Looking for ideas for a memorable spring getaway? Then why not take a trip to see the famous flower fields in Holland. For just a short period each year, the bulb growing region near Amsterdam becomes a mass of sweetly scented, multi coloured blooms…arrive just a few weeks too late and the same fields will be filled with vegetables. Don’t leave it too late, start planning your spring break now, with our essential travel guide.

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Following the deaths of three British holidaymakers who contracted Legionnaire’s Disease earlier this year, we address common concerns regarding this illness.

The recent and widely reported outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease occurred in the Valencia region of Spain, tragically taking the lives of three pensioners and leaving more than 14 other travellers hospitalised. It can be very worrying to read about situations like this one, and some of you may be considering cancelling or changing your future holiday plans to avoid similar problems. To set your mind at rest, we’ve created this Travellers Guide to Legionnaire’s Disease, explaining what the illness is and how to protect yourself and your family. Read the rest of this entry »

For many people, the word beetroot conjures up images of crunchy slices of deep red, vinegary veg which stains everything that it comes into contact with a glorious pink. True, beetroot has remarkable colourant properties (more on that later!) but there is far more to this underrated root vegetables than hard-to-stomach pickled snacks. Read the rest of this entry »

Attracting countless international visitors each year, London is host to an array of museums, galleries, historical buildings, theme parks and zoos. If you are travelling to the city with kids, knowing which of these exhibits to see can be tricky. Some, like the London Dungeon, are designed for more adult tastes, while others are designed with the younger generation in mind. To help you decide which to see we’ve cherry-picked three of our favourite attractions in the capital, based on the appeal of the exhibits to young minds, and the child-friendly facilities on offer. Read the rest of this entry »

Holidays - a time for ditching the diet?

Many of us like to ditch the diet and indulge for a week or two. Unfortunately, putting on weight seems to be considerably easier than losing it. In just a fortnight of treating yourself to fatty, sugary, high calorie snacks, the toned, healthy “swimsuit ready” figure that you worked so hard to get before your holiday may be starting to bulge a little more than you’d like. Read the rest of this entry »

This could be a perfect compromise on a self catering holiday.

If you are reluctant to put your cooking skills to the test for a fortnight, or simply prefer not to worry about what is for dinner every night, hiring a private chef could be the solution.

Self catering breaks have been traditionally associated with holidays on a budget, and basic cooking facilities. However, as upmarket self catering accommodation has become more widely available, many people have begun to add a luxurious touch to their holiday by arranging for a personal chef to do the cooking for them. Read the rest of this entry »

Go back in time just twenty years or so, and the only olives that you would find in the UK would be the small, green, pepper-stuffed ones in your Martini. Today, olives have become much more widely available, and are not only sold in fancy delicatessens, but also in your local supermarket. As Britain’s love affair with these unusually flavoured fruit grows, here are six fascinating facts about olives - an ideal way to impress your friends when you serve olives as an appetiser or snack! Read the rest of this entry »

At home, you probably have a fire-alarm installed, and take adequate precautions to ensure your families safety. However, on holiday, most people tend to take a fairly lax attitude to fire safety. It is easy to assume that your accommodation is fitted out with the right equipment, and the likelihood of  something going wrong may seem so small that it just isn’t worth worrying about. Unfortunately, fires have been known to break out in holiday accommodations with tragic circumstances, so taking responsibility for your own safety while travelling is very important. Read on and discover our top tips for fire safety on  holiday. Read the rest of this entry »

While holidays with family and friends are a great way to see the world, many people “flying solo” and taking a trip by themselves from time to time. Although personal safety is an important issue, even when travelling in a group, those who choose to holiday alone should give some consideration to their personal safety and well-being. Read the rest of this entry »

Most of us enjoy a glass of wine or two on occasion, whether it is a bottle of white with the girls on a Friday night, a rich red with Sunday lunch, or a splash of champagne at celebrations. However, what many people don’t realise is that most wines will benefit from being decanted before drinking. Read on and discover all you need to know about decanting wines. Read the rest of this entry »