Dining in Phuket, here is what you need to know

We all know that food speaks to the soul, and the one thing I love about travelling is trying out all the local food delicacies and through the food, learning more about the culture, to me, that experience is intrinsic to why I travel and I like to think many people feel the same.   Having grown up with two parents from not only different countries but different continents has always meant my home has had a variety of influences when it comes to what we eat and I bring that passion with me when I travel. So have you ever wondered what food tastes like on the other side of the world? The following contains golden nuggets on just how good it is. Enjoy! Dining in Paradise Dining in style is definitely not a myth in locations like Hotel Buffet Phuket , where we not only eat the finest food on earth, but also do so in exotic settings throughout the magical island. Restaurants in the location are incredible, and many hosts live cooking shows in fabulous cooking stations surrounded b......

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Where to Eat the Best Pasta in, Bologna According to the Bolognese

Bologna, known as the gastronomic capital of Italy, is the heart of traditional Italian pasta. Famous for its tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and many other pasta delicacies, the city offers a culinary journey that reflects the history and culture of the Emilia-Romagna region. But where do the locals—the Bolognese—go when they want to indulge in the best pasta the city has to offer? In this article, we explore some of the top spots in Bologna that are highly recommended by locals in 2024. 1. Trattoria Anna Maria Located at Via delle Belle Arti, 17/A, Trattoria Anna Maria is a true institution of Bolognese cuisine. For over 30 years, this trattoria has been serving some of the best tortellini in brodo and tagliatelle al ragù in the city. Anna Maria herself oversees the kitchen, ensuring that the recipes handed down through generations are meticulously followed. The pasta is handmade daily, with the thin sheets of dough being expertly rolled by sfogline, traditional pasta maker......

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Tastecard Review - it really does save you money

This is a sponsored post If you are a bit of a foodie or family who wants to make savings when out and about or simply on the ball when it comes to getting a good deal, then you may have already heard of tastecard , a discount card that has been going for 17yrs and offers deals like 2 for 1, 50% off and 25% off an array of local and chain restaurants and cafes. As everyone is feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis, many of us are not eating out as much and socialising less, tastecard could be a handy way to make those treats a little bit more affordable, especially as they have expanded beyond just restaurants and now offer more savings than ever. So what savings can you expect? *Dining Discounts - 2 for 1, 50% food & 25% off food and drink Sun-Thurs * 50% off pizza delivery from places like Pizza Hut and Domino's 7 days a week * 25% off Barista-made drinks 7 days a week from places like Caffe Nero * Cinema discounts * Days out and members' perks For me, a big dra......

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A Comprehensive Guide to Where Kids Eat Free This Half Term

With more and more people staycationing than ever, coupled with the cost of living crisis, I thought it may be useful to provide the most up-to-date guide on where kids eat free this half term.  Now the half term isn't the same everywhere in the UK, I know for example many schools are off now but in South Wales, schools only break up next week, so the majority of restaurants and cafes mentioned, they are offering deals from the 13th-26th, although do make sure to read the T&C's of a place before heading there as there can be time restrictions, age restrictions and some don't offer their deal over the weekend.  Restaurants Bills - Valid from Mon 13th - 17th and 20th- 24th Feb Up to two children eat free, all day Monday-Friday if one adult orders any main dish. This offer is not valid on Sat/Sun Yo Sushi - Valid Mon 13th - 17th and 20th - Fri 24th Kids eat free all day when dining with a full-paying adult (minimum £10 spend). The offer is for one free kids' meal dea......

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A review of the newly refurbished Ty Mawr Pub, Lisvane

*Ty Mawr kindly invited us along to the press night. I've not been paid for this review & all words are 100% my own On the mountainside, overlooking Cardiff, with the Severen Estuary in the distance sits the beautiful Ty Mawr Pub . Having been closed recently for refurbishment, it reopened just before Christmas, looking and feeling more wonderful than ever.  I had been long overdue a child-free evening out with my mum, so I organised childcare for the kids and she and I set off to see what the new menu was all about. On arrival, the pub had a lovely festive atmosphere and the staff were very welcoming, taking us to our seats near the warm wood fire.  The Ty Mawr has a very impressive drinks selection, not only do they have an array of cask ale and beers but also a variety of wines, gin, whiskey, cocktails and mocktails to try out.  As it must have been at least 5yrs since my mum and I have had an evening out without the kids, we started the night with a small glass of......

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Cote Brasserie - the best french breakfast in Cardiff?

*Written in collaboration with OpenTable - words & opinions 100% my own Hands down my favourite meal of the day is a breakfast brunch and having spent time living in France before having kids, one of my favourite things to do is treat myself to a late morning french inspired breakfast and over the years I've tried a few around Cardiff but I had never visited Cote Brasserie until recently and I am so glad I did.  Firstly I made my booking through OpenTable which is really easy to do and shows you all your local restaurants and cafes available at the day and time of your choosing. It doesn't cost anything to use and means that you can guarantee your table at your chosen venue.  While I love breakfast I am not always the earliest of risers so I booked for 11am as Cote Brasserie serves breakfast until 12:30 on weekends and it made for the perfect start to a slow Sunday and even better my Mother and my Brother joined me as we hadn't gone for a meal together since the star......

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5 Reasons why I can't wait to revisit Germany

*This post contains affiliate links I have been lucky enough to visit Germany on a few occasions and have spent time in Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin and I'm really hoping to revisit again, hopefully, this year as there are so many reasons why from their beautiful scenery, amazing food, beer, architecture and culture and I've only ever had positive travel experiences there and can't wait to go back. It has a really unique feel to it with so much culture and has something for everyone from chic cities to breathtaking forests and mountain ranges and while the food may not have the same recognition as that of the French or Spanish for example but it does have it's only identity and unique dishes and plenty of choices when it comes to beers. So if you need any more convincing here are 5 other reasons why you should consider a trip to Germany in the future. 1. Food and Festivities The Germans love festivals and I think most people would have heard of Oktoberfest wh......

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Hotel Indigo Manchester - Best Location in Town

*This post is in collaboration with Hotel Indigo  If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I have recently collaborated with Hotel Indigo and headed up to Manchester, one of the most colourful and creative northern cities for a much needed child-free break. The last time I visited Manchester was over a decade ago and that was only for a couple of hours en route to Scotland so I was really looking forward to exploring everything this fashion forward city has to offer and I will be sharing my weekend guide with you very soon but for now I want to concentrate on Hotel Indigo Manchester and why it's the perfect spot for a vibrant weekend away. Now as you may already know I am very passionate about staycations as the UK has so much to offer and many people seem to overlook that. With such excellent public transport networks in the UK you don't even need a car to get to most places and the train from South Wales to Manchester was much quicker than anticipated being......

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Our Stylish Family Stay at Cotswold Grange Hotel, Cheltenham

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you may have seen we headed off to the beautiful spa town of Cheltenham for a weekend break away. The last time I had been in Cheltenham was around 7yrs ago when I was shooting a wedding and it was as wonderful as I remembered. We took a slow drive from our home in Cardiff, first stopping off in Chepstow and visiting Chepstow Castle (which I highly recommend) and then driving up through the Wye Valley, along the Severn River to the historical town of Cheltenham on the edges of the Cotswolds. While I know Cheltenham makes for a fantastic adult break away, with its boutique stores and stylish eateries, we were a little concerned there wouldn't be a lot for the kids to do but we needn't had worried as we had a great time from start to finish and I will be writing a separate post about family-friendly things to do there. For this post however I want to focus on our stay at The Cotswolds Grange Hotel as it was such positive experie......

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