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This is a lovely XVIII century Italian villa - just four large ensuite bedrooms, the bathrooms are ultra modern with a walk in wet room. As an extra bonus, all hot water is produced fron the solar panels! In the grounds there is a beautiful saltwater swimming pool and spa. We found the place through a special offer in the Guardian.
One evening there was a pizza party, and we made our own pizza in the wood-fired oven (great fun) plus we had plenty of the Primitivo house wine!
The villa is privately run and the owners take great care of the guests, we even had a complimentary bottle of Prosecco on arrival.
If you're lucky enough to dine at the villa, you'll have a real home-cooked Italian meal (only organic vegetables) of three courses with house wine included, and homemade limoncello, all for just 20 euros!
We'd never been to the 'heel of Italy' before - it is quite different from northen Italy, plenty to see like the picturesque town of Ostuni (worth a visit), Alberobello, Lecce etc.
www.villamagnoliaitaly.com
Southern Italy
Brindisi (direct flights Ryanair) 10 min drive.
Bari (Direct flights) Ryanair and BA
50 min drive
Naples.. Easyjet and Thompson
3/4 hr drive
Lots of reviews said they serve lovely cake/sweets at Fauchon at Place de la Madeleine. I went there and was disappointed - the cake I had just didn't have the 'wow' factor, if you like.
Also, I witnessed something I couldn't believe. Two ladies sitting next me were leaving just as I was settling down, I guessed they were just having coffees and cakes and they left 50 euros for a tip, would you believe it!
I'd recommend going to Angelina instead, or Mariage Freres on the rue De Bourg-Tibourg for a nice cup of tea.
This stunning, unassuming restaurant in San Telmo has possibly the best tasting menu in the world! About 20 small dishes (with matching Argentinian wines) for 500 pesos for two people, and delightful staff. A bargain since this is not far off Fat Duck standards of food. Three hours of pleasure.
Bolivar 865
4361-865
Google map: tinyurl.com/m8fbyu
All the possible processes in fish trading can be seen in one place. The catch is landed from boats onto the shore, from where it goes straight to the auction section to be sold to wholesalers. From there it is a quick trip across the road, past the stalls selling shells and other fishy artefacts and to the retail section.
At the back the fish is fried in a haze of fire and smoke and ready for selling to the public.
On the shore and at the end of Ocean Drive where it turns into Kivukoni Front
This is a hotel and restaurant on one of the main streets in Ibo town, not as exclusive (nor, indeed, pricey) as Ibo Island Lodge but with many charms. Accommodation is in rooms leading off from the central courtyard, which also has a small swimming pool facing the ocean. The cooking is recommended, but - as is the case with almost anywhere on Ibo - you need to book in advance to guarantee that they will feed you.
tel: +258 826286858
cincoportas@yahoo.com
www.cincoportas.com
Postal address (not the address of the hotel itself): Caixa Postal 121
Pemba
Cabo Delgado
Mozambique
Just outside the 'centre' of Kilwa Masoko (ie. a 10-15 minute walk), this collection of ensuite chalets sits in grounds on a headland with amazing views over the sandy bay of Kilwa Masoko and towards Kilwa Kisiwani island.
The resort is very professionally managed and keen to make visitors welcome. Activities organised by the resort - tours, diving, etc - seem very well organised and reasonably priced. There is a special path from the resort down to the beach. The restaurant is recommended, too.
tel: 022 265 0250/1
e: info@kilwa.net
www.kilwa.net
Lurking in the hinterland that is Hack-Hack-Hackney, this little bit of east has most definitely missed out on the regeneration, but it's also missed out on the outlaw years of estates, grime and crime. It's a beautiful spot offering tranquillity amongst the sprawl, where you can stroll along the river, watch the wildlife scuttle by, catch a real odd (but truly unique) pint at the Hope and Anchor, or pick up a fry-up at the cafe opposite Lea Valley Marina. Beautiful, chilled and totally hidden.
A little restaurant in the heart of Krakow's old Jewish ghetto, this is a slightly bonkers but very endearing place to dine. The menu is simple, with possibly no more than a dozen dishes including starters, mains and desserts. And be advised, if you order a plate of pirogi (the local dumplings) then you get just that. 'Just' that: no salad, sides, or even sauce. Despite this the food is delicious (I can also recommend the duck with cranberry).
The decor is quirky, full of history, and the tables are an eclectic mix of old sewing desks and things which resemble small workbenches.
While my girlfriend and I were there they had a band, doing instrumental classic pop covers as an accordion and electric organ-playing duo. My personal favourite: a brilliantly catchy version of Stevie Wonder's 'Sir Duke'. Genius.
The main square in Krakow's Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz
I returned to Wales from Portugal to visit my family. We all went to the Hawarden Brasserie, four adults and two kids, and had very enjoyable evening.
A modern and unpretentious restaurant with a very relaxed atmosphere, fantastic food and great service. Real value for money, what more could you ask for?.
Try the chicken breast with asparagus and butternut squash, simply delicious. And for desert, the cheesecake, the best I have ever tasted.
Next time I visit Wales I will be definitely be dining here.
Great area especially on a Thursday and Friday when they have a food market that attracts the local workers. Also has some great restaurants: Moro, Medcalf and The Ambassador.
Exmouth Market, just off Farringdon Road. 10 minutes' walk from Farringdon and Angel tube stations
Lovely restaurant with red-leather booths and old-fashioned American charm in downtown LA.
The steaks are as awesome as the atmosphere, coming in at a reasonable $25 with sides in the evening but even cheaper at lunch with the specials.
Try the cocktails too if you have any cash left in the budget!
West 8th Street
A club in Shoreditch where you can enjoy very good food, a games lounge, ten pin bowling, spa treatments, a rooftop swim with magnificent city views.
Ebor Street, London E1
Closest tube Liverpool Street
It's a delightful surprise behind the hustle and bustle of The Strand with a beautiful courtyard for fountains or movies, a museum of Russian artifacts from St Petersburg (The Hermitage Rooms) and a wonderful collection of paintings and other pieces of artwork at the Courtauld Gallery. There is a basement cafe at the Gallery, or a terrace restaurant overlooking the Thames, or The Admiralty for finer dining.
Somerset House
The Strand
London
W1
Bistro restaurants - excellent value for money, for example two-course lunch for £6.90; dinner for £7.90; three-course lunch for £9.90 and dinner for £10.90. Delicious Mediterranean food and good, quick, informal service.
www.bistro1.co.uk/
3 branches: 1 on Southampton Street, 1 on Beak Street and 1 on Frith Street.
Molecular gastronomy in Tokyo. It's no surprise that one of Tokyo's most expensive hotels should have a good restaurant or two, but it's perhaps less usual to head to such hotels for fun dining. So hats off for not taking themselves too seriously in their Molecular Tapas Bar, which offers just two sittings per evening for seven people per sitting.
Around 25 courses are served with liquid nitrogen, syringes, glass plates and steel menus to the fore. Each dish is explained, prepared in front of you and the emphasis is on having a laugh and enjoying the experience. A visit last week included dishes such as 'red', 'cappuchino candy floss', a brilliant homemade mozzarella, 'cucumber caviar' and a beer with a Yakult froth tasting. Great fun and at £60 a head, it's terrific value - maybe for a last night in the city. Somehow Tokyo seems the perfect setting for high-tech cuisine.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Chuo-ku,Tokyo
03 3270 8800 www.mandarinoriental.co.jp
Just fallen out of bed after a great weekend in Edinburgh. It has it all for a fab short break without the hassle of a flight. Try the Cafe Royal just off Princes Street - best oysters ever. We stayed at the Holyrood hotel which had a low weekend rate on Edinburgh hotels website.
Despite a sort of funny name, this place surprised me. Out of all the food I've eaten in New Zealand over a two month period, only this one has struck me as a place where they care about the food they make and it's presentation and I made sure to let them know. I had their interpretation of eggs benedict for a brunch time offering and it was outstanding. Two perfectly poached eggs on grilled ciabatta bread with wilted spinach and hollandaise.
A relative newcomer to the Edinburgh bar and bistro scene, 99 is a great place to chill and party. The relaxed and comfortable decor is comfy-living-room-bohemian chic which makes the food and the cocktails even more enjoyable.
99 Hanover Street, just off George Street which runs parallel to Princes Street.
Wonderful, undoubtedly one of the top Indian restaurants that Lille has to offer. Delicious food, friendly service, fabulously modern-yet-cosy decor... all amount to a lovely and memorable experience. Also a very trendy bar in the basement.
Address: 38, Rue Thiers - 59000 Lille
Telephone: 03 20 21 02 66
In the centre of Tirana, it provides a beautiful and tranquil setting for a quick lunch or a traditional Turkish coffee (strong but great) at one of the lovely cafés and restaurants on the area.
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