Be Wooed by San Sebastian

12/10/202212/10/2022

San Sebastian in the Basque Region of Spain is a safe, beautiful part of the world. Renown for its gastronomic experiences, scalloped around a beautiful bay, there is something to find all year round.

Whilst there are many options travellers often become overwhelmed and may miss the beauty and random joyful moments substituting it for stress.

This guide is to remove that stress so you can focus on the day and making this day, this destination on of the best in your lifetime.

This is a suggestion and any order can apply but understand, exercise is often better in the morning (then it is done). Food and wine feels less like a guilty pleasure when exercise has been done.

It is fun to wander around with no commitments and explore.

This is not to steal the serendipitous moments but to give you a fall back plan and one that will make you look in control not lost.

Walk to the Castle

You can see the castle here on top of the hill.

On the hill behind the old town is the Castle. Also known as Castillo of La Mota.

It is on top of the hill surrounded by a big park (Parque de Urgull).

The walk up can be dramatic and step (there are stairs leaving from behind the old town near the boat harbour, or gradual if you follow the boat harbour round past the aquarium and head up.

Just follow your nose – heading up is the main goal and you will find many little tracks.

There is a secret bar that is open in Summer.

Once up the top you will have amazing views of San Sebastian and the surrounding hills.

Alternative options to climbing the hill

These are some other walking options that are more flat terrain for those with injuries or unable to climb a hill.

If climbing is too tricky there are many walks around San Sebastian.

You can head to the left of the bay towards the south and find the amazing art sculptures of Spanish Artist Eduardo Chillida called Peine del Viento. Also a romantic beautiful spot.

Or you can walk around the Parque to Urgull and head over to Zurriola beach and head back along the river with the trees and shade.

2. Pinxos in the Old Part of Town

This gastronomic delight should be on every foodies global tour.

Apparently San Sebastian has more michelin awarded restaurants than anywhere else in the world – but I think their pinxos are the stand out.

There are two famous cheese cake shops here.

Saint Telmos is my favourite has the best foie gras, blood pudding and iberian pork cheeks and grilled octapus.

Tintos (red wines) are awesome everywhere.

3. La Perla

This day spa (thermalogica) water treatment retreat is fantastic.

Right on the beach at Playa De La Concha, this magnificent building has great views from the far infared chairs. If you go between 130 – 4pm you can get a reduced rate for the two hours.

You can hire a towel and everyone has to wear the sexy blue cap.

Hot steam room, hot sauna, multiple spa pools, relaxation zones and a cold plunge pool. Definitely worth it if you like water and day spas. No need for bookings unless during busy season. Click here for more information.

4. Santa Maria Cathedral

This iconic landmark is found in the old city.

It is 3 euros to pass through but worth it if this is the only church you are going to. There is another up near Saint Telmo which is equally breathtaking and of a different era.

5. Ferry trip

For a small fee (7 euros when we went) you can jump on the ferry and go to La Concha. Here you can disembark for exploring, or in summer swimming and a drink at the bar.

Otherwise you can stay on the ferry and do the round trip.

It’s a great way to get a different aspect from the water.

Other activities

There are so many sporting activities to do. Stand Up Paddling, swimming, sailing, bush walking, bike riding and more.

Simply walking along the promenade later in the day is wonderful as buskers line the wide pavement entertaining children and tourists. Grab an icecream and slowly meander long.

There is an art gallery, library with an exhibition hall beneath it, museum, aquarium and more.

It is the perfect place for a weekend or a week. Relax, drift and enjoy.

Moana Fish Eatery Canggu

21/10/201711/12/2017

I am unsure why I hadn’t got to visit this awesome little restaurant tucked away up Jl. Batu Bolong. Moana Fish Eatery has been around a while now.

The menu is extensive – salads, sushimi, cooked fish and more.

I have the grilled mahi mahi and it is delicious. Tender and cooked to perfection. The salad is small but sufficient.

The Tartare is meant to be a stand out dish and the cheesecake to finish pretty wicked too!

I got into the chalk walls and managed to knock up a little turtle.

Overall a nice open air restaurant with a good vibe. Good for individuals, couples or groups. Prices are good too! I rate this restaurant as 9/10.

With Ayu the owner…

Matsos

06/01/2017

Great food, boutique beer and excellent atmosphere.

If your dream of escaping to the outback included a big tree, with a guy playing a tune and a refreshing ale, then you must visit Matsos

This is my second time and everything is splendid!

The main house is a “brewery” on wooden floors serving an eclectic menu of boutique beers, ciders and more.

I share a Custard & Co. Apple Cider which is unbelievably refreshing.

Then we eat our specials (my friend has a trio of curries).

Mine is a lightly seared (rare) yellow-fin tuna, with beans and a cerviche of baramundi.

Delicious flavours, perfect for the hot weather… and high protein. A big thing I have been conscious of over the last week.

Tonight a band was playing and a really nice bar tender, Alex, guided us through the menu.

Matsos is a fantastic brewery with a strong Aussie vibe, good food and good ales. Highly recommend on your visit to Broome.

The Duke Hobart

06/01/201706/01/2017

When we grew up in Hobart, The Duke of Wellington, now known as “The Duke” was a funky drinking hole. I believe it still is but today I decided to try out their counter meals.

The hotel has a welcoming vibe, great art on the walls and a fire side for winter. I really like it.

Built in 1846, the interior still displays the old sandstone bricks and grand arch ways. Long wooden beams help bring the old rustic design to be compatible with a modern hotel style.

The menu is great.

Not over worked, not hundreds of choices, just something in each area.

I have the Scottsdale Pork Belly, which is slow cooked with a delicious glaze (chocolate maple glaze). It is served with four Tasmanian scallops nestled in pumpkin mash and Artichoke puree. The dish works really well and is a perfect lunch before we head to the cinema just down the road.

Accompanying my yummy meal is a Tassie pinot grigio, Devil’s Corner.

My son has a wood fired cooked pizza we he said was amazing – and judging by the pace that he hoovered it in, I imagine it was amazing.

5/5 stars for a pub countermeal/hotel style meal.

Japanese in Broome

01/12/201606/01/2017

Lunch time and it’s eat time.

I am over in Broome, Western Australia, wanting to immerse myself fully in the local food fan-fair.

Funnily enough, we find ourselves at the local Japanese – Azuki Fusion.

The shop frontage under-represents what’s behind it’s front doors.

Once in side (make sure you wait to be seated) the atmosphere is great.

It’s hot and open aired but very relaxed and friendly. Oh there’s a really tropical breeze that goes through it making it which helps with any menopause flushes!

Scotty and Rani, the owners, have been dedicated to the restaurant for over 10 years.

It is popular in town and is the go to reliable place for food.

I must say, after my experience last night, I am relieved to find somewhere I can always go to in Broome that will serve incredible food… Healthy food!

The food awesome.

We have the following Japanese delights:

Gyoza – pan fried dumplings filled with Kimberley Banana prawn, edamame peas and shitake mushrooms, topped with sesame ponzu.

Tasmanian Salmon aburi – Raw scorched salmon on sushi rice, with mayo, traditional BBQ sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi and crispy onion.

And a side of seaweed salad.

The Gyoza are delicate, tasty and great food. I wanted to order the Age Dashi Tofu (deep dried tofu in broth topped with tempura sweet potato but will leave that dish for another day).

The salmon is fantastic.

Scotty enhances the natural flavours and textures of salmon by lightly grilling it (scorching). It is such a delicate, delicious fish when cooked right.

All in all, a very relaxed, delicious, healthy meal.

Dessert is a flour free chocolate cake… decadent and devine.

I give it the following ratings:

Service: 10/10

It’s BYO BIG tick

Food: 10/10

I rate this restaurant as one of Broome’s best!

Go there if you are in town. They are only Monday – Friday….

Serve gluten and dairy free.

And if you are looking for a side business or bringing your own creative flare to an established restaurant, these guys are selling! Contact them here: azukicatering@bigpond.com.

18 Degrees Broome

01/12/201601/12/2016

I was expecting some indigenous food fan fare when I landed in Broome and was tipped that 18 Degrees was the place.

It was one of those days when it got hotter as the day went on.

You know hot during the day (but a slight breeze) to sweltering at night, no breeze and suffocating heat.

That was this night….

Probably coupled with the fact we had been floundering in the pool (which temperatures alone) would have topped any UK summer’s day. We headed off to 18 Degrees.

Seated at our table (simple decor) by a beautifully friendly girl on the deck and off we go.

Apparently their cocktail has won an award… it is a fusion of mango nectar, chilli, soda and gin. Their cocktails turn out to be the highlight….

It was sublime hot yet cold. Nearly as good as my chilli margaritas from La Calitas in Canguu.

This is what we ordered:

Scallops and Octopus

Calamari and octopus tenticls and kale… sounds great but was over cooked and salty. Which sucks because I love all of those ingredients.

Shrimp Cakes

It sounded fantastic on the plate but they were missing all the subtle flavours one would expect in a delicate dish….

Wild Caught barramundi

This dish should have been succulent, melt in mouth and subtle flavours. Instead it was dry, and flavourless. What a waste of a wild, beautiful fish!

All in all, a little disappointing.

If I was asked to rate them, I would give them, based on last night’s meal:

Service: 7.6/10

Cocktails: 9/10

Food: 2/10

So my lesson is… regardless of how exotic, how magic and seductive the herbs and spices and unusual the ingredients, it comes down to the artisian flare … the chefs intent… and commitment to use the food to enhance and bring to life a food experience.

Unfortunately on this night these guys failed to deliver.

Overall a rating 5/10.

Cooking Class Ubud, Bali

09/09/201609/09/2016

Any opportunity to learn new cooking styles (and get to eat the produce) is a big green light for me so I was keen to get involved at Ketut’s Bali Cooking School.

I actually chose this cooking school off the internet but was not disappointed.

We were collected from our hotel then taken around the food markets – the ones the locals go to for produce. It was really good travelling around with Made. His funny sense of humour and wicked laugh had me smiling from ear to ear.

After our walk through the markets, I felt I knew a whole lot more about a subject I am passionate about, food and nourishment.

Made taught us about different foods, how they are grown, what they are used for and more. It was like a short cultural tour.

Back into the airconditioned van we headed out to the cooking school. It was a short drive outside Ubud, which was really nice. Set in a rice field, the atmosphere was relaxed, open and cool. We all had our chef’s apron, we prepared and made 7 dishes.

There were a few people present but plenty of stove tops and lots of helping hands that cleaned dishes so that things never back logged and flowed really well.

Made explained all the spices and bases to be used in traditional Balinese dishes which we proceeded to make.

It was really good, efficient, funny and comfortable. Much better than what I was expecting. Check out the menu that you cook here.

After we cooked for a few hours, we sat down to a banquet. To come on a retreat with me to Ubud, click here.

The Best 24 hours visiting Fishhouse, Rainbow Bay & Kiva Spa

25/04/201625/04/2016

The last 24 hours have been superb. So relaxing, so decadent and wonderfully fun.

My friend came to stay with me last week and seeing as we have both been working a lot we decided to have a mini holiday.

We headed off for an amazing dinner at my GC fav: Fishhouse in Burleigh Heads. From the minute you enter the service and experience is everything you would hope for in a five star restaurant.

Bread made fresh, clean wines and an extensive list and the BEST seafood in town.

I settled on my favourite seafood, scallops, for entree and a fish I had never heard of for dinner. I will have to go back and write a full review as this doesn’t do it justice!

A lazy sleep in, then off to Rainbow Bay Surf Club for remarkable views and an excellent $10 lunch! I had sea trout, chips and salad and my friend has whiting, chips and salad. A great meal and worth it just for the views.

To finish off a magnificent short break, we head to the Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby.

Timid at first (neither of us had been there before) we pushed through our anxieties and were greeted by a romantic escape that felt like a week.

We both agreed our massages were the best – leaving us in a semi comatosed state, and then we drifted around the bath house, in and out of hot tubs, plunge pool, steam room and the magnificent fire sauna. I couldn’t take photos (cameras not allowed) but the memories you take from your trip are all that are needed.

We needed to “earth” ourselves before driving back to reality so headed to the Mullum pub. Or correctly the Middle Pub.

Middle Pub Mullum — Photos of early Mullumbimby

Established in 1904 the pub has a lot of character and interesting things to look at. Period photos of the last turn of the centre, beautiful stainless glass images and funky furniture. The wine went down even better.

Truly relaxing and a wonderful way to round of a min 24 hour holiday on the Gold Coast.

Danny’s best priced buffet Coolangatta Tweed

25/04/2016

Not being a big fan of buffets, I went to Danny’s Family Buffet as surprise for the children and with no real expectation.

I was pleasantly surprised!

Tweek cooly golf course — Roses on the Golf Course at Tweed-Cooly

A family run business this restaurant is a land mark on the Cooly-Tweed boundary. Located inside the club house at Tweed Heads the open aired restaurant doesn’t try to be a five star buffet but definitely dominates the four star territory.

A great variety of foods are available and you can cook have your own fillet of fish cooked for you upon request. We had the choice between bass, flat head or calamari. Roasts, hot meats, chinese favourites, about fifteen different salads and more. The best for me was actually eating gluten and dairy, which I hadn’t done for a very long time.

Danny's Buffet — yummy chinese at Danny’s Buffet Restaurant

My favourite dish was actually the plump home made spring rolls. Juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside and loads of filling. They were the best spring rolls I have had in years.

All the other traditional Chinese favorites featured such as sesame prawn toast, dim sims and chicken and egg soup. All delicious.

The kids had a ball – I switched off my strict mummy hat and let them feast for the last time on their school holidays. Approximately seven plates along each – I was wondering how they physically don’t pop.

The prices are crazy cheap for what you get. Check the pricing out here.

Pokhara – Nature and Adventure

30/01/201630/01/2016

It had been 3 nights in the himalayan hills and I was covered with dirt. BIG amounts of dirt. NO shower for 3 days, working with soil and concrete, sleeping in a tent and even experiencing my first earth quake! Fortunately only a 4.5 and no damage.

Fast forward an 8 hour very bumpy 4 WD trip into Pokhara and I feel like I have landed in an oasis.

Pokhara is a beautiful city boasting a beautiful lake called Phewa Lake.

Pokhara Temple tress — Temple Tree Pokhara

Checking in to the hotel Temple Tree, feels like a surreal dream and then I spot my bath in my room. Squeals of delight and I didn’t realise how much I was missing the luxuries of home…hot water, big fluffy bed and free wifi!

My appreciation for life’s luxuries sky rocket.

This town is pretty awesome. It oozes with natural beauty and is a hub for action & adventure. The Annapurna range can be seen first thing in the morning – they don’t go anywhere but a fog consumes them as the day goes on.

I am craving a day off though and spend Sunday checking out Devi’s Waterfalls and caves. Remarkable and worth a visit if you are in town.

After that, back to base, a few mo-mos to tie me over for a lazy lunch at Mike’s Restaurant which is on the lake. The food is awesome and it ticks a few boxes… great margaritas, views, good food and a chance to do some painting which I have been missing.

Lakeside Pokhara – Mikes restaurant and doing some art

A late afternoon visit to Tal Barahi Temple, to make a blessing, then off to a bar lakeside for Sheisha and a Chillian sav blanc. The Busy Bee Cafe captures my attention and is a great meeting place for travellers. It’s here I learn about walking up to the Peace Pagoda and score a live band playing Cold Play Nepalese style.

After a big sleep I fulfil an urge which is to parachute, but this time is paragliding. After a panic attack some 16 years ago, I have been too scared to do parachuting but this seemed safer – or something. Anyway we go, and it is a hoot. Everything you would expect gliding like a bird through the Himalayas.

Slightly motion sick at the bottom, I am determined not to let it mess my day.

I am determined to climb up to see the pagoda and hire a kayak (costs 800 rupee) for the afternoon. It’s very dodgy but somehow I don’t capsize and find my way to the other side!

The trek to the top doesn’t take 2-3 hours only 30 minutes up and another 30 mins back down. It’s a great walk and just what I needed. The pagoda is ok… it’s closed today but the views are worth going for.

Everything else is accessible from here – white water rafting, trekking, ultra light flying, jungle experiences and more. I love the lake side vibe, the diverse food and great bars and am definitely coming back again.

My friend runs a tour company in Kathmandu and can help you arrange your flights and adventures and is good to go through as he gets great rates. His name is Shree and this is his company.