Iberian Cool – the Hip Hangouts in Spain

FROM BARCELONA TO BILBAO, THE SPANISH LANDS ARE THE PLACE TO CHILL IN STYLEBudget airlines have brought us a step closer to Europe and the climate has always been a pull for us pasty northerners, but recently, the Iberian cities don’t seem to be out of the press. A whole new world of style has been born in Spain. Chef Ferran Adria leads the Spanish cullinary scene with his globally revered, triple-Michelin-starred restaurant, El Bulli, situated on a remote, rocky beach 2 hours from Barcelona. His vociferous support for Spanish produce, Sherry and wines has made the rest of the gastronomic world sit up and take note and has propelled Spain to new heights of international respect. The list of fantastic restaurants and bars within Spanish borders is endless, but we’ve put together a selection of not-to-be-missed venues for a weekend in the sun.

IBIZA

Ibiza or Eivissa, depending on where you emanate from, is Spain’s most famous island and its double name is mirrored in a peculiar split personality that has developed over the last ten years. It is known as the clubbing capital of the world, drawing music connoisseurs from across the globe for its jaw-dropping DJ line-ups and its range of superclubs that hold thousands. At the same time, thanks to reality shows like ‘Ibiza Uncovered’, the so-called Isla Bonita is burdened with a reputation for attracting the worst element of Brits abroad. Lary lads and loose lasses stumble through the streets of San Antonio wreaking havock, making mischief and collapsing in a heap at the end of the night. But beyond all of this, there is a very sophisticated element of Ibizan life – a third personality that escapes most of the tourist trade. A new generation of bars have evolved into world class venues with slick interior design, atmospheric lighting, extensive cocktail menus and some of the best resident DJs in Europe.

When the Warhol bar opened in December 2001, its mission was to attract the stylish and beautiful, and now anyone who’s in the know in the music, fashion or media worlds can be found flocking to it for album launches, catwalk collections or photoshoots. The Base Bar continues to draw the music buffs and Café Mambo on the opposite side of the island has stolen the glory from Café Del Mar next door as the best place to watch the sun go down. Wine Bar is a new development, whose proximity to Pacha nightclub has sealed its future as an all-year fashion hang-out where you can dump vodka limóns in favour of fine wines and Fino. Then there’s cushion-strewn Mao Rooms, from London’s Chinawhite crew, which has become a first class lounge on the Ibiza scene.

For food, L’Elephant is the island’s top French restaurant, located in the small town of San Rafael just outside of Ibiza Town. Sa Capella is a beautiful and impressive restaurant housed in a 16th Century church resplendent with stone statues, foliage and faultless service. La Casita in Cala Llonga is a sleek and stylish terrace restaurant serving gastronomically inventive dishes from its old farmhouse location.

BARCELONA

Physically compact, yet culturally enormous; bohemian, and at the same time ultra chic. Barcelona is one of those cities that is all things to all men. It’s hub of creativity, with internationally renowned art galleries, designer shops and architectural delights that are second to none. Glitzy modern façades juxtaposed with the unique contorted architecture that is Gaudi’s legacy. Delightful squares and meandering boulevards that invite you to amble along for hours, glancing in the designer shops north of Plaça Catalunya. Then break your journey in the basement bodegas and tapas bars of La Rambla. In the summer, you can relax beachside at one of the scores of bars and restaurants along the Mediterranean coast of the Olympic port, dining on morning fresh seafood with a cold Manzanilla at your side. Aqua is a favourite hangout with bleached wooden tables and chairs spilling onto the beach front. For something more urban, Lupino, in one of the grafitti-ridden backstreets of the Raval district, is a fashionable spot with an alfresco terrace in similar style to one of London’s Hoxton haunts. Its slick, warmly lit interior is in direct contrast to the industrial carpark and the boqueria market that it looks out onto. The gourmands would prefer to venture into the commercial district to critically acclaimed Comerç 24 (closed in August), where the El Bulli trained chef, Carles Abellan, serves fantastic modern style tapas to a well-to-do professional crowd. For those of a more adventurous nature, a trip into Mount Tibidabo will provide views over the bustling city. A day at the theme park on high can be followed with drinks at Mirabelle and then completed with cocktails and dancing at the converted mansion known as Partycular. The sophisticated Eixample area offers a number of trendy escapes such as lounge bar Smooth, with its awesome selection of wines and Sherry, and velvet-clad Snooker, which won design awards when it opened a decade ago. El Ascensor in Ribera attracts the beautiful young things and with any luck you’ll be caught in the lift with one of them as you ascend to the modern designer club.

MADRID

It’s big and bustling, it’s loud and crowded, lascivious characters skulk in dark corners, and taxi drivers will try to rip you off. It’s a capital city and no mistaking it. Slap bang in the middle of the Spanish mainland, Madrid is hot – and with none of the forgiving sea breeze that blesses Barcelona, the teracotta cityscape looks practically kiln-baked. But it’s not all stress and strife. The best place to start relaxing is in Paseo del Prado, the expansive promenade that puts all of the city stress on hold. Down the spine of the Prado are three gurgling fountains that are fed by a subterranean stream. Adjacent to Prado is the beautiful, landscaped Retiro park, alive with street performers, bandstand and boat rides on its artificial lake. Sandwiched between the two is the botanical garden, an oasis of peace at the nucleus of the city. Café Miranda captures the spirit and colour of Madrid. Modern European cooking accompanied by a vampish dinner show with drag queens and a psychadelic decor. Drag queens feature at Gula Gula (Gran Via 1) too, where eating at the self-service buffet is a colourful and entertaining experience. A more sophisticated option is La Vaca Veronica where market-fresh ingredients are combined to terrific results. For something on the fashionable tip, Larios Café is a glamorous spot and its delicious Cuban cuisine is popular with the arty designer crowd. But if you’re looking up-market then Salamanca is the area to head for. The Beverley Hills of Madrid, Salamanca is awash with high class restaurants and glitzy bars. El Mentidero de la Villa (C/Santo Tomé 6) or grandiose Pedro Larumbe (C/Serrano 61) for exquisite fish, Estay for contemporary tapas or Boulevard for quaffing with any A-listers that are in town. Another trendy getaway is El Viso Madrid (C/Juan Bravo 31) set on a number of floors with a beautiful terrace bar, basement club and a very well-heeled young clientele. For a change from the norm, La Ida is a funky, chilled bar with no signage to give it away and an unconventional interior design. Frequented only by those ‘in the know’, it’s definitely worth seeking out.

SEVILLE

It is the flamboyant heart and soul of Spanish culture and a city that lives for tradition. From religion, which is embedded in its very essence, to football, politics, food and drink, the Andalusian capital thrives on its roots. Bull-fighting and flamenco are at the centre of its cultural calendar. And tapas is simply the done thing, for it was in Seville that the global obsession was born.Languishing at Spain’s southern tip, the sun-baked streets bask in the glory of a near-tropical heat. It is explosively colourful and architecturally stunning, its foundations carved from a multitude of occupations that span three millennia. The people smile, things move ever so slowly and mañana never seems to come. A weekend is simply not enough in Seville. You need time to stroll around from tapas bar to tapas bar, soaking up the atmosphere and the locally made Sherry; to meander along the river at sunset, stopping to crack open a bottle of Amontillado to mix with the rays of a sinking sun; to wander through the charming squares and the winding, cobbled streets of the Jewish quarter; and to drift from one hip bar to the next in trendy Alameda. Restaurants are less commonplace than in Barcelona or Madrid and Tapas bars take precedence. Egaña Oriza (C/San Fernando 41) combines bar and restaurant with elegance blending Basque and Andalusian cuisine in an expansive early 20th Century terazza. Another magnificient dining experience is La Albahaca – an exclusive townhouse which serves imaginative Spanish fusion dishes. Casa Robles serves gourmet Sevillian cuisine and is favoured by the Spanish royal family. Its sister restaurants Robles Placentines and Robles Tapas offer a less formal environment. La Colonial de Vinos y Viandas (C/Valpaiso 13) is the place to head for Spanish wine lovers – an amazing Array of wines are accompanied by Cuban cigars and tasty tapas. Or try the inventive Mediterranean cuisine at La Madraza (C/Peris Mencheta 21), where you can titilate your taste-buds while gazing at the artworks on the walls which double as a gallery space.

BILBAO

Fifteen years ago, Bilbao was just a busy port and an old iron mining town. Fondly called ‘Botxo’ by the locals (Basque for ‘hole’), Bilbao escaped becoming a hole (literally) in the 90s with the gentrification of the dock area and the creation of such cultural magnets as the Guggenheim Museum and the concert hall, the development of the park, and the Sir Norman Foster designed metro system. The best way to get the most out of Bilbao is by way of a Txikiteo (the local version of a pub crawl) with a glass of Sherry and a plate of tapas in each bar. Alternatively, go top-end with Michelin-starred Zortzika – the lunch menu is best value. There’s also relaxed, but fashionable El Perro Chico, which looks out onto the recently cleaned river. Tapas bars tend to be more on the dark traditional side, but Harizki (Ledesma 7) goes against the grain offering gourmet style dishes in a slick, bright interior. As with other bars around Calle Ledesma, this place stays open a little later than the rest of the city. Worth a visit too is Artajo (Ledesma 4), where locals swear by the mussels in anchovy sauce.

JEREZ

The people of Jerez live for Sherry. Flamenco is a favourite pass-time and while drinking and dancing are woven into the fabric of life, it still remains a relatively peaceful and unspoilt part of Spain. Beaches and mountains are within reach at either side, vineyards and orange groves surround it and the ruins of once magnificent castles punctuate the landscape. It is a beautiful and ancient city, which despite being serviced by the no-frills airlines, still manages to evade mass tourism.The wide avenues of the city centre are full of shops and tapas bars are everywhere. Pass by Las Bridas for the kind of portions that you can share around or head for La Abacerio (Plaza Rafel Rivero) for a lively evening in alfresco surrounds. Good tradicional cuisine is to be had at Gaitán or El Gallo Azul (Calle Larga) for something a little more experimental. And whatever you do, make time to visit one of a many bodegas that are open for Sherry-tasting tours. It’s an unforgettable experience and one that will ensure you go away itching to come back.

SAN SEBASTIAN

One of the most fashionable places in Spain to holiday, San Sebastian couldn’t be further removed from the cheap resorts of the south. Golden beaches are beautifully maintained, landscaped parks and gardens, majestic mountains and the thrashing seas of the Bay of Biscay combine to dramatic effect. Designer shops keep the spendthrift upper classes happy as do some of the finest bars and restaurants in the country. Arzak is at the top of the list of restaurants to visit for the foodies (you are recommended to book at least a month in advance). Chef Juan Mari Arzak is often at your side to help you decide on dishes which change daily. Akelarre with its mountain location and views over the Atlantic offers a combination of traditional local cuisine and modern Basque interpretations and is not to be missed. All of the late night action happens in Parte Vieja, where tapas bars line the streets (try La Cepa, Martinez, Ormazabel and Gaztelu all on C/Agosto) and you can dance and drink until the very early hours.

Eating Well on Your Camping Holiday in Burgundy

Many people I meet are convinced that camping holidays are still hosted in rainy fields, where food is hard to cook as portable stoves fail to light in the damp weather. It’s a horrible image, but thankfully something that is now a thing of the past as many of Europe’s quality campsites boasts all kind of hotel style features from restaurants to bakeries to quality supermarkets on site. Nonetheless, if you’re still left worried about the quality of the food on your trip, then why not consider one of Burgundy’s campsites? This area of France is renowned for its high living and gourmet eating, so you are sure to be in for a culinary treat. Here are some of the appetising treats you can expect while camping in Burgundy.

The Meat

The main meat in the region is the Carollais beef cattle, and as such meat eaters are guaranteed large rich portions. Often this can be mixed with fine wines, like in the eponymous boeuf bourguignon, a traditional recipe of the region combining these two fine elements with baby onions, bacon and carrots. Coq au Vin follows a similar formula, only with chicken instead of beef. This style is repeated with many other dishes, and if your French isn’t that good, look out for the phrase “a la Bourguignonne”. There are bound to be some restaurants near your campsite in Burgundy serving this kind of food, given it’s such a popular local fare.

There are plenty of other meats if you’re not a chicken or beef eater, various hams, hare, calf head and even some river fish – usually poached in white wine, with bacon, onions, garlic and butter. Finally of course, there are the snails, and although many people will turn their noses up at them, the humble ‘escargots’ are delicious, served as they are stewed with Chablis, carrots, onions and shallots, then stuffed with garlic and parsley butter. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, you may wish to consider the black snails (the best of which are raised on grape leaves) which are considered amongst the best in France!

The Cheese

The cheeses are another fine part of the region’s cuisine, and a very nice gift to bring back from your holiday spent camping in Burgundy. The best ones are Chaource (creamy and white), St-Florentin, the orange skinned Époisses and various types of goat’s cheese from Morvan.

The Sauces & Condiments

The region’s most famous condiment is the mustard. As well as being the birthplace of the Dijon variety, there are hundreds of other types available, ranging from the blisteringly hot to the pleasantly mild. The ingredients in each variety vary, and can include the likes of tarragon and honey. You may well end up looking to take these back as souvenirs from your time spent camping in Burgundy!

As well as the wine based ones mentioned above, cream based sauces are also common, sometimes mixed with the mustard like in andouillette de Macon, for example.

The Wine

The region’s wines are celebrated the world over for their high quality and delicate flavours, and it would be a crime not to enjoy a bottle or two over your time spent camping in Burgundy. As a general rule of thumb, the farther north the vineyard, the richer the flavour of the Burgundy wine. Here, the pinot noir grape gives a delicate combination of velvet textures and complex flavours. Towards the south of the red Burgundy region is Beaujolais where gamay grapes are used providing a more dry, fruity flavour, allowing them to compliment all kinds of food.

So worry not – your holiday spent camping in Burgundy should not involve trying to light a portable stove and open cans of beans. With many fine restaurants across the region, it’s all too easy to be having some truly outstanding gourmet food prepared for you by experts – you may want to “accidentally” leave the can opener at home…

A visitors guide to Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, the fifth largest city in Germany, is the Manhattan of the south-west portion of Germany. Upon arrival head over to the Bockenheim area of the city and check into the luxurious 4-star Maritim Hotel located in the center of the city. Traveling on a budget? The Hotel Continental is sure to be a bargain as it is one of Frankfurt’s oldest hotels.

Want to do some sightseeing? Make a stop at the Palmengarten (Palm Garden) and check out some exotic plants and take up a tour of the plant world. If you find yourself there during the summertime, make sure to stay for the Festival of Light which take place in June.

Up for a little history? Stop by the Eschenheimer Turm, a circular tower built as a portion of the Medeival Wall. Read up on the history dating back to the 15th century. It’s sure to be an interesting story to go along with the view.

Remember the famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe? Take a look at the house where he grew up when you visit the Goethehaus (Goethe House). You might notice some personal belongings still sitting in it’s original place. Pretty neat, huh?

Okay, I know what you’re thinking; where can I shop? Well, you’re in luck. Frankfurt has everything you need and more. Ask someone to point you towards the “Zeil”, a shopping heaven for locals and tourists alike. One of the best shopping sites in Germany.

All of that sightseeing and shipping must have worked up an appetite. For some authentic German cuisine head to Weinhaus Brckenkeller, one of Frankfurt’s top restaurants. With a lavish history and a reputation to boot, the impressive atmosphere and fine dining choices are sure to make you smile. Well, the wine might do that as well. But it’s probably the service, right?

Time for a little taste of European nightlife? One thing is for sure. Walk down any street near the pubs and clubs (try Alt-Sachsenhausen, Bornheim or Innenstadt) and you are sure to see the locals gettin down listening to some Pat Benetar and David Bowie. You might even catch some of them singing the songs while yelling “Prost”, cheer in German. Definitely an experience not to miss. Interested in some “clubbing”? Check out the Sansibar for a little glitz and glamour or try the Nacht der Club (Night of the Clubs) which rolls around once per year and features a wide range of different club scenes and an outstanding 25,000 plus partygoers. It’s a full out street party. Worth the wait.

So, whether you want to sightsee, take a trip back into history, shop or just plain party; Frankfurt is sure to have what you are looking for. Do some research to find out what events are happening before during your trip. There are many fests just around the corner.

Prost…

Do You Want to Know Italian Food Eating Style

When it comes to talking about Italy, food is everything – sitting around a table after a long day working or at the beach, it is food that brings the family together. Discussions about life, family matters, Italian politics and the world as a whole are quite popular during meal times when extended families sit for hours.

Italians love sitting down to eat with their immediate family, the whole process is different than that in England. There may be family members sitting around a table, but it’s not the same experience. Meal times are a fairly relaxed affair in Italy; there is no urge to eat your meal down as quickly as possible, to rush off to do something else. The food is brought to the table at a relaxed pace and eaten slowly; afterwards, of course, the family talk follows.

In case of a big family gathering, the preparations start hours in advance of the arrival of the first guest and continue till much later, as the hosts usually prepare much more food than needed. The event gets underway only when everyone arrives – it is like an un-written rule that until all the guests arrive and all food is prepared, no one gets in the mood to enjoy. Children, however, are an exception to this rule posted at mexicanfoodsrecipes.com, as they tend to get past watchful eyes of adults, and pinch salami and cheese from the table.

Finally, when you do sit down for the meal, it is a very long, relaxed and drawn out process. Generally, Italians can sit down to a ten-course meal, eaten for over three hours pointed out by italianfood-recipes.com. There will be more courses if the family gathering is bigger, as everyone usually brings something with them to add to the table – a good traditional homemade Italian food. The courses are generally rather small and are usually served on large platters in the center of the table, within easy reach of everyone at rentbarcelonaapartment.co.uk/planning_europe_vacation.htm. If you are new to this experience; remember, not too get so full on the fist few courses that you regret not having space for another course further down the line.

There is never ever anything like a quiet Italian dinner table something is always going on! The older men sit at the head of the table discussing the old days, the women usually rush back and to from the kitchen with more trays of food, the younger generation, compete to be heard when all sit around the center of the table discussing the state of the world and the children do all that children normally do.

Even as the meal reaches it’s grand finale, most members stays around the table with conversations going on for hours, or maybe a game or two of scopa. The event gets underway only when everyone arrives – it is like an un-written rule that until all the guests arrive and all food is prepared at Chinese website chinesefoodsrecipes.com, no one gets in the mood to enjoy. Children, however, are an exception to this rule, as they tend to get past watchful eyes of adults, and pinch salami and cheese from the table. A traditional Italian card game – though a few people may saunter off to relax!

How About An Adriatic Sea Vacation In Italy

Italy is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in the world. But since the country is so rich in culture, history and architecture, most people do not mention Italy when it comes to beach holidays, forgetting the fact that the country also has some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, the capital city of Venice was developed as a beach resort in old times and till date, some of the most popular and well developed beaches in Italy can be found in the Veneto region.

The Venetian region boasts of a 200 kilometer long coastline with a large number of gold and fine white sand beaches along the Adriatic coast. The most popular Adriatic beachside resort in Veneto is the Lido de Jesolo or the beach at Jesolo, which has been favored by the jet set ever since its inception and development. In fact, if you are a beach person, then you can book your vacation accommodation in Jesolo and visit the cities of Venice and Verona during the day while staying at Jesolo. Both these cities are a short distance away and you can enjoy their rich historical heritage during the day and spend your nights at the various restaurants and night clubs on the beach at Jesolo.

Unlike a number of Italian beaches that are choc-a-block full of tourists, you will be able to find a place on the beaches at Jesolo since most resorts own their own portions of the beach and it is because of this reason that the beaches at Jesolo are very neat and clean. Eating establishments line these beaches and if you are traveling with your children, then they will definitely enjoy having pizzas and ice creams right on the beach. Jesolo has a busy and bustling nightlife, and it is advised that you pack your party dresses and shoes in order to visit the classy and expensive night clubs here. If you are traveling with kids, then you can entertain yourself through the various traditional and cultural shows that are put up by resorts and local tourism development organizations.

Jesolo is extremely romantic and is a perfect honeymoon destination. You can take romantic gondola rides and moonlit strolls among the piazzas or along the shore with your partner. The shopping scene is quite happening and you can find almost all famous design houses rubbing shoulders on the high streets. Last but not the least, the food is simply amazing and you can find good food every where ranging from small roadside stalls to classy restaurants, so do not plan to diet when you visit this portion of the world.

One thing that you must keep in mind however before landing in Jesolo is getting your vacation shelter booked in advance. This is important because the beach resorts in Italy are extremely popular with European tourists and getting your holiday reservations done in advance may save you from a lot of hassle once you land here. You can easily book your accommodation in one of the many resorts on the Adriatic coast or in Jesolo simply by logging on to a website that deals with making vacation bookings in Italy.

Travel destinations: Sevilla, Spain

Twenty four hours and a couple of bus changes after leaving my home town, I stepped out into hot Sevilla, eyes almost shut through tiredness and the brightness of the sun. I could fully enjoy the Northern African smells with its hot sand, the palm trees and melting macadam. Situated in the southern part of Spain, Sevilla is said to be the hottest city in Europe with temperatures sometimes reaching 59 degrees Celsius, but as it was only early May I didn’t suffer such extreme heat; the weather was beautiful.

I discovered the city three years ago when visiting my brother, who lived there at the time. I was fortunate to be there during the Feria’ (Sevilla’s fair) when people wear traditional clothes and dance all night in family tents built next to each other, for a whole week. The city is quite extensive. Its streets and parks are filled with south European trees and varieties of exotic plants. Between one and five o’clock in the afternoon, shops close as it becomes too hot to continue working, and during that time many workers go and rest in the precious shade of the trees.

Old castles and majestic pieces of architecture are commonplace. The two most famous ones are: “Plaza de Espana” and the “Alcazar”. The Plaza is a huge half-circle bounded by numerous buildings and a moat that is crossed by many beautiful bridges, and in the center is a large fountain. In the buildings’ shade, improvised bands play Flamenco followed by on-the-spot dancers and small crowds of people clapping their hands in rhythm. The Alcazar palace, which took over 500 years to build, is a Moorish/Renaissance blend of architecture and is surrounded by majestic Andalusian gardens. The sense of history, together with the quietness of the gardens, makes a visit to the castle a wonderful experience and the view of the surrounding countryside should not be missed.

Orange trees dot the streets of Sevilla but don’t be tempted, their fruits cannot be eaten. One just needs to pick up one of those orange from any tree, press on the skin strongly while approaching a lighter’s flame and all of a sudden, a bigger flame appears due to the orange skin’s juice.

At night, the narrow paved streets and the Flamenco bars fill with international students, adding to the city’s charm. There are tapas bars at every corner offering a diverse choice of food at very low cost, and it is easy to start up a conversation with a local while holding a beer and eating tapas. International travelers are always welcome; although a basic knowledge of Spanish is desirable, as it will show the traveler’s good will, English is in common use, Sevilla being a very international city.

But time goes by, like in every place where life is sweet; and I am close from taking a bus ride back. I sit at a bar, with my brother, overlooking at the “Tore del Oro”-the defensive watchtower and defensive barrier on the river- and drinking a last “tinto de verano”-a mix of red wine and lemonade with lots of ice. The sun wears its beautiful orange dress and we talk about the city. I explain how I enjoyed my stay, he tells me how hard it is to find a job down south and that he is thinking of going up north, in the mountains where employment is better. Pamplona, another city, another spanish trip to come. The sun goes down and disappears, the bus drives away from Sevilla and I fall asleep, wishing I didn’t have to go.

Celebrating a birthday in Rome, Italy

I recently celebrated my 21st birthday in Italy. I have to be honest and admit that I was sceptical about it; for several reasons. My parents and my grandmother both made the trip across the sea to visit me and my friends that I have met here, in Rome, joined my boyfriend and I for the celebrations.

Had I been at home in the rather rainy UK, it would have definitely been a party. I mean capital P.A.R.T.Y. I know for a fact that my family, the length and breadth of the country, would have flocked to Scotland to join us and it would have been great to see everyone, but for reasons I chose not to divulge, (No I’m not in an Italian Prison, I just have “short arms and long pockets” as they say. LOL), we decided to celebrate here.

This of course meant that there would only be 7 people at my party and I wasn’t going to get my usual Victoria sponge iced birthday cake, or would I get the restaurant staff singing happy birthday to me, but I was going to be sharing it with people I loved and cared about very much, (and my mother had bought me gorgeous silk dress), so I was happy.

Now I don’t know about you, but I find birthdays to be emotional and often tearful days anyway. And why is it that something always seems to go wrong on your birthday? But it didn’t! This year, everything went perfectly. If I ignore the fact that, I woke up at 6am because I felt like I was about to over-roast and split in half, (thanks to the wonderful July heat-wave that Italy has been experiencing this year), and that It took me until 12pm to finally get my boyfriend awake, (by now I had walked to the hotel where my family were staying, had breakfast, opened the mountain – yes 21 and everyone I know seemed to go crazy with presents like I was 5. It was amazing and you can’t imagine how grateful I was that everyone, even distant relatives, remembered – walked the dog – who decided to get “the runs” that day thanks to my mum feeding her fettuccine fungi (mushroom pasta) the night before – and walked back to the house with the family in tow.

But he made up for it. He gave me a birthday card, telling me he was taking me on the holiday of a life-time for new year and then drove me and the family to an unnamed swedish furniture store and a huge Italian shopping mall, so that I could spend some of my very unearned new cash.

Shopping, gave me even more of a shock. Never before in my life, have I gone shopping on my birthday, with a pocket full of cash and actually been able to find something to buy, but that day, I found plenty and found myself, becoming long-trousered again and tearing myself away from things; (I had a holiday to save for).

That night however, was the “creme-de-la-creme” of shocks and treats. We chose a beautiful Italian restaurant, set up in the mountain hillside north east of Rome, in a very small town called Stimigliano. With fountains in the patioed garden eating area, just footsteps from your table, light and airy music and the smell of delicious in-door bbq’d foods, fruity wines and sweet smelling deserts passing your nose; how could I not be in my element.

But of course, I underestimated people and how secretive they can be. Upon sitting down at the table, my mum produced a party bag, full of streamers, bubbles, poppers and balloons. Our friends had gotten lost on the way and were running late, but that wasn’t a problem as it gave us, the family, a chance to take some group pictures and blow up the balloons etc.

The food was amazing. The company fantastic. The staff… brilliant and friendly, even though over 90% of the table spoke no or basic Italian. They didn’t speak English of course, but between having one Italian at our table and lots of bad menu reading, poor pronunciation from bad phrase books and hand gestures followed by si, no, no, si, si… we got there in the end. I doubt they would be reading this, but I would like to say a huge Thank You to the staff at the Restaurant.

But then It came. The moment that I had not been waiting for. As I walked away to take pictures of my dad with our friend Colin, in his very smart Scottish Kilt, I was soon called back to the table. “Happy…Auguri… to… te.” The mixture of Happy Birthday with the Italian Tante Auguri was fantastic. The cake looked amazing, covered in huge letter candles spelling out 21, with pink candy striped candles round the outside and “Auguri Ami” written in the center. I was pleasantly surprised. Our friends hadn’t been lost, they were late from picking up my cake.

So there it was. A typically British birthday in the beautiful warm, Italian mountains. And I would do it again. Of course I missed home as I opened cards from friends and relatives that day, but I will seem them later in the year and I will perhaps even have myself a smaller party next time I see them all.

So for anyone thinking about celebrating birthdays in Italy. Go for it! You can everything as you would at home, cakes, singing, candles and friends; but at least you can sit outside until 2am!

Happy Birthday to all the July Babies.

Rome hotels

Wouldn’t be wonderful leave everything and fly to Rome whenever the spirit moved us? The most important single thing you as a conscious traveler can do before booking your hotel in Rome is to schedule your trip to Rome in the off-season: in fact the number of people going to Rome every year increases the 10 %.

Throughout Italy, the high season is generally from the first of April to October and again for the two weeks around Christhmas and new year’s Eve.
August is the traditional vacation month for most in Rome, while Venetians vacations, for example, are in the damp months of January and February: Rome is almost empty during the month of August.

Carrying large amount of cash, even in a money belt, is risky business. If you bring traveler’s cheques, charge big items on your credit card, convert euros as you go and use ATM machines for your daily expenses like entrance fees and Rome tour guide sightseeing services.
Tips are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants or at the concierges. Although restaurant bills often include a service charge, this amount is not typically for the waiters/staff. A typical tip is approximately 10%.

Using the internet and sending the emails from your hotels in Rome is rapidly becoming a good services offered by the Rome hotels’ owners, but if it an hassle to log on on your computer room, go to a cybercafe: they charge only 2 euro each hour.
With the internet conncetion inside your hotel rooms you can find for example, a tour guide of Rome or a museum opening hours schedule.

If you’ve got one day left to kill in Rome and have completely burned out your credit cards and ended your savings,You can either sit in your hotel room taking advantage of the many things Rome offers da gratis, like the Mouth of Truth.

The Difficulties Facing the Small Restaurants in Mauritius

Restaurant owners who have their business along the coast depend mostly on the tourism sector. And yet, although arrivals to Mauritius have increase since last year, the situation has remained the same in the restaurants. There is a waiter at La Cravache D’or Restaurant says that even with the increase in tourists in the country but it does not mean that they eat in their restaurant. Most of them like to stay in the hotel for breakfast, lunch and dinner; especially those who only want to relax by the beach or poolside of their hotel. As for the local customers, the owner of the restaurant says that there are less Mauritians because of the rise in the cost of living. There are many factors influencing the decrease in the number of Mauritians in the restaurants. The main reason being everything is getting more and more expensive and so people became choosier in what they eat. They do not just want quality but they would think twice about the cost of what they would eat.

As for the restaurant Au Fin Bec, the Manager says that the number of tourist customers is low at the moment because it is the low season. They usually receive more customers from other countries in the summer, but right now customers coming to eat in their restaurant is rather few because it is the low season. They are waiting for the usual inflow of tourists at the end of July. Whereas the Director of Sakura Restaurant at Grand Baie says that when the low season ends and with the coming of August, tourist from Reunion Island come to visit Mauritius. Before the month of July, they usually have a low season, but during the next few weeks visitors for Reunion Island come to their restaurant to give them a boost.

Rising Competition

However, whether it is low or high season, businessmen who own restaurants have to encounter a high level of competition. It does not matter whether you specialize in Japanese or European or Indian food because people will always seek a place where they can get value for money. There are several Japanese restaurants in Mauritius and they will find the one that gives the best quality for a moderate price. The Director of Sakura also reminds us that though they have increase the variety of menus to give their customer a wider choice, yet the competition has become more and more tough. At the hotels where they have come to stay, the tourists are having whatever they want as food so they is no need for them to move outside the hotels to find some other things else.

Another problem facing the owners of the restaurants is the lack of manpower. Most of the restaurants based in small coastal villages can hardly find people to work for them because the inhabitants in the surrounding area prefer to work in a big hotel. The hotel management can import labor, whereas the small restaurant cannot do so. Most of the chefs are not prepared to work for small restaurants because they are tempted to work for the hotel where they are paid with better remuneration package. The Sakura Restaurant has trained many chefs during the past 21 years, but many of them have left to work for the hotels. As soon as the hotels spot a good chef, they offer them a job in their institution, so the owners of the restaurant have to restart the training of another chef.

Tour and Travel Destination to Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy is a fascinating city founded more than 2700 years ago. It is also called as the Eternal City. This city is very vast. It will be a very enriching experience to travel in Rome. It gives you a felling of pleasure having turbulent history under your feet. Knowing a little bit of history will add some charm in your traveling.

This city is rich in art, monuments and historic views; it has maintained its charm and independence throughout the centuries. Rome’s history can be read in every monument. It is like a museum, visited each year by millions of tourists from all over the world Monumental buildings like the Pantheon and the Coliseums are remains of the age Roman Empire. Saint PeterÂ’s Basilica is one of the famous buildings here which is the largest church in the world.

Tourist Attractions in Rome

There are plenty of things to see in Rome, your entire weekend can be spending alone in the Vatican City. As there is so much to visit you have to visit places as fast as possible so that you cover most of the places. Rome has around 400 churches and four major basilicas.

San Clemente covers the multi-layered labyrinth of Rome. On the street, there is a 12th-century basilica with beautiful mosaics. Down one level is a well-preserved Roman basilica.

Quirinale is the highest of seven hills. In front of the Palazzo are Scuderie having exhibition space in the building. The Colosseum was the largest building of the era.

The monumental structure has become old now, but even today it proves to be a beautiful sight. It is also called as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Its construction was started by the Emperor Vespasian, the huge amphitheater was built near the lake, which also included the Golden House and the nearby Colossus statue.

It is a large elliptical building, measuring 188m by 156m and a height of 48 meter. The Colosseum was covered with a coating called as velarium. This protected the spectators from the sun.The most popular areas include the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona which are spectacular and inviting.

Night life in Rome

Rome’s night life is spectacular. There are magical lightening fountains under the black haed sky. Some of Rome’s monuments, museums, historical sites are open untill late at night. Fountains like Naids, the Tortoise looks beautiful at night. The capitoline hills, glows magnificiently in the dark. Pietro also looks very impressive at night. Illuminated architecture, Renaissance fountains, sidewalk shows, and art expos all gives life to Piazza Navona. The Academy of St. Cecilia hosts a large number of performances of the most important orchestra. Don’t forget to have a look on opera at the baths of Caracalla.

The Reputation of ballet dancers is made by the performance of internationally known guest.At Night Street of Rome looks like outdoor festival.
If you want to have a sit over wine or coffee late at night then there is Via Veneto, piazza della Rotonda for you

Travel tips for Rome Traveler

For most holy sites, clothing should covers up midriffs, shoulders and legs, particularly for the Vatican.

TouristÂ’s sites are full of pickpockets; even inside the church it is full of them, so beware of them.

Tourists have to pay heavy fine on the purchase of counterfeited goods so do not buy them.

Tourist requiring urgent medical attention should visit the nearby hospital.

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