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Eat Your Way Around Lisbon

Okay, so I don’t want to play too much into the whole instagrammable food thing but, seriously, the food in Lisbon is so pretty I had to make you a movie. So enjoy this and find all my favourite picks for eating out in Lisbon below!

Coffee

You can grab a good bica (similar to an espresso but a bit longer) pretty much anywhere in Lisbon and you should rarely spend more than 70c on it. If you prefer to have a cafe to aim for, here are some of my favourite spots for the caffeine you’ll need to conquer those seven hills.

Montana Lisboa Cafe, Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa : urban art, speciality coffees (around 3 euros) and waterfront terrace.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Campo Santa Clara & Rua Nova da Piedade : founded in Copenhagen, winning awards as the best coffee shop in Portugal in 2018.

O das Joanas, Largo do Intendente Pina Manique : terrace seating in quirky Intendente with a great set breakfast.

Drinks

With seven hills, Lisbon is full of amazing look-outs over the city, often paired with a kiosk where you can buy a cold one. If you are looking for something a bit different, why not try one of these spots.

PARK, Calçada do Combro : on the top level of a car-park and not at all obvious from the street. Have faith, walk up the skanky back stairs and be rewarded with 180 view of the city.

Rio Marvilha, LX Factory : another panoramic bar but with restaurant and event space in the awesome quirky LX Factory.

Dois Corvos Brewery, R. Cap. Leitão 94 : colourful taproom with all of Dois Corvos range and tasty pizzas, for a chance of scenery walk (or stumble) 2 mins down the road to the more industrial Fabrica Musa brewery (Rua do Açúcar 83) and try your hand at getting a table at mysterious Aquel Lugar Que Nao Existe next door. We succeeded and it was one of the best, odd dining experiences – definitely recommended.

Dinner

It’s not hard to eat well in Lisbon, there’s plenty of amazing options but I’ll leave you with one healthy option, one burger place and a fancier but still well-priced dinner spot.

Cafe Nicolau, 17, R. São Nicolau : great spot for healthy, vegan and specialist dietary requirements. Cute street seating and a haven from the tourist / weed seller thoroughfares of the Baixa.

Cultura do Hamburguer, Rua Salgadeiras 38 : There’s a couple of popular burger spots in Lisbon; Honorato which you can sample in the Time Out Lisbon Market and Ground Burger near the Gulbenkian museum but the quirky Cultura do Hamburgueris the one for me with its innovative burger menu and great prices.

The Decadente, R. São Pedro de Alcântara 81 : Looks fancy, tastes fancy and is kind to your pocket. Great place to try some vinho verde.

Treats

You will not be hard pressed to find a sweet treat in this city…

Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belém nº 84 : It’s a classic but it is so damn good. Go, eat two with a bica and grab a stash to take home.

Landeau, various locations incl. LX Factory : In true hipster fashion, when one place pretty much only serves one thing, it’s going to be fricking amazing. Landeau serves a velvety slice of chocolate cake from heaven.

Santina, Time Out Lisboa Market : Santini have been serving ice-cream since the 1940s and once you’ve had a scoop (or three!) you’ll see why!

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Arts

Why your next trip should be to North Jutland in Denmark

Think that gastronomy in Denmark is just exclusive to Copenhagen? Think again. For people in the know, the Northern Jutland area is THE place to visit to take advantage of some of the best food that Denmark has to offer.

North Jutland is beautifully situated at the very top of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula. With its charming towns, stunning landscapes and powder-soft beaches, this island in the far north of the country is Denmark’s most northerly region, where Danish design and architecture meets pristine nature and then there is the food (more on that later!)

Jutting out dramatically into the sea, North Jutland is renowned for the special light it produces and has attracted artists both in current times and historically to paint here. It has more hours of sunshine than the rest of Denmark and has the most beautiful landscape which is made up of lush forests, quirky streets, sand dunes and endless white sand beaches.

Be happy

We started our Danish adventure in Aalborg which has been undergoing quite the development over recent years. It has been named as Europe’s happiest city, with a survey citing that Aalborg’s residents are the ‘most satisfied’in Europe. We stayed at the Hotel Cornwall Hvide Hus, a modern hotel with incredibly cool décor situated in the heart of the beautiful Kildeparken which is renowned for being the home of elegant sculpture which are nestled alongside the impressive fountain.

Singing trees?

As well as these impressive pieces of art, there is also the rather magnificent Park of Music. This initiative sees artists planting a tree to commemorate their visit in Aalborg. There is, however a twist. Some of the trees are accompanied by the artists’ own music and can be activated by the park’s visitors by pressing a button at the foot of the tree. From Beyoncé to Prince to Take That and Sir Elton John, you can meander around the park whilst creating your own symphony.

Award-winning architecture

Aalborg, with its impressive waterfront and quaint buildings blend seamlessly with the award-winning architecture and cosy cobbled streets. It is Denmark’s fourth largest city and is widely considered to be one of the most significant cultural hubs in Denmark.

What is GastroNorth?

As part of our Danish gastronomy adventure, we were invited to dinner by Mads Stenstrup, one of the pioneers of GastroNorth, a new foodie initiative made up of several gourmet restaurants throughout the Northern Jutland region who wants to showcase the regions unique culinary style and has ten restaurants who are part of the Gastro North collaboration. Their aim is to enhance their skills, draw international attention and hopefully secure the region’s first Michelin star soon.

Restaurant Textur

The fabulous Restaurant Textur who has recently received three stars in The Danish Dining Guide 2018 was our first port of call and was my favourite evening meal of the trip. Textur is one of the top restaurants in North Jutland and their kitchen is headed up by renowned chefs Dennis Juhl and Frederik Østera. The restaurant aims to curtail food waste and has a strong seasonal focus. Utilising local ingredients, we enjoyed an epic tasting menu with paired wines with amazing dishes like pan-fried Skagen fish with a salsify and ramson sauce, Danish potato, oyster and caviar and Sirius cheese, berry puree and roasted rye bread. All of which were complimented by corresponding wines and ports.

The restaurant only has 8 dishes on the menu at a single time and this changes every other week. Their aim is to focus more on the dish, utilising local produce seasonal ingredients throughout their menu.

The most authentic Italian restaurant in Denmark?

La Laconda dei Liberati is another restaurant that is part of GastroNorth and is the most authentic Italian restaurant in Denmark. It is situated in the historic Brix Court in the centre of Aalborg. We were served a plethora of delicious dishes cooked by renowned Italian chef Carlo Liberati such as grilled octopus, potato with a squid ink and grilled red pepper, beef tartare, buffalo mozzarella cream and sous vide egg yolk with a refreshing lemon delice with citrus fruit sorbet to end the meal.

The décor of La Laconda is as authentic as the cuisine. It is decorated with Italian square tiles from the 17th century and carefully selected ceramics providing a true Italian rustic style. Even the paving stones in the pretty courtyard are Italian and have been laid by Italian pavers, providing Aalborg with a little piece of Italy in the heart.

Mirror Mirror

Despite only having a few hours to explore the city, we were able to visit the fantastic Kunsten Museum of Modern Art. The building can only be described as an architectural icon made of white marble. It was designed by the world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in collaboration with Elissa Aalto and Jean-Jacques Baruël. We were lucky to see the innovative exhibition ‘Eleven Less One’ by Michelangelo Pistoletto which features a series of broken mirrors. The artist did a live installation where he smashed up the mirrors at random revealing a myriad of colours.

We also visited the Utzon Museum, the Nordic centre for design and architecture. The current exhibition celebrates the life and work of prominent Danish architect Jorn Utzon who was the architect behind the Sydney Opera House as well as several important buildings throughout Denmark.

The House of Music

Visitors to Aalborg need to play a visit to ‘The House of Music’ which is one of the most prominent music venues in the city. The building (which is located on the edge of the Limfjord – the body of water that splits North Jutland in two) is incredible and is one of the most impressive and ambitious architectural projects throughout Denmark. The design was conceived around the idea of creating synergy and sharing of expertise and its curved auditorium was built to maximise the optimum acoustics for live music performances for both symphony orchestras and contemporary music. This highly complex acoustic concept was developed in conjunction with Tateo Nakajima.

Stunning Skagen

The second destination of our exploration of North Jutland is the beautiful town of Skagen which is just over an hour’s drive. Intriguingly, there is very little traffic on the road which makes for a speedy and very stress-free journey. Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost city and it is a small town with beaches and a busy fishing port nearby. The white sandy beaches are stunning with the crystal-clear waves crashing on the shore. It is renowned for nearby Grenen, where two seas meet – the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. Both of which flow into North and the Baltic sea respectively. On a cloudless day, you can see the point where the two seas meet. Grenen is one of the most iconic attractions in Denmark and it attracts over 2 million visitors annually.

Bohemia and beauty

Skagen is described as ‘part artistic bohemia and part natural beauty’ which is why many of the most prominent Danish artists made this their home since the 19th Century. The painters which includes Anna and Michael Ancher, Holger Drachmann and Peder Severin Kroyer were all fundamental members of the Skagen painting movement from the late 1870s through to the turn of the century. Attracted by the glorious coastline and the unique light, the Skagen artists found much inspiration from this ‘blue light’ – a translucent light that merges the sky and the sea.

Nautical cool

There are several hotels in Skagen, but we stayed in the Hotel Plesner, a cosy yet understated hotel with serious nautical vibes. Situated near the harbour, it was designed by Ulrik Plesner who was one of the members of the Skagen art movement. With little details like the navy and white striped wallpaper and the cluster of suitcases in living areas are all supercute affording a cosy vibe.

Seafood extravaganza

Staying in a fishing port could only mean one thing – seafood! What better way to try some of the local seafood and produce than a visit to the acclaimed Restaurant Pakhuset on Skagen Marina where you can enjoy the freshest and most delicious seafood dishes whilst overlooking the bustling marina such as fish soup with saffron and herbs, pan-fried plaice and prawns and cod with mussel sauce, kale and Danish potatoes.

Let’s explore

Exploring Skagen can be done on foot, but it is handy to have a car to visit Grenen where you can be escorted to the very northern tip of Denmark by landtractor as well as exploring the sand-buried church and the ‘wandering’ dune of the Råbjerg Mile which is the largest migrating dune in Denmark. We would definitely recommend a visit to the superb Skagen museum which is the fifth most visited museum in Denmark where you can see important works of art by members of the Skagen art movement. The building itself was designed by guess who? Ulrik Plesner. You can even pay a visit to the Ancher house which has been preserved in time with some of the most stunning interiors and artefacts.

A glimpse of the past

We also ate at the historic Broendums Hotel which is one of the most historic hotels in the region. Famed for being ‘the place’ for the Skagen artists to wine and dine, Broendums is a quaint hotel with fabulous décor with an exciting menu which offers seasonally-inspired dishes that are made from locally-sourced ingredients. Dining in this charming restaurant is like taking a step back in time thanks to its elegant décor and wall art. Paying homage to the artists love of wine (I know I should have gone to art school!) Broendums has an extensive wine list featuring wines from ‘old school’ vintages from France, Italy, Spain and beyond.

Michelin dining

Just a short drive away from the Marina is Ruth’s Hotel which was included in the Michelin Guide 2018. It offers two dining options. Classical French dining alongside Nordic cuisine. Diners who opt for ‘Ruth’s Gourmet’ can choose delicately put together dishes which are created by Chef Peter Frydkjær with inspiration from local commodities. Expect to see dishes like Flounder from ‘Hyttefad’, mackerel and roasted lemon sole on the menu.

North Jutland cuisine

The region of North Jutland is renowned for the most delicious fresh produce such as seafood, vildemose potatoes, cheeses and more. These delicious North Jutland specialties are based on traditional regional dishes and recipes handed down through generations providing unique opportunities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

Why visit North Jutland?

If you are looking for unspoilt coastal views, stunning architecture with artworks a plenty and thoughtfully cooked local cuisine then a visit to Skagen should definitely be on your travel bucket list. There is truly something for everyone – for art lovers, history buffs, those that want a relaxing break and above all else, foodies! If you come to the North Jutland area thinking that Danish food is synonymous with bacon, pickled herring and Danish blue, you will certainly leave with a completely different perception.

New Nordic cuisine isn’t just having a moment, it is here to stay and a visit to the North Jutland region is THE place to experience it.

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Belgium

How to achieve a good work-life balance 

With almost a third of UK workers feeling that they have a poor work-life balance, it’s becoming an important issue to address. Not only does it affect our relationships and home life happiness, but it can also take its toll on our mental health. Read on as we investigate the best way to manage a good work-life balance and take some tips from other countries.

The current situation

The general consensus appears to be the adults in the UK are overworked. Maintaining a healthy balance between home and work life seems to become more difficult as we get older, with statistics showing that the younger the employee, the less likely they are to identify work-life balance as an important part of their job. The task of juggling a family alongside a job is also difficult for many to manage with statistics revealing that 75% of working parents suffer stress and anxiety as a result of their work-life balance management.

Although some businesses aim to operate at maximum capacity, this can take its toll. Research found that as a person’s weekly hours increase, so do their feelings of unhappiness. Of course, this is no surprise. Even for those who don’t work long hours, there is still the issue of ‘switching off’ and disconnecting from what’s happened at the office. In fact, one third of European workers said that a bad day at work affected their personal life.

As we work more, we find that we have less time to spend with those we love, less time to focus on accomplishing goals that aren’t work-related and less time to pursue our hobbies and dreams. But, many of us feel as though there’s nothing we can do about it.

How do people manage in other countries?

In comparison to our western European counterparts, Britain has the worst work-life balance. What can we learn from our foreign neighbours?

It seems as though workers in other countries have more free time to spend outside of work. In Belgium, employees have an average of 8.6 hours of free time per day compared to their 7.4-hour work days, and Netherlands are enjoying the shortest working week at only 30.3 hours. Denmark only spend 6.6 hours at work each day with 8.8 hours each day to spend how they wish, and Austrians are encouraged to start the weekend early with 3pm finishes implemented around the country. Many Germans are able to relax on a Sunday too, as stores are regulated so that they close on Sundays. All of these extra hours add up it seems, with Britons working 325 hours more per year than workers in Germany.

Unlike UK workers who often work with only half an hour to an hour break per day, foreign employees are encouraged to take multiple breaks throughout the day. The Spanish are famous for their midday siestas which began as an effort to sleep through the hottest period of the day in warmer climates. Although new laws mean that shops have to remain open without a break for naps, some workers still follow the siesta tradition. Or, they take long coffee and lunch breaks with colleagues — something that is widely accepted by employers. Finland also take on the approach that long breaks are good for everyone, and their workers enjoy extra-long lunch breaks that are one to two hours long! If you visited Sweden on business, you’d probably be invited to join them for ‘fika’ — this is a late morning coffee that offices pause to enjoy at around 11am.

Other regulations that help maintain a healthy work-life balance include:

  • Belgians are able to take a full month off work to coincide with school breaks.
  • Spanish workers have a holiday allowance of 30 days.
  • France introduced a law in 2017 that gave workers the ‘right to disconnect’ from after-work emails.
  • Swedish workers enjoy 16 months of paid family leave

What can we do?

Although we can’t change the regulations of our workplace, there are some things that we can do to help manage our work-life balance.

Enquire with your employer about splitting up your break. Research has proven that taking regular breaks can improve your productivity, and it therefore could be something that they will support. Split your hour break up into half an hour and two 15-minute breaks to decrease the amount of time spent at your desk at one time. Get some fresh air or spend time talking to family on the phone, taking a small action like this could reduce your stress levels.

A long commute can lead to stress and depression according to one study. This is one reason to propose flexi-time at your office, where you can skip the traffic at each side of your day and do something more productive. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone. You could make your commute feel more productive though, by listening to a podcast or audio book that can reduce the stress of rush-hour traffic. Alternatively, going to a gym class near to your work can mean that you miss the bulk of the busy traffic and allows you to fit some exercise into your day as well!

Although it can be difficult, restrict yourself on checking emails when you’ve finished work. Think of the long-term issues that mixing home and work life can have and aim to check your emails only for ten minutes on an evening instead of an hour. This is the same for working overtime, unless entirely necessary, make sure you are sticking to the number of hours that you’re contracted to. This can not only affect your mental health but can lead to employers expecting this behaviour at all times.

Make sure you’re using your annual holidays to recharge and spend time with family. We’re all guilty of using our holidays to run errands or do something that we’ve been putting off, but this isn’t always helpful for our work-life balance. Although we need to do this now and then, annual leave should be used to recuperate, relax and enjoy time away from the office so try to focus on this.

As we can see, the current situation is not great for UK workers. But, there are some small changes that you can make. From splitting up your break to making the most of your holidays, being conscious of finding a good split between the office and spare time is the first step to improving your work-life balance.

This article was brought to you by CT Shirts, retailers of men’s dress shirts.

Sources

https://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/third-workers-poor-work-life-balance/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/w/work-life-balance

https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/countries-with-best-work-life-balance-in-europe

https://www.cityam.com/268119/eat-sleep-work-repeat-why-uk-has-worst-work-life-balance

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Denmark

#COCOEATS: The Best Things We’ve Ever Eaten

If there’s one thing we pride ourselves on here at House of Coco, it’s good taste – and we’re not just talking about our heels. Whether we’re jetting around the world or checking out our hometown haunts, food is an integral part of what gives any destination its sense of place. To celebrate the launch of our food issue, we asked #TeamCoco to tell us about their ultimate dish. Here are the best things we’ve ever eaten…

Rachael Lindsay – The hot chocolate served at Angelina’s in Paris is so dark, devilish and divine that I recommend it to everybody who mentions they are going to the French capital. It is served in an antique china jug, full of thick, melted chocolate, and comes with a huge plate of whipped cream. Stir up the perfect chocolate to cream ratio and you will be in chocolate heaven. Unbeatable during winter when the cold French wind chills, or for any time of year really. For those with a real sweet tooth, it is perfectly accompanied by a Mont Blanc, a dessert of pureed sweet chestnuts and yet more cream, that resembles the snowy peaks of the French Alps. Tip: get to Angelina’s early in the morning to beat the queues.

Emma Harrison – The tasting menus at Textur in Aalborg, Denmark (pictured above) – not only is the food delicious, but they have a great approach to food waste and use only the best seasonal products. I really enjoyed Thompson’s in Newport on the Isle of Wight too – he did an amazing fillet of John Dory with a beautiful fennel choucroute and raisin purée as well as a chilled pea mousse. Lastly, in Georgia, I recently discovered, and loved grits!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5lq6uFdEv/?taken-by=chefrobertthompson

Rachel McAlley – My absolute favourite food I’ve ever eaten while away was in North Goa on Anjuna Beach. I caught a little boat from Calangute to the famous flea market at Anjuna Beach and it was lunchtime, so I went to a little shack inside the market and ordered a Goan Fish Curry. It was served it as a Thali, and OMG it was the fittest food I have ever experienced. There were around 7 or 8 little dishes presented in a large silver tray, the main dish was Goan Fish Curry and then there were 3 different vegetarian dishes, a rice dish, a dish of hot chillies, some bread (Goan Pita and Chapati), and a glass of lassi. Seriously, I want to go back right now, just to eat this.

Alexandra Delf – Mine has to be eating SUPER fresh sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. We got up early for breakfast and had the most insanely delicious breakfast of mixed sushi, no one spoke English so we pointed at pictures above the little shops and hoped for the best. What we got was a selection of freshest sashimi on a bed of rice. The best thing was exploring all the nooks of the marketplace to choose where to eat – a breakfast with a difference, which I literally crave every morning now!

Laura Bartlett – One of the best things I have ever eaten has to be lobster on the beach in Grenada. It had been freshly caught and cooked with Caribbean spices and we ate it whilst listening to people playing steel pans as the sunset. I’ve never had lobster since as I just know it will never be as good!

Jenna Clarke – I’d have to say my favourite food experience this year was definitely eating fresh Sashimi straight from the Caribbean Sea whilst in St Lucia. Sitting by the pool at Marigot Bay Resort, sipping on prosecco and eating freshly caught salmon was an absolute dream.

Vanessa Gainford – By far, it has to be the ‘Loaded Tater Tots’ in Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Studios, Orlando – a steampunk themed eatery specialising in extraordinary culinary creations.

Beth Roberts – I’m never sure if it’s the setting that makes the restaurant or the food, but either way – Hotel Esencia on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has it down. Slow-cooked pork tacos with sweet salsa, avocado fries and a cold local beer is always going to be delicious. But eaten overlooking the blindingly white sand of Xpu-Ha beach after a dip in their secret cenote? Unbeatable. A close second would have to be the huevos chilaquiles (spicy Mexican eggs) at local cafe Colibri in Mexico’s Isla Holbox – the prettiest pink cafe peppered with hand-painted hummingbirds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKTfeATAxcX/?taken-by=travelhush

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Denmark

9 Amazing Reasons to Visit the Northern Europe

Northern Europe often gives off the impression that it’s a remote quiet part of the world given its small populations and cold weather that sometimes could border on the extreme. The truth is, it’s a beautiful area that is rich in culture and history – a true gem of a travel that’s off the beaten path compared to usual European destinations like Rome, Paris, or London. If you’re itching for a different kind of European experience, consider going on northern Europe tours that will introduce you to another beautiful side to the continent. Here are 9 amazing reasons that will convince you to bite the bullet and start planning your Northern European getaway!

1. Visit the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark. Satisfy your thirst for Viking knowledge by witnessing first hand five actual Viking ships that were discovered in the Roskilde Fjords found around the city.2. See the first ice hotel in the world in Kiruna, Sweden. Time your vacation around the winter Snow Festival to make the most of Sweden’s wintertime activities.3. Attend a festival in Tampere, Finland. This city located in between two lakes is popular for holding so many cultural festivals – from theater to film to music and nearly everything in between.4. Walk through the streets of Aalborg, Denmark. This Northern Europe harbor was very prominent during the Middle Ages. At present, it is home to half-timbered mansions along streets that are picturesque in the daytime and become party central at night.5. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland. This nature reserve might not be European in the strictest sense, but it does have its connections to it through its Norse heritage. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa where you can relax and get all warmed up amidst the coolness of the environment.6. Discover the richness of history in Vilnius, Lithuania. The capital city has ancient churches and the famous Old Town, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.7. Take a tour of the Stifsgarden royal palace in Trondheim, Norway. This is quite possibly the largest wooden building in the entire Northern Europe, and is worth a visit for the socio-economic history of the Trondheim and the River Nidelva which flows through it.8. Soak up the fantastic scenery in Uppsala, Sweden. The city has a decidedly slower pace of life, which is the perfect complement to its amazing scenic areas and parks. Uppsala may be smaller than other Swedish cities, but it has a life worth witnessing all on its own!9. Stroll through the world’s best preserved medieval town in Tallinn, Estonia. On this side of the world lies the Old Town, a city that has never been raided or pillaged in all of its history.The result? A beautifully preserved town that you can explore to have the most genuine experience of what medieval life was like.

Clearly, there’s more about Northern Europe than meets the eye. If you are set on discovering more about such an amazing part of the world, read more about Northern Europe to have a better idea of what awaits you when you get there!

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Denmark

Designer Spotlight : LARSEN & ERIKSEN

Larsen and Eriksen are a copenhagen-based design duo built upon a lifelong friendship and an everlasting love for people and bicyclism.

Here, we go behind the brand to find out more…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
We are a Copenhagen-based design studio. Driven by contemporary Copenhagen lifestyle, we create accessible aesthetics inspired by Danish Mid-Century Modern.

As a forerunner, we spent two years on designing and developing every single, nerdy detail of the watches – and making sure that all unnecessary links had been cut out of our supply chain.

To best explain the reason behind it, say that you take equal parts of the following ingredients:

(1) Two best friends since 3rd grade, (2) two 9-5 day jobs that were “perfectly career oriented, very well-paid and extremely pretty-f***ing-average”, (3) a nerdy passion for watches, (4) many years of never being able to afford to buy watches, (5) many years of having traversed the globe and seen the diverse destinies of its inhabitants, (6) a good old Danish winter depression, and add to that (7) a strong lust to create something from scratch and use this to affect other people’s lives in a positive manner

There you have it. That’s the foundation of LARSEN & ERIKSEN.

Whats your background?
Jeppe is born and raised in the sphere of Supply Chain Management and has worked as Head of Operations in a Logistics company for many years. I hold a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Psychology and used to work in Management Consulting. Luckily, both of us have always felt a strong connection to watches and the principles of Danish design, and this proved to become our way out of the corporate hamster wheel.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
We are a multinational team of currently 7 incredibly talented and highly inspiring people, alongside our production team and a vast range of freelancers lending us a creative hand whenever needed. Being a somewhat-small design company “everyone is involved in everything” and this agile and creativity-igniting setup is in many ways our very greatest strength.

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
There’s no such thing as starting a business in a perfect way. Launching a business – whether in the format of an ice cream stall, a dating app for dogs or a watch brand – is a matter of dedication, agility and persistence. And even though you put in all of that, there’s still no guarantee that things are gonna turn out the way you expected. So judging from where we are today, my answer is no, as I am extremely proud of where we and our kick-ass team has taken LARSEN & ERIKSEN in less than a year. But in reality, a new start would mean a new rollercoaster ride of unforeseen challenges and thus, the path to success would most likely never be the same.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
Our very first collection of watches is named “Absalon”. We normally never elaborate on the reason behind this, but the naming actually comes from the Danish archbishop Absalon who founded the city of Copenhagen in 1167. Many years after his death, he had an elementary school named after him and at this very school, Jeppe and I met in 3rd grade. At that very moment, the story of LARSEN & ERIKSEN began.

2018 is here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
Our journey has only just begun and in 2018 I can promise that we are gonna expand into both new markets, new design categories and new eye-opening collabs. Can’t wait to share the news with all of the amazing people already following as well as opening up the doors to our welcome-for-all design universe for many, many more amazing human beings!

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?I feel really privileged when being able to say that it’s difficult to choose just one… Being able to do a small difference in the lives of people in the rural parts of Western Africa through our #BikesForAHappierWorld initiative is definitely one of my personal (on-going) highlights. As for the progress of LARSEn & ERIKSEN, I guess the overall highlight must be the fact that our designs are already being sold at handpicked, top-tier design, fashion and lifestyle stores in 14 countries around the world and that we are featured as the only watch brand in the design store of Louisiana MoMA which was recently awarded the World Best Museum Store.

Style means….?
Integrity. And integrity – in style – means being true to yourself and comfortable with whatever you wear. Life is too short to worry about what other people think of you and the way you look. If you feel like wearing the glittery boots on a Monday morning, glittery boots it is!

Best thing about London to you?
The architectural authenticity. The way the city still honors its historical heritage is, in my opinion, unique.

Statement shoe or statement bag?
Statement watch. Inarguably.

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?
My hand-sewn all-black shirt in thick, rough cotton by upcoming Danish designer Louise Egebro. Basically, it’s more like a weird – but extremely cool and comfortable – mix of a blazer and a cardigan. I’m a sucker for perfect fits – and monochrome looks – and this is exactly what Louise captures like no other designer I’ve come across. And when often going for monochrome clothing, I always use my watch to add an understated twist to my outfit.

Favourite love song?
“Hoppípolla” by Sigur Rós. It might not be your number one go-to song for when recording a mixtape for your one-and-only teenage love, but in my mind this song encompasses love – for the world, for people, for life – in a mesmerizing and escapist manner like nothing I’ve ever heard before.

Best place for a coffee?
“Ricco’s Kaffe” at the Meatpacking District in Copenhagen. Best coffee – and best service – in town.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
If you don’t manage the detail, you don’t manage anything.

Guilty pleasure?
Still listening to my childhood heroes of Blink-182 when I’m all alone. But luckily, no one knows.

If you could spent 24 hours in anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Beneath the surface of the ocean. I’m born with an intense wanderlust and I love exploring the farthest corners of the world, both in and out of water. However, it’s a simple fact that there’s so many incredible places and incredible creatures in our oceans that are still to be explored by mankind – and I’d love to take part in discovering some of these hidden treasures.

Find out more…

Explore much more about the LARSEN & ERIKSEN universe on www.larseneriksen.com and stay up-to-date and inspired on a daily basis by following us (@larseneriksen) on Instagram.

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Bringing together three style capitals during London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks

Here at House of Coco we are all set for the upcoming fashion weeks, our diaries are full and are wardrobes are ready! But, as always, we like to make sure we arrive in style and it’s no secret that we are all about that #jetset life, just take a glance at our Insta to see that!

Jetsetters can rub shoulders with the fash-pack during Europe’s most hotly anticipated Fashion Weeks this month, with Air Charter Service’s stylish new package.

Departing on 16 February and flying by private jet throughout, the 15-night trip brings together three fashion capitals – London, Milan and Paris – in one fabulous itinerary which includes luxury hotel suites, sought-after event tickets and exclusive shopping tours. A stay in another Italian fashion powerhouse, Rome, completes the ultimate fashionistas’ escape.

Shop like Kate Middleton in London’s Mayfair
This epic journey through Europe’s fashion hotspots begins with a four-night stay at The Savoy in London, including tickets to a glamorous London Fashion Week catwalk show. When they’re not hobnobbing at the main event, shopaholics can uncover the style secrets of one of the UK’s most photographed style icons, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton – discovering her favourite British designers including Jenny Packham and Temperley during a royal fashion tour of swanky Mayfair. Guests will also peruse boho-chic boutiques and Portobello Market in trendy Notting Hill, before embarking on a behind-the-scenes tour of bespoke tailoring mecca Savile Row.

Meet an haute couture designer in Milan
The next four nights are spent in Italy’s fashion capital, staying at the ultra-luxurious Mandarin Oriental and mixing with the stylish elite at an exclusive Milan Fashion Week show. Accompanied by a personal shopper, guests will take an in-depth tour of the city’s designer studios and niche boutiques before visiting acclaimed bespoke seamstresses and shoemakers. For a truly unique memento, clients can meet with an haute couture designer who will create a one-off garment especially for them. They’ll then learn how to style their new outfits during an image consultation, receiving expert advice on everything from hair and makeup to which styles best suit their build.

Explore Rome’s most stylish boutiques
Rome is the home of the legendary Cinecittà film studio, which cemented the intimate connection between fashion and cinema during Hollywood’s Golden Age. During a three-night stay at the opulent Hotel de Russie, guests will embark on a personalised shopping tour through the Italian capital, visiting the city’s most stylish boutiques and watching as fine jewellery is created at an artisanal studio. Shoe addicts can discover the art of Italian sandal-making during a private workshop with two local shoemakers, creating their own bespoke pair of sandals to wear back home.

Peruse vintage high fashion in Paris
This stylish journey through Europe ends in the Fashion Capital of the World during Paris Fashion Week, with a four-night stay at the lavish Peninsula Paris. Guests will shop till they drop on a luxury personal shopping trip, lunching at fashionistas’ eatery-of-choice L’Avénue and perusing vintage works by haute couture icons including Lanvin, Chanel and Dior. They’ll also meet up-and-coming young designers in their workshops in the trendy North Marais or ‘NoMa’ district, before visiting fine jewellery hub Place Vendôme to view private collections and learn how precious stones are crafted into masterpieces.

For more information, to book the above package or to create their own tailor-made fashion-themed trip, clients should call the ACS Travel & Concierge team on +44(0)20 8339 8588.

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The perfect route to see what Scandinavia has to offer

Scandinavia is among the top tourism destinations in the world. From the beautiful northern lights, modern and diverse cities, you can have the best experience while visiting this beautiful region. Not only is it a very beautiful place to see, but it also offers an incredibly exceptional experience.
If you want to see this incredibly beautiful region on its fullest, you need to have a certain type of route that you can follow. First things first, decide the time when you want to visit Scandinavia since it can make a huge difference.
Best time to visit
Scandinavia has plenty to give over the whole year with four distinct seasons. It’s personal when it’s best to visit for you and that depends on your pre-booked holidays, what you want to see and do, or your favourite season. Summer is a great time to visit in Scandinavia, in the months of July and August. You are more likely to have pleasant weather at this time of year and nature comes alive with residents as well as tourists setting out for the great outdoors experience.
Although summertime may be a great time to visit the Nordic countries if you dream of seeing the northern lights, it isn’t the best time. It refers in particular to the northern regions, such as Northern Norway, as well as Finish and Swedish Lapland, where the sun does not completely set during the summer months. Visiting this magnificent region between October and March, also known as the aurora borealis season, gives you the best opportunity to see the beautiful lights.
Transportation
There are many ways you can get to Scandinavia, but the flight would definitely be a better choice considering the less time it would need compared to other ways of traveling.
Once you get to your first destination, it would be a smart decision to rent a car and see the whole region by yourself. Also, when you are in big cities, public transportation is a great choice. In the countries of Scandinavia, public transportation is very much in-sync, which means that there is not a huge amount of waiting time, and many people use this method for their traveling.
It will cost you less money and will give you the ability to see the countries at its best.
In Scandinavia, you can go from one country to another by using buses that operate daily. Also, you can get a taxi or uber and use it as your transport of choice. Uber and taxis are very popular in the region, and according to Norsk Casino Online, gaming providers use this opportunity to advertise their platforms.
Where to start?
The hardest part of traveling in Scandinavia is that it is impossible to decide what you prefer to see. No matter where you go, the experience will be once in a lifetime.
If you decide to start your journey from Solo, the capital of Norway, you will not be disappointed. Nature meets the urban lifestyle in Oslo. While visiting, go outside to explore the green mountains and valleys, or appreciate the colorful cultural life, visit world-renowned museums and galleries such as the Munch Museum or the Viking Ship Museum.
Visit bergen after you are done with Oslo, this city is the second-largest city in Norway. It represents a perfect place to experience rich cultural and historical sights, and see breathtaking natural wonders.
You can also spend hours wandering around this diverse city’s streets, visiting museums and its old town, the Bryggen, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lofoten Island is a must-see while visiting Norway. This area has plenty to give as an archipelago within the Arctic Circle in terms of the stunning scenery of mighty ranges, craggy coastline roads, clean rivers, and quaint fishing villages. A famous stop on the Norwegian Coastline Voyage is Svolvær, Lofoten’s main city.
If you want to relax, you should also visit Flåm, a beautiful small town in Norway. Gravity-defying Preikestolen is also among the top destinations.
Sweden
After you have been able to see some of the greatest things that Norway offers, it is time to move on to Sweden. Start your journey in Sweden with the capital,Stockholm. Get to know Swedish culture before seeing other parts of the country. Once you are done in Stockholm, visit Gothenburg. It is Sweden’s second-biggest city. The city is full of history, as it was founded as a trading colony, by royal charter in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus.
Sleeping on ice in Sweden’s iconic Ice Hotel in Sweden is a quintessential Nordic experience that you really don’t want to miss.
You should try your hand on enjoyable winter activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling throughout the day. Keep warm on a reindeer-skin-covered ice bed at night, keep an eye out for the northern lights dancing and grab a drink at the ‘cool’ ice bar.
Denmark
Visit the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen once you are done with Sweden. Copenhagen is full of palaces, beautiful buildings, and references to writer Hans Christian Andersen.
You might comfortably spend several days enjoying all the cultural and historical sights in Copenhagen, but be sure to visit the luxurious Amalienborg Castle, home to the Danish Royal Family, and Tivoli Gardens, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world.
Finland
Visit Finland after you are done with Denmark. It is not technically Scandinavia, but you should definitely visit the country while you are traveling through Nordic countries. Pass the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, and experience the best of Finnish history. Here, alongside beautiful buildings, you can find trendy modern architecture from the 20th century which makes exploring the city a real treat.
While you are still here, think about your childhood fantasies and honor them by visiting the hometown of Santa Claus, in the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi. Here you also have a great chance of seeing northern lights during the wintertime, there are also many beautiful museums worth seeing.
Scandinavia represents one of the top tourism destinations in the world. It has the ability to offer everyone something they might like. It is super popular for those who travel alone or prefer to have trips with their family or friends. Scandinavia can offer you unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience.

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Top attractions and things to do in Copenhagen in 2019  

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and a cultural hub of Scandinavia. It is home to the people who are young at heart and happiest on the planet. Occupied with some great landmarks and sophisticated buildings, there are a lot of things to do and see in this city. This city is the substance of a perfect mixture of multi-cultural people, historical and modern buildings, shopping markets, nightclubs, theme parks and some of the most uncommon things you can do and see.

Copenhagen has something for everyone. For shopaholics, there are some great shopping streets and malls for shopping. For children, there are some great gardens and parks for them to explore and play. For foodies, some of the best restaurants exist there; and for history lovers, Copenhagen has infinite museums and historical landmarks. It is a place for everyone, and certainly your next best destination to visit. So what are the top attractions and things to do in Copenhagen in 2019? Let’s find out.

Copenhagen – A pinnacle for any modern tourist

With so many tourist attractions and things to do in Copenhagen, it has become a pinnacle for any tourist. For this reason, it is nicknamed as the City of Spires. This city has always been so underrated in the eyes of travellers. However, its historical significance tells us a completely different story. This is why the place is swarming with infinite historical landmarks such as castles, palaces, squares, statues, and waterfronts. But in today’s world, social media, blogs, and other channels have made Copenhagen a well-known tourist destination, and people want to travel there to explore, see all its attractions and things.

How to find a ride to Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has daily flights from all over the world. It has always been a gateway to Scandinavia and Central Europe throughout history, and it has carried that importance in the 21st century as well. So for this reason, finding a ride to this city isn’t difficult at all. You can find multiple flights from all major cities in the world on daily basis. You can also book flights to Copenhagen today, as there is no day left without a flight going there. However, in order to find a complete package, you need to book Dream World Travel flights, accommodation, travelling transfers, and other details. DWT offers a complete package to all their customers. So travel to this city and enjoy your vacations to the fullest.

Top attractions and things to do in Copenhagen in 2019

Copenhagen is the home to some amazing and unique places and landmarks. Due to its multi-cultural feature, you can find it an astonishing place full of colours, sparks, open-minded, and a fun place to be. Take a tour of the city of Danes, and see its best attractions, do unique things and show it off on your social media account. Trust us you will end up taking some great memories of this city.

Following are some great things that you shouldn’t miss to do and see in this city. So make sure you have those all covered, and you have a blast on your well-earned vacations.

The Statue of Little Mermaid

The Statue of Little Mermaid is one of the most famous landmarks of Copenhagen. Each year, it is visited by millions of people. And it is one great spot to take some pictures of yourself with the little statue. This statue was made by Erik Eriksen and dedicated to this city for its contributions to Fairy Tales. The author of some of the most prominent Fairy Tales is Hans Christian Andersen, and he lived in Copenhagen. He wrote multiple Fairy Tales novels in this city, and this statue is made out-and-out to remember his work.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli is a pleasure garden in Copenhagen. It is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and there are some rides that are the oldest of their kind. Opened in 1843, this park has a lot to offer to everyone. This park holds the honour of inspiring the great Walt Disney to create Disneyland. Each year, it is visited by millions of people, and it is always lit up in every season. Visiting Copenhagen and not going to Tivoli is the worst thing you can do to yourself, so be smart and do visit this heavenly place. Tivoli also boasts one of the best hotels in Denmark for anyone to stay, known as Nimb. So if you can afford it, be their guest.

Strøget

Strøget is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. It is more than a mile long and it is completely free from traffic. You can shop on some of the best international brands and retailers as well as local shops and brands too. You can find high-end trendy clothes and other items on this shopping street. There are also some great restaurants and fountains to cool off. So we recommend you to do your shopping at Strøget, in this way you can have some fun as well as a great variety of things to buy.

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg is a historically significant castle in Copenhagen. Designed in a majestic Danish style of 17th-century, it was built to defend the integrity of the city and the Danish Empire. You can visit this great piece of architecture and see all the things on display there.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is the 17th-century waterway in Copenhagen. In the past, it was a fish harbour. But today, this place offers some of the best restaurants and cafés in the city. You can also visit this place and experience the vividness of this place. Sunset and sunrise are always amazing to watch there.

Botanical Garden

Spread over 10 hectares of lush green grasslands, Botanical Garden of Copenhagen is a perfect place to enjoy a day out with family and relax. There are plants and greenhouses that are beyond of definition of explanation. Plants and flowers are also diverse, and they are brought there from all the corners of the world.

Noma

Noma is considered the best hotel in the world. Its chefs and their cooked cuisines are the best things you can ever taste. This restaurant is renowned all over the world, and people wait for weeks just to book a table. So best of luck in booking yourself one. But keep your hopes high and do visit this place.

National Museum

National Museum of Copenhagen is a great place to study the history of this place, as well as the evolution of this world. It provides a chance to see exhibits that are rare and provide a great deal of knowledge to everyone.

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The Wonderful World of Chateau Denmark

You feel like you are entering a whole new world when you check-in to Chateau Denmark on Denmark Street in London. The reception is dramatically dark and interesting, and the team are all wearing deep dark clothing to match the surroundings. But the most intriguing part is when you meet your own personal butler (BTLR).

Our writer Rachel McAlley was invited to review Chateau Denmark recently, here are her thoughts on this brand new aparthotel in London’s renowned music district.

Each BTLR wears what looks like a robe from one of the Harry Potter movies, like they will magic you something exciting at the drop of a hat. Which, is of course exactly what they do. They whisk you off to your room, give you a tour of your facilities and pass on their mobile number for anything you may want. In my case, the Deluxe Session room where I stayed was like walking into a nightclub.

Chateau Denmark

I had the largest in-room fully stocked bar that I had ever seen in any apartment. My own selection of cut glass to drink from, a wine fridge, again fully stocked, a fridge with mixers, and a secret drawer stacked with curious snacks. There was even a fresh lime and lemon with chopping board and knife ready and waiting for my first cocktail. To top it off my bar had an ice maker, and a filtered cold, boiling and sparkling water tap!

Romas, my BTLR talked me through how to use the Void and Artcoustic sound system, complete with readily produced music for me to play in room. When I say sound system, I mean huge speakers that blasted the music so loud I could easily have been in a nightclub. And yes, my room was 100% soundproofed, so I could have friends over for a party.

The Wonderful World of Chateau Denmark

Leaving the living space, or nightclub as I liked to call it, I was shown around the bathroom, with beautiful bespoke Chateau Denmark body and haircare products and robes. Then I was taken into the bedroom, which had its own balcony to sit outside and enjoy city views.

The 65-inch TV took centre stage as I walked in the bedroom until I spotted the bed, with its orange velvet headboard, leather branded bolsters, side mirrors and wall art. The art above the bed included handcuffs, whips, chains and balls, which almost certainly stopped me in my tracks. Furthermore, the art around the entire apartment was a mixture of 50s and 60s rock ‘n roll, psychedelic pieces, and playful design.

Chateau Denmark

It was a dark room and I wanted to lighten things a little so I had a play with the lighting controls and found that I could change the ambiance from night to day or even party mode. Obviously I went for party mode, I mean why the hell not! My BTLR went to make me a welcome cocktail, so I put on some loud tunes and unpacked my suitcase.

Once I settled and relaxed into my stay, I could see how much attention to detail Chateau Denmark had placed in every aspect of the room. From the bouncy rubber flooring, to the linen bag which simply said ‘Filthy’ on it, and the snack drawer with Hangover Cure sweets and Mojito gummies. This wasn’t like anywhere else I had ever stayed in London.

If you are into music, are a lover of the unusual, or just want to live life a little differently I would highly recommend an overnight at Chateau Denmark. It is full of fun and playfulness, and if you’re lucky to get a BTLR with your room they are there to help with every aspect of your stay.

Visit the Chateau Denmark website to book a room, and to find out more about what the wonderful world of Chateau Denmark has to offer. I stayed in a Deluxe Session room with BTLR, priced at £674 per night. Prices vary depending on the date, and which room is booked. Here are more details about the Deluxe Session room or If you want to check out Instagram visit @chateaudenmark

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