National Pizza Day falls on Thursday 9 February, the perfect antidote to a very long and very cold January…
Pizza is believed to have been invented in Naples and so cue Crust Bros and their February special, ‘The Amatriciana’ pizza made with traditional Neopolitan dough. The delicious special is topped with sauce made with juicy san marzano tomatoes, crispy pieces of golden guanciale and then once cooked, the pizza is finished with pecorino romano.
If something a little more classic is calling your name this February, in celebration of National Pizza Day, Crust Bros will be offering Margherita pizzas for £5 from 12pm – 5pm at both the Waterloo and Croydon restaurants. If you are looking for something yummy to fill you up ahead of the onslaught of rugby this month, look no further than the ‘Seven Nation Salami’ pizza.
Crust Bros also offer a Bottomless Brunch available every Saturday and Sunday at Waterloo from 12pm – 3.30pm, a mere one minute walk from the station with 1.5 hours of pizza and free flowing beer and prosecco for just £35.
January is very much upon us and the blues are knocking on our doors. Quality-assured, private accommodation provider, TravelStaytion are on hand with a range of luxury private villas as part of an exclusive, highly curated portfolio in Greece, to help beat the January Blues. From white-washed caves in the Caldera cliffs, to eco-friendly infinity pools and candle-lit plunge pools, check out the very best villas to give you the holiday stay experience you’ve been yearning for all winter long.
Sitting high in Oia, one of the most sought-after villages in Santorini, authentically nautical heritage meets classic Aegean-style architecture in this newly restored cave rental. Curved, white-washed walls and small, hand-carved windows offer a feeling of complete privacy, a stark contrast to its exposed, sea-facing terrace offering enviable sea views. A major feature is the cave’s private plunge pool out-front, ideal for candle-lit dips.
Oia, Santorini – Lava Cave Suite: one bedroom, sleeps two. Price from £533 per night.
Designed by one of London’s leading developers, Sloane and Cadogan, Villa Tina is a contemporary oasis inside and out. Packed with state-of-the-art amenities, the villa boasts a downstairs TV area and a solar-powered infinity pool. A path from the garden leads directly to a private gym and one of the eight bedrooms, is constructed with a distinctly Moroccan feel. Luxury furnishings, featuring upholstery fabric from the likes of Dedar, Hermes and De la Cuorna, lavishly adorn the villa.
Kalafati, Mykonos – Villa Tina: eight bedrooms, sleeps 16. Price from £3,063 per night.
In the heart of Firostefani village lies Villa Ioli Anastasia, an intimate cave villa nestled in the Caldera cliffs. Its minimalist decoration and handcrafted furnishings allow for Santorini’s emblematic style to reign supreme, providing the perfect companion for the island’s incandescent sunset. Features include a scenic infinity-edge pool with hydro-massage and lavish daybeds, both overlooking the magnificent Caldera and the grand (thankfully resting) volcano.
Firostefani, Santorini – Villa Ioli Anastasia: two bedrooms, sleeps six. Price from £657 per night.
Operating in over 700 destinations, TravelStaytion’s mission has always been to upgrade and reimagine the private rental sector and premium stay experience. All of the properties featured can be booked through TravelStaytion: www.travelstaytion.com
Piglet in Bed is a British lifestyle and homeware brand established in January 2017 by Jessica Hanley in West Sussex. As the name would suggest, all the designs are cosy, indulgent and very cute. Piglet in Bed has gained a cult following amongst lovers of high-quality, natural basics and offer the perfect gifts this Christmas in order to keep snug in the coming winter months. Piglet in Bed believes in a natural, sustainable, and enjoyable way of life that encourages reflection on what matters most.
Sink your feet into these natural tan Moccasin slippers, which are a must-have for your winter wardrobe. The snug pair are lined with the finest sheepskin from the English West Country, with an outer casing of British suede and a soft sheepskin collar for ultimate cosiness. Sheepskin has natural thermoregulating properties that keep your feet warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather, making it an excellent year-round choice.
Piglet in Beds new Cherry and Moss linen pyjamas strike the ideal balance between vibrant and timeless for those who prefer classic yet comfortable sleepwear. The matching pyjama set is available in eight different colourways, including Cherry —the perfect colour for Christmas! You can even make use of Piglet in Bed’s very own monogramming service and get you or your loved ones’ initials embroidered on the pocket!
The perfect stocking filler, this soft hot water bottle is just what you need to snuggle into when the temperatures drop—it’s the ultimate winter comfort and perfect for beating the January blues. Made from 70% Italian Merino lambswool and 30% cotton, this bottle is beautifully crafted in a twill jacquard fabric, featuring two of Piglet in Beds signature colours – deep teal and oatmeal.
Von Norten is a Scandi home fragrance and beauty brand and their vision is to create products that are beneficial for the mind, body and home. Von Norten´s mini candle gift and reed diffuser set makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift to use from Christmas all the way to Blue Monday in January and is available in ‘Lavender & Bergamot’ and ‘Inspiration’ with floral notes of freshly picked wildflowers and peonies.
Löfbergs is Sweden’s most popular coffee and highlights a cultural staple, Fika. Fika is the mental wellness trend of taking time to pause and switch off from work and technology and to connect with loved one’s about the way you are feeling. This is a staple part of the day in Sweden, businesses will set aside time for people to talk to others away from the stresses of day-to-day lives. Löfbergs is the perfect accompaniment to any cosy day at home prepping for Christmas or the ideal stocking filler for the caffeine addicted.
The Copenhagen Company is a family run business inspired by Founder Bo’s Danish roots and passion for fine fragrance. The collection includes an array of room sprays, diffusers and candles in a variety of sizes that embrace scents from around the world. The products offer an authentic hygge experience and are vegan and cruelty free, the ideal gift this festive season.
The collections at OYOY Living Design are rooted in the Danish traditions of simplicity. There’s nothing better than sitting down together with the family to enjoy a festive meal, sharing memories, and making new ones. The brand’s candle holders make for a brilliant additonal to any chic and cosy tablescape this Christmas.
Give the gift of Aquavit London to food-loving friends and family this year with the new luxury Christmas hamper. Expect a sparkling selection of Nordic delights including delicious gravlax; rye bread; herring; homemade mulled wine; Lalani & Co tea; champagne and a £100 Aquavit London voucher all nestled in a stylish wicker hamper. To purchase, call the Aquavit team on 020 7024 9848 to arrange collection from the restaurant with 24 hours’ notice or buy via Supper. ‘A Taste of the Nordics’ series continues into 2023 for an opportunity to sample delicious Nordic cuisine at the venue post the Christmas period.
While gluhwein and mulled wine are served in abundance over the festive period, there is nothing quite like popping a cork or discovering a brand new bottle of your favourite type of vino. Rosé is often heartbreakingly overlooked during the holiday season and so with that we have rounded up the best bottles of 2022 to give to your wine loving friend or family member, or simply to enjoy yourself! It’s Christmas after all…
Castillode Ibiza
In summer 2022, Castillo de Ibiza rosé launched in the UK. Inspired by the sunset and the slow living of the Balearic Islands, the gorgeous wine will warm your cockles, especially with the colder weather in December! The wine is carefully crafted from Tempranillo and Garnacha with the saignee method in Navarra, the cradle of Spanish rosé. The beautifully unique Castillo de Ibiza bottle design makes this the perfect gift idea for Christmas.
Pale and pretty in colour, but vibrant in taste and perfect with Christmas smoked salmon, Campo Viejo Rosé expresses the lovely aromas of cherry, citrus, strawberries and rose petals. This wine now holds the gold 2020 award within The New York International Wine Competition, a perfect accompaniment to have with any celebration.
Rosé lovers may have already spotted Pink Diesel at some top London bars this year as well as the Barn’s Larder, Chichester, The Phoenix, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Horse & Groom, West Sussex but now it can be ordered for the festive season to your home. One of the most exciting launches of 2022, fill up your stockings with this delicious light, crisp and dry tipple created by British entrepreneurs Amy Gatehouse and Marina Ayton.
The award-winning family-owned UK winery, famed for its still and sparkling wines made the initial steps in 2008 by planting the very first vineyard on some of their farmland. For something more decadent this Christmas, this case of three still (2021) and three sparkling (2019) pink wines truly push the boat out. The team at Hattingley Valley have won the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championship Award for ‘Best Vintage Rosé in the world’ and so you know you will be drinking the best come Christmas Day.
As soon as autumn starts and the days get a bit cooler, I always remember how lucky we are on this mighty island to have seasons. As silly as it sounds. The recurrence of the back-to-school energy is as reassuring as it is melancholic. That first nip in the air automatically makes me think of my two closest and oldest girlfriends, both conveniently named Isabella, which was fantastic news for me when we all started the same primary school at three years old!
The craziness of the summer just gone, where most holidaymakers were trying to get a piece of the cheap European holiday action, had come to a close and everyone was firmly back home. All those years ago, this would have been prime hang-out time for us three girls as we all lived about a mile radius from each other growing up – sharing lifts to school, stationary shopping, after-school teas with potato smiles with baked beans and ketchup (if you know you know).
The summer in London was chaotic and crowded and we were desperate for a weekend away. Cue the staycation. We picked family-run and adults-only Blyth Rise Stays in rural Suffolk, a short car ride from the seafront at Southwold, around three hours from London and set in ten acres filled with countless trees, flora and fauna. We stayed in one of the six luxury lake lodges; an ideal option for a small group, with two beautifully decorated king-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms fitted with heated floors and products sourced from the local area, superb kitchen and a large, cosy lounge. Floor to ceiling French windows in every room made us feel totally at one with nature and allowed the sun to stream into the space.
On arrival, we were still running on London’s ‘we must fit everything into this weekend’ energy and so headed directly into the nearby town of Laxfield after unpacking all of our goodies we brought down for the weekend, and rejoicing at the treats left for us by the team at Blyth Rise Stays. We donned our wellies to The Kings Head (The Low House), one of the oldest pubs in Britain, just a short walk away. We warmed up by the roaring fire before heading to the Fox and Goose in Fressingfeld for their famous tasting menu paired with unbelievable fine wine for dinner. On our return, as we sat on the private decking and went over each and every amazing morsel that we were served, we were transfixed by the navy-blue night up ahead. With little to no sky pollution in Suffolk, Blyth Rise Stays is a fantastic spot for star-gazing. There is even an onsite telescope for guests to use.
Having no wi-fi or any screens at Blyth Rise Stays was a complete blessing. We woke up slowly and made some fresh coffee, snuggled into the lodge’s recycled wool blankets and cooked a fry-up with produce from the honesty shop, on the BBQ… each lodge has one! There are also countless foodie markets near to Blyth Rise Stays as well as quaint town and villages, ideal for window shopping. After breakfast, we had some major girlie gossip to catch up on and where better to talk and get rid of toxins than the onsite iglu-sauna, set through the trees. Each sauna has space for up to six people and has its own separate changing area, nestled in nature. Also snuggled within the woodland are the six igluhuts which are ideal for a solo retreat, with king-sized beds, stylishly furnished living area, a fully functional kitchen, ensuite bathroom, firepit and BBQ. A tranquil solo retreat at Blyth Rise Stays can be complemented with a massage or a yoga class (weather permitting) with resident instructor, Katie.
Each lodge and igluhut has a selection of classic boardgames and puzzles, the perfect way to wind down after a long coastal walk. We ended our weekend with a trip on the Walbeswick ferry followed by Sunday roast at The Ship at Dunwich with lashings of graving and a mountain range of Yorkshire puddings. Our final evening was us girls planning the next few autumnal months, discussing Halloween costumes, dates we wanted to go on, upcoming birthdays and potential new year’s resolutions. We settled into our terrace that was slightly raised above the lake and lisened to the rustle of leaves on the water and an owl in the distance. We sunk into the al fresco chairs by the large firepit which burned for hours, in our own little castle on the hill. A glass of wine with friends you have known for decades, a firepit, oh, and a gorgeous luxury lodge… is really all you need.
Prices from £148 per night for a three-night stay from Friday – Monday in November, based on two adults sharing a woodland igluhut
Prices from £52 per night per person for a three-night stay from Friday – Monday in November, based on four adults sharing a lakeside lodge (two king-sized bedrooms in each lodge).
October is in full swing, but before spookyseason gets fully underway, we have rounded up some delicious places to eat and drink this week in London from burgers to donburi bowls…
Fat Hippo
FatHippo, the independent burger restaurant, will open its first London location on Shoreditch’s Great Eastern Street on 14th October, giving away 100 free burgers to the first 100 guests through the door. Expect signature 100% British beef patties and double buttermilk chicken burgers, moreish sides and Naughty Shakes alongside a range of vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal options.
Born in 2010 with roots in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Shoreditch will be Fat Hippo’s 15th location across the UK. Recognised for their quality ingredients and quirky flavours, Fat Hippo’s menu is made up of signature burgers, including 100% British beef patties from trusted supplier Aubrey Allen and double buttermilk chicken burgers, all of which come with free hand cut chips as standard, together with a wide range of vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal options. Details of the giveaway will be announced via their newsletter HERE, which guests are encouraged to sign-up to beforehand.
Malfy Gin at City Garden Bar
Missing the summer? Located on level 36 of Sky Garden and offering spectacular views across London, City Garden Bar has its very own Malfy Gin branded pop-up, bringing the steamy Amalfi Coast to the capital until the end of the month.
Delicious, premium and refreshing cocktails can be enjoyed from the bespoke Malfy Gin menu. The pop-up is open for drinks from Wednesday – Saturday. Hurry, the experience ends on the 27th October! Book your table HERE.
Tamashi by Junsei
Marylebone’s favourite yakitori restaurant, Junsei, is bringing its authentic dining experience to your door with the launch of an exclusive delivery service, Tamashi by Junsei. Available for home delivery within a 2-mile radius of the restaurant, 25% off orders will be available until the end of October.
Blending modern flair with ancient techniques, Tamashi, meaning “soul” will focus on traditional Japanese takeaway dishes with favourites including delicately prepared Duck or Hamachi Ongiri and comforting Duck Chashu on the menu. For an elevated evening in, choose from a selection of freshly prepared Donburi bowls – Saba Don (mackerel), Oyako Don (simmered egg and chicken), Soboro Don (ground chicken), Duck Don and Shroom Don, or treat yourself to some Fried Chicken Drumettes, available with a dry salt or soy chili seasoning. On the side, there are Chicken Skin Chips, Onsen Tamago, Daikon Oroshi and more.
A trip down to the glorious Sussex vineyards this autumn sounds like an excellent idea, particularly now that Sussex sparkling wines have a brand new PDO status. We have picked the top two bottles of Sussex sparkling and the best vineyards to visit in West and East Sussex this October, as harvest season is in full swing and the aromas of delicous grapes fill the air…
Ridgeview
Ridgeview has been producing world-class sparkling wine for over 25 years, made in the heart of Sussex on the edge of the South Downs National Park. The team are incredibly proud to have served at a collection of Royal occasions including to former US President Barak Obama at Buckingham Palace. The words ‘Life is for Celebrating’ are written in the neck foil of every bottle. Established near the picturesque village of Ditchling in Sussex, with fantastic tours and tastings, this second-generation family business was crowned the globe’s best in the ‘International Wine & Spirit Competition’ in 2018 and named No. 36 in the ‘Top 50 Worlds’ Best Vineyards’ in 2019.
Must try: Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV. The bottle is bursting with delicious flavours and is a fun, good time wine to enjoy with friends and family. A delectable aperitif to pair with fish and scrummy canapes, the wine is the perfect blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This particular NV was served at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. £30. ridgeview.co.uk
County: West Sussex
Everflyht
Everflyht is a new single vineyard estate in Ditchling, East Sussex and is certainly one to watch. This year, Everflyht released its debut wines, a Sparkling Brut NV and a sparkling Rosé de Saignée 2019. The premium English Sparkling wines, made from small parcels of fruit grown in the heart of the South Downs, are aimed at independent wine merchants and high-end trade, with sales & distribution managed directly via the estate. Winemaking takes place at Hambledon Wines in Hampshire. The name Everflyht is inspired by the six Martlets of the Sussex crest, symbolising knowledge, adventure, and learning. Everflyht even has a wine club called ‘murmuration’ that gives members access to future allocations of the wine as well as priority access to private events held here at the Everflyht Estate.
Must try: Everflyht Rosé de Saignée 2019 is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Meunier, and is made in a fruit-forward style with a portion of the blend matured on lees in old oak barrels, for added depth and character. Just 1,400 bottles are available. Everflyht owner Sam Ellis said: ‘The new rosé is a departure from some of the lighter, paler styles of Saignée on the market, providing an interesting contrast to recent trends.’ RRP £40. everflyht.com
NEW for London this year are several interactive experiences. SAUDIA will be bringing the Discover E-Zone to the capital: cutting edge digital activations combined with Saudi’s landscapes, landmarks, culture and heritage.
SAUDIA will be showcased using an augmented reality where visitors are immersed in a tour of KSA. From underwater scenes of the Red Sea and Saudi’s unique flora and fauna to 360-degree tours of AlUla and Al-Shaq Great Canyon, the experience takes guests through a sensory journey that includes sights and sounds as well as touch and scent.
Interactive experiences also include a high-impact, state of the art airplane fuselage stand in the Allianz e-Village.
This forms part of SAUDIA’s global campaign, Take Your Seat, aimed at connecting motorsport fans around the world with both the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s many iconic race destinations as well as the sights of Saudia Arabia. From a six-part social series exploring each driver’s favourite destination to a content series providing expert insight into the sports itself, the campaign highlights the incredible destination backdrops for each race and the accessibility through SAUDIA’s routes.
The Take Your Seat campaign features exciting new Formula E content, the chance to win the ultimate international race hospitality experience, and the opportunity to redeem new loyalty benefits and better rates for travel to races in iconic world cities with Saudia and its SkyTeam Airline Alliance.
For more information about SAUDIA’s partnership with Formula E, the host cities that SAUDIA serves, and money can’t buy Formula E experiences and prizes, the chance to attend an E-Prix in a city of your choice, and access exclusive Formula E content and prizes visit takeyourseat.saudia.com.
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company is one of the Middle East’s largest airlines. In recent years the airline has invested significantly in its fleet of 144 narrow and widebody aircraft and operates one of the youngest fleets in the skies, with an average aircraft age of 5 years. For further information on Saudi Arabian Airlines, please visit saudia.com.
Paris is yours this summer, and quite literally – with many Parisiens flocking from the centre to other parts of France during the warmer months. We jetted to the City of Light for the perfect weekend and swapped dreary London for shimmery Seine boat rides, brasseries and long lunches in the sun.
We touched down with British Airways Holidays right in beating heart of Paris in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th Arrondissement. We were transported from the UK and arrived right in the centre of Paris in a few easy hours. With everything from anique stores, museums, boutique shopping, cosy bars and buzzy restaurants on our doorsteps and having been to Paris countless times previously, we decided to keep it local and uncover everything that was on our doorstep.
First things first was to check into our centrally located hotel, K+K Hotel Cayré, just a stone’s throw from the Latin Quarter and then head for coffee. The chic and comfortable hotel was typically Parisien and the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, and Louvre Museum were all within walking distance. For an afternoon pick-me-up we chose the historic Les Deux Magots, just a short stroll away. The cafe was first established in 1812 at Rue de Buci and moved to the current address in the 1870s, in the period when the elegant and wide Paris boulevards were being built. Famous amongst the literary set back in the day, we feasted on buttery croissants and steaming black coffee whilst watching the world go by all around us.
Saint-Germain’s major Metro route, Line 4, stops at Saint Michel, Odeon, St-Germain-des-Prés, and Saint-Placide. Line 4 is the link between the north and south of Paris stopping at three of the major Paris train stations — Gare de Nord, Gare de l’Est, and Gare Montparnasse, making it easy to travel just under an hour to the nearby wine regions, the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the summer. We headed to Reims in the Champagne region (45 minutes from Paris) from Gare de l’Est and then onto three Champagne houses for a taste of the good stuff and an introduction to winemaking by lesser-known vineyards and wineries. After a few tipples of the freshest bubbles we have ever tasted it was straight back to the city to put our new-found knowledge to the test at the bars and restaurants by our hotel.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN SAINT-GERMAIN
LATE NIGHT DRINKS & PEOPLE WATCHING: Atlas, Saint Germain
WHITE TABLE CLOTH FAMPOUS BRASSERIE: Les Deux Magots, Saint Germain
HOW TO GET THERE
British Airways Holidays offers two nights, at the 4* K+K Hotel Cayré, from £319pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 August – 31 August 2022 inclusive. Includes economy return flights from London Gatwick Airport, 25kg luggage allowance and accommodation. Book by 30 July 2022 at www.britishairways.com/france. Further information on British Airways Holidays can be found here.
WHY CHOOSE BRITISH AIRWAYS HOLIDAYS
Package deal: customers can save time and money when they book their flight + hotel or flight + car together
Product range: British Airways Holidays offers customers an extensive flight network and over 10,000 carefully selected hotels and villas. It also supplies straight-forward car hire and a range of experiences, transfers and insurance
Flexibility: travellers can create a personalised multi-centre holiday with ease. They can book and combine flights in and out of different airports, choose multiple hotels and select car hire for any part of their holiday
Low deposit: travellers can secure their holiday with a low deposit (starting from £60pp) and can pay the balance in as many instalments as they want
Booking security: for extra peace of mind British Airways Holidays offer a 24-hour helpline and ATOL protection
Earn: travellers can collect Avios on flight, hotel and car bookings
