Category Archives: Travel

5 things that make Spain a paradise for tourists

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The beautiful European country of Spain is famous for its beaches in places like Ibiza, art and architecture in cities like Madrid and Barcelona as well as food in towns like Seville. An interesting mix of art and culture make Spain a bucket list item for so many explorers around the world. You can easily book Spain Tour Packages from USA in case you want to check out the Spanish magic for yourself.

Read on to know about five things that make Spain a heaven for tourists from all over the world. 

  1. Flamenco and other such gracious dance forms can only be witnessed in Spanish streets

One of the most sensuous and beautiful dance forms in the world – Flamenco, although known to be of Romani origin,  its sound remains authentically Spanish. A hit in the Andalusia region, this exotic dance form can be enjoyed in cafes and bars in cities like Seville. If you are a tourist, watching Flamenco artists live is one of those things that should feature on your bucket list for sure.

  1. Mouth watering food, especially tapas, does not get better than this!

Tapas originated from the country and took its place in cafes, restaurants and bars all over the world. Spread over a vast variety of food, popular tapas ingredients are Jamon iberico ham, cheese and bread. Available both in vegetarian and non vegetarian forms, tapas makes Spanish food significantly different. You can also try traditional Valencian dishes like Paella which contribute to the essence of Spain. 

  1. Art of Picasso, Dali and architecture of Gaudi

Spain is famous for its architecture and artists. Picasso, the famed artist, was born in Malaga and spent his childhood in Barcelona. Similarly, the popular surrealist painter Salvador Dali grew up in Spain. You can find both of their works in museums around Spain.

While discussing art in Spain, the most popular name is that of Gaudi, the architect whose distinct work style can be seen in numerous pieces and projects spread across Barcelona. Gaudi and his work is so iconic that some time back seven of his projects were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

  1. Some of the best Football clubs in the world

If you are a fan of football, the European version, Spain is one of the best places in the world for you. Home to international clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, the country is full of football fanatics. During the Spanish football league, La Liga, visiting the country and watching a match is an experience you should not miss out on. Apart from football, bullfighting too is one of the popular, but controversial, sports in the country.  

  1. Wines and Sangria make for exquisite dinners

Spain is the third largest producer of wines in the world. The vineyards here are some of the biggest in the world. The local wines are tasty and iconic. And in case, you love a glass of sangria with food, Spain is the country of origin for that as well. So don’t hold back and enjoy some of the best drinks in the world here. 

A vacation in Spain can be all these things and much more. So plan your trip soon and enjoy the Spanish culture and food to the hilt!

 

Sponsored Post.

Last Minute Gifts:

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So you’ve left it to the last minute but we still have time to get standard delivery on most websites so here’s what we picked out for you…

Vanilla Reindeer,

We simply loved their personalised gifts, with chocolate boxes or simply personalised gift wrap, give someone special something extra unique adorned with their face or yours or memories you share together. We picked out a personalised truffle set for someone this Christmas and we were totally impressed by the quality the speedy delivery and more importantly, they were delish! We also loved their bottle bags and range of personalised gift boxes which will impress all year round. They are currently running 30% off all Christmas Gifts and free delivery with a spend over £30.

www.vanillareindeer.com

Drinks in a Tube;

It is what it says on the… tube. As part of their Christmas collection, Drinks in a tube are providing customers with various spirits tubed as well as a selection of Vodka and Gin Christmas crackers. We tried the Premium Red Wine tasting set which comes with five premium French reds including St Emilion Grand Cru and Santenay Rouge to name a few. Each tube is 100 ml which makes it just the perfect size to travel with. 

http://www.drinksinatube.co.uk

 ScandiKitchen;

Their London bakery is serving up a host of Nordic goodies up until 23rd December and expect to find such things as, Beautiful Swedish and Norwegian Hampers filled with sweets, wines, beers, and chocolate. We recommend the Limoncello Mulled Wine. The Blossa has notes of rosemary, thyme and basil and evoke a typical Nordic Christmas. This year they recommend serving it with some sparkling wine as a delicious aperetif. We also need to mention the beautiful and unique bottle which would make a show-stopping gift and displaying the colours of the Mediterranean sea. 

ScandiKitchen is located at 

61 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PP 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2018

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Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

I have always loved Christmas and few things are more Christmassy than Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. As a Londoner Winter Wonderland marks the start of the festive season. We went to the family press day on the 25th November. We started off with meeting the Teletubbies and then we went on some rides. My son, who used to be known as the Frost baby but is now a preschooler, loved the trains, the dodgems, being spun around on a purple penguin; along with a variety of other rides. There is everything from rollercoasters to basketball games. There is a huge amount to do.

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

The first event we started off with was Magical Ice Kingdom presents The Secret Forest, it is a truly stunning walk through event of stunning ice sculptures. It has plenty of photo opportunities. You can have your picture taken on an ice throne. You can also go down an ice slide. We did both.

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

We also headed to the circus to see Zippos Christmas Circus. It was truly stunning. The performers are amazing and we were left in awe. There was trapeze and a man balancing a woman on his head which showed huge skill from them both. It is the perfect length for children at 45 minutes. Highly recommended.

We also saw the The Snowman™ Experience. Done by Backyard Cinema, this is a wonderful and immersive experience. it brings back childhood nostalgia and happy memories. Backyard Cinema do excellent cinema screenings which immerse you into the world of the film. This was fun for children and adults alike.

We spent an entire day at Winter Wonderland and we had a huge amount of fun. We also had some crêpes and mulled wine at the Bavarian Village.

Running from 23rd November 2018 until 6th January 2019, Winter Wonderland will be open every day from 10am – 10pm, except Christmas Day. It is a fun day out and we recommend it. See what else there is on offer here.

With FREE entry to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland it is a must go to festive event.

 

hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

 

 

 

Josē Pizarro Showcases Olives from Spain

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Last week we were invited to a Spanish lunch dreams are made of; made with love by Josē Pizarro himself, the chef behind introducing tapas to the UK.

The occasion? the launch of Olives from Spain UK Partnership with Josē Pizarro with an exclusive taster of some of the newly developed dishes highlighting the delicious Olives. 

So who are Olives from Spain? A professional organisation created to promote Spanish Olives and celebrate them Worldwide. The collaboration between Olives from Spain and Josē began about three years ago as who would be a better advocate for taking one of Spain’s top exports and promoting them, than Josē. With a string of successful restaurants behind him and an ethos to create simple, top quality dishes, the olives are excellently showcased with recipes you can recreate at home. 

Why the Olive? As well as being one of Spain’s top exports, Olives have been at the heart of the culture and cuisine in Spain for more than 2000 years. Olives are a versatile ingredient and are one of the few foods in the world that naturally contain four basic flavours; bite, sweet, salty and acidic. They are easy to digest and lets not forget their amazing anti-oxidant properties. The mediterranean diet is proven to help you live longer! 

So we wanted to share one of our favourite recipes Josē created using Olives from Spain;

Hake with Tomato and Olive Salad;

Serves 4 

Ingredients:

200g mixed Manzanilla and black Hojiblanca olives

500g ripe mixed colour vine tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Handful oregano, leaves picked

Handful flat leaf parsley

2 tbsp white wine

1tsp sherry vinegar

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

4 x 200g hake fillets

Method:

The Salad;

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on a platter with the olives.

Scatter with garlic, herbs and lots of sea salt and black pepper, 

Whisk the white wine and vinegar with a little seasoning then whisk in olive oil and pour over tomatoes.

Leave to stand 

The Fish:

Heat a little oil in a non stick frying pan, season the hake and fry skin side down, for 3-4 minutes until skin is crisp. 

Flip over and cook for a minute on the other side 

Serve with the tomato and olive salad. 

Olives from Spain will be showcasing their products at The Spanish Olive Festival at the Foodies Festival in London from 25-27th May 2019 and Brighton 4th-6th May 2019 where Josē will also be making an appearance. 

For more info on Pizarro and for reservations, visit here;

https://josepizarro.com/pizarro-restaurant/

Take Your Career Up, Up And Away! BA Enhances Cabin Crew Training With New Apprenticeship Programme

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British Airways continues its investment in world-class customer service, announcing a programme to recruit more than 2,000 cabin crew in 2019.

 

(Photo by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

  • Brand new intensive 12-month apprenticeship scheme from March 2019
  • Cabin Crew will train at the airline’s world-class Global Learning Academy
  • Airline recently awarded SkyTrax title, UK’s Best Cabin Crew
  • Almost 2,500 hopefuls have already applied for new scheme

Successful candidates with no prior cabin crew experience will train through the airline’s new cabin crew apprenticeship programme, getting their career off to a flying start.


(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)


Katie Nevett (Learning and Performance Executive) leads a door drill for new entrants in the SEP hall at the Global Learning Academy
(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

 


Toby Morter (Learning and Performance Executive) does a safety demonstration in the mock cabin in the SEP hall at the Global Learning Academy
(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

 

World-class training

After completing an intense cabin crew training course at British Airways’ Global Learning Academy, including the very best training in customer service and aviation safety and security, apprentices will continue their learning journey in the air and on the ground.

The programme will see them gain qualifications in English, Maths and Digital skills, access to a dedicated mobile app to track their progress and continuous development coaching from a certified apprenticeship coach.

The airline’s initiative reflects the Government’s push to increase and enhance the number and quality of apprenticeships offered in the UK, to improve core skills and the quality of training offered.

British Airways has a long tradition of running quality apprenticeship schemes, with apprentices currently working in engineering, customer service and head office roles.

The airline’s Global Learning Academy has recently achieved the status of a registered ‘Employer Provider’ of apprenticeships, enabling it to continue delivering specialist airline learning, while also offering employees enhanced skills and professional qualifications.

Dozens of apprentices from across the airline attended Skills London* this weekend, the UK’s biggest careers event for 15 – 24-year olds, and spoke to thousands of young people about their experience as an apprentice at British Airways.

Victoria Bromley, Customer Service Apprentice, said: “My apprenticeship at British Airways has been the perfect way to begin my career in the aviation industry. The opportunities available are amazing and I couldn’t have asked for better support throughout.

“I am so proud of what I have achieved so far and I’m really excited for the future. I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone.”

Apprenticeships for all

Announcing the training enhancements and the new cabin crew apprenticeship programme, British Airways’ Chief Learning Officer Nigel Jeremy, said:

“Apprenticeships are for people of all ages and backgrounds, and we’re delighted to be offering the UK’s largest cabin crew apprenticeship scheme as part of our cabin crew training at our world-class learning academy.

“We are looking for candidates who can offer exceptional customer service. The scheme has already proved to be extremely popular, and as we head towards our Centenary year in 2019, there couldn’t be a better time to join the airline.”

To find out more, and to apply, visit: https://careers.ba.com/

 

*Skills London is the UK’s biggest jobs and careers event for 15-24 year olds and their families. It took place on the 23rd and 24th November 2018 at ExCeL London. To learn more visit: https://skillslondon.co.uk/our-events/skills-london/skills-london-2018/

Dedication for Meditation with Inhere Meditation Pods

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“Meditation is bringing the mind home” – Sagyal Rinpoche The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

City life is not only fast and furious but also taxing on our mind and body’s. It seems like everyday is a rise and grind affair and time we dedicate to ourselves is ever dwindling. Yes, we often give ourselves a break and take time away from work to rest and recuperate and relax away from our homes, but what about those moments in life when we are unable to escape the norm. There has to be some kind of respite that we can achieve in our natural habitat. Major tech companies are starting to focus some attention on how to ensure their staff are functioning at their best by introducing sleep pods, break out rooms etc, but what about everyone else. What do you have at your workplace which allows you to align your thoughts and get back to you? 

Inhere founded by Adiba Osmani and Ghazal Abrishamchi  provides Londoners with meditation studios in Central London. Inhere meaning ‘to exist from within’ became the companies ethos and they wanted to bring a sacred meditation space to utilise within the workplace so they developed their revolutionary Meditation Pod. To debut their pod in an adequate location, they teamed up with luxury co-working space Uncommon and unveiled their creation for customers to use at their leisure. The collaboration was born, as both Inhere and Uncommon are based on the same values. Uncommon’s workplaces are based around health and wellbeing paired with design and technology. The spaces are designed to create an environment which are open and natural using plenty of outdoor light, plants and woods.

The Uncommon spaces showcase the new meditation pod which is a little ‘haven away from London Life’. With a selection of 10, 15, 20 and 30 minute guided meditations, customers can choose from an array of soothing sounds to accompany their relaxation time. The pod is a safe enclosure created from wood and allowing plenty of natural light to flood in to create a bright and airy space. Customers can lounge, sit or lie horizontally on the comfiest meditation chair complete with foot rest and place the headset on to drift into your own relaxation time. Alongside this, Inhere are set to open the most advanced drop-in meditation studio in Central London targeting City workers helping to bust any work related stress. 

To find out more about Inhere visit https://www.inherestudio.com

To book spaces at Uncommon and try out the new meditation pods visit https://www.inherestudio.com 

‘Silver Sliders’ encouraged to celebrate National Grandparents Day

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Move over Mother’s Day, we’ve heard about a new national day that’s deserving of a card, cake and right ol’ celebration – Nationals Grandparents Day!

Unlike most gatherings you’ll this Sunday, London’s iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit will be drawing in the ‘Silver Sliders’ and offering free (yes, FREE) opportunities for grandparents to Ride The Slide.

ArcelorMittal Orbit gives riders an exhilarating 40 seconds, as they speed through its 12 hair-raising twists and turns. Beats a roast at the local pub, right?

In case you were under a rock in 2012, the ArcelorMittal Orbit was built to be an ‘extra’ for the Olympic Games which were hosted in London but has since been transformed into the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide in the world.

So, if you’re looking for a way to celebrate your grandparents this Sunday – do it with the slide!

Daring grandparents can have a go for free on Sunday 7th October between 10am and 5pm when they bring along a family member. All they need to do is book online and enter the code GrandSlide.

STOP EVERYTHING – a F.R.I.E.N.D.S themed brunch is coming to London

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Ross and Rachel, Gunther and Central Perk, Joey and London. There are few things that touch our hearts in such a strong way but a bottomless brunch with a F.R.I.E.N.D.S theme is a coupling which is DEFINITELY up there!

When we heard of such a beautiful idea to be hosted at a secret location, we of course burst into a melodic applause (four claps to be precise, you know the tune).

This weekend only, popular set up ‘The 90s Brunch’ is celebrating its two year anniversary by hosting its brunch with the ultimate twist – one that comes in the shape of our, arguably, six thirty-something favourites.

It’s no ordinary brunch though, attendees can dress up, lip sync, and recreate iconic moments. Party games will fill this brunch way more than most – after all, F.R.I.E.N.D.S was simply full of them… ‘transponsder’ ringing any bells?

The first hour of bottomless cocktails will be served up in Central Perk coffee mugs complimented by a 90s playlist of course. Food will be kept within the 90’s style too, with special Friends twists across dishes, although we’re advised that meat trifle will NOT be served.

Tickets range from £15 to £45 and can be booked by visiting The 90’s Brunch website. There aren’t many tickets left though next time you’re on a break (not THAT kind!) get yourself to the site.

The 90s Brunch reclaims and reinvigorates the best of the 90’s pop culture with special brunch themes twice a month.