Tag Archives: UK

Multi-Generational Travel Destinations

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Students – Lisbon

Lisbon is an enchanting mix of old and new, sun and sea, ups and downs. Navigate your way round the hills and you will find traditional neighbourhoods, breathtaking views, cute cafes and boutiques, all within walking distance. When your feet do begin to ache the modes of transport are numerous: trains, trams, taxis and modern tuk-tuks! Aside from the typical tourist attractions, this capital has plenty of other ideas for young people to explore. Flights are cheap to Lisbon and the night life is infectious!

Stay at The Independente: the trendiest hostel and suites accommodation in the city. This funky venue also offers a groovy bar and restaurant for guests and visitors. Cheap and cool.

Couples – Zurich

Many assume Zurich will be stiff and stern, with thoughts of finance and business, I witnessed the opposite: a fresh and friendly city with beautiful surroundings, a delightful old town, a cool and creative burgeoning industrial quarter, and a culture which is instantly likeable. Just 80 minutes from London by plane to Switzerland’s most popular city, it is the perfect weekend destination for a romantic getaway.

Stay at Baur au Lac: the belle of the town, Baur au Lac hotel is the most renowned place to stay in Zurich. Currently celebrating its 170th birthday the hotel has served many famous and royal guests over the years. Today it upholds the highest level of classic luxury and tradition whilst regularly modernising its facilities. It is a special place for couples to celebrate a special occasion and indulge in a lovely city break.

Families – Cornwall

While my friends jetted off in the school holidays to exciting international destinations my family drove to Cornwall, it seemed like an unfair substitution. Now, years later, I can truly appreciate this amazing county, and particularly take advantage of its close proximity to London. Serene sunny beaches, stunning sights, charming pubs, long countryside walks and a carefree lifestyle, Cornwall is a blissful destination for a refreshing minibreak family holiday. Just 4-5 hours by train from London Cornwall has a plethora of activities and sites for kids and adults. I can particularly recommend The Minack Theatre and The Eden Project, enjoyable for the whole family.

Stay at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa: Set into the cliff above Mawgan Porth Beach on the North Cornwall coast Bedruthan is build amongst a stunning backdrop. This award-winning hotel has been welcoming families for over 60 year and has something for every age-group: free activity programmes, kids clubs, surf lessons and all the facilities to ignite a child’s imagination.

Just Retired – Oslo

Unusual and exciting, Oslo has an icy cold appearance and climate but is perhaps the warmest and friendliest city I have visited. In recent years Norway’s capital has grown in popularity and importance, with the ‘barcode’ business district developing at speed and the hotel and restaurant scene becoming more trendy and diverse than ever before. It may be more expensive than its Scandi counterparts but it has just as much, if not more, to explore and discover.

Stay at The Thief: Less than a year old, the Thief hotel is without doubt the most enticing hotel in Oslo. Located on the water’s edge in the cultural hub of Tjuvholmen, this coveted hotel is the home for every celebrity visiting the city. With an enviable art collection and an alliance with neighbouring gallery, Astrup Fearnley, the accommodation looks as seductive as it feels. Hotels don’t come much cooler than this.

Mature travellers – Alicante

Of all the wonderful Spanish cities Alicante is not the most obvious destination for a weekend break, however with 300 days of sunshine a year and very cheap daily flights from London airports, Alicante is sure to suit those in need of a warm minibreak, all year round. The destination is ideal for older travellers as it offers exoticism without the long flight, warm weather and great food.

Stay at Asia Gardens: This contained luxury hotel is an oasis of calm and luxury 30 minutes drive from Alicante city centre. This Asian inspired exotic hotel offers indulgent rooms, sparkling pools and a traditional Thai spa. With several restaurants and tropical gardens on site there is no need to leave the hotel!

Basingstoke- Pemberley House:  Once you’ve embarked upon most of your travels, an idyllic setting to retire in, could be found in Basingstoke. In the event that you’re looking at your different retirement options, this town situated on the outskirts of the county of Hampshire with its picturesque countryside, may be more than just picture perfect. Gracewell’s Pemberley House care home in Basingstoke,  is a classic example of one of the facilities you could invest in for retirement living at its best.

I hope these destinations will inspire you to travel, whatever your age.

Le Cochon Aveugle, York

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York is one of Britain’s most historic cities, known for its traditional English cobbled streets and tea shops. Le Cochon Aveugle defies the norm, a cosy and eclectic French eatery offering creative and delicious dishes, it is an incredibly exciting addition to York’s culinary scene. The pastel green exterior with pink neon lettering is instantly attention grabbing on the small street. In its early days the decor was the cause of much debate, with bras hanging from the ceiling. We didn’t notice any underwear on display but I was captivated by the quirky interior design; the black and white tiled floor, mismatched mirrors hanging on the walls and other odd artefacts adding character to the room. Croaky vintage jazz murmurs from the retro tin speakers.

The six course set dinner is written on the blackboard each day, showcasing intricate French cooking techniques, seasonal ingredients and innovative taste combinations. Usually set menus fill me with dread as I have to endure numerous courses of fish or offal, here though I couldn’t fault the recipes on offer, it featured some of my favourite flavours.

With less than twenty covers, this restaurant serves its visitors with the utmost care and attention to detail. Each table is dressed with a different herb pot plant (we had rosemary) which pleasantly scents the air. I intended to not drink, but couldn’t resist the unusual gin concoction… a lovely combination of Hayman’s gin, sorrel, violet sugar, egg white, freshly pressed apple and lime juice. It was the most beautiful cocktail, a martini glass filled with healthy looking green liquid with a creamy top, sprinkled with purple sugar and adorned with an edible flower.

We were then treated to the following exquisite courses, priced at just £30 a head.

Pain de campagne, beurre maître d’hôtel and beurre noisette

So much more than just bread and butter… this dish featured naughtily indulgent devilled black olives, warm freshly made soft bread rolls, blissfully garlicky aioli and an airy nutty butter mousse, that tasted good enough to eat alone. The meal was off to a great start.

Blanched almond, garlic and sourdough gazpacho with borage flowers

Initially I found this cold soup a little odd but I soon acquired a liking for its thick bready flavour with a hint of almond and garlic. It was strangely beautiful in the bowl, a simple cream liquid with a drizzle of oil.

Grey mullet, cauliflower purée, curry oil, pine nuts and sultanas

This dish tasted and looked Moroccan though we were told the recipe idea originates from La Rochelle in France where they used to import curry paste so that it is a familiar flavour in the region’s food. It was a triumph of taste, the fleshy fish with a contrasting creamy yoghurt like purée and delicate sweet accents from the shrivelled dried fruit.

Spring lamb navarin, new season vegetables, pomme purée and oregano pistou

This rustic homely recipe arrived for two in a small casserole dish with side portions of the most wonderfully indulgent buttery creamed potatoes. The lamb was utterly divine, tender and comforting, cooked with spring vegetables and fresh herb garnish. I would love to learn to cook this for long lazy Sunday lunches.

Goats cheese mousse, frisée aux lardons and quail egg toastie

A stylish take on a cheese course this mini plate of rich components was immaculately presented. Thick white whipped goats cheese with crispy salty chunks of bacon and a tiny toastie topped with a fried quail egg. It was a bit too much for me.

Rhubarb semi-freddo with pistachio cream and poppy seed madeleines

Dessert has never been my favourite course but Le Cochon Aveugle really excelled. A fresh and vibrant variety of ingredients combined to make a floral and irresistible dish. Warm freshly baked madeleine that crumbled gently in the mouth with airy pale green pistachio cream and sweet hard ice-cream.

Optional (additional £3.50): Vienna coffee syphon with petit fours

This unique way of brewing coffee is romantic, traditional and fun to watch. The scientific instrument carefully creates a strong and luscious dark drink that has a deep flavour. Super sweet mouthfuls of truffle and white chocolate were an indulgent final treat.

Le Cochon Aveugle translates as ‘The Blind Swine’ a perfectly nonsensical name for this crazy culinary delight. This restaurant is reason alone for foodies to flock to York.

More information on Le Cochon Aveugle and book a table here.