Category: Western Europe

Win a stay at Wales' Ynyshir Hall

Win a stay at Wales' Ynyshir Hall

By on Apr 28, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Ynyshir Hall is an exceptional Relais & Chateaux hotel set in the heart of Wales. Once owned by Queen Victoria, this building is set in 14 acres of beautiful gardens.  Its past accolades include AA Hotel of the Year for Wales, 3 AA red stars, 4 AA rosettes for food (making them among the top
Little Matterhorn about to get bigger?

Little Matterhorn about to get bigger?

By on Apr 28, 2006 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Switzerland, Western Europe
Rumour has it that the 3,883 Klein Little Matterhorn is about to get bigger. Local tourist officals in Zermatt are thought to have approved plans for a 120-metre extension which will take it beyond the 4,000 metre mark, with a view to gaining greater prestige. A pyramid with viewing platforms, a restaurant and accommodation is
Northern Hospitality Awards 2006 winners

Northern Hospitality Awards 2006 winners

By on Apr 28, 2006 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
The winners of the first ever Northern Hospitality Awards were revealed last month.   These awards celebrate the successful hospitality businesses and people in the North of England.   The winners are Anthony’s in Leeds (Best Restaurant), Andrew Pern of The Star at Harome (Best Chef), Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Windermere
Silk tie and iPod holder from Thomas Pink

Silk tie and iPod holder from Thomas Pink

By on Apr 28, 2006 in Accessories, Clothing, Europe, Gadgets, Regions, Travel Equipment, United Kingdom, Western Europe
London-based clothing company Thomas Pink are selling an ingenious tie with a neatly concealed iPod holder. In addition to the holder, the Cravatta iPod silk tie has a special loop to keep iPod wires under control.   It retails for $85.
Strike at the Ritz Hotel in Paris

Strike at the Ritz Hotel in Paris

By on Apr 27, 2006 in Accommodation, Celebrities, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Sixty  employees at the Ritz Hotel in Paris went on strike this week, protesting over changes made to their contracts. Hotel management claimed that service to guests was unaffected, but it is rumoured that Tom Cruise was due to appear there to promote his latest movie, Mission Impossible 3. Instead, he spent the day exploring
Beetham Tower in Manchester, UK, completed

Beetham Tower in Manchester, UK, completed

By on Apr 27, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Real Estate, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Soaring 171m above ground level, Manchester’s Beetham Tower is now officially the UK’s tallest residential building. The project was completed yesterday and celebrated with a breathtaking firework display which could be seen for miles around. The first 23 storeys of the building will house a 5-star 285-bed Hilton Hotel due to open at the end
Hotel Martinez Exceptional 7th Floor Suite

Hotel Martinez Exceptional 7th Floor Suite

By on Apr 27, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Western Europe
For a mere $37,200 per night (!), the Exceptional 7th Floor Suite at Cannes’ Hotel Martinez can be yours. The 4-bedroomed penthouse suite covers 2,000 square feet and has all the luxuries you might expect for the price: multiple living/dining rooms, plasma TVs, terrace spa, soundproofed rooms and more.
Tourism nominees for The Webby Awards

Tourism nominees for The Webby Awards

By on Apr 27, 2006 in Australia, Canada, Europe, Italy, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Websites, Western Europe, Worldwide
The nominees for the  Best Tourism Website 2006  category of The Webby Awards have been announced. Shortlisted are EarthCam, Great Australian Spaces, MadeinMTL.com, Select Italy and NewZealand.com/travel. The Webby Awards are given each year by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization with a membership that includes musician David Bowie, Virgin
Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year

Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year

By on Apr 26, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
The Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year 2006 award has been won by Claire Thevenot of the Hotel du Vin et Bistro, Winchester. Claire is the first woman to have won the title, presented by President of Champagne Ruinart, Bernard Peillon. Nicolas Clerc, of the Milestone Hotel, London, came second, and Jean-Marie Pratt of Le
Cheese on toast? That'll be £345, please

Cheese on toast? That'll be £345, please

By on Apr 26, 2006 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
I bet you didn’t know but it’s the first ever National Cheese on Toast Day tomorrow.   And, in a bid to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Lancashire chef Tom Bridge has come up with a variation on the classic dish… at a staggering £345 per slice. But this is no ordinary slice of
Honeymoon package at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens

Honeymoon package at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens

By on Apr 25, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Greece, Honeymoons, Hotels, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe
Enjoy your honeymoon in Athens with a romantic stay in a city view room at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Sparkling wine and flowers upon arrival, daily breakfast in your room. Rates start from €395,00 per night. The 132-year-old hotel recently underwent a $100 million restoration, re-opening in 2003 in time for the Olympic Games in
Bergenfest 2006, Norway

Bergenfest 2006, Norway

By on Apr 24, 2006 in Clubs, Europe, Events, Going Out, Norway, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
One of Norway’s finest festivals is about to take place in the heart of Bergen. Starting on 28th April and running until 6th May 2006, Bergenfest was originally a blues festival but has since grown to accommodate other types of roots music. It is a festival with artistic impression and a wide music profile offering
The Lake District gets the nod from Renée Zellweger

The Lake District gets the nod from Renée Zellweger

By on Apr 24, 2006 in Attractions, Celebrities, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
It’s not every day that Hollywood stars descend on where I live.   But right now, Renée  Zellweger and around 20 trucks, trailers and film crew vans are just down the road, filming around the village of Grasmere (supposedly on National Trust property, but  the exact location is being kept under wraps) in the English
Vine dining with Malmaison

Vine dining with Malmaison

By on Apr 23, 2006 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Lick your lips and savour Sundays. From the foothills of the Andes to the top of the Australian wine tree, these Malmaison vine dining evenings will take your palates on a tour of the wine world. Meet the personalities behind the labels. Discover why the wines, and the winemakers have earned their reputations. Drink it
McDonald sandwich - the world's most expensive sandwich?

McDonald sandwich - the world's most expensive sandwich?

By on Apr 20, 2006 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Despite the name, this sandwich doesn’t come with Coke and fries.   Rather than being of golden arches fame, the McDonald sandwich is named after Scott McDonald,  a chef at the London department store Selfridges. And, at £85, it probably wouldn’t be considered as cheap fast food! In a bid to justify the price tag,
Special rates for April and May at Hotel Martinez, Cannes

Special rates for April and May at Hotel Martinez, Cannes

By on Apr 20, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
In the South of France, enjoy  Canne’s legendarily deluxe Hotel Martinez, near chic shopping areas and cultural attractions. Guests enjoy exclusive leisure facilities that make for an unforgettable stay. Special rates for April & May are  from 250 Euros per night. Don’t miss La Palme d’Or, the award-winning restaurant with a terrace overlooking the bay