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11 Of The Best Foodie Hotspots Around The World

There aren’t many things that make us happier than food and travel. So when we get to put our two true loves together, as you can imagine, we are a bunch of happy folk here at House of Coco.

We’ve put together our roundup of the best foodie hotspots to inspire your inner piglet to hop on a flight…

Denver, Colorado – www.colorado.com
From green chile synonymous with Colorado’s ancient Pueblo communities to buffalo in the Old West, Colorado’s culinary scene has been integrated into the culture of the state for centuries. For those looking for a quirkier dining location, Linger an ‘eatery’, is set in a former mortuary, whilst Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox serves American food in a former brothel.

Taste of Denver: For a real taste of Denver, a three hour walking food tour will give visitors an insight into the ever expanding food scene of this vibrant city. Sample Zoo Ma Ma’s infamous noodles which are inspired by her mother’s home cooking and then wander down to the Wynkoop Brewery for a tipple at the oldest brewery in Denver, finished off with a trip to Milk Box, one of the most popular ice-cream creameries in the city.

Greater Palm Springs, California – www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

The Greater Palm Springs area is a burgeoning foodie destination plating up for Hollywood A-listers and being home to the largest date growing region in the US. Creative chef-driven restaurants and gourmet stores serving local specialities such as Date Shakes are driving more food lovers to the area. Thanks to the ideal farming conditions in Greater Palm Springs, the popularity of farm-to-table restaurants is increasing, with La Spiga and Workshop Kitchen & Bar offering the freshest dishes, whilst making use of the best local produce.

Desert Tasty tours: Visitors can take a walking food tour through the desert and experience the best food Greater Palm Springs has to offer, whilst also learning unique insights about the history of the area from an expert guide. Choose to explore El Paseo or Palm Canyon Drive over the course of three hours and expect many tasty dishes, from award winning Bill’s Pizza to nationally acclaimed toffee and popcorn shop, Brandini Toffee.

Newport Beach, California – www.visitnewportbeach.com

While Newport Beach is mainly known for its beautiful coastline, there are many tasty restaurants to be found around the area with freshly caught seafood and scenic waterfront dining. As locals in Newport Beach have one of the highest average incomes in the area, the food options tend to match their high standards.

Dock and Dine: Eat like a local and experience a classic Newport Beach dining experience. Choose from over a dozen restaurants and enjoy a dinner cruise whilst docked in the marina, sampling the best food, food truck catering and stunning views on offer. Cannery Seafood of the Pacific is a favourite with the locals and offers visitors a menu packed with freshly caught local seafood to complement their impressive award-winning wine list.

Portland, Oregon – www.travelportland.com

Portland is globally renowned for its gastronomy scene. Home to over 700 street food trucks, food festivals, food specific walking tours, farm to fork concept dining and an ever expanding vegan offering. Portland is the place for foodies to head to this year, as Delta have confirmed a seasonal direct flight from London Heathrow, operating 4th May – 26th October.

Hands-on culinary experiences include:

Tea Tasting Appointment at Smith Teamakers: Coffee or beer might come to mind when you think of Portland’s craft beverage scene, but tea is also on the rise. Founded in 2009, Smith Teamakers blend and pack teas and botanicals in very small batches from the world’s best producing regions. Take a guided tasting in their new tasting room in SE Portland which has unique, artisanal, and highly curated range of products.

Tasting at Teutonic Wines Urban Winery: Local wine geeks have fallen hard for Teutonic’s Swiss-German-style wines since Barnaby and Olga Tuttle debuted their pinot noir in 2008. Since then, Teutonic has sold out vintage after vintage. The Tuttles’ wine is unique, including a few, like silvaner and chasselas, that practically no one else in Oregon makes. The Tuttles aim to introduce their bottles to a wider audience with an urban winery and tasting room in Southeast Portland.

Sacramento, California – www.visitsacramento.com

Sacramento is known as the Farm to Fork capital of the US AKA foodie heaven, with the lower rent prices and ideal climate, the city has seen an influx of Bay Area chefs as it is much easier to set up shop here and with the easy access to all the organic produce they come up with the tastiest menu offerings. 96 percent of the country’s tomatoes come from within 250 miles of Sacramento, as well as 95 percent of California’s sushi rice, exported in mass to huge sushi industries such as Japan.

Get hands on with a local cookery class at Sacramento Natural Food Co-Op: From udon noodles to Indian street food or entertainment with cheese, the Co-Op offers something for everyone with the opportunity to get hands on in the cookery class. They also offer wellness seminars and gardening workshops, helping to make connections about important food, health and environmental issues in support of local family farms.

San Diego, California – www.sandiego.org

Renowned for its unique flavours and a collaboration of chefs from both sides of the border, Mexico’s Baja-Med scene combines California’s emphasis on fresh and local ingredients to create a delicious and unique new menu, fondly known to the locals as ‘Cali-Baja’. Fish tacos and grilled octopus on a tostada are amongst the favourites. This Mexican heritage also influences art, culture, music and architecture.

Taco making at Galaxy Taco: Trey Foshee’s Galaxy Taco is a celebration of the culture and cuisine of Mexico, where you’ll find simple foods done well. A casual Mexican restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, Galaxy Taco grind their own masa from non-GMO heirloom corn to make their tortillas. The lunch menu is an interpretation of Mexican street food, with an emphasis on seafood and tacos and the dinner menu has additional family style offerings.

San Francisco, California – www.sftravel.com

With the huge production of fruits, vegetables, seafood and livestock surrounding San Francisco in California, chefs are able to create fresh authentic meals that are enjoyed by both locals and tourists. San Francisco is home to an array of restaurants offering a wide selection of foods, including the Mission District, the city’s exuberant hipster neighbourhood with Latino roots where restaurants like La Taqueria serving up one of the best burritos in the area. Home to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, any trip to San Francisco must include a taste of the Asian cuisine, including dumplings from Yank Sing or noodles from M.Y. China, prepared right in front of your eyes.

San Francisco visitors can test their own culinary skills by taking part of one of the many culinary classes within this diverse city. The Wok Shop, located in San Francisco’s Chinatown, host ‘Wok Wednesday’s’ for visitors to develop their Stir Fry Skills learning from advanced ‘wokers’.

Santa Barbara, California – www.santabarbaraca.com

Foodies in Santa Barbara can take a Famers’ Market Foodie Stroll with Bouchon’s executive chef, Greg Murphy, for a true ‘farm to fork’ wine country cuisine experience. After perusing the fresh produce with the chefs at the Santa Barbara Food Market to select ingredients, diners can see the fresh food transformed into a three-course dinner paired with local wines. A market tour and three course dinner with wine costs $95 per person. For budding photographers, Eat This Shoot That! offer food or wine tours with an interactive photography element. The Funk Zone Food & Photo Tour explores the food of Santa Barbara’s newest neighbourhood, with eight tasting locations, spanning 3.5 hours. Visitors can learn foodie photo tips and tricks using a smartphone, with backdrops of hidden graffiti art and galleries. $99 adults, $89 children.

Setouchi, Japan – setouchitrip.com

With the ever increasing popularity of Asian food around the world and the increase in Japanese restaurants throughout the UK, including the opening of Japan Centre in central London, Japanese food has never been so hot. What better way to taste the Japanese delicacies than to travel to Japan’s Inland Sea, Setouchi, and try its fresh produce for yourself.

Udon Taxi Tour: Foodies rejoice, as Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, is the Udon capital of Japan. Here visitors can watch the dough being hand-stretched and noodles boiled over a wood fire. Big time Udon lovers can even hail an Udon Taxi that will take them to explore famous Udon spots across the prefecture – easily spotted thanks to the giant replica of a bowl of Udon attached to the car roofs.

Sonoma County, California – www.sonomacounty.com

Visitors to Sonoma can enjoy an array of culinary experiences, including the Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail or the Farm Trail. A year-round cornucopia of fresh produce is available even in the most remote corners of this fertile region, contributing to an abundance of award-winning restaurants and wineries.

For a hands-on experience, visitors to Sonoma can join a cookery class at Ramekins, where they capture the essence of Wine Country living with fresh foods, fabulous wines and good company. Hands on classes are hosted throughout the year, with a huge range of cookery options on offer. Whether it’s learning to cook a favourite seafood dish or perfecting Italian pasta, these cookery classes will complement every taste bud.

The Islands of Tahiti www.tahititourisme.uk/en-gb/

French Polynesia benefits from amazing weather all year round. It’s a virtual Garden of Eden, where exuberance and abundance go hand in hand. Farmers grow a wide variety of fruits, spices and vegetables, combining aromatic qualities with nutritional benefits.

Guests to The Islands of Tahiti can take their hand in the kitchen and learn the traditional culinary arts, including at some of the large hotels where the chefs organise culinary workshops. Every Tuesday and Thursday, guests at Le Meridien Tahiti are introduced to the techniques used by the chef, to understand the blend of exotic Asian and Western flavours using the freshest and finest of locally grown and caught produce.

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Food & Drink

#CocoFood; Wine Tasting 101

As you may know #TeamCoco are a bunch of foodies, no matter where we are in the world, alongside our passion for travel and adventure, is a need for cuisine; whether that be street food, canapés or a seven course Michelin star taster menu. Yet, there is one thing that tends to go in hand with each meal… drinks. From coffee to champagne, the right drink can make or break the food you’re eating.

The main drink that trips us up however is wine. Whether you’re in a bar, restaurant or fancy establishment, you are normally presented with a glass of the wine in which you are expected to commence the see, swill, smell and sample routine. For a while we had no idea what we were actually doing and if you’re thinking ‘I literally have no idea what I’m meant to do’ then keep on reading! As to master this little trick has widened our horizons and has totally changed our perspective on wine and our palette!

The traditional explanation of this routine is that you are tasting the wine to make sure it’s not corked, which is odd nowadays as this rarely occurs and also seems a bit pointless if the bottle doesn’t even have a cork… Originally the ‘head’ of the table tasted the wine to prove that it is safe to drink, which is why the person buying the wine is usually presented it first.

So with these two points essentially being null, why do we still go through this little ritual? Well its all part of the experience. Swirling the glass draws oxygen into the glass and aerates the wine, enhancing the scent. Smelling the wine allows you to draw on certain ingredients within the wine which will essentially intensify the flavour.

Swirling the glass also makes the wine slosh around, leaving residue on the sides of the glass, this is because the wine is evaporating. It’s at this point people utter phrase ‘it’s got good legs’ which for us was a moment where we would just nod and agree.

The legs of are the droplets left on the side of the glass after you have swirled the wine. The legs often indicate two things; alcohol content and sweetness. The more droplets the higher the alcohol content, which often results in a warmer sensation in your throat after drinking. The slower the droplets drip down the glass, the sweeter the wine.

After these little assessments is when you take the first sip, simply take a sip, open your mouth slightly and let the wine rest in your mouth for a few seconds to let it oxidise and release its aromas and flavour before closing your mouth. This is your chance to speak up and let them know if the wine is not to your taste, is faulty or has been corked, if you leave it until you’ve drank half your glass, the waiter/sommelier won’t take you seriously. If you think it’s great then let them know and drink up!

These few tips are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wine tasting so if you truly want to be a wine connoisseur, then we definitely recommend booking a wine tasting session!

If you’re lucky enough to escape for some winter sun, you are bound to find family vineyards, authentic wineries and more! If not then although the UK may not be the first place that comes to mind for a wine tasting but the cold winter months can be the perfect time to discover a new hobby and finally master the art of wine tasting.

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France

5 Tips to a Successful Fasnacht in Basel Switzerland

If you tend to associate the word ‘carnival’ with warm weather, palm trees, and Caribbean islands, it’s time to consider a few other options, especially if you happen to live in Europe. Every year, Basel welcomes over 100,000 tourists to Fasnacht in Basel Switzerland – Europe’s largest (historically) Protestant carnival. #TeamCoco’s travel and food writer, Eulanda Osagiede is sharing why Basel’s Fasnacht may be one of the few cold-weather carnivals to get you booking your ticket today.

Basel is located near the German border of Switzerland, hence their use of Swiss German as the national language. However, using English or French will serve visitors to the city sufficiently.

Fasnacht runs for three consecutive days the week after Ash Wednesday, commencing with the spectacular Morgensteich; where the lights of the city are replaced by the glow of beautifully designed lanterns. Thousands of masked performers carry these lanterns through the streets of Basel at the command of drum majors.

This year’s Fasnacht will be held the 3-5 March, so wrap up, put on your dancing shoes….better yet, your wellies since it’s likely to snow or rain.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most of Fasnacht:

1. Embrace the Confetti

Mounds of festive and colourful bits of paper are everywhere. In local tradition, the maskers that man the floats will shower onlookers with flowers, sweets, and plenty of confetti.

However, it’s not only thrown from floats, children and adults of all ages will surprise an unsuspecting onlooker with a generous handful on top of their head, or down the back of their jacket if they don’t move quickly enough.

It’s difficult to avoid, so don’t attempt to, because your efforts to do so will be laughable at most– trust me. When I returned home from three days of celebrations, my husband helped pick varying sizes of colourful bits from my hair for two days straight. I could have been a revamp of a life-sized 80’s doll. Push her button and confetti shoots from her head.

2. Learn to Dance in the Dark

If you’re attending Morgenstreich at 4 am on Monday (which I highly suggest you do), get ready to move your feet quickly as small processional groups (known as cliques) seemingly appear out of thin air throughout the alleys, passageways, and streets in the city.

It will be your job to move out of the way, so be ready with a few twirls here and there. You could be standing still in a passageway, mesmerised by one large group marching through the streets in their cliques, and the very next minute, you’re quickly moving out of the way for several small groups coming your way in varying directions. Brush off those moves, and get comfortable with dancing in the dark.

Make sure to have your cameras sans flash, as it distracts the masked performers.

3. Know Your Left from Your Right

One fascinating aspect of Fasnacht is the array of heavily satirised political messages displayed on floats, props, and lanterns.

Even if you’re not fluent in the Basel dialect that most Fasnacht signage is written in, it’s quite easy to ascertain the humour, irony, and sometimes parody behind the messages.

Left or right? It doesn’t matter, every side has a place in Fasnacht’s parodical spectrum. After seeing lanterns with caricaturistic representations of Brexit and the American presidential election, you wonder if your own home country should adopt the approach of some of the biting wit of Fasnacht.

4. Eat All the Food

Basel’s primary food culture is a distinct fusion of Swiss, German, and French influences. Traditional Fasnacht specialities include Basler flour soup, cheese & onion tarts, Basler Leckerli (gingerbread style biscuits), and the thumb-length, hazelnut-filled sweets known as Mässmogge.

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the abundance of raclette, fondue and rostis. However, if you prefer to start your Basel journey with a coffee, head to the Instagram-worthy Cafe Fruhling in Kleinbasel, after starting your day indulging in a lush breakfast spread at Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel.

5. Stay Outside of the City Centre

That is if you want to get some sleep. If you roll with the ‘no sleep’ crowd, you’ll be in perfect company. I stayed at Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel, which was a ten-minute tram ride away from the city centre.

Although the majority of footfall happens nearer to Marktplatz in the city centre, I often found myself woken up to piccolo and drum music throughout the early hours of the morning.

I couldn’t help but groggily laugh every time it happened, however, not everyone may find it so pleasant. The Fasnacht musicians practice year-round in preparation for the festivities, so it’s safe to say, don’t come to Fasnacht if you’re not ready to hear a vibrant mix of piccolo, drum, and occasional Gugge (brass band) music for a consecutive seventy-two hours.

Discover more about Switzerland’s allure in this captivating article on Switzerland’s divine beauty.

Three Best Days of the Year?

Fasnacht is a riot of colour, textures, sounds, and beaming spirits. Despite its marked difference from warm weather carnivals and festivals of a similar nature, Fasnacht has its unique place among the brood due to its creative mix of history, humour, and satirical connection to current global events.

No wonder Baslers hail Fasnacht as “die drei scheenste dääg” (the three best days of the year). Like all carnivals around the world, Fasnacht is a beautiful celebration of local culture and community– a festivity that we can all raise our glasses to.

Three-night stay in Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel begins at £350. For more information visit www.swissotel.com/hotels/basel. Before booking accommodation, ask your hotel if they are along the parade route if you’re concerned about undisturbed sleep.

Direct flights from London to Basel on Easyjet start at £42. For more information head to www.basel.com

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Food & Drink

The Booze Tales

Here at House of Coco we love indulging in a sparkling beverage at the end of a long day and we’re equally enthralled by the stories behind some of favourite indie booze brands. Come with us as we get intoxicated by these booze tales from around the world…

Old Curiosity Distillery, Edinburgh

theoldcuriosity.co.uk

When Hamish quit the family drinks business to travel in North America, little did he suspect that learning from a medicine man in the forest would trigger an obsession with botanicals and lead him to take a punt on a derelict glasshouse on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Moving his family out of the city, he had the vision of building a home for them on an enchanting piece of land at the foot of the Pentland Hills and a better life centered around nature. He now spends his days wild swimming at sunrise and working with some of 600 herbs and flowers grown at his Secret Herb Garden to create naturally colour-changing gins. Look out for their partnership with Marks & Spencer’s on a British Rose and British Lavender gins available up and down the country and also for dandelions, Hamish’s good luck herb.

GEM & BOLT, Mexico

gemandbolt.com

The magical realism of Mexico resonated with bohemian artists AdrinAdrina and Elliott Coon so much so they wanted to share it with the world through their own brand of mezcal. It’s a mystical feminine spirit thanks to ‘Agave’, the female deity combined with an infusion with damiana historically used by the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec culture as a heart opener. Take a sip of GEM&BOLT and be transported to a far-away, magical fiesta, saturated in colour and stories. Mezcal is thought of as medicinal by many Oaxacan people, so no excuses!

Edinburgh Gin 1670, Edinburgh

edinburghgin.com

After 12 months of experimenting with some of the 13,000 species of plants grown at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Head Distiller of Edinburgh Gin, David Wilkinson chose six botanicals fresh from the garden to go into the distillery’s 2018 gin release. Named after the year that ‘The Botanics’, as the garden is affectionately referred to, was established, this gin celebrates the importance of botanicals with its unique, fresh taste. This distillery has created a contender for its garden party Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur – now available in handy cans for all your picnic needs.

GRL PWR SOUR, Portland

10barrel.com

We recently chatted with the unstoppable Emma McIlroy, CEO of Wildfang, the activist, feminist clothing smashing the patriarchy from Portland who told us tales of a special collaboration with 10 Barrel Brewing Co. The GRL PWR Sour beer was dreamt up, brewed and labelled by an all-girl gang. “We wanted to make a statement about women’s empowerment,” said Emma and the pineapple mint sour certainly does that with a tangy shakedown to the traditionally male-dominated brewing industry. To find out more about the creative scene in Portland and the incredible work of Wildfang, head over to the ‘Girl Boss’ series on houseofcoco.net

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Coco Couples

9 of the UK’s Dreamiest Outdoor Bathtubs To Inspire Your Next Glamping Staycation

There’s nothing like being stuck inside to make you appreciate the great outdoors. So while COVID-19 may mean we are unable to travel at the moment, it won’t stop us dreaming of our next glamping getaway. Whether it’s a cosy cabin, whimsical treehouse or bedecked bell tent, these unusual staycation choices are not only eco-friendly but will support local businesses when it is once again safe to travel. Add to that an outdoor bathtub for an alfresco soak, and there’s nowhere we’d rather get off-the-grid and back to nature.

While we may not be able to travel right now – companies like Canopy and Stars also do gift cards, so you can support businesses in the short term and plan your trip for when it is safe to travel. In the meantime, here are 9 of the best outdoor bathtubs in the UK to inspire your next staycation – whenever that may be.

The Woodman’s Treehouse , West Dorset

Set high in the oak canopy, this stylish treehouse tucked away in ancient Dorset woodland is a design-lovers dream getaway – having been featured on both Grand Designs and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. A kingsize bed, rotating fireplace, hot tub and even a slide are just some of the features in this high-end hideaway, while a double-ended freestanding copper tub provides the ultimate canopy views.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkRzh7nHz1U/

The Old Piggery, Windout Barn Exeter

Set among centuries-old buildings in the rural Devonshire hills, this open plan barn hideaway was made for lovers – with side-by-side “his and hers” claw-foot bathtubs that sit on a private deck overlooking the apple orchard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9GfKuUFec2/

The Lakehouse at Coddington Mill, Cheshire

This luxurious lakeside retreat is nestled on a stretch of Cheshire countryside in the grounds of the historic Coddington Mill. Dark woods and rich textures inside ooze romance – while the copper tub on the decking is the ideal place to watch for wildlife darting across the waters. Funds from your stay will go to the restoration of the mill and preservation of its surroundings, so you can relax knowing you’re making a positive contribution to this ecosystem.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8thZjPJIQd/

The Nook, Coleman’s Farm, Essex

This tiny wooden house in the Essex countryside exemplifies small but perfectly formed in the cosiest escape imaginable – a snug complete with mezzanine beds, wood burner and tin hot tub. Within just an hour of London, even the most stressed-out city slicker has no excuse not to unwind here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhxBHVcgrr2/

Cleave Treehouse, Devon

A nordic inspired A-frame treehouse tangled in the treetops overlooking Dartmoor National Park – this super secluded hideaway takes laid-back luxe to new heights. A birch plywood interior creates a calming Scandi-chic vibe, with dramatic double-height ceilings, cosy log burner and huge windows to take in the forest views. On the deck, a claw foot tub big enough for two overlooks the canopy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B29D_Xvh_35/

Cheviot, Huts in the Hills, Northumberland

Located in the rugged hills of Northumberland National Park, Cheviot is one of four luxury shepherds huts on a traditional working hill farm with cattle and sheep. Made from solid reclaimed oak, these huts are designed to take you back to nature – but not without a few luxuries, like the private deck complete with free-standing tub, or sky window above the bed – perfect for gazing up at Northumberland’s dark skies – renowned for their stargazing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6yLgJCA24C/

Hill Cottage, Croft 103, West Sutherland, Scotland

Set on the shores of Loch Eriboll near Durness in North West Sutherland, these low impact buildings are designed to reflect this bleakly beautiful landscape, with rough-hewn honey-coloured stones. Inside, sleek, modern finishes and every creature comfort awaits – including two baths, one inside and one outdoors on the terrace, overlooking the sea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6d7hOdjm54/

Willow The Wisp Cabin, East Sussex

Tucked away in five acres of woodland in East Sussex, this fairytale cabin is a cosy escape for two, with a wood-burner and outdoor wood-fired Hikki tub.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vbN44AiOb/

The Hide Roundhouse, Somerset

Set on an organic farm, this adults-only glamping retreat has just two yurts and two wooden roundhouses. Hide Roundhouse boasts chic white-walled interiors that wouldn’t be amiss in a beach house in Tulum, with an ensuite bathroom, underfloor heating, clawfoot bath and rain shower – while an outdoor bathhouse surrounded by twinkling fairy lights is nestled in your own private garden.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJs_UzA8gs/

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Mexico

7 Eco-friendly Activities in Mexico’s Pacific Coast You Won’t Want to Miss

With sustainability being more important for travellers than ever and 2019 set to be the biggest year for ecotourism, you may be amongst those searching for the perfect eco-holiday just like we are here at House of Coco! Puerto Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco, and Riviera Nayarit, in the state of Nayarit, have long been two beautiful destinations offering sustainable activities that explore the regions’ incredible eco-systems. Read on for 7 eco-friendly ways to discover the beauty of Mexico!

1. Help Baby Sea Turtles

Baby sea turtle releasing in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit has become a major tourist attraction. Turtle protection programs with turtle farms dedicated to the harvesting, hatching and releasing of baby sea turtles have been created by the Mexican government with marine biologists. As well as getting to see the beautiful creatures and enjoying an interactive and educational experience, you can help increase the survival rate of new turtle hatchlings!

2. Pay the Crocs a Visit

Riviera Nayarit has some great ecotours where you can visit and learn all about it’s rich ecosystem. If you want to explore it alongside rustic towns and historic ruins, head to the river of La Tovara. For those wanting to combine crocodiles and sea turtle release programs, you can visit El Quelele, a marshy lagoon where American Crocodiles exist in a protected environment.

3. Explore Vallarta Botanical Garden

Vallarta Botanical Garden is a nature reserve with botanical collections of more than 3,000 species and has an orchid nursery of 100 different species. After exploring the beautiful gardens you can swim in the Horcones River, do some bird watching or take a trail through the jungle!

4. Have a Whale of a Time in Banderas Bay

Banderas Bay is a sanctuary with an abundance of marine life. From December to March the majestic humpback whales arrive at the bay to mate and birth their young. You can experience this for yourself with various whale watching tours that are controlled, respectful and adhere to strict environmental and safety standards. You can also swim with the dolphins there!

5. Experience Life Underwater

Many water activities that can be enjoyed all year round! Jalisco and Nayarit are home to natural protected areas, bird sanctuaries and marine parks with impressive hill and rock formations that are great for snorkelling, diving, paddle boarding and kayaking. South of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find Los Arcos. Along the Riviera Nayarit coast are the Islas Marietas, home of the famous Hidden Beach, Isla del Coral and Isla Isabel.

6. Visit San Blas for Birdwatching

With over 300 bird species and over 80% of migratory birds flocking to San Blas during the winter months, the coastal village is home to some of the world’s best bird watching locations for vacationing birdwatchers, especially during the months of October through to March as the weather is very pleasant. True bird watching enthusiasts visit San Blas during Mexico’s Festival of Migratory Birds at the end of January or San Blas Christmas Bird Count in December.

7. Zoom Across Jungles and Coastal Views

Jungle canopy tours, or zip-line tours, are one of the most popular and eco-friendly options to explore Mexico’s emerald green Pacific Coast rainforests in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. You can book zip lining anywhere along the 200-mile stretch of the Riviera Nayarit in most major communities like Punta de Mita, Sayulita and Lo de Marcos. Puerto Vallarta also has many opportunities for zip-lining. Thrill-seekers can whizz along Mexico’s longest and fastest “Superman” zip line or get an aerial view of Los Arcos Natural Preserve.

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Indonesia

Shop and travel – How to get the best bargains and style abroad

There are so many benefits to visiting an exotic location. Savouring authentic local cuisine to lounging on beaches to soaking up the cultural nightlife, are all parts that make a fantastic trip. Especially for Western tourists in places like South America or East Asia, the dollar exchange means a person can get 4 times as much for 4 times less than would normally cost. In gorgeous locations such as Thailand or Bali, for instance, a tourist can stay in a fancy 5 star hotel for as little as £15 a night. A lavish dinner, a spa treatment, and classy cocktails on the beach, cost even less. In these places, it is easy to feel like Royalty. One major highlight of any trip is shopping. While the popular spots and areas near the hotels can be tourist traps, a journey to the local market is well worth the finds and bargains. However, this can appear daunting, especially for a foreign traveler unfamiliar with the currency and overwhelmed by the multitude of goods on offer.

The first step to finding the best shopping spots is to speak with a local or someone familiar. This can be asking the attendant at the hotel reception, chatting with your restaurant waiter, or by speaking with other tourists. This way you can get great recommendations often unmentioned in travel brochures. From here, you can identify what type of market you are looking for as there can be many. There are broad markets that cater to virtually every odd and end to those with vendors selling specific goods like clothing, jewelry, or food and spices. Always make sure that you double check on a map where the market is, to determine whether it is worth it and whether you are comfortable travelling a longer distance from your hotel. Also exercise safety when travelling and do a quick search on whether the market is in a dangerous area. Pickpockets and thieves can sometimes circle the stalls like sharks looking for easy prey and markets attract them because tourists arrive with full wallets ready to spend.

Upon arriving at the market it is a great idea to do a full sweep to get a sense of what each vendor offers and try to take note of any sellers of interest. Some markets even have a vendor map or layout that visitors can highlight, yet even what seems like the most chaotic places may have aisle and/or stall numbers to find the vendor again. Another valuable reason to make a brief sweep of a place is that, especially in East Asia, shop owners really want to make the sale and so they often promise better prices. With this in mind you can return with that amount in mind and negotiate from a much better point. Whether simply browsing or with a specific item in mind to purchase, it is important to note the vendors that seem to offer reasonable prices and also good quality. Places such as Thailand or Bali are notorious for their comical rip offs, such as Adidogs for Adidas and Balibong for Billabongs. There are also other items that may be cheaply made, however, for every bad quality find there is a gem. It is useful to highlight those vendors that advertise handmade, as often factories try to cost cut with inexpensive materials. Therefore, look at the quality of the cloth, the stitching, metal over plastic, so that you do not get fooled into paying a high price for a cheap item with a short life.

In regard to not being duped, negotiating or bartering is part of the process and is expected. Do not fall for the naive tourist trap of paying the first offered amount or what is listed on the actual item as, depending on the vendor, this can be astronomical. Depending on the merchandise, many times the vendor hikes up the price anywhere from £5 to £500 to catch unsuspecting foreigners. For example, a foreigner could be offered a ‘deal’ for 2 Ray Ban sunglasses and think they are getting a bargain because it is much more expensive in their home country, when in reality these items are not authentic at all and in reality are worth only £4 when the vendor charges £50. Being unfamiliar with local currency is another pitfall and/or not understanding the exchange amount. Places like Thailand or Bali are notorious for the amount of zeros in their money and misreading an extra zero or more can easily have you spending more.

Those with the travel bug love interesting and exotic finds in these marketplaces as it is part of the experience of a new culture. To get in the travel mood, a jetsetter often watching travel movies or reads books or even plays online games. For instance, there are many online casino sites that have travel or adventure themed slot games to explore. Online slots like Microgaming’s ‘Jungle Jim: El Dorado’ with Aztec Ruins, Yggdrasil’s ‘Penguin City’ for the energy of a bustling Asian food market, or Pragmatic Play’s ‘Chilli Heat’ for a Mexican fiesta. These online games are also great as mobile slots and have a simple grid of 5 reels, often 3 to 4 rows, a set number of payways, and many different features and bonuses that offer exciting rewards. A similar thrill can be felt when getting the best deal at the market.

Here is a fantastic trick to get the best price. Approach the item you want, but look uncertain, like you are sitting on the fence to buy or not. The vendor will approach and either offers a better price or you say “Is this the best price?”. When they give their offer, look shocked and say “that is still too much for me, sorry.” They will often counter with another offer. Then you can really negotiate by asking for less or a deal with another item. If you really want to check if that is the ultimate best price, because you are not sure if the vendor can go lower, say politely “Thanks, but I’ll have to think about it” and then turn to walk away. More often than not the vendor will call out to you with their best, just so they can make the sale. If you want to be a skilled bargainer, you can turn and offer back even a couple dollars less, but this may be pushing it. However, if you do not ask you will never know.

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Food & Drink

Shaking Up London’s Burger Scene: The Vurger Co

With the UK going vega-ga over Veganuary this year and veganism topping every food trend list of 2018, #TeamCoco has her ears pricked for the best vegan openings of the year. And boy, is there a special place about to open in the capital soon. We sent our very own vegan on the team, Rachael Lindsay, to try every dish in The Vurger Co’s test kitchen so that you know exactly what to expect ahead of this 100% vegan burger bar’s opening on the 24 March…

So I tried Veganuary, and it seems like I am still vegan…I astonish myself as I write this as I always said I could never do it, said I was too addicted to cheese, said that veganism was for crazies and health freaks. But then I tried it, couldn’t get over the health, environmental and ethical benefits, and here I am.

But one of the things I have found the most challenging in becoming vegan is eating out. I am a self-confessed foodie and love trying new dishes in restaurants. So it has been a big change for me to have my menu options limited. Sure, quite a few places now have vegan plates on the menu, but to have a whole menu to enjoy, that is reserved for meat-eaters.

But to my delight, there are veggie-only joints popping up all over London now, thanks to a greater understanding and appreciation of the vegan diet. One of those new openings is The Vurger Co, which is due to open later this month in Richmix Square, Brick Lane.

The Vurger Co has been a stalwart of festivals and pop-ups for a few years now, so it has plenty of fans counting down the days until the opening of their new vegan restaurant on 24 March 2018. And omnivores, don’t panic, over half of The Vurger Co’s loyal customers are non-vegan. There will be shakes, coffee, beer and wine on the menu as well as some seriously, seriously good vegan burgers.

I was lucky enough to try every single burger which will be on that menu. Each one is very different, proving how diverse vegan food can be, and each one is, I promise, ludicrously tasty.

My personal favourite is the Classic which is the vegan take on a classic cheeseburger and is filled with smoky black beans, chargrilled red peppers and drips with melty vegan cheese, some of the best vegan cheese I have ever had. I am also a huge fan of the MLT, mixing borlotti beans and mushrooms with a generous dollop of rocket, sundried tomato and walnut pesto.

The Vurger Co’s traditional bestseller is the Auberger; a smoky aubergine and chickpea patty loaded with tabasco chipotle source and red onion. And for those who like spice, the Holy Habanero is the best choice with its sweetcorn fritter, crunchy spiced almonds, homemade salsa and chilli mayo.

I took my non-vegan partner to try out the vurgers too. Having taken a trip to Burger King the day before and being a self-confessed meat burger lover, even he had to admit that these burgers were pretty damn good.

The owners of The Vurger Co are a lovely, down-to-earth couple who discovered how easy it is to be vegan on a trip to California, and decided to leave their careers in fashion buying and banking to pursue their vegan burger dream. Their enthusiasm for the food they create is infectious, and their determination to make people think of more than portobello mushrooms when vegan burgers are mentioned is something I seriously respect. And rather than feeling threatened by all of the other new vegan places opening their doors in London, they are happy to add something new into the burgeoning vegan scene in the capital.

So go along yourself and see if you love these burgers as much as I do.If you call in, tweet us which vurger is your favourite and how they compare to your favourite meat version at @house_of_coco. We can’t wait to hear what you think! For all our lovely vegan readers out there, check out our other vegan features for mouthwatering desserts, and some of the best vegan eats in Leeds: https://www.houseofcoco.net/the-best-vegan-desserts-to-get-you-through-veganuary/
https://www.houseofcoco.net/plant-based-tastes-5-vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-you-have-to-try-in-leeds/

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Mexico

#CocoCouples: The Flamenco Festival Gala Performance Everyone Should See

From 2-14 July, Flamenco Festival swept into London with captivating fluidity, passion and precision. #CocoCouple, Eulanda and Omo, attended the Gala Flamenca show at the famous Sadlers Wells for a date night full of sumptuous movement grounded in the historical legacy of Flamenco.

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The Voice

Two weeks have passed, and I can still hear her voice. Even in the dripping heat of London, amidst the deluge of hot, uncomfortable bodies packed onto a train, the aching purity of her voice creates it’s own space; where coolness and heat collide into perfection.

The first high-powered note that rang out from lead singer Maria Teremoto immediately caused the hairs on our necks and arms to stand on edge. Her dulcet voice filled the silence that had descended across the Sadlers Wells concert hall, cutting through the anticipation that had built up before.

Her voice seemed to be a blend between a lover’s wail, a heartbreaking cry and call to some higher purpose or place. With a limited understanding of Spanish, we stopped trying to desperately translate, and let her vocal prowess speak to our souls, inviting us to come with her on the incredible dance journey that was about to begin.

Star Studded Gala

Flamenco! The raw energy, passion, sensuality and intensity are hard to describe in words. This star-studded cast of Mercedez Ruiz, Eduardo Guerrero and Maria Moreno were backed by singers/musicians Maria Terremoto, Emilio Florido and Ismael el Bola.

Under the directorship of choreographer and multi award-winning dancer Manuel Liñán, they weaved their magic through each song and each dance performance, telling stories of love and anger, of turmoil and peace.

Every number in the programme was an artistic masterpiece, however, Pas de Deux stood out as a voracious duet between Ruiz and Terremoto. Both women (singer and dancer) performed in the style of call and response. Terremoto did not back Ruiz as a solo singer. Rather, she intricately wove her voice around Ruiz as both responded to each other, with passionate precision.

Duet of Dreams

Also in Pas de Deux, Ruiz departed from traditional gender norms in Flamenco attire, by donning black trousers with a short fitted jacket. She also displayed her expertise in fusing both contemporary and traditional styles while playing the palillos (castanets). Her fingers and wrist moved like the most delicate of flowers in bloom, whilst her arms hit staccato movements, demanding our full attention.

While another number later in the program with the same name, Pas de Deux began with a stunning visual of Guerrero and Moreno, clad in red attire head to toe, it failed to conclude with the same passionate connection that the former Pas de Deux piece wielded. Perhaps this was due to the length of the duet, as it seemed to be the shortest piece in the programme.

Guapo Solo?

In the solo number Caña, Guerrero set the stage alight with a mixture of stunning fluidity, grace, and his own brand of raw machismo energy, to which one female audience responded by crying out “Guapo!” In English her words translate to handsome;– although keenly accurate, it’s not an all encompassing description for this enigmatic and powerful performer.

Guerrero’s performance in Caña was almost surreal. He seemed to have an out-of-body experience while dancing and in the process, transported the captivated audience to some other world, his world. And we willingly followed every step, every move, and every twist.

Liñan’s Flamenco Legacy

Artistic director Manuel Liñan has several shows currently on tour. As the winner of the Critics Prize in the Festival of Jerez in 2018, we believe Liñan certainly has another winning show and cast with Gala Flamenca. One thing is for certain…Teremoto’s voice will never depart from our visceral memory.

Booking info: 2019 marked the Flamenco Festival London’s sixteenth consecutive year. Held at Sadler Wells Theatre each July, tickets can be booked once the programme is announced online.

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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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