How many of you know that Goa was a part of Portugal until 1961? To get a true flavour of Portuguese Goa head to the state capital of Panjim. Apart from the Portuguese promenade, the churches and the ruins in Old Goa, you can savour the true taste of Portuguese colonial India in Venite reataurant. Set on a balcony overlooking 31 Janeiro Street, I had the crab and the Goan sausages.

My family hails from the Konkan coast and I grew up eating this blend of European and Indian food. When in Goa make sure you sample the region's true cuisines - my personal favourites are pork vindaloo, a dish flavoured with vin (red wine vinegar) and alho (garlic) and the xacuti.

Venite's is on 31 Janeiro Street, all the cabbies know it. It's in Panjim's Sao Tome neighbourhood. I don't have a phone number I'm afraid, but it's easy to find in a taxi and you don't need reservation

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I have always wondered why it is so hard to find fresh and interestingly cooked seafood in our island nation!

Well, my search ended when I came across the Loch Leven seafood cafe sitting innocuously on Loch Leven just off the A82. The fish and seafood is caught fresh and locally.

My starter was a plate of oysters - which I can honestly say were the juiciest and plumpest one I've ever had. For the main course I had the razor clams cooked in herby white wine served with delicious bread.

There is also an adjoining shop that sells fish and seafood. If you like seafood you won't be disappointed.

It's about four miles off the A82 (the Glasgow to Inverness road) as the A82 passes in between Ballachulish and Onich (just south of Fort William). There is a brown sign on the A82 pointing you in the direction.
01855 821048 www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk

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If you hate the hordes of screaming children and other assorted hazards of your average beach, head to the North Norfolk Coastal walk where I found miles of marshland and sandy beach. The sea was too rough to swim in but the beach is long, wide and sandy allowing for walks, taking in the views and comtemplating. And if you get bored of it all, the hustle and bustle of the beaches at Hunstanton are merely a stones throw away.

take the A149 from King's Lynn northbound, go past Hunstanton, at the village of Thornham, turn left off the A149 onto a very small road called Staithe Road. This should take you straight to the marshes, over which there is a path that'll lead you to the beach.

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Restaurant on the North Norfolk coast with superb views of the salt marshes. Delicious fresh seafood served in small portions allowing you to eat a three-course meal without feeling like you're going to burst. I had the salad of cromer crab and quails eggs, plaice for mains with a side of samphire (available from the marshes in season) and an exquisite rasberry brulee for dessert. A perfect way to spend a summer's evening.

Brancaster Staithe on the A149, Norfolk, PE31 8BY.
Tel: 01485210262

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A two-hour flight from Madras (Chennai) to Port Blair followed by a 3 hour boat trip followed by a further 30 mins in a car over bumpy roads and you arrive at India's best kept secret!!

Radhnagar beach on Havelock Island in the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is clean, relatively deserted and untouched by the tourist trade.

The nearby Barefoot resort is a group of 10-15 bungalows set in the wood with good access to the beach. Good seafood, plenty of relaxation and one of the best beaches in India. For those who find lying on the beach tiresome, nearby Port Blair on South Andaman island offers plenty of relics from the days when the Territory was a British penal colony.

Daily flights from Madras (Chennai) and Kolkata to Port Blair. Regular daily ferry services from Port Blair to Havelock island. A bungalow at Barefoot resort can be booked via their website www.barefootindia.com

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Haldirams is a household name in India. They have a huge restaurant in Delhi near Chandni Chowk. They serve up good, clean, street snacks. Don't expect your average vindaloos and kormas, the food here is proper Indian fare. If you're unfamiliar with the food, a good dish to try is the "pav bhaji" which is a flavoursome snack of mixed vegetables served up on piping hot fried bread.

I don't know the street name, but I'm sure all the taxi drivers will know it. It's near Chandni Chowk, all the locals know it and it's hard to miss.

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My youth was well mispent here! Excellent and atmoshperic bar on Colaba causeway that attracts, students from universities nearby, local young professionals and tourists alike. Great for beer, initimate chats and people watching. I haven't been in years but I hear it's still going strong.

Metro House, 5A Colaba Causeway, Mumbai, MH 400 039 (it's a five minute walk from Regal Cinema);
tel: +91 22 2202 0591

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Very friendly gay bar in La Alameda. Very good ambience with a large outdoor seating area. Good beers and cocktails. Go on a Saturday night in the summer when the young Sevillians spill out into the promenade with their drinks and tapas until dawn!

La Alameda on Calle Arias Montano 3.

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Just outside Pinar del Rio, set admist pine trees and the curious Mogotes (rock formations), Vinales makes for the perfect weekend trip away from Havana. Cycles are cheap to hire and you can be guaranteed an exceedingly pleasant day exploring the tobacco plantations, the dos hermanos and the cuevo de los Indios around Vinales. There are loads of cheap casa particulares and the one we stayed in offered good home-cooked food. The bar on the main street stays open till late and quite often has live music.

The best way to get to Vinales is by bus from Havana, which takes about three hours. Accomodation is easy to find on arrival.

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The chef entertains you in what is essentially her home dining room. She serves a selection of Georgian specialities including lamb stews and dumplings. Time permitting, she plays old Russian songs on her piano in her own inimitable way. Interesting selection of desserts, but not much to offer the vegeterian. Atmospheric and surreal experience.

Galata Kulesi Sok. 61, a stones throw (downhill) from the staircase to Galata Tower, Beyoglu;
tel: 0212 245 1861;
open: Tues-Sun noon-midnight

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Excellent street food - lamb and chicken kebabs with assorted accompaniments - harissa, mint and yoghurt, salad, grilled aubergine and fresh flat bread. All washed down with freshly squeezed orange or sweet lime juice. The friendly owner speaks eight different languages. Very affordable prices and friendly service despite being in tourist infested Sultanahmet.

Yerebatan Caddessi No 54, 34410
Sultanahmet, Istanbul;
tel: (0212) 526 5231

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