Travel Archives - Page 2 of 5

Valentine for Valentine’s – Staying at Vineyards for all the right reasons

Alcohol, Food & Drink, Hotels, Tips, Travel Tom

This Valentine’s Day, we will be enjoying an incrediably good red wine from the Bordeaux region called Valentine par Valentine. This wine comes from a relatively small producer in the Cadillac region of Bordeaux called Chateau Lamothe de Haux. At Chateau Lamothe they produce a few thousand bottles of wine each season ranging from sumptious reds to crisp whites and a sweet Sauternes-style semillion. Being in Bordeaux, they naturally do an amazing Claret, too.

A Playful Pairing at The Fat Duck – 5 Reasons To Choose the Non-Alcoholic Pairing

Alcohol, Experiences, Fine Dining, Food & Drink, Tips Aga

The Fat Duck often needs no introduction. Ranked number 1 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2005, it is one of a handful of three Michelin star restaurants in the UK and is situated in the charming country town of Bray in Berkshire, England. It is run by Heston Blumenthal, the celebrity chef known for marrying the culinary arts with science and a flair for the dramatic. The Fat Duck reputation precedes itself for offering extraordinary culinary experiences in a theatrical setting.

Where to get the perfect spa facial: the UK or the continent?

Deals, Experiences, Hotels, Lifestyle, Rituals, Spa, Tips, Travel Aga

As we are headed towards winter, my thoughts meander more and more towards places where I can get some heat and feel cosy. Given it’s not always possible to escape to the tropics, a pampering spa day or weekend is the next best thing in my book. As we like to explore luxury value for money at Aspiring Snob, I thought a comparison of some of my favourite European spas would be perfect for this time of year.

Comfort zone or adventure? Tips for work and pleasure travel

Lifestyle, Rituals, Tips, Travel Aga

In my mind, there are two main reasons most people travel. Travelling for pleasure and travelling for work.

When you travel for pleasure, you are in a different frame of mind than when you travel for work. You might react completely differently to the same events. For instance, when I have to get up super early in order to set off for a work trip, I am a zombie. However, when I have to get up at the same time to set off for holidays, I am energised, curious and happy. Oddly, I am not tired but am waiting for the upcoming adventure. Unlike for a work trip, I actually relish seeing the sun come up knowing it means my holidays are about to begin.

Why The People Are The Best Element In Any Hotel Stay

Hotels, Tips, Travel Aga

There are many elements that go into making a hotel stay not just good or great, but truly memorable. After many travels and stays in many hotels, I set it upon myself to look into what separated the memorable stays from the “normal” ones.

Trying to think about what has impressed me over the years, my list contained numerous elements such as the decor of the reception area or the plushness of the bed. It included more gimmicky items such as bathroom mirrors that were also TVs or outdoor jacuzzis on a beach-fronted terrace. Then there were the usual suspects such as grand views of the Sydney Opera House and bridge or New York’s Central Park.

VIP Weekend – by Aspiring Snob

Deals, Experiences, Food & Drink, Invites/Access, Lifestyle Tom

At Aspiring Snob, we have a few fundamental beliefs. They include luxury that is value for money (as opposed to alleged luxury for cheap) and education on some of the finer things in life. Having had the good fortune of experiencing some amazing places, as well as those to avoid, we have put together a programme that combines these two fundamental beliefs that is ideal for the aspiring snob in all of us.