Menu launch to celebrate a milestone

Chef-Patron Shameem has recently introduced a new menu which continues to offer authentic Indian dishes well-loved by their regulars but with some exciting Indo-Chinese offerings.

Delicious Starters

The best part of enjoying a meal with my fellow bloggers is the opportunity to sample varied dishes which really gives me a better understanding of the various dishes offered at the restaurant.

For meat and seafood starters, Heidi and I sampled a really mouth-watering selection. The Cinnamon Fish is one of their signature dishes, the white fish is lightly battered and fried with garlic and onions and garnished with nuts and mint

Cinnamon Fish starter

The crispy fried prawns are made with fresh prawns coated in a mix of spices and a thick batter. Though the prawns tasted fresh and had taken up the flavour of spices, I personally found the batter a bit thick.

Crispy fried prawns starter

Another signature non-veg starter we relished was the Chicken Mongolian, this Indo-Chinese dish is a favourite with the regulars and a dish that one must try. The chicken is marinated in a unique blend of spices with fenugreek and peanut. But for me, the Dry Vegetrain Manchurian dish was way more tempting than the chicken starter! Vegetable dumplings tossed ina soy-based sauce definitely hit the spot – they have just the right kind mix of spicy, tangy, crunchy notes that I love and enjoy and have grown to expect from any good Indo- Chinese Veg Manchurian. This starter definitely took me back to my days in Bombay

Dry Veg Manchurian starter
Chicken Mongolian starter

The start from the non-veg starters was, without doubt, the fabulous Kalmi Kebab – delicious whole legs of chicken marinated in a rich mix of spices and yoghurt ad chargrilled to give the perfect balance of smoky, juicy, tender meat which fell of the bone very easily. Best enjoyed with a generous drizzle of lime juice and a large dollop of green coriander chutney with scooped up for every mouthful 😉

Kalmi Kebab starter

We also sampled the some vegetarian starters, chosen by Nayna, which included the fabulous Dry Veg Manchurian along with the Punjabi samosas, Chilly Garlic Cauliflower ( which can be ordered as chilly garlic mushrooms or even mogo – which I think is brilliant!), Palak chat – which is nice twist to the traditional street food Bhel and last but definitely not the least – Bhindi Karari

Punjabi Samosas
Palak Chaat

The Bhindi karari should be awarded as the best dish of the evening, this is a great accompaniment to drinks or fabulous just sprinkled over plain rice and daal tadka.

Bhindi Karari starter
Chilly Garlic Cauliflower florets starter

Though the Jhinga Kalonji (Hindi- English – Jhinga – Prawn, Kalonji – Nigella), is part of the mains menu we enjoyed this dish as part of our starter spread. These delicately spiced, chargrilled prawns are juicy and impossible to resist.

Jhinga Kalonji

It would be unfair not to mention the fried papad (popaddums) platter that was served with a selection of dips and chutneys – always a welcome crunchy snack to navigate the waiting period before starters arrive or after the mains to wash down with drinks.

Main course and sides

This was a real feast as we ate our way around a huge selection of amazing meat and vegetarian dishes all mopped up with beautifully fresh Naans from the breadbasket and a variety of rice dishes including a fragrant Pulav rice and fluffy perfectly cooked plain rice.

For our meaty mains, we relished -Dum ka Murgh – another signature dish this Hyderabadi speciality is cooked in a rich sauce of almonds and cashews inside a sealed pot giving the dish a fabulous texture and making the chicken almost disapper as it hits the palate. Gosht Kalimirchi, yet another signature dish which the chef recommends pairing with a buttery naan. Succulent pieces of soft-cooked lamb are flavoured in a rich pepper sauce. Butter chicken was done well and is a very popular dish which ranks high in my list of flavourful comfort foods, highly recommended for those who love Indian food but cannot handle the heat from strong spices. The Saag Gosht was a beautiful dish, perfectly cooked chunks of lamb cooked in a thick spinach gravy – great with a garlic naan and plain rice.

Saag Gosht

The lamb biryani had a generous amount of delicious lamb pieces and was served in a beautiful earthen pot, which of course all us instantly fell in love with.

A rich Daal Makhani, a smoky Baingan Bharta (Baingan – Aubergine) and a fresh off the tandoor Peshawari naan side completed the main course spread.

Garlic Naan

Indulging my sweet tooth

Desserts at Cinnamon Lounge

Dessert to share included warm gajar halwa – a popular Indian dessert made from grated carrot, delicious warm gulab-jamuns served with vanilla ice-cream (but served separately for our table as I cannot stand to mix the fabulously syrupy gulab-jamuns with a frozen scoop of ice-cream), thick kheer – which was very homely and came sprinkled with pistachios and we also tasted a portion of pista kulfi.

Gulab-Jamun

The food at Cinnamon Lounge is prepared by a skilled team which reflects in the consistent delivery of authentic Indian cuisine that boasts of refinement going hand in hand with traditional dishes.

Excellent neighbourhood Indian restaurant with great service and good food. The menu has a good variety and covers most of the popular North Indian dishes and Indo-Chinese specials.

Bar area

Average bill size for two adults with drinks, starters, mains and dessert would be approximately £55 – assuming beer is the drink of choice and there are 2 starters, 2 mains, sides and a dessert each.

Spacious Seating

With its delicious menu and festive specials, this makes for the ideal choice of place for celebrations with plenty of space for large groups. They also have separate areas for lounge, bar and dining.

Lounge

Cinnamon Lounge is ideally located for Twickenham rail station and the bustling high-street. Twickenham Road has several buses plying from a stop right outside the restaurant towards Twickenham, also there is ample parking space available. And for those days when you simply don’t want to move a muscle, then there is always the option of ordering food online 😉

*With thanks to Cinnamon Lounge for the invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Boutique Apartment Hotel – The Halycon – Bath Spa – a review

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Luxurious Boutique Apartment Hotel Located in the heart of the town centre at Bath Spa, England

Visiting the Roman Baths in England is on every tourist’s wishlist, which is why picking the right kind of accommodation for your needs is important. The Halycon is a collection of sophisticated self-catered Boutique Apartment Hotel located centrally for the main tourist destination – the Roman Baths. The 1700’s Georgian townhouse has been tastefully done to very high standards. Location-wise, there is a wide selection of restaurants and eateries located in and around the apartments, leaving one absolutely spoilt for choice.

What kind of a traveller are you?

We picked this Boutique Apartment Hotel because of its central location. We were travelling with elderly family members and our main criteria were to ensure ease of getting to the main attractions, on-site kitchen to rustle up a homely meal, transport links, and of course comfortable accommodation. Not only do these Boutique apartments cover the basics they also offer so many more amenities.

Halcyon Apartments are an ideal choice for:

  • Perfect for a romantic getaway for couples
  • Families
  • Older travellers
  • Solo female travellers
  • Group of female travellers

Facilities at The Halycon – Boutique Apartment Hotel

Kitchen

Modern fitted kitchen with high-end appliances. Fabulous coffee-maker and the most important thing for us – a good kettle and a good choice of teabags. The kitchen was spotless. We shopped at a local supermarket and I made a quick pasta dinner for all of us the first evening. The fridge-freezer came in handy as we also picked up milk, eggs, and ice cream. Everything that would need to dine-in is available to use right from basic cutlery to kitchen knives, plates, wine glasses, etc. If you choose to and cook on-site there is a stive-top, oven, dishwasher.

Bathroom

Again, spotlessly clean, the bathroom comes equipped with high-end toiletries and soft bath towels. The laundry cupboard in the second bedroom had spare towels, an ironing board, iron, a baby high-chair, extra bedding and pillows too.

Bedrooms

Most important – Very comfortable beds.

The fabulous interior decoration theme continues upstairs into the bedrooms. The bedding, light fixtures, and wardrobes all beautifully synchronised and matched. Lush! The whole apartment is an interior decorator’s dream and so very insta-worthy!

Other amenities include Free wi-fi, a flat screen TV and comfortable and stylish seating with complete black-out blinds throughout. We found a fabulous independently run pizza place and a bar right outside our accommodation and enjoyed a great takeaway in the living area.

Overall Experience

Stunning boutique Hotel Apartment, well-equipped and extremely clean. Unbeatable location and loads of options for food and drink very close-by. Very safe and secure accommodation, ensuring peace of mind. Top tourist attractions nearby. Extremely easy to follow and clear instructions from the host for check-in and check out. The owners are very prompt to reply and can be reached easily.

The only thing that we were not too happy about during our stay which happened to coincide with some of the hottest summer days, was that the table fans and one tall fan don’t really do much in extreme heat. We did crack open the windows but the U.K dry heat and no breeze kind of weather did not help either. Why not air conditioning you might wonder, well the Halycon is housed in a period Georgian townhouse and is a listed building, that’s why. Also, considering this sort of heatwave is rare in the U.K, it is not really a deterrent.

There was some noise from morning deliveries to an establishment right in front of the apartment which faces this loading bay, so yes no view but again, this is not something that bothered us in the least.

We also had the shower malfunction in the early hours of the morning so by the time we called and asked for someone to be sent to check this out, my parents had already had their breakfast and left for seeing the Roman Baths. They wanted to reach the Roman Baths really early, which they did. This enabled them to avoid the majority of the tourist rush that starts coming in around mid-day. And considering we only stayed two nights, it was disappointing we had to deal with something like this. Although top marks for the speed at which this issue was sorted and how smoothly it was all handled.

Would we book again? Definitely.

Quick checklist and summary of why to book these gorgeous apartments:
  • Location – short walking distance from The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and The Circus Bath
  • Great variety of restaurants, cafes, shopping mall, and supermarkets
  • Transport links

Summary:

  • Location: Henry Street Bath
  • Website
  • Nearest attractions: The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and The Circus Bath
  • Walking distance from the Railway and Bus station
  • Official Bath tourist website

Looking for travel inspiration within the U.K? Have a look at my other posts:

* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all tourist attractions. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own. 

Steigenberger Airport Hotel, Schipol, Amsterdam – a review

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Choosing which area to book a Hotel Room in

Amsterdam, a destination that features in almost everyone’s bucket list. So when we finally made our way to the Netherlands, it was over the Easter holidays.

Our booking was done not completely last minute but enough to make me panic (!!!) I did want to book around Schipol though simply because the connectivity to the city centre is brilliant and most airport hotels provide complimentary hotel transportation to Schipol Airport (also the rail station) and back.

If visiting the beautiful Tulips Gardens at Keukenhof is what you have in mind then you might want to consider booking in Haarlem. Advantage of booking here would be cheaper hotel rooms with proximity to Keukenhof but with good connectivity to the city centre via trains.

Steigenberger Hotel

This massive hotel has 440 rooms and suites. Our twin room was spacious and had a beautiful desk and came equipped with all the creature comforts that one would normally expect from a good business hotel.

Each room comes equipped with:

  • Free wifi
  • A/c
  • Safe to store your passport and any valueables
  • work-desk
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Minibar

A slim- concealed wall cupboard to store essentials like the kettle, mugs and trays

Plenty of space to stow away luggage, coats and shoes

Spacious interiors and space to stow away things

I loved the two huge chairs in the room, a massive mirror by the desk and a lovely desk and T.V

The bathroom came equipped with all the basic toiletries and was very clean.

Amenities at Steigenberger

  • Shuttle service
  • Free wifi
  • Fitness area
  • Spa
  • Swimming pool
  • 24-hour room service
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Meeting Rooms

Just some basic pointers here, especially if you are planning to visit Amsterdam over Easter, half-term or any other holiday period:

  • Book well in advance
  • Always check rates on the hotel website and other booking sites
  • Many times airlines offer great deals on hotel and flight bookings done together, always worth checking
  • If you are traveling as a group, it is worth emailing the hotel directly to check out any special offers on bulk bookings
Windmills at Zaanse Schans

Top Tips to make the most of your time while in Amsterdam

Here are some recommendations to plan well and make the most of your visit to this beautiful and vibrant city:

Tulips

* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all activities. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own. 

Steigenberger Hotel Room, Schipol

Chocolate Afternoon Tea at The Landmark Hotel

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Afternoon Tea – it is all about the experience and not just about perfectly made sandwiches or warm scones. It is all about the setting, the atmosphere – don’t you think?

I love sampling the afternoon tea at various places around London and I couldn’t turn down an invite from Fiona to accompany her to The Landmark.

Winter Garden at The Landmark, Marylebone

Through a grand stone arch up a flight of stairs, when one enters into the soaring Winter Garden, it is quite a breathtaking experience.

The massive central courtyard is a beautiful space flooded with natural light. The glass roof that covers the atrium sits at a massive height, creating a huge dome surrounded by the rooms on all sides. Tall palm trees add to the grandeur of the Winter Garden.

Rich Victorian Heritage of The Landmark Hotel, London

The Landmark Hotel at Marylebone is built around a huge central courtyard. When it was first opened in 1899 it was called the Great Central Hotel. Sir Edward Watkin has envisioned the creation of the Great Central Railway, Marylebone Station and a Grand Hotel for its elite passengers.

When his health failed him, the project was taken over by Edward Montagu, the Earl of Wharncliffe. At this time the site was bought by the famous furniture store chain of the times Maples. To match the grandeur of luxury hotels of the time, the hotel was designed around a vast courtyard that delivered guests directly into the courtyard by horse and carriage offering them privacy. The glass roof and airy interior made for a very dramatic entrance and ensured all rooms got adequate light and air.

The hotel changed hands once again in 1988 when the new roof to the atrium was raised and the winter garden was designed. Windsor Hotel was the name proposed at this time, but it reopened as the Regent in 1993 under new management. Two years later it was renamed The Landmark Hotel.

Award-winning Afternoon Tea

Our welcome glass of bubbly was the Champagne de Castelnau Brut Reserve. Then we picked our teas and picked a theme for our pastries. I choose to have the chocolate afternoon tea while my companion picked the classic afternoon tea.

Picking a tea to pair with my chocolate tea was quite easy as the Smooth Caramel sounded like it was made to pair with the chocolatey delights on my afternoon tea menu.

Our afternoon tea came laid out on elegant trays on shiny silver trays. The steaming hot teas came in beautiful silver teapots.

We thoroughly enjoyed our sandwich selection which consisted of deliciously fresh cucumber sandwiches (which I loved and couldn’t get enough of), coronation chicken on walnut bread, Lapsang Souchong tea-smoked Scottish salmon sandwiches which were a hit with my companion, and organic egg mayonnaise with mustard and cress. The sandwiches were so fresh and delicious that we asked for more.

My chocolate-themed pastries included a decadent blood orange and white chocolate mousse which was also my absolute favourite. The other chocolatey delights were a milk chocolate dacquoise sponge with hazelnut Chantilly cream, a beautiful banana, pecan nut, and milk chocolate cake and a perfectly formed large coconut and chocolate macaroon topped with a tiny dollop of delicate edible gold foil.

My companion picked the Earl Grey tea which was a bit too strong for her liking. She loved her pastry selection from the classic afternoon tea though. It included a rhubarb and lemon meringue tartlet which looked very tempting, a pretty looking simnel cake with dried fruits spices and marzipan, a delicious dark and white chocolate sphere which was my companion’s favourite pick from the lot and last but not the least a salted caramel macaroon. 

The scones we were served also offered a selection depending on our choice of afternoon tea. So while I enjoyed a selection of plain and chocolate scones, Fiona was served plain and fruit scones. I loved that we could pick two jams from a really good selection of jams. This was for me was a big plus point in favour of this whole afternoon tea experience. The other positives, of course, include the fabulously fresh sandwiches, the lovely selection of premium teas and the exquisite selection of chocolate pastries.

I picked a gooseberry and elderflower jam to go with my scones and clotted cream which I thought went really well with the warm scones, especially the chocolate scones. An unexpected but very pleasant combination of flavours. My companion picked apricot jam which she thought paired really well with the fruity scones, as expected. We had plenty of clotted cream to smother our scones with and am sure we would have managed to eat a few more scones if we hadn’t done round two of the sandwiches.

I would rate this experience amongst my Top 5 afternoon teas in London and I have tried quite a few. I love the location for this hotel too and that definitely adds to the score. With Marylebone station right around the corner, this grand venue has loads of offer. So you not only enjoy a delicious afternoon tea served in pretty silver wear by very attentive and polite staff but you always experience being inside a larger than life Winter Garden, sitting in a quiet seating area surrounded by tall Palm trees looking up at glass roof atrium and enjoy the soft music thanks to a harpist playing in the background.

To book this luxurious afternoon tea experience at The Landmark Hotel check out their menu and other details on their website here: The Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, London.

Curious to explore more options for Afternoon Tea in London? Why not browse through my blog and read about my experiences in various places:

Looking for more options for places to eat at while in Marylebone, why not read Fiona’s review about Twist Kitchen, an independent local restaurant in the area.

* With thanks to Fiona who blogs at London Unattached and The Landmark Hotel for the invite. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No monetary compensation was offered.

Best local wine bar in Venice

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A love affair with Venice

Rialto Bridge by night

Venice, is one of those places I’ve been to, that I dream of going back to, over and over again. If dreams came true then, I would probably rent a nice airy flat by the canal for a few months and spend my days walking along the canals, buying fresh seafood from the fabulous bustling Rialto market, and enjoying cooking in a tiny Venetian kitchen, weekend evenings would be spent bar crawling or as they are referred to in Venice – Bacaros. And of course, I would savour authentic Italian coffee every single day, freshly brewed, maybe sit by the canal, read a book while sipping on some fruity red wine… ah – the perfect life…

Bridge of Sighs
Exquisite handmade Venetian masks for sale in a shop window
Street performers serenading tourists who walk past a busy street to make a few euros

Experience Venice like a local

Though I haven’t yet managed to fulfill this dream, I did manage to spend a few magical days in Venice exploring the food, wine and culture.

A quaint Venetian Bacaro

Bacacros or traditional Venetian wine bars are a must-visit when in Venice. This is where the locals go to drink wine, enjoy the atmosphere, and savour some delicious snacks. Rather than spending too much money at the many tourist traps, it’s best to do your research first and plan your visit to at least one of these quaint old bars.

Cantine del Vino già Schiavi

Located in the Dorsoduro district, this atmospheric bacaro is bursting with character. The crumbling structure adds to the rustic appeal and its proximity to one of the city’s last surviving gondola workshops is a bonus. Situated right in front of a canal, this bacaro is a firm favourite with the locals. It is also a wine shop and is always buzzing with activity. Seating is not available as is the tradition in most of the traditional bacaro’s.

Cicchetti

Cicchetti is to Venice what Tapas are to Spain. These delectable small plates of Venetian finger food are a perfect accompaniment to a glass of Vino. Cantine del Vino già Schiavi serves a great selection, prepared fresh every day at the venue.

The glass counter at the front of Cantine del Vino già Schiavi has shelves heaving with plate after plate full of different cicchetti. The most popular ones seemed to be the ones topped with cheese – ofcourse! Like the pumpkin puree, ricotta and parmesan, the gorgonzola cheese topped with pear and balsamic vinegar, also the gorgonzola cheese and walnut cicchetti was quite delicious.

There were several combinations of cod, tuna and anchovies with olives and cheese and other mouth-watering combinations too.

While it is customary to sample a few wines while enjoying a plate of Cicchetti, it is also highly recommended to round off the session with a taste of Grappa. This potent local alcoholic beverage is quite a heady drink and those not used to it can end up experiencing quite a system shock – like I did 😉 Thankfully, I shared my grappa with DH who absolutely loved it.

Eat and Drink like a local

There is no better way to truly immerse oneself in the local culture than to experience a new city as a local would. Sampling the local food and wine is just one of the ways to get a real taste of the authentic vibe of the place.

Planning a trip to Venice? Why not browse through my review of Hotel Al Ponte Moncenigo here?

I simply can’t seem to get enough of Venice! So if you are planning a trip to Venice then stay tuned for more posts – about Cafe Florian, a day trip to Murano and Burano, and loads more inspiration!

Heading to Venice? Have a look at my review post about our stay at Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo. It is centrally located and within walking distance of Rialto Market, this hotel also has beautifully luxurious rooms and they do a fabulous breakfast. Located very close to the local water taxi stop, we actually walked here after the airport bus dropped us at the main hub in Venice!

* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed and eaten. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own.

Fantastic Finland – Top 10 to-do list in Akaslompolo, Lapland

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Breathtaking Natural beauty

Finnish Lapland is truly a winter wonderland. Visiting this artic haven in winter had been on our bucket list for a while. We stayed in the small village of Akaslompolo in Lapland and managed to do many adventurous things – most for the first time ever in our lives – which was thrilling and beyond magical. There is something suitable for every type of traveller, right from the straight-up thrill-seekers to the quiet bookworms. There really is so much to see and do, that picking a list of Top 10 is quite tough. But here are my top recommendations.

See the Northern lights

To be perfectly honest I planned this entire trip for two solid reasons, I wanted to chase the Northern Lights, and secondly – I wanted to escape to a place that was remote, beautiful, and experience thick snow at the height of winter, in Lapland. Though unfortunately, we didn’t catch the elusive Aurora Borealis we managed to have many wonderful experiences which really fuelled our sense of adventure.

Go Snowshoeing through a National Park in the dark

Even if you are not the adventurous sort, snowshoeing through the national park is not to be missed. We had the most sublime experience as we walked in pitch darkness as part of a small group with two local Finnish guides and just the light from their headlamps guiding us through the pristine white snow. Highlights of this trek were an introduction to Sami culture, an unforgettable meal of reindeer meat cooked on-site in the wilderness in a cosy hut hidden away deep inside a heavily forested area, and our first ever snowshoeing trek. A trek to remember, so many ‘firsts’, an unforgettable experience.

Relax in a Hot Sauna

Finland is famous for its hot saunas and no trip to Finland is complete with a trip to one. Our eco-friendly hostel has a beautiful sauna which we were lucky enough to have all to ourselves. We literally were the only people in the sauna at the time and it was the most relaxing evening ever. After our snowshoeing adventure through the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, it was a well-earned treat.

Stay in Log Cabin

The charm of waking up to see snow all around your log cabin is something that needs to be experienced. We stayed in a beautiful private log cabin fully equipped with its own kitchenette and en-suite. I can never forget how amazing it was to sit by the window and sip a hot cup of tea while watching the snowfall. It was like being inside a snow globe – pure bliss! Curling by a roaring fireplace after sunset and sipping on hot chocolate with a good book for company, soft music playing in the background, is what the holidays are for 🙂

Read my detailed review post about my stay at 7 fells hostel by clicking here

Hop onto a Husky Safari

This is one thing I really wish we had done. But with so many options available this will probably have to wait for our next trip to Lapland. Imagine admiring the breathtaking beauty of Finnish Lapland as you ride a sledge through snow pulled by huskies. You can pick and choose from the many tour companies in Ylläs that offer husky safaris and even combine it with a snowmobile adventure ride.

Hop onto a Reindeer sleigh

Love Christmas? Then the Reindeer Safari is for you! Pretend you riding with Santa while Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer takes you through a magical winter wonderland on a sleigh

Dare to book a ride on a Snowmobile

We saw several groups of tourists who signed up for this activity and watched with envy as they practiced right outside the 7 fells Eco-friendly backpackers hostel. We stayed in a private log cabin at the hostel and spent some time in the lounge chatting with many of the enthusiastic folks who loved their adventure.

Get Adventurous with Winter Biking

Imagine biking through the Finnish wilderness under the night sky and stopping to gaze at the Northern Lights, if you are lucky. Feel at one with the universe as you listen to the Arctic silence – a very humbling experience. You can book a tour with a local guide who will take you into the forest or have the most unforgettable bike ride through the magical Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Hit the slopes at Ylläs, or Yllästunturi 

Ylläs or Yllästunturi is the highest fell in Lapland with skiing lifts. They have stunning slopes and are extremely popular with tourists. Cross-country skiing is also a very popular option. There are many ski resorts located in close proximity and the local bus from the closest airport at Kitila airport has a regular route passing by within walking distance from the resorts. The closest rail station is at Kolari.

Experience Sami culture

During our snowshoeing hike through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, our local Finnish guide gave us an introduction to Sami culture. Though it was a very basic peek into this beautiful culture, we really hope someday to meet the Sami and explore their traditions. Maybe visit a reindeer farm, pick berries and enjoy a Sami dinner. Fingers crossed to a visit to Inari village.

Tempted to fly to Helsinki? Dreaming of an escape from your routine to exciting Finnish Lapland? Check out my review post about our amazing stay at the Eco-friendly backpacker’s hostel in Lapland called the 7 Fells. We stayed in a private log cabin which was like a huge private studio apartment fully equipped with its own kitchenette, a lovely breakfast table, and a spacious shower and toilet:

Stay in a private log cabin in Finnish Lapland at an Eco-friendly backpacker’s hostel called the 7 Fells

While in Helsinki for our first night in Finland we booked an amazing apartment for our one-night stay. It was a massive apartment conveniently located for transport links and we had the whole apartment to ourselves:

Helsinki Plus Apartment Kallio in Finland – Overnight stay review

* I planned my Finnish Lapland adventure entirely on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all activities. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own.

Helsinki Plus Apartment Kallio in Finland – overnight stay review

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A winter escape to Finland

I have always wanted to experience heavy snow and live in a cabin in the woods. Last Year for our annual escape during February I picked Lapland for our adventurous escape. I dreamt that we would see the Northen lights and walk on frozen lakes, breathe in the cold mountain air atop a ski slope, chill out in one of the famous Finnish hot saunas and snuggle up inside a wood cabin while watching the snowfall thick and fast outside…

How many of these things did we manage to tick off our wish list? Read on, for my series of blog posts about our magical escape to Finnish Lapland!

But before we could embark on our little adventure, we decided to stay a night in the capital city Helsinki to help acclimatize. It turned out to be a really wise call as the night before we landed in Kitilla the mercury had dipped to -34 deg Celcius brrrrr

By the time the cab from the airport dropped us off near our apartment in Helsinki it was really dark and it was snowing heavily. Finding our way around using google maps while lugging our bags through snow and barely anyone around to ask for directions, was not fun. Finally, I caved in and called our host, he very kindly agreed to come to the apartment and helped us find our way.

After a very warm welcome and showing us around his stunning flat he bid us goodbye.

There is a secure entry system and thankfully also an elevator. The apartment itself has two very secure double doors and at the entrance ample storage for luggage, heavy winter boots, and wet jackets and coats.

The apartment was exactly as described in the listing and the photos were perfect too. It was like walking into a photograph, every single thing in exactly the same place as it was.

The living room is very pleasant, well-lit and had lots of books and records, T.V and a music system, radio and even a guitar. A cosy sofa with soft pillows and warm throws added to the homely touch.

The kitchen was well equipped and spotlessly clean. After settling in we walked down around the corner to a mini-mart and picked up some fruit, packet soup and sandwiches for a quick dinner.

The dining table is perfect for a group. The kitchen counter had a basket with local maps, flyers for local attractions and contact details for booking cabs and tours. Apart from the usual toaster, kettle and coffee machine, there was everything one would need to prepare a meal and serve a meal.

The flat is perfect for a large group and can easily sleep up to 6 -8 people. There is a huge bed in the bedroom in the master bedroom and a pull out sofa bed in the second bedroom and the spacious living room. Plenty of extra pillows, duvets, and bedding are also stashed away inside the cupboards.

The bathroom is tiny but again was very clean and just sufficient for a short stay. Clean towels, basic toiletries and access to a washing machine are available.

We had booked an early morning shared cab to the airport for our flight to Lapland the next day. We slept so well in the huge and comfortable that it was tough getting out and rushing to get ready in time! A quick breakfast later we rushed down and just managed to hop into the cab. An otherwise sleepy and long ride to the airport went by quite quickly as we chatted with a young scientist who was sharing the cab with us. A local student he was doing some amazing research and was off to the U.K to collaborate with some university students for his research. Reminded me of my days as a young Biochemistry research fellow at Mumbai University – it seems like a lifetime away!

My husband and I would both highly recommend booking this apartment to anyone looking for a comfortable stay, close to amenities and transport links and easy access to the airport.

Tempted to fly to Helsinki? Dreaming of an escape from your routine to exciting Finnish Lapland? Check out my review post about our amazing stay at the Eco-friendly backpacker’s hostel in Lapland called 7 Fells. We stayed in a private log cabin which was like a huge private studio apartment fully equipped with its own kitchenette, a lovely breakfast table and a spacious shower-room and toilet:

Stay in a private log cabin in Finnish Lapland at an Eco-friendly backpacker’s hostel called the 7 Fells

Make the most of your stay in Finnish Lapland with this list of exciting adventure activities to do. Akaslompolo has so much to offer other than skiing!

Fantastic Finland – Top 10 – To-Do list while Akaslompolo, Lapland

* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all activities. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own. 

Greek Cookery Class with Jet2

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Celebrating Greek cuisine

Greek cuisine has always fascinated me and though I haven’t yet been to Greece (I know!) I do, very often dream of visiting this stunningly beautiful destination. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Greek cuisine is moussaka and tzatziki. This popular cuisine has some much to offer with dishes made using fresh fish, delicious meat, cheese and of course plenty of vegetables.

Jet2.com invited me to a Greek cookery class a few weeks ago to celebrate the launch of two new destinations in Greece for 2020. The azure waters of the coast at Lefkas and the quieter beach town of Parga can go onto your travel itinerary for 2020 with Jet2

#JetMe2theGreek event with Jet2

To celebrate the two new destinations for 2020, Jet2 came up with the wonderful idea of celebrating Greek cuisine with a cookery class.

Jenius social kitchen organised a very enjoyable group cooking class for us. A very talented chef and her team patiently taught a large group of us how to quickly rustle up a five-course Greek feast.

We cooked a very simple but beautiful summery greek salad, stuffed peppers and stuffed juicy tomatoes, delicate filo pastry parcels stuffed with two different fillings, skewers, and my absolute favourite tzatziki.

All of us were divided into groups and each group made generous portions of each dish. There was great attention given to all guests, ensuring that everyone’s dietary requirements were met.

I personally loved making the filo pastry parcels because they were so delicate to handle and it was great to pick up some pro tips on how to create the perfect triangular shape and not overdo the stuffing.

It was an incredibly warm and humid summer evening and the salad proved to be a crowd favourite. The recipe created by the chef at Jenius social Kitchen, we followed is very easy to re-create at home and can complement any main dish very nicely. Why not create this dish at home and enjoy it while you plan your Greek adventure for 2020?

Greek Salad
Ingredients:
• 3 large tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 red onion
• Handful of Kalamata olives
• 80g feta cheese
• Glug of Greek extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

  1. Cut the tomatoes into 2cm wedges.
  2. Quarter the cucumber and cut into chunks.
  3. Peel and thinly slice the red onion.
  4. Halve the Kalamata olives.
  5. Roll the mint leaves up and thinly slice into ribbons, place these into a small bowl with the
    oregano, salt and pepper, and mix.
  6. Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl, along with the seasoning and some extra virgin olive
    oil and mix.
  7. Chop or crumble the feta on top of the salad to serve.

After all that hard work, we enjoyed a proper Greek feast at the huge and neatly set table. The menu was perfect for a summer evening and the stuffed filo parcels and skewers dipped into the cooling dip went down a treat. The wine kept flowing thanks to the fab team at Jenius social kitchen.

Ready to fly to Greece for a relaxing holiday soon? Well why not consider Lefkas and Parga where you can fly straight into with Jet2.com.

Lefkas and Parga

Lefkas – home to spectacular scenery and stunning sandy beaches. The turquoise waters, wild olive groves, and breathtaking hills are the stuff dream holidays are made of.

Lefkas, Greece

Parga – Sitting on the slope, this picture-postcard perfect town has the best of both worlds. Cobalt sea and rugged hillside dotted with traditional terracotta-topped houses. This beach town is home to unspoilt white sand beaches and a promenade that will coax even the most camera-shy out of their shell to proudly pose for pictures.

Parga,Greece

*With thanks to Jet2 Holidays for an invite.

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