Exploring Tuscany – Town and Country Day Trips from Florence. Why would you want to take a day trip from Florence? There’s a wealth of things to do in Florence, the capital of Tuscany. It’s known as the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ for good reason. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded […]
OMG! Van Eyck Was Here
Ghent – Van Eyck and More. OMG! Van Eyck was here is the slogan currently displayed all over Ghent on flags, flyers, billboards and even refuse bins. Van Eyck fever is taking hold in the city where throughout 2020, celebrations of this Flemish master will showcase both his work and enduring influence. One of the […]
A Porky Passion with Iberian Ham.
Exploring the Dehesa – Iberian Ham. What makes Iberian ham (jamón Ibérico) so special? Obviously the best way to find out is by travelling to Spain to Seville and then on into the countryside to the North, to the Dehesa. In our case that was to an area around Huelva, Cumbres de San Bartolomé, close […]
Billecart-Salmon Champagne – Understated Perfectionism and Beer inspired Fizz
Exploring Champagne at Billecart-Salmon, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. On a windswept, vine-covered hillside, looking out over the Champagne region, Mathieu Roland-Billecart, 7th Generation of the house of Billecart-Salmon Champagne surveys his land. ‘This area, where we are standing is part of the Montagne de Reims, it’s the Bond Street of Pinot Noir for the Champagne Appellation – and […]
Mons – A City for All Seasons
Tanks in Town and More in Mons, Wallonia, Belgium. Wallonia, the southern and French-speaking part of Belgium is one of those regions you might chance upon rather than visit by design. But, go once and you’ll want to return. Gentle and slow-paced, Wallonian cities are typically unspoilt and not overly busy. However, as I discovered […]
Namur Belgium – A Citadel, Snails, Perfume and More
In the heart of Wallonia – What to do in Namur, Belgium. Namur, Belgium, is in the heart of the French-speaking part of the country, Wallonia. Today, Namur is a thriving University City, with a charming, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, perfect as a base for exploring Wallonia or travelling further afield in Belgium and equally […]
Hotel Les Tanneurs de Namur
Boutique Charm in Namur at Hôtel Les Tanneurs. What is the thing you look for in a hotel when you are travelling? For some people being in the heart of the City is important, for others it’s finding a hotel that is contemporary, with every possible mod con. For me, it’s a hotel with heritage. […]
Châteaux and Champagne – visiting l’Aisne
Beyond the Battlefields – l’Aisne, France. A trip to l’Aisne in Picardie, France, is often triggered by an itinerary to explore the battlefields of the World Wars – but there’s much more on offer in this little-known region just an hour or so from Paris. Here’s a taster of what you can expect if you […]
Visit Antwerp – An Atypical Adventure
A Whistlestop Visit to Antwerp, Belgium. ‘Atypical Antwerp’ is the marketing slogan for a city that is creative, dynamic and vibrant, a small city of half a million people that punches far above its size in art, fashion, architecture and more. I had passed through Antwerp once before en route to Amsterdam and I suspect […]
Comté cheese – the Jura region France
The making of Comté cheese. An iconic French brand, Comté was one of the first kinds of cheese to receive an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée) status in 1958. Having lived and worked in the French Alps I was already a fan of Comté and Tomme cheese, both of which are made in this area, and […]