Tips Archives - Page 5 of 6

Less is More – Pintxos in San Sebastián, Spain

Experiences, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Tips Aga

If you are a foodie like I am, there is a little town in northern Spain, on the Bay of Biscay, that you will thoroughly enjoy: San Sebastián. Nestled in the mountainous Basque country close to the French border, San Sebastian enjoys a beautiful coastline as well as the picturesque Aralar Range. Apart from the beauty and charm of the region, there is also something very special about the place: its approach to food. The abundance of local produce means there is a variety of great ingredients to play with and play they do! This enables creative cooks in the region to offer a unique experience when it comes to utilising these ingredients. The food excellence of the region is encapsulated in one word: “pintxo” (pronounced [pintʃo]).

How to Create a Luxury Spa in Your Home

Home, Lifestyle, Rituals, Spa, Tips, Women's Aga

The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of a spa is “a bath containing hot aerated water”, I guess you could say that “spa” is a fancy word for a “hot bath”. By this definition you could very well have a private spa in your home already! However I think when most of us think of the word “spa”, we think of a luxuriously appointed space oozing tranquillity and calm, nourishing refreshments with meditative music in the background where your mind, body and soul are pampered and recharged. Now wouldn’t you prefer that in your home, rather than just a hot bath?

A professional spa session can set you back quite a lot, sometimes even up to hundreds of pounds. However if you were to create a spa environment in your own home, then you can use it literally whenever you want. Planning, reservations and logistics are yours to command. And of course it will be way cheaper, all you need are a few accessories in your home.

The Power of Welcome

Experiences, Hotels, Lifestyle, Loyalty Schemes, Perks, Rituals, Tips Aga

There is nothing that makes you feel more at home than a good welcome after a journey, no matter how long or short. During my travels, I learned to appreciate a good welcome and it has since become a symbol of how the venue will treat me that I pay particular attention to. A welcome means a lot and has many important functions that carry importance throughout your stay.

Agriturismos – Farm Stays in the Italian Countryside

Deals, Experiences, Food & Drink, Hotels, Lifestyle, Tips, Travel Tom

Italy. Hearing the name of the country evokes a number of thoughts and sensations. From history to food. From stunning scenery to warm hospitality. From hectic bustling metropolises to laid back easy-going villages. Italy offers something for everyone.

From observation and experience, most people who travel to Italy stay in the major cities at hotels and B&Bs. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and if it was most other countries this is the ideal choice. Italy is blessed with having any number of excellent hotels that are worth checking out. However there is another form of accommodation that while not unique to Italy, Italians have definitely seized upon the concept and made it their own.

The gift that keeps on giving – Bobbi Brown’s ‘How To’

Accessories, Fashion, Lifestyle, Tips, Women's Aga

Doing the usual window shopping at Elys, which is a rather nice shopping centre in Wimbledon, London, I noticed that the Bobbi Brown counter had a professional make-up artist who was applying make-up and discussing with their client about what was being applied. Enquiring more about this, it turns out that Bobbi Brown offer a free make-up lesson. Without any hesitation I signed myself up to see what all the fuss was about.

Not only did I receive some brilliant tips and tricks that I still use in my daily routine, but I’ve also learned how best to utilise the lessons not only for my own everyday use, but also for when a special occasion requires it.

Dessert Wines

Alcohol, Food & Drink, Rituals, Tips Tom

When dining out at a nice restaurant, or putting on a dinner party at home, it is fairly standard to have a starter, main and dessert. This is a tried and tested formula as there’s something about a tantalising entree leading into a filling main which is then followed up by a succulent dessert, that leaves the mind and body feeling nourished and satiated. The same can be said for drinks, especially when accompanying such a meal. Apertifs, wines and digestifs are perfectly suited for each stage of a meal.

Wine (or sake, beer, juice) for a main is a fairly well-understood concept, and something that I’ve spoken about elsewhere. Writing this now in summer, apertifs like the delicious Aperol Spritz are a fairly common sight at trendy restaurant terraces. However I’m of the opinion that the humble dessert wine is a misunderstood and often overlooked third leg of the trifecta of complimenting drinks.