Sicilian Roadtrippers 🚗

I will start with a disclaimer that this blog post has been a long time coming. I've been meaning to write it since early May but, as happens so often, life got in the way.  So, lets cast our minds back to late April and let me take you on an Italian road trip...

Alex and I had wanted to explore the largest island the Mediterranean has to offer for a while and when we found out that two of our friends shared this ambition, it was the perfect excuse to jet off for a long weekend getaway.

Flying into Catania, we started on the east side of the island. The weather was perfectly bright and sunny with a cool and refreshing breeze and almost as soon as we stepped off the plane we could smell the salt of the ocean. We had light lunch in a wonderfully quaint seafood restaurant and then all piled into the car to our first destination - Mount Etna.

Our first night was spent in the luxurious spa Hotel Villa Neri which boasts stunning views and light, spacious rooms with ginormous fluffy beds. As no trip to Italy is complete without plenty of good wine, the activity of the first night was wine tasting at the famous Gambino Vini, an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone.

Nestled in the foothills of Etna, Gambino Vini is an extraordinarily special place. We were greeted by friendly staff who were hugely knowledgeable about the wine and the history of the area. Unlike other wine tastings, the wine offered is of an unlimited supply and Sommeliers have a generous tendency to leave the open bottles on the table. Needless to say, this policy went down very well with our group and we spent a very merry evening sampling an array of delicious local wines paired with fresh bread, spicy sausages and pungent local cheeses.

The next day we decided an adventure was in order and climbed up into the hills to experience more of what Etna had to offer. In Greek Mythology it is said that Zeus trapped the dreaded monster Typhon beneath the volcanic soil after an epic battle. Sadly, although we didn't experience any signs of ancient mythological monsters, we were rewarded with this scenic vista. 

Post Etna we headed north and drove on to Cefalu, a tiny, pretty town that attracts tourists from all over the globe due to it's scenic streets and stunning coastline. We spent a lazy day wandering around the town and enjoying the balmy Italian sunshine.

Lunch was spent in a restaurant overlooking the ocean and included local delicacies such as creamy burrata with parma ham, salty sardines and tangy slices of octopus cured with citrus and pink peppercorns.

As the sun fell, we settled down at a beach front bar and enjoyed refreshing drinks while watching the sunset.

As you can probably tell, I was delighted by the pleasing effect of the setting sun behind my vibrant orange glass of Aperol Spritz and couldn't resist a snap.

The next day we reluctantly dragged ourselves away from the charming little streets of Cefalu and journeyed on to Palermo, the capital city on the south of the island. 

Palermo was busy and bustling compared with the tranquillity of Cefalu. We spent our day exploring the churches of the surrounding area and admiring the bold architecture and intricate artwork within. We were also pleased to stumble upon the Palermo Street Food Festival  which we hadn't planned for and I was introduced to some new tastes in the form of classic Sicilian street foods arancini and cannoli.

To walk off all the food we had consumed, we spent the afternoon walking by the harbour and enjoying the hot spring sunshine. Then, before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport and fly home. All in all it was a fantastic mini break and I have nostalgia already. Bella Italia!

Smith and Sinclair - Eat Your Drink 🍸

The other day we visited a very different kind of gin bar. Trendy cocktail company Smith and Sinclair have opened a pop-up on Carnaby Street that is essentially a grown-up sweet shop. Although a little gimmicky, I love a touch of the theatrical when it comes to cocktails and S & S did not disappoint!



As soon as we arrived we were greeted with a sea of gin pastilles in large display cabinets. We were offered a nibble on two different flavours - Gin & Tonic and Elderflower Spritz. Although they tasted as harmless as a Rowntrees, we were warned not to be fooled, as each contained a healthy half shot of gin!



As we headed downstairs to the main bar, we were presented with more confectionery delights. Six different flavours of gin lollipop, each carefully created to perfectly compliment the cocktails on the menu. The lollies acted as a kind of alcoholic dib-dab and we were encouraged to get creative with our selections. I deliberated long and hard (much like a kid in a candy store) but eventually went for the Raspberry Collins, Alex kept it classy(ish) and plumped for the Negroni flavour.





Grown-up lollipops were not where the quirkiness ended; also on offer were flavoured bubbles (much like boba) that burst in the mouth and edible perfume which the staff encouraged us to spray on our wrists and then lick off. Unfortunately, the perfumes tasted more like bathroom cleaner than anything else so I wouldn't recommend adding a bottle of this stuff to a loved one's stocking next Christmas.



It was high time for a drink. Feeling the 90s nostalgia, I opted for a Parma Violet - a heady mix of Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Triple Sec and Violet Liqueur. Although it also tasted pretty good, the great thing about this drink was the fact it changed colour from aqua blue to deep purple as you poured. Reminiscent of the Violet Beauregarde episode in Charlie and the Chocolate factory or a potions class in Harry Potter, I was not too grown-up to get excited!



Next it was time for Gin and Tonic on a spoon, served by a cheerful waiter. It consisted of fizzy gin powder mixed with a few drops of tonic from a top secret pipette. The end result was one of a very strong traditional G&T, what's not to love?



Before it was time to head home, we were ushered to the corner of room for one last spectacular display: A large cauldron filled with gin vapours that we were told to stand close too and inhale. I was a little nervous at first but was rewarded with a surprisingly flavourful experience. Part shisha, part dry ice, part cocktail, it was certainly worth trying!



Following the big display, there was nothing left to do but finish our drinks and call it a night. I would highly recommend a visit to Smith & Sinclair, but you will have to hurry, it's only around for a limited time!

Skiing in Tignes - a 360° blog post

Before I start, I should let you know that all the photos in this post are 360° images. To explore, drag the image with the mouse or your finger if you are mobile browsing. 😄

Two weeks ago, Alex and I went on holiday to Tignes, a popular ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley.

I am not a particularly proficient skier, having only been a handful of times before, but can just about scramble down most slopes. Alex, who has been skiing since practically before he could walk, typically wooshes down ahead of me (often backwards) and has to suffer a long and protracted wait at the bottom.

Skiing proficiency aside, we are both always happy to spend time in the mountains. On our first day on the slopes we were so excited we couldn't help but jump for joy!

Post from RICOH THETA. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Our first day on skis was blissful, the air was cold and sharp but the exercise and bright sunshine stopped us from freezing. After burning through a few laps, we were happy to have a break and bask in the winter sunshine with a cold beer. Cheers!

Cheers #360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

We also met this fellow weaving through the tables and deck chairs hoping for titbits. He was the perfect gentlemen and very well behaved so received a very well deserved pat. He was also truly excellent at posing for photographs (the dog not the rather startled gentlemen in sunglasses).

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As the week progressed, I felt my confidence growing and agreed to hike up to the 'eye of the needle' - a striking rock formation that looks just like its namesake. To get there you have to take off your skis and wobble in ski boots along a rather narrow and slippy track. I was really glad I made the effort however it's a beautiful spot that boasts a spectacular view over the mountains.

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 #theta360uk - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

That evening, we padded across to the lake (where Tignes Le Lac gets it's name) and were amazed to see people scuba-diving under the frozen surface. With only a few small breathing holes carved in the ice its not a hobby for the faint-hearted but left me and Alex seriously impressed. The frozen lake is incredibly beautiful with the mountains rising up on all sides and standing in the middle gives you the feeling of being immersed in a giant basin.

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 #theta360uk - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

We were staying in a very comfortable chalet and were cooked a lovely three course meal every night by the friendly and helpful staff. We were also staying with a great bunch of people who kept us entertained with colourful anecdotes over an evening beer.

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When the last day of our holiday rolled around, both Alex and I were feeling rather low. To cheer ourselves up we bought these giant cream-topped Bailey's hot chocolates and sipped them in an alpine restaurant. They were wonderfully indulgent but everyone knows calories don't count in the mountains.

Then it was time for a few more runs and before we knew it we were on a plane heading home. We had so much fun we're hoping to get out again before Easter...I can't wait!

Paris Weekenders

An unexpected but lovely perk of my new job means I get to spend a fair amount of time in Paris.

Before last month, I had only been to the City of Love once before (aged 3½), so there was (and still is) plenty of exploring to be done. I asked Alex to come out for a weekend so we could make a little holiday of it.

After we arrived and checked into out hotel - we set out almost immediately in search of delicious French cuisine. Luckily, we have plenty of friends who are real foodies and were willing to share their favourite dinner spots with us.

One such place was the legendary Bouillion Chartier - a gorgeous restaurant in the Opera district. You can't book a table in advance, so be prepared to queue, but the line moves quickly and you can enjoy a tasty glass of sangria while you wait. I didn't take any photos whilst inside the restaurant so you will just have to trust me when I say the food, value for money and atmosphere were all excellent and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

The next day we awoke early and braved the cold, grey weather in order to soak up some culture, grabbing a quick coffee and a pain au chocolat for the road.

The first stop on our agenda was The Louvre, and we spent a relaxed morning pottering about amongst the art and clumsily attempting to decipher the descriptions written in French.

The museum is stuffed with Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities, and I thoroughly enjoyed regaling Alex with my dusty knowledge of Greek mythology learned during my University days.

Post museum we decided to pay a visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral and were surprised to discover a service in session. Quiet as church mice (excuse the pun) we tiptoed around and admired the stunning high ceilings and ornate stained glass windows - well worth a visit if you've not been before. You can also opt to climb the bell tower which provides great views of the city but due to the freezing weather and extraordinary long queue we decided to give it a miss this time.

The next day I tapped into my uber-tourist mode and requested to go and see the Eiffel Tower. Although it was sadly rather a cloudy day, the views that greeted us when we reached the top were still mind-blowing. The tower was even larger than I had anticipated and even boasts an ice rink on the first floor 😲

In order to stretch our legs and work off some of the delicious butter-laden lunch we had just enjoyed we opted to walk down most of the 1,700 steps down, waving at other tourists riding up in the lift as we went.

Once we had returned to land, the sun was just starting to set behind the tower. We enjoyed one last leisurely stroll through the idyllic Parisian streets before heading back to our cosy little hotel. A thoroughly satisfying weekend in all... À bientôt Paris!