Author: stomachone

Travel

University Arms Hotel – Luxury in the Heart of Cambridge

It is a luxury to have a porte cochere or a drive-through archway, for a city centre hotel, but that’s what University Arms in Cambridge is all about. This hotel reopened its door in 2018, after a £80m renovation led by Queen’s architect, John Simpson and Swedish-born interior designer, Martin Brudnizki. It is now part of the Autograph Collection – the luxury boutique hotels arm … Continue reading University Arms Hotel – Luxury in the Heart of Cambridge

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mykonos little venice, mykonos sunset, romantic mykonos
Travel

October Family Holiday in the Greek Island of Mykonos

We went to Mykonos at the end of October, catching it during the last week before the tourism industry was to completely shut down for winter on this beautiful Greek island. The famously hedonistic party season which usually draws in the hordes and packs out the island had clearly ended, so once more, it is a relaxed, peaceful, almost sleepy island paradise. The weather was … Continue reading October Family Holiday in the Greek Island of Mykonos

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rick stein, best riverside barnes, riverside restaurant barnes
European, Stomach

Lunch at Rick Stein’s riverside seafood restaurant in Barnes, London

I went to Rick Stein in Barnes on a bright winter afternoon recently. It is the London outpost of the globally recognised TV celebrity chef from seaside Padstow in Cornwall. Rick is best known for his genuine and authentic love of seafood and global flavours. These values come through clearly in the restaurant. It is classy, neat, clean-cut and charming place. Deliberately kept simple to … Continue reading Lunch at Rick Stein’s riverside seafood restaurant in Barnes, London

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Travel

Christmas market and more in Bruges, Belgium

It is that time of the year again, where the heart of romantic Bruges is turned into a joyous and merry Christmas 🎄 Market. We made our 1st visit last year and have been eager to come back since. As Bruges is only 115km from Calais Eurotunnel, it is a manageble drive on Friday evening after work and you will wake up in this beautiful … Continue reading Christmas market and more in Bruges, Belgium

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Gros-Horloge, great clock, Rouen, astronomical clock
Travel

Driving weekend from London to Rouen, France

Rouen, the capital of Normandy region in Northern France, used to be one of the wealthiest cities in medieval times. The richness from those heydays have been diligently preserved and restored in this beautiful city. Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo, Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy, the Hundred Years War all have significant linkage to this magnificent city. Travel 200 km … Continue reading Driving weekend from London to Rouen, France

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Travel

Winter weekend drive to Lille, France

Located 115km or 1.5 hours from Calais, Lille is great destination for a short weekend driving road trip from London. It is known as the “Capital of Flanders” and the Flemish influence on architecture, design and art are well preserved in the old town. Travel Tips: A stroll at Parc de la Citadelle and Lille Zoo We started the weekend in Lille with an hour … Continue reading Winter weekend drive to Lille, France

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Travel

Road trip weekend in Bay of Somme, France

What better way to spend the weekend of Remembrance Day (11th November) than to sneak in a road trip to Somme in France. Somme is the setting for numerous battles in World War I. It is also a great place for nature hikes, casual meandering in quaint villages as well as outdoor activities like land sailing, canoeing and riverpath cycling. Somme is 111km or about … Continue reading Road trip weekend in Bay of Somme, France

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Italian, Stomach

Savouring Venetian cicchetti in the heart of London

Having been introduced to the cicchetti in Venice (click here to read about my trip), we went hunting for it back in London on Halloween night. Cicchetti, or Italian or Venetian tapas are delicious small dishes of culinary obession savoured with friends over a glass of wine or spritz. Our craving was satisfyingly met at San Carlo’s Cicchetti on Piccadilly. A simple dish where the … Continue reading Savouring Venetian cicchetti in the heart of London

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Travel

Romantic wonders in the city of love, Venice

Beautiful, romantic, mesmerising….flattering words to describe one of the most visited city in the world, but they are all true. Fall in love all over again with the wonder of travels in the city of love. Here are my Top Travel Tips: 1. Go in October – You will appreciate and enjoy Venice much more. The overcrowding from the peak summer months has subside, the … Continue reading Romantic wonders in the city of love, Venice

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blue glazed terracotta plant flower pot
Stuff

Blue Glazed Terracotta Pot For My Little Cactus

Loving the new plant pot I bought from Anthropologie for my little cactus. I bought the mini-sized one for £6.00, which I thought was pretty good value. It is handmade and handpainted glazed terracotta. It comes in 5 other sizes according to their website: Mini: 8 cm H, 13 cm diameter Tumbler: 13 cm H, 10 cm diameter Low Wide: 9.5 cm H, 20 cm … Continue reading Blue Glazed Terracotta Pot For My Little Cactus

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