Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog

Gastronomy in Provence for fine palates

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Aug 17, 2015 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Provence, a region which has always been rich in distinctive culinary offerings, from bouillabaisse to tapenade, has seen a recent surge in the popularity of gourmet cooking classes and lessons from private chefs, as a novel extra element of a luxury break in this idyllic corner of Southern France. Many of the best courses offer […]

5 fantastic ways to experience the Okanagan Valley

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Jul 22, 2015 in Canada, Food and Drink, Leisure Travel, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

Think of a sunny destination and Canada may not immediately come to mind, but did you know that the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of the westernmost province of British Colombia, boasts more hours of sunshine than Rio de Janeiro or Hawaii? Another astonishing aspect of this increasingly popular tourist destination is the diversity […]

The natural highlights of Arcachon Bay

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Jul 13, 2015 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Mention of the South of France conjures up numerous images, many featuring yachts, casinos and fast cars. Whilst these are undoubtedly hallmarks of the landscape, what often goes unmentioned are the many spectacular and world class natural resources and landmarks that can be experienced, the majority an easy day trip from the popular seaside resort […]

5 things to do in Croatia for the perfect family break

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Jun 16, 2015 in Attractions, Croatia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Events, Family Travel, Going Out, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

With 1800 km of coastline and over 1000 islands, diverse landscapes, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, Croatia is the ideal destination for families who love the sea, nature, and active holidays. This beautiful country on the edge of the Adriatic Sea is particularly child-friendly: family is important in Croatian culture, children are […]

Bruges: Belgium’s capital of fine dining

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on May 25, 2015 in Belgium, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The small Belgian town of Bruges is an enchanting place of medieval buildings, narrow cobblestone streets and romantic canals. It also has an exceptional culinary scene, with many outstanding restaurants run by some of the world’s top chefs and a total of eight Michelin-starred restaurants. Of the three restaurants in Belgium which have received the […]

Wild beauty and adventure in the Faroe Islands

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on May 13, 2015 in Regions, Western Europe

The Faroe Islands found themselves making world headlines a couple of months ago, when it was the very best place on earth to watch the full solar eclipse. National Geographic Magazine had noted their charm quite some time ago, voting them at the very top of their long list of the best islands in 2007. […]

5 fabulous things to do in Otranto

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Apr 28, 2015 in Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

The peninsula of Salento is one of my favourite Italian destinations and one I keep coming back to. Located deep in Italy’s south, Salento is the ‘heel’ of its ‘boot’, part of the region of Puglia, located at the edges of both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Its generous sunshine, typical whitewashed houses, baroque architecture, […]

5 not-to-be-missed UNESCO sites in Italy

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Mar 13, 2015 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Western Europe

UNESCO’s World Heritage status designates places of “outstanding universal value to humanity” by inscribing them on the World Heritage List so that they will be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Italy is the country with the highest number of heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO list with a total of 50 located […]

3 perfect Spring destinations for couples

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Feb 24, 2015 in Asia, Cambodia, Europe, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Vietnam, Western Europe

Valentine’s Day has once again been and gone, which may be a relief to many people. Setting aside the hype and noise around 14th February, what are some of the very best options for couples seeking out well-appointed, secluded romance before the summer season arrives? Here’s our guide to three of the most perfect destinations […]

24 hours in Lecce: 10 things to do and see

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Jan 20, 2015 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Lecce is an ancient and beautiful city known as the ‘Florence of the South’ because of its ornate Baroque buildings made from the pale-coloured local stone, called pietra leccese. It is one of the most important cities of Italy’s Apulia (Puglia) region, and also the capital of Lecce province. This lively city is buzzing with […]

6 of the best outdoor skating rinks around the world

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Dec 13, 2014 in Attractions, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Hungary, New York, North America, Regions, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe

Winter is not all about staying inside by a fire, but also getting out in the fresh air and enjoying outdoor winter activities. Ice-skating is the perfect winter activity for all ages and a great way to get some much-needed exercise while enjoying the festive season. I’ve chosen some of the best outdoor skating rinks […]

Villas not hotels: the truly luxurious option

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Nov 30, 2014 in Accommodation, Vacation Rentals

With a plethora of temping options open to the savvy twenty-first century traveller, it has become increasingly important to evaluate each different type of luxury accommodation in its own terms. Interestingly, the reasons for choosing a villa over a hotel come down to similarities as well as differences that have arisen between the two forms […]

Gin: the new trendy drink of choice

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Oct 31, 2014 in Food and Drink, Travel Miscellany

From Bristol to Brisbane, and Manila to Madrid, gin has become one of the trendiest drinks at cocktail bars around the world. Long considered a drink for ‘mature drinkers’, while vodka was the trendy cocktail spirit of choice, gin has experienced a rebirth, going through a contemporary makeover and winning over young drinkers who are […]

Thailand’s top new trends – golfing and nature safaris

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande on Jul 11, 2014 in Asia, Regions, Thailand

Think Thailand and images of golden buddhas, temples, paradise beaches and green curries spring to mind. All of these attractions are available to savour in Southern Thailand, but the region is enjoying a renaissance in less stereotypical Thai experiences too, from world class golfing to pink dolphin spotting. The golf scene in Phuket is buzzing, […]

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