Simply one of the greatest treats to the La Rioja region in the north of Spain is not just the wine but the food.
We are in for an amazing treat at La Vieja Bodega just outside of Haro.
A vineyard and fine dining all in one.
If you go with a large group you can have a wine tasting in their cellar which has the musty smells of yesterday and wines.
Angel, who owns the restaurant with his wife Marion have a fancy selection of some 400 ones at the front of their restaurant.
The menu for the restaurant is stunning as is the food.
You can’t really go wrong and today I order the ratatouille with cod fish and the shoulder of lamb for main course.
It is all delicious, flavoursome and gluten free!
The shoulder of lamb is one of the most tender sweetest well cooked cuts I have ever had.
Desert is a gin and tonic sorbet – it is enough to wake you up yet lure you towards a siesta.
I would love to bring a group of people through the Basque region showing you these amazing gems. The food and the people are warm, hospitable and excellent at their wines and food.
You will need to book in advance here and if you are lucky enough you will get to meet the wonderful duet Angel and Marion. Thank you, we will be back again for sure. x
Discovery is the key to great adventures and unveiling the best restaurant, vineyard or bay on the island!
It’s a Friday night in Waiheke and after a fabulous happy hour at the chirpy and happy Arcadia in Palm Beach we were looking for a fun vibe and great food.
Arcadia is a cool little establishment in Palm Beach that offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour and nibbles and dinner.
Rebecca and Daniel took over from the last owners a year ago and gave the old fish and chip take away place a face lift. The food is good, the location amazing and the staff very friendly.
On this afternoon it is raining outside and we’re after a chill and some tunes.
Happy hour is 3-6pm and we venture in to check things out.
The champagne is awesome and so much cheaper than anywhere else on Waiheke that you feel like it is home.
With no rush to leave we play Jenga and Uno while people stream in and stream out. The owners are awesome and happy to chat and shoot the breeze. I would highly recommend even if you are not staying in Palm Beach just to get away from the mainstream of Waiheke.
After this we pop home and taxi to Oneroa. A previous favourite of mine, Aperitivo bar is wonderful on a Friday and Saturday nights.
Cosy and warm, you’ll find a guy playing some great tunes and a real buzz. The wines are sensational and on this night we are served by Chris who is very friendly and explains the wine list and nibbles. We settle on a pre-dinner of citrus olives and the Obesidan red. It was a winery that we didn’t make during the day but one we wanted to go to.
After our yummy pre-dinners we head in search of dinner.
There are many choices in town but it’s getting on for 9pm and many of the trendy places like Thai and Oyster Bar have a low key vibe.
We venture down off the road and discover The Courtyard.
What a find.
Great red wines (we chose an Argentinian wine) and great vibe. People are chatting and the staff are European world-class.
Matt from Belgium, our waiter helps us decide as the menu is tantalising and exciting.
We choose Canadain scallops and cauliflower mash, and with a side of potato gratin.
OMG – the food is amazing. The price is perfect and the food dazzling.
I’m giving this restaurant 4.9/5 for food, service and location. The only reason, the only reason it drops a 0.1 is because the views are not over the ocean. But truly you don’t need to look outward, if the company is good, then they will take care of the rest.
The bus gives you a good lay out of the land, and takes you to key points.
The audio (in many different languages explains the history of the Monagese, the Monach, the grand prix and takes you to heaps of fun venues.
I have been to Monte Carlo a few times but this is the first time to the Musee l’ Oceanigraphy. You know thinking I had seen all the aquariums in the world!
This was amazing.
Patting sharks
Patting sharks.
Incredible coral reef fish.
A turtle called Rani.
The jelly fish display is wonderful.
You can visit the Musee and Palace by foot by simply walking up the hill, or stopping off on the on and off bus.
I love the walk up to the palace, it weaves along the dramatic coast line and brings you closer to the wonderful area that it really is.
Today I am keen to do one thing – give Prince Albert one of my paintings, but visiting the musee and palace become a wonderful distraction and experience.
The Palace (home of the Grimaldis) is a world famous landmark. For over 500 years the family have lived in the castle which is also a palace. You can take a tour through the palace and see where Louis the King lived and how they experienced life. I was quite overwhelmed with the grandeuse of the palace, the gifts other countries had given to the family over the years and the fact it is still functional today.
Still used for entertaining and formal ocassions you walk along the marble tiles where many world dignaturies have walked, brushing along the curtains as they do. It brings home to me that we are all one species, one people.
I am informed to contact the soldiers, to pass my modest gift to Prince Albert. They take me to his body guards who sign me in and then graciously take me gift. The assure me that Princes Charlene and Prince Albert will receive my paintings and note.A note that read simply as a piece of gratitude. Monaco is one of the safest places in the world, with CCTV on every corner, the whole town is under surveillance. As a women, I appreciate the safety it offers.
After visiting the palace I wander to the Oceanicgeographic not really expecting much to be honest. I few weeks ago I had been to Seaworld on the Gold Coast, which is somewhere I have been going to for years with the kids. Seaworld has a wonderful aquarium and interactive pools with animals that I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be impressed. Well, I didn’t have any expectations.I was blown away!
Turn out the musee is very interactive – you can pat sharks, get close to large tanks and the jelly fish display is surreal.
I discovered many fish I had never seen before, was excited by the jelly fish display and got to talk with Rani the turtle (yes I talk with turtles)!.
It is a wonderful aquarium and museum and I think any visit to Monaco, especially if you have 2 days should include a visit.
And to my painting for Prince Albert – I am waiting an email from him, saying he has received it. I would dearly love to draw the royal family, or draw one of their favorite scenes and have it hung in Monte Carlo. Or maybe i will be their naturopath if not artist.
Fancy SIX fantastic Nights in Italy Exploring Amazing Food, Culture and History?
Last minute I have decided to share my trip exploring Italy starting in 3 weeks.
DATES: starts Wednesday 6th October and finishes Monday 10th October
It includes 6 nights accommodation, 3 lunches, 3 meals and all tour costs.
NB: Alcohol, shopping, tips, flights, insurance and others (see under booking page) are at your expense.
Italy is a country full of passionate people. Being part Italian I resonate well with the culture and people and am very proud of the food, the arts and history and would love to share it with you.
It is the BEST place to fall in love with food, to create a positive relationship with life and happiness and learn why I DO NOT believe in dieting. I want to show you the real currency of food.
On this 6 night trip of a life time these are the highlights:
1.Visiting the The Vatican and seeing the famous Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.
2. Touring the Colosseum and hearing about the gladiator fights of yesteryear.
3. Visiting the Spanish Steps, the Trevi fountain and Pantheon.
4. Night tour of Rome, sampling local delights and wines
5. Full day visit to Umbria, exploring the hill top village of , a cooking class and wine tour
6. Full day trip to Ponza Island with a day cruise, blue grottos and snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea
7. Visit the ancient underground Catacombs
8. Discover Egypt in Rome in a 2000 year old pyramid that is only open twice a month
9. Walk on the old Appian Way.
10. Experience the Three Tenors, inside the walls of St Paul’s an opera experience you will never forget
We will experience Italy through half and full day tours with some time on your own to explore the many piazzas at your own pace, or to sit with a cappuccino and watch the incredible fashion walk past.
I love Italy and particularly Rome.
It is an ancient history and has so many wonders to explore as well as being one of the fashion capitols of the world.
This is the program so far (subject to change but will involve these elements).
Wednesday 5th October
We arrive and check into our comfortable hotel. This will be base which is central and close to all the sights.
We kick start the retreat at 4pm for a welcome drink, then head off for our light night tour through Rome.
Exploring side streets and piazzas we discover incredible restaurants, bars and sample local foods. The Trevi fountain and Spanish Steps are beautiful at night, as is the Pantheon all lit up. You will realise by bedtime that you are in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
Thursday 6th October
Today is a serious day of Rome immersion.
Every time I go, it spins me out how many landmarks and wold events took place in Rome. From the Colosseum and gladiator fights in Julius Caesar’s Rein, to the Roman Catholic Church influence and home base in The Vatican.
Rome will inspire you through history – it is simply overwhelming at times.
The art works in the Vatican make it one of the richest museums in the wold and the tour around the Colosseum take you back 2000 years to a land that really did exist. Being amongst the well preserved ruins you can nearly hear the cheer of the crowds.
In the afternoon there is a some time off to do a spot of shopping before we meet for our “Food Tour” of Rome.
We will be guided by a local to all the secret eating places, sample many local foods and wash them down with delicious wines.
Friday 7th October
We head off nice and early to visit the incredible country side region of Umbria.
We have a full day visiting a working farm which produces wines, olives and foods. We visit a few towns, including the sensational hill top village of Santo Umbria and visiting. On this day we get too cook some of the produce we gather from the farm, sample local wines and see a more relaxed side of Italy.
Tonight is free for you to discover your own trattoria or revisit one from the night before.
Saturday 8th October
Twice a month, the 2000 year old pyramid (that not many people know about) is open to the public. This will be a first for me so I am extremely excited.
In fact today is all a little bit, “off the normal tourist” map with some activities that I hope you love.
After the pyramid, we will walk on the famous Appian Way. Built in 312 BC it was a strategic road for the Roman Army.
Time permitting we will visit the catacombs, which gives a stunning insight into ancient Roman life. The Romans were actually quite short and seeing these well preserved catacombs is fascinating. If you have ever read the Holy Grail by Dan Brown, or other books about Rome, the Catacombs are a must.
Tonight we are treated to a Opera inside the walls of St Peters.
Recapturing the magic of Pavarotti and the three tenors, tonights voices will be accompanied with a string quartet.
Sunday 8th October
Today we have a sleep in…. you can experience a mass first hand if you like as our morning starts a little later.
Today we explore the lesser known ruins of Ostia down near Lido Beach.
The well preserved town gives a true insight to the Roman Empire and is easier to access than Pompeii.
The afternoon will be relaxed back in Rome to visit museums, art galleries, or to simply sit in a piazza and watch life go by. Dinner is at your leisure.
Monday 9th October
Today is a full day starting with a short drive, then ferry to local island Ponza. Less busy than the other Amalfi islands but just as pretty (if not more) we have the whole day to explore the island, swim through grottos, cruise on a boat and drink wine and eat local pasta.This is what the mediterranean is all about and for a day we will lap it all up. Optional snorkeling on this day (which I will definitely be doing).
Our tour and retreat ends back in Rome tonight. We can head out for a final drink or you can relax after a wonderful day on the Med.
This trip is perfect for people who want to find passion again! You will get to hang out with me for six days and over that time we will break through any fears, issues that may be holding you back in life.
Come on a trip of a life time with me and yes, while last minute this promises to be an amazing trip.
