...Bath

Probably one of England's most historical cities, owing to its Roman heritage. Ideal for group visits, romantic breaks or the entire family. There’s probably something for everyone. Just remember, just because Bath is a City, it is small, which is one of its charms.

The Roman Baths is probably the most famous and popular attraction. And there is a reason why.  It’s fantastic.  And, if you do visit the Roman Baths and feel the need to take a dip, the Thermae Bath is definitely for you.  I’ll be honest.  I've been to better spa’s/Baths. However, this is England's only natural, thermal spa!  You do pay for that privilege, but there is a reason you go to the Thermae, and that is for the view! The rooftop spa is wonderful.  The panorama you get of the City , with steam rising from the water is well worth the price. We went in the winter, with snow on the hills and roof tops and it was magical. In the summer, I can imagine it to be just as spectacular.

There is of course plenty of shopping to be had in Bath, all the major high street brands and many independents too. And the surrounding areas have lost of active pastimes, so if you are staying for a couple of nights and want to do something a hit more exhilarating, check out the possibilities. (See links at the end of this Blog).

Where to stay:

We stayed at Henrietta house. A lovely old building run by a German couple.  Honestly, I stayed there because it was within budget and catered for a one night stay.  But it was a lovely place, with some lovely touches, like homemade biscuits in the room, but if you’re staying for longer then do look around. The rooms are not huge (well, ours wasn’t). The breakfast was lovely I should add.  It reminded me of our stay in Salzburg.

The staff were extremely helpful, offering us towels etc for the Thermae Bath, to save us some money.  The location is ideal.  You can walk into the main part of the City within minutes, having crossed over the river and passed some lovely independent shops. You can walk from the train station to the Hotel,but we opted for a taxi. There is parking if you drive.

Where to eat:

I researched lots of places to eat. I was on a budget and ended up settling on Brown’s.  Set in a Grade II listed building, I hoped it would a lovely setting with reasonable food.  I was right on one count. The building is lovely.  However, I would hate to go there on a busy night.  We ate on a Friday and it wasn't hugely busy, yet we were served warm food. How long it had been waiting around is anyone's guess. The flavours combinations were good but to be quite frank, for what were ordered, you can do better at home. A note to the chef, fancy plates do not make food tastier.

On a positive note, I did have a voucher for a discount on their fine wine selection. And when i scanned the receipt the next day, i noticed the wine had not been charged at all. Somewhat of a win after a decidedly limp culinary experience. I would not suggest you avoid Brown’s. I try and give places the benefit of the doubt.  If you’re with a group of people and the food is not the main event, then it’s is probably ideal. And don't forget the setting.  the restaurant itself is exceptionally comfortable and has a nice ambiance to it.  I didn't wholly dislike my experience there.

Now strictly speaking, a cocktail bar is not somewhere to eat. And I think i’d struggle to suggest Door 34 is.  However, when we visited on Burns night, there was not only Haggis on offer, delivered by a kilted man, but there was also cheese and biscuits (probably more of a regular occurrence).  Door 34 is one of these backstreet cocktail bars where the tables need a bit of a clean.  You felt surfaces were a bit sticky.  But the staff are extremely entertaining, the cocktails are fabulous and if you’re lucky they throw in the odd freebie too!  We were so glad to have made the effort to find this place.  It was a real talking point.  Other, more ‘shiny’ cocktail bars can be found in Bath!

The oldest Tea Room in the Land (or so they say) can be found in Bath.  the famous Sally Lunn’s. My partner nearly went here on her last visit to Bath, with friends.  they couldn’t get in so went else where.  We did get in.  And I wish we hadn’t. Sally Lunn’s, aside from being the oldest tea room, is famous for the Bath bun. There’s not much you can’t serve with or on a Bath bun, it would appear.  The safe option, would be traditional rarebit, or so you would think.  Soggy bread (er sorry, Bath bun) with melted, cheddar cheese on it and a side of bitter salad is not really what I call rarebit. It was a pathetic attempt.  I looked around and the soup looked lovely, as did the smoked salmon on, yes, a Bath bun. Plates were being left empty all around us. (my plate left me empty too).

The tea there undoubtedly good. I can recommend the Russian Caravan. if you do decide to go, then don't sit on a table for two. They’re not big enough. And hopefully they’ve shown the place a lick of paint.  It just looked very tired in there.  Maybe they were trying to emphasise the fact it’s old(?).

Links:

Thermae Bath

Restaurants - Tripadvisor

http://www.henriettahouse.co.uk/

http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/locations/bath/

Sally Lunn’s Tripadvisor reviews

Looking for guest posts

Been somewhere on holiday and want to share your experience?  I’m looking for people who want to add to this blog as a guest blogger. You just need to write a short intro about the destination and what you got up to, where you stayed and what foodie experiences you had.   Contact me via the blog if you're interested.

...Granada

This was probably one of our more spectacular fails when it came to organising and booking all the elements of our holiday, independently. We ended up in the middle of nowhere!  “Walking distance to small village with several bars and restaurants”, it said.  “Oh brilliant” we said.  Nothing better than having bars and restaurants within walking distance of where you’re staying.

It didn't mention the perilous walk along the river bank to get there and that the bars and restaurants were all either closed, pensionistas or looked dirtier than a dirty protest! Hmm, we’d be eating in or having the annoying option of driving somewhere and not being able to drink. Or at least me, the designated driver.

We had lots of BBQs.

Shade in Alhama

Surprisingly this turned out to be a great little holiday. Visit the Lake at Bermejales. Truly stunning

Great architecture in Alhama,
and places to cool off!

Where to stay:

Valenzuela is a tiny hamlet in Granada near Alhama de Granada.  We stayed in a lovely 2 bed cottage that is suitable for the winter months too. Although this is no modern abode, the red door that greets you is cheerful and as you enter you feel sheltered from the heat of the sun.  It’s comforting.  It’s a space you want to spend time in.  

Love this red door to the cottage

Views around Alhama de Granada

There’s nothing to do in Valenzuela. Nothing except soak up the sun and swim in the pool.  The outdoor space to this property is brilliant. If you need supplies, Moraleda de Zafayona or Alhama de Granada are your best bets.  There is a couple of shops in one of the villages close by, but to be honest, they’re not worth bothering with.

There is a health spa on the road that takes you to Alhama which you should visit. The town is called such after the thermal spa here,  al-hammam in Arabic  The waters here supposedly have medicinal qualities.  There is a nice walk here too.  You should also spend some time investigating Alhama de Granada, as this is the best place within striking distance of Valenzuela.  It has a very Roman feel to it and some of the architecture is quite impressive in a shabby ancient way. It also has some breathtaking views. Some are obvious others you just stumble upon.

Take a stroll along the stream at the hot spings

If you’re going to the Granada region, then you really do need to visit the Alhambra. Go early. You’ll avoid the queues (sort of) and the heat.  You don't want to waiting to enter a building at midday, in summer. Wear sensible shoes as their is a fair bit of walking involved.  The Alhambra is a marvel to behold.  You should also visit the City and take a tour bus as you won't find your way around otherwise.

Stunning buildings at the
Alhambra

When we left Valenzuela we both agreed that this was a holiday that would have been made all the better if we’d done it as a part of a fly drive holiday, and visited other parts of Andalusia. Tthe driving really isn't an issue.  The roads are good and not very busy.  It was a great feeling driving through the mountains.  You’d also do quite well to visit in the winter.  It snows here and I can only imagine the scenery looking fabulous in the white. I’d also consider staying in Alhama, just for the convenience.

The Alhambra is a must visit

Where to eat:

Now here’s the thing. You’ll struggle to find restaurants.  Or at least you’ll struggle to find restaurants with interesting menus.  Spanish food can be very simple. That’s not a criticism as i’m a huge fan of Spanish food. But what you will find is plenty of places serving food. Confused? It appears that in this region of Spain they still uphold a traditional way of life.  and that is giving you a ‘free’ Tapa with your drink. And the drinks are cheap!  We tipped reasonably well in percentage terms, just because we felt so bad at how cheap everything was.  And how good!

In Alhama our favourite place was in the main square before the big hill.  They cooked your tapas before your eyes and the beer was cold. There was always a selection. Well, meat, fish...

And this was our experience of eating out.  We did find one restaurant that seemed quite popular and frankly, the tapas at the bars was better. So when in Rome er, i mean Granada, do as they do, and drink and eat tapas!

That or stay in and BBQ!

 Useful Links

http://www.piccavey.com/alhama-de-granada/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhama_de_Granada

http://wikitravel.org/en/Alhama_de_Granada

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/5278449/Alhama-de-Granada-Spain-my-kind-of-town.html

...Online. A new service to research your holiday for you!

A recent report stated that the average Briton spent 24 hours researching their holiday online! That's a lot.  But when you're spending a large chunk of your income on a just a week or two, you want to make sure you get all the details right.

So this got me thinking.  I like researching holiday stuff, so what if I was to do this for you! After a brief consultation, I can provide you with a personalised portfolio for specific destination, ranging from where to stay, what to do, where to eat and where to relax with a drink in your hand with that perfect view. All within your budget. Well, maybe with one or two little treats thrown in, that you may want to consider splashing the cash on.

The portfolio will be available online, so you can access it whilst you're away and will consist of information gathered from various sites which rate and recommend all the aspects of the destination you are interested in.  

So what's the catch?

Well there is none?  You get that day back of your life back, that you would have otherwise spent in front of a computer screen. 

Does it cost?

There will be a charge which will be dependent on the depth of detail you want in your portfolio and/or the number of activities etc you want information on. The starting cost will be £10 for a basic search and portfolio. This will rise under negotiation after the consultation. 

...Yorkshire Dales

What a marvelous island this is.  We really do have some truly stunning places to visit. The Yorkshire Dales is certainly one of the prettiest places to spend your time. I have had many a holiday up in the Dales and I would certainly recommend you stay in the Leyburn area, as you are well placed to explore the Dales and all the activities it has to offer. In early May, there is a food festival which is certainly worth attending and in the late spring you start to get a lot of the agricultural shows which can be thoroughly entertaining.  A couple of years ago we went to the Reeth Show and had a great day out.  If you have kids, they’ll love it too.

Water Fall in West Burton - frozen in winter

So what can you do in the Dales?  Well, what do you like doing?  You can do it all up there! Ripon is worth visiting as is Harrogate.  It’s mainly shopping but you do get to go to Betty’s in Harrogate and Ripon has a great cathedral and a very good restaurant called the Deanery.

Closer to Leyburn there are a couple of castles worth looking at, Bolton castle and the one in Middleham. If you have kids, try taking 

Castle Bolton

them to the Forbidden Corner.  If you have larger kids, take them to aerial extreme in Bedale. There are some trout fisheries if you like fishing and if you like beer, there is the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham. But walking is probably the most popular pastime of visitors to the dales and I can recommend the trails at Malham tarn and any starting from Askrigg.

Where to stay:

Semerwater - Close to Askrigg

Several good golf courses too!

We always stay at The Mill in West Burton or at the Shippon in Askrigg. They are both owned by the same people and have always had excellent service. The Mill is a lovely place for a couple. It’s a flat in a converted water Mill, right by a stunning waterfall.  The village itself is picture postcard pretty and has a fairly decent pub for food.  The butcher there is very good.  Amazing black pudding. Askrigg is a more typical village, with several pubs and shops. I prefer the Kings Arms, who do a good food menu. The Shippon, in Askrigg, is a good place to go with friends as it has a second bedroom.  It also has an outdoor space for a BBQ in the summer and indoors is a cosy coal burner for the colder winter nights. 

Reeth - Great ice cream parlour here. Enjoy with the views

Where to eat:

Ok. I’m going to have to be selective here, as i’ve eaten a lot of places up here. The Yorkshires sure know how to cook!

Blue Lion. Even Jamie Oliver raves about
this place.  Oh and Prince Charles Too!

You must try the blue Lion at East Witton. Prince Charles dines there and I can confirm the food is brilliant. The menu can vary quite a lot and it can be hard to choose. We’ve even been known to go for lunch and just have a starter and a pudding and coffees.  Just as a light bite.  You can eat in the bar area, which is nice enough.  Big fire! Or there are dining rooms which are dimly lit can add a very grand feeling to the dining experience, with the pub being such an old building.

The Deanery in Ripon is also worth a visit.  Opposite the Cathedral, this grand building is also a hotel but the food is what you’d go here for.  In the past i’ve had a variety of meals here, with a cassoulet being a particularly memorable dish. after dinner brandy’s are served in particularly large balloons.

The Deanery

The Wensleydale Heifer is up there too.  This is predominantly a fish restaurant. but the meat here is pretty damn good too! They do an early bird menu which is worth doing if you can as like the other two places, it’s not the cheapest.  The battered fish and chips is a good option if you’re feeling ravenously hungry.  It’s big and you can get a whopper sized portion too! The atmosphere is not as good as at the Blue Lion.... you can see where my heart lies!

If you’re heading out towards Richmond, there’s a cracking pub in Downholme called the Bolton Arms.  It used to be owned by the Queen... tenuously.  However, today it is more famous for its Kleftico. You can read a fairly accurate description about it here. The pub itself really isn't anything special to look at.  But the food is actually pretty remarkable. I've been here several times and it always amazes me just how good it is.  My partner always want’s to go back and she really is a stickler for pretty surroundings.  I suppose it’s a proper old fashioned Yorkshire experience.

Another Bolton Arms in Redmire is also worth a visit if you’re not looking to bust the bank and the Kings in Askrigg is worth checking out too.  Great steaks here. If you fancy a night in after a long day walking, find out when the chip van visits. The mobile chip van probably does the best chip shop chips ever.  If you want haddock, don't be afraid to yell that out as soon as he arrives. These fish and chips are seriously good. Closely rivaled by Friar Tucks in Leyburn. We sometimes get some Friar Tucks and quickly drive to the car park at Castle Bolton and enjoy them with a view!

Useful Links:

http://www.welcometoleyburn.co.uk/

www.wensleydalescottages.co.uk/

www.thebluelion.co.uk/

www.wensleydaleheifer.co.uk/

http://www.aerialextreme.co.uk/page/north-yorkshire

http://www.yorkshire-dales.com/aysgarth-falls.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/your-travels/9842953/Yorkshire-Dales-readers-tips-recommendations-and-travel-advice.html

...Fowey

...Fowey.  Sticking with a Cornish theme, Fowey is a stunning coastal town in Cornwall.  There is a little ferry across to Porluan which is also worth a little explore.  there are a few good walks to be had from Porluan.

Fowey is very much one of those places where it’s simply quite nice to wander around the streets and do  little shopping in the little shops.  It’s a very pretty, so it’s worth taking a camera. It’s also a pretty good place to stay if you’re aiming to go to the Eden project. There really isn't a huge amount to do in Fowey but don't let this put you off.  Fowey is one of the places in Cornwall I would go back to time after time for a short break. It is one of the most relaxing places you can find!

Where to stay:

We stayed just outside of Fowey in a B&B on a little farm estate. A great location, as you probably don't want to find yourself driving into the centre of Fowey when it’s busy. The B&B consists of several out building which if you needed, could be rented together if there is a number of you.  They share a beautifully landscaped Mediterranean style courtyard, where you can sit and admire the views.  You also have your breakfast out here or in your rooms if it’s not the weather for al fresco!

We stayed in a room called Millstone, which was very pleasant.  For the price I thought the standard was very good.  It wasn’t drowning in gadgets and fancy decor like some B&Bs think is essential and actually add very little to the experience. There are walks from the B&B and there is also a nature reserve which we sadly didn't have the time to explore.

The breakfast was served in our room, which you might think a little odd but it really wasn’t. And it certainly didn’t feel intrusive. The standard was very good although I did miss the experience you get at many guest houses where you have the breakfast buffet before the cooked food.

A taxi into Fowey was about £4.50.  So in the evening it’s very cheap to get a drive into town.  

Where to eat:

There truly is a wealth of places to eat in Fowey. But for me, the best place in town is Sam’s. If you can try and eat upstairs.  It will be busy in there and it’s a slightly odd set up inside.  You arrive and order your food before you have a table. Best thing on the menu is the surf and turf.  Then, if you want a little aperitif, you can head upstairs to the cocktail bar and enjoy one or more from their superb selection.

When your food is nearly ready, you head to your table and enjoy.  I must confess. we have a couple of cocktails to start and a couple after, so I can't remember what starter I had. But the surf and turf was certainly memorable.  Just go for the half lobster. There is plenty of food on the plate. All fresh and local. I suppose it can be a little rowdy in Sam’s. But it is certainly a place locals go to and it is certainly a place to go for a fun time. I have such fond memories of Sam’s, I can’t recommend it enough.

...Fuengirola

Fuengirola I must confess wouldn't ordinarily be my first choice destination. My partner has a relative out there so we've had free accommodation and a reason to go. However, I seem to have fallen for the place. Yes there is a real element of Brits abroad which I try and turn a blind eye too. Yes the sea front is lined with high rise hotels blocking out the once magnificent mountain views. But, as with anywhere where you know what the locals know, such a place can reveal some unexpected treasures. There is a square, where of an evening you can sit and have an expensive glass of wine, and admire the old town hall, there is another square by the old post office where you can get a large brandy and a coffee for a few euros, in unspoilt peace.  There are restaurants where you wonder how they can produce food of such quality for the prices they charge.  The Beaches are fantastic if not busy at peak times. Oh and there’s  a Zoo.  What was once cages full of sad animals has become an magnificent site where animals have carefully thought out enclosures.

Where to stay:

Well this is going to be short. Only once have we not been able tos stay with said relative. All I can say is, you tend to get what you pay for.  

Where to eat:  

The Meson Salamanca. Undoubtedly my favourite place to eat in Fuengirola.  The owner has recently expanded the restaurant  and I recommend you sit in the old part.  The room on the left as you walk in. The Salamanca operates on a set menu basis but don't let the prices sway your opinion. It’s all good.  You can go a la carte but there’s no reason to really.  People do though but we’ve never seen the point.  We generally always go for the mid ranged option but we've sampled dishes from the cheapest to the most expensive. The quality of the ingredients is always high.  The Gambas y pil pil is a staple of ours when we go there.  The onion soup is also outstanding.  Rarely he will have mussels which I am told also live up to the high standards we have come to expect.
The pork in sauce is tender and cooked to perfection but my favourite is the entrecote. The quality of the beef is excellent. The veg that accompanies most of the dishes is season with garlic salt and it is oh so addictive. The food here is simple.  and most things come with chips and veg. This is how they serve you so quickly and get a high turnover of covers each night. The set menus come with wine, which he buys in bulk from his preferred vineyard so again, its not vinegar your drinking and it quite quaffable. As for desserts, i've never managed to stray from the Creme Brulee or the Crema Catalana. 

Locals flock to this place and it is always busy. It’s a little cramped inside but you get a feeling that everyone is just happy to have a table.  I’m not sure I've ever eaten anywhere that is such good value for money.
My next recommendation is a painful one to admit, having earlier bemoaned the whole Brits abroad culture. But it’s a Chinese. Now, I don't think I should be completely panned for this, as there is a large Chinese community in Fuengirola, so it only makes sense that there are some good Chinese restaurants.  Kevin, the owner is extremely friendly. The restaurant is called Ying Bing and can be found down fish alley.  He even makes the house chilli dipping sauce himself.  He tells us that when he makes it, the entire family leave the premises as the heat from the cooked chilli is so powerful it is almost unbearable.  So, when you order your spring rolls and you offered the hot chilli sauce, do dip with caution! The food here is not laced with MSG or other chemicals, it is just simply, good quality chinese food.  The Spring rolls are the best i’ve ever had. The Pork in hot sauce is the best i’ve ever had. All the dishes on the set menus (you can mix and match if you ask) are the best i’ve ever had. I’m sure if you went to london and spent a lot of money at a top end Chinese restaurant I would be proved wrong but having been here with people who travel to China, they too rave about this place.  

Useful Links:

http://www.andalucia.com/fuengirola/home.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g315915-Fuengirola_Costa_del_Sol_Andalucia-Vacations.html