04 October 2024

I have recently returned from a fantastic week in Andalucia,, which I have visited a number of times, but on this occasion we planned spending a couple of nights in Malaga Old Town, then heading up into the mountain village of Gaucin, then down to the coastal area of Costa de la Luz and a stay in the beautiful hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, with it’s rich Moorish heritage and wonderful architecture. People know Malaga as the starting point for a holiday in the Costa del Sol, before heading off to another part of Andalucia. And I have been guilty of the same. So this time we decided to begin our trip by staying for a couple of nights in this beautiful City and explore the Centro Historico and it’s rich history and fabulous museums. We stayed at the 'Hotel Palacio Solecio'. Set in the heart of Malaga’s old town, 'Palacio Solecio' is a beautiful resorted palace retaining many original features, beautifully decorated rooms and a rooftop pool and bar to cool off after sightseeing! The service we had was superb and we would highly recommend a stay here: https://slh.com/hotels/palacio-solecio. We loved exploring Malaga's Old Town and top of the list of cultural highlights was the 11th Century Alcazaba. The word Alcazaba comes from Arabic ‘AL-qasbah’ and refers to a fortification within a walled town and the one in Malaga is considered as one of the most beautiful Alcazabas that you can visit in Spain! There is a lot of ground to cover if you are to explore the Alcazaba in its entirety, and you need to be prepared for a climb to the top, so wear trainers and visit earlier or later in the day. But it is well worth the effort as once at the top, you are rewarded with expanisve views over the City and mountains beyond. https://www.alcazabamalaga.com Malaga is of course famous as the birthplace of Picasso and both the Picasso museum and the birthplace museum ‘Museo Casa Natal de Picasso’ are a highlight of any trip to Malaga. The birthplace museum is housed in the town house where he lived as a young boy and provides a great insight into Picasso’s early life and influences on his art. https://visita.malaga.eu/en/things-to-do/picasso-s-birthplace-museum-p103301 We loved exploring the little streets and alleyways of the Centro Historico and stopping in cafes for an Aperol or two on our way! Take time to admire the magnificent cathedral whilst sitting in the ‘ Jardin De La Catedral De La Encarnacion’, a photogenic area with fountains, benches, and ancient trees providing welcome shade. In the evening head for tapas at Café Lola in the old town. A bit of an institution and very popular with locals and visitors alike (so be prepared to queue) but it is worth it for the huge choice of freshly made tapas and buzzing atmosphere: https://grupocasalola.com/casa-lola-malaga/ We also highly recommend a gelato from ‘Casa Mira’, the most famous and best ice cream parlour in Malaga! The Pistachio was amazing. From Malaga we then journeyed on to Gaucin, about 1.5 hrs drive from Malaga. A beautiful ‘Pueblo Blanco’ and gateway to the ‘Serrania de Ronda’ region. It’s a small town with narrow medieval streets and houses, but with friendly bars and restaurants and an instagrammers delight! We stayed just outside of Gaucin in the peaceful, rural surroundings of 'Karma La Herriza' for a relaxed stay after a busy couple of days in Malaga. https://karmagroup.com/find-destination/karma-retreats/karma-la-herriza/ In the evening we discovered 'Bar Paco Pepe', a very local bar / bistro with lovely friendly staff and delicious tapas: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g642206-d3174535-Reviews-Bar_Paco_Pepe-Gaucin_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalucia.html We only had a couple of nights to relax in Gaucin before heading off towards the coast and Vejer de la Frontera. Vejer de la Frontera has been named one of the 20 most beautiful towns in the whole of Spain. It’s easy to see why. The mix of Arab-Andalusian architecture, cuisine and culture, not to mention the vast choice of amazing bars, restaurants and shops - makes Vejer so special and a wonderful town to visit or stay all year round. The town sits on a hill, a few kilometres away from the coast, so you have magnificent panoramic views over the valley beyond. The walled enclosure and the historic quarter, with its narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses, are a gorgeous sight. We stayed in 'Casa Shelly Hospederia', a beautifully appointed B&B ideally situated in the centre of Vejer's old town, Casa Shelly has an understated charm with just seven tastefully appointed rooms. We loved it there and would highly recommend. https://casashelly.com/en/ Vejer is super stylish, and draws visitors from all over Spain as well and Europe. The central 'Plaza de Espana' has a magnificent Maiolica fountain as its centre piece and is surrounded by restaurants overlooking the square including the restaurant 'El Jardin del Califa' which is part of the 'Hotel La Casa del Califa'. It is famous for serving delicious Moroccan dishes in a stunning courtyard setting. The hotel also boasts a hidden rooftop bar serving great cocktails with views over the illuminated town at night: https://califavejer.com/en/el-jardin-del-califa/ There are so many bars to recommend in Vejer but my favourites are: 'Bar Morillo' https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g677776-d15041987-Reviews-Morillo-Vejer_de_la_Frontera_Province_of_Cadiz_Andalucia.html And another gem is 'Piccolina Bistro', just off Plaza de Espana. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g677776-d25360068-Reviews-Piccolina_Bistro-Vejer_de_la_Frontera_Province_of_Cadiz_Andalucia.html The coast beyond Vejer is stunning – head to the rocky bays of Cala Enebro and Cala del Pato - part ofa series of bays on the way to Roche. These are lovely unspoiled beaches to swim and relax. But do take a picnic with you as there are no beachside cafes along this little stretch of coast. For a larger beach head to Conil de la Frontera and enjoy a long lunch at beach bar and restaurant 'La Ola' for amazing fresh seafood: https://laolaconil.com/ I hope reading this blog has inspired you to visit Andalucia! If you would like to plan your own tailor-made tour of the region – whether you have one week or six! - just give me a call and I would love to help you uncover those hidden gems to make your trip truly unforgettable! Ali xx

29 April 2024

My daughter Jodie and I visited New York in March ’24 staying for 6 days over the Easter weekend. We stayed at The Wythe in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a great place for an authentic neighbourhood feel away from the ‘concrete jungle’ of Midtown. It has fab bars, restaurants, independent stores, vintage shops and street art. The Wythe is a designer boutique hotel with rooftop bar in an old brick and timber building that used to be a factory making barrels! We had 6 days to explore NYC and I'd like to take you through day by day. to hopefully give you some tips and inspiration! Day 1 - Midtown and the iconic landmarks! We started our tour in Midtown NYC to see the iconic landmarks that were top of Jodie’s list. We planned to see the Flatiron Building before moving on to Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building and the Rockerfeller Center - in that rough order! Grand Central Station was one of my favourite landmarks on our trip. It is a truly beautiful, majestic building – a station that is so much more than a station! We were blown away by its scale and grandeur and as we stood overlooking the main concourse we recounted all the movies we had seen featuring this iconic view. Bryant Park was a little gem - styled like a Parisian park in the heart of Midtown and definitely worthy of a visit. We arrived at the Empire State Building about 4pm – a little bit cloudy but the views over Manhattan didn’t disappoint and we pinched ourselves again that we were actually at the top of the Empire State In New York together! We headed into Times Square and Broadway – there is nothing quite like the buzz and bright lights of Times Square but it was crazy busy so we strolled on through Broadway and finished our day with a visit to The Rockerfeller Center and ice rink. Day 2 – A rainy day in New York. We awoke to a rainy morning so decided to start our day at the Guggenheim. Before we set off we headed to 'Bakeri' on Wythe Avenue. A deliciously cosy Swedish / French neighbourhood bakery that feels like being in a country kitchen. We felt like proper locals! The iconic architecture of the Guggenheim was just stunning. Whilst busy, we took our time weaving our way to the top and admiring the artworks and views of the interior at the same time. We walked through a wet but blissfully empty Central Park ending up at the Plaza Hotel for a glass of champagne in the elegant surroundings of The Palm Court - a sophisticated way to dry off! We then jumped on the subway to China Town – improving on our subway navigation with each journey – to enjoy delicious Dim Sum and noodles at ‘Nom Wah Tea Parlor’. Amazing comfort food on this damp day which really hit the spot. Highly recommended. Day 3 – The Villages of NYC. At last, the sun was shining so the perfect weather to tour Greenwich, West and East villages. It was a joy to amble along the tree- lined streets of West Village admiring the grand Brownstone houses and quirky shops. As we strolled along Bedford Street we found ourselves staring up at the famous ‘Friends’ apartment with groups of tourists taking snaps - so of course we joined in! And then had a fab brunch at the charming little restaurant underneath called ‘The Little Owl’ which was delicious. We then moved on to explore Greenwich village and Washington Square Park – one of the highlights of our trip. We sat for ages in the sunshine listening to jazz, watching skateboarders, pop-up stall holders and locals playing chess. The park, with it’s arch honouring George Washington, still embodies it's bohemian and political past and is a great spot to just hang out. From there we walked through East Village and into SOHO for some shopping and early evening drinks at ‘Jack’s Wife Frieda’ and more people watching! That evening we ate at local French restaurant in Williamsburg 'Cafe Colette' followed by drinks at 'Teddy’s bar'– our new favourite! Day 4 Dumbo and Financial District. We changed things up today and took the ferry down to Dumbo and then back over to Manhattan. The Wythe was a short stroll from the North Williamsburg Pier and a short ferry ride down to Dumbo. The views from the East River were fantastic. Dumbo was charming with a wooden boardwalk along the East River to sit or stroll and admire the skyline of Manhattan. Our first stop was breakfast at the ‘Time Out Exchange’ - a food hall which also houses a vintage market. We wandered along the cobbled streets and under Brooklyn Bridge to Washington Street to take the ‘must have’ photo of the Empire State Building peeking through the arch of Brooklyn Bridge. The ferry journey to Pier 11 in Midtown was equally as spectacular as our journey from Williamsburg with close-up views of Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Our next stop was the 9/11 museum and memorial. The museum was both moving and informative and deserves time to view all the exhibits in detail. We then headed over to Battery Park to catch the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty in the fading sunshine - we were lucky to get a great viewing spot. We then caught the ferry back to Midtown and to ‘Top Of The Rock’ to see Manhattan at sunset. Back in Williamsburg we headed to Teddy’s Bar for cocktails and a slice of the famous Joe’s Pizza! Day 5 Meatpacking District, Chelsea and the High Line. Today was a trip to Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, and a walk along the High Line. Chelsea Market is a gargantuan food hall, housed within an old biscuit factory, with every kind of cuisine you can imagine. We ate our gourmet finds in the sunshine as we listened to jazz - a very New York experience! After a brief trip to Pier 57 nearby we jumped in a cab uptown to Central Park and a wander along the quaint streets of Upper West Side to the 91st Gardens. The 91st Street Gardens were high on my wish list as the iconic setting for the final scene of ‘You’ve Got Mail’! For our final night, we enjoyed some Espresso Martinis at 'Bar Blondeau', our hotel rooftop bar, whilst savouring our last views of the Manhattan skyline at night. just perfect. Day 6 - Bus Tour. We had time to squeeze in a bus tour on our last morning to revisit the wonderful places we had seen over our week in New York. We loved every minute of our trip to NYC. I would heartily recommend staying in Williamsburg as an alternative to Manhattan and spending time with my daughter was extra special and a treasured memory for both of us.

14 March 2024

Sicily is an island of beauty and contrasts, with an ancient and fascinating history, stunning architecture, wonderful food and colourful character! We chose the October half term for our trip as the temperature was cooler for our 10-day self-drive tour of the island. We planned to visit both the East and West of Sicily, and of course the capital city Palermo, which was to be our starting point. Our 10 day tour would take us from Palermo to Mount Etna, Taormina and Noto visiting Mondello, Scopello, Cefalu and Ortigia on our way. Day 1 - 4 We flew direct to Palermo and were immediately blessed with wonderful temperatures in the mid 20s. We were staying in the heart of the old town on a street that literally came to life every evening with café tables filling up the once-quiet street which we loved! Palermo is a city of contrasts, with grand architecture juxtaposed with crumbling historic buildings, bustling street markets, cool bars and chic restaurants and an awe-inspiring Cathedral. Historic palaces and churches lie behind unassuming facades. The diverse history of the island, with various periods of occupation, and times of both prosperity and poverty, can be seen at every turn which makes Palermo one of the most fascinating cities to visit in Europe. Our daughter absolutely loved the vibrancy of the city and of course the wonderful food, especially the traditional Cannoli and Sicilian gelato! We took a day out of the city to visit Mondello, a picturesque seaside resort just a short drive from Palermo. We then drove further up the coast for lunch in Scopello, a beautiful village high up along the Castellammare del Golfo with views to die for, followed by a swim at the much photographed Spiaggia dei Faraglioni - a beauty spot on the waters edge, which was simply stunning. Day 4-5 On day 4 we drove East towards Mount Etna, stopping off en-route in Cefalu, a charming coastal town just an hour from Palermo, which has a medieval old town, Norman cathedral and beach. We journeyed on to the foothills of majestic Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. The rich, fertile soil makes this area one of the finest wine growing regions in Italy, so of course we had a wonderful meal enjoying local cuisine and wines. Day 5 – 7 The next morning we arrived in Taormina, a beautiful Baroque town perched high on a hill overlooking the Ionian sea. Taormina is a must-visit destination when touring Sicily and whilst on the tourist trail, it still retains a timeless charm and authenticity with quaint streets lined with cafes and shops and a wonderful romantic ambience. The highlight of Taormina is undoubtedly the well-preserved ancient Greek amphitheatre, offering views towards Mount Etna and the coast. We stayed in a small boutique hotel in the heart of the old town which was just perfect. Taking a steep descent down on the cable car from Taormina, lies the stunning natural reserve of Isola Bella, ‘the pearl of the Ionian sea’, a small island of lush Mediterranean vegetation, connected to a pebble beach by a narrow sandbar. The nature reserve is known for its pristine beauty and is one of Italy’s most photographed beaches. Swimming right up next to Isola Bella, having seen so many photographs of this gorgeous spot, was amazing. Day 7-10 The next destination on our tour of Eastern Sicily, was the beautiful city of Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture. We were staying in a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Noto - the terrace providing a magical view over the city at night. Given the relatively small size of Noto, the scale and majesty of the architecture is breathtaking. In 2002, Noto and its church were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the buildings have a honey tone which is captured beautifully at sunset. A gentle stroll along the main throughfare of the Corso Vittorio is a lovely way to see the magnificent sites of Noto. We also took a to visit the Vendicari Nature Reserve which has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Southeastern coast of Sicily characterised by soft, almost white sand, and turquoise water. We left Noto for our final destination - Ortigia - Sicily’s ancient island gem and the historical centre of Syracuse, connected to the mainland by two short bridges. It is only one square kilometre but there is no better insight into Sicily’s rich and diverse history than this tiny island. With Baroque palaces, Greek temples, Jewish catacombs and a Medieval castle there is a lot of history to see. We made the most of our time by hiring a tuk-tuk driver and guide to whizz us around the island. Gianni, was great, taking us to see the main historical attractions ending up in Piazza Duomo, to sit and admire the architectural splendour with a cooling class of wine! Our 10 day tour, whilst busy, was the perfect blend of discovery and relaxation and Sicily was as enchanting as I had imagined - I cannot wait to go back! Sicily has a Mediterranean climate and is a perfect place to visit all year round, however it does get very warm in July and August, so avoid city tours at this time. Direct flights are available to Palermo with scheduled and low-cost airlines, including Easy Jet, Ryanair and British Airways. You can also fly direct from the UK to Catania, on the East of the island and you can add Sicily on to an Italian tour and even get the train/ferry across the Strait of Messina – a truly unique experience. If you want flexibility to tour around the island at your own pace, car hire is essential. We found driving was easy overall, with good roads, although a bit frenetic in the cities on occasions! There are also good train connections between cities. Sicily has a wealth of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from beautiful 5* boutique hotels, to beach villas, countryside retreats and family hotels. I hope this blog has inspired you to explore Sicily and call me to help tailor your perfect trip to this magical island.