Author: Karen Contrino

Boutique luxury hotel group, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is enticing guests to set a course for adventure this winter, with a fleet of ‘Festive Voyages’ offers across its properties in Europe and Asia. From the traditional Christmas markets and twinkling festive ambience of Amsterdam, Madrid and Rome; to the glamour of poolside parties, drag nights and panoramic firework extravaganzas in Phuket; the majestic serenity of the Himalayas, and an Indonesian island-style celebration in Bali, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts’ elves have Christmas holiday wish lists wrapped up. Christmas Magic in Madrid From now until 8 January 2025, guests at The Pavilions Madrid can…

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Augmented reality devices, VR headsets and ride-sharing apps are the new technologies that older people are most likely to avoid. A poll of 1,000 over-65s has found 26 per cent want to get better at using technology – but feel held back. And 20 per cent are nervous about using video-calling tech, or voice-activated assistants. Barriers keeping older adults from adopting modern devices include online privacy concerns, and the large upfront cost. While 41 per cent feel the rapid pace of technological change makes them less likely to pick up modern tech. It also emerged 32 per cent wouldn’t feel…

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The Whiskey Wash is proud to announce an exclusive feature uncovering the story behind the iconic Macallan 1926 60-Year-Old, famously auctioned for $1.5 million. This milestone piece, authored by renowned whisky writer Ben Odgers, delves into the artistry, heritage, and cultural significance of this extraordinary bottle. The highlight? An exclusive interview with Michael Dillon, the Irish artist whose intricate, hand-painted label elevated this whisky to a masterpiece of collectable art. Read the full exclusive story on The Whiskey Wash here. Michael Dillon’s unique contribution, blending Scottish heritage with wildlife and Highland scenery, cemented the Macallan 1926’s place in history as a…

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In the very heart of Prague, just a few steps from the bustling Old Town Square, you won’t just find lots of tourist attractions and interesting sights, but also the studio of the Czech jewelry brand, KLENOTA. In its workshop there, the goldsmiths create beautiful jewelry that you also have the opportunity to view and buy on the spot.  3D models as well as meticulous handcrafted work Since 2012, the KLENOTA brand has had its own jewelry workshop, continuing the long history of Czech jewelry making. As its founder Jarmila Slívová revealed, the initial impulse for the studio was the…

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        Discover a Vibrant Culinary Scene Just Twenty Minutes From London If you’re seeking top-quality tipples and award-winning cuisine, look no further than St Albans, a must-visit foodie destination just a short train trip from London. From historic markets and cosy pubs to contemporary cafés and international eateries, the cobbled streets of the city host an ever-evolving culinary scene. Here are ten reasons why St Albans is a wonderful choice for your next food-fuelled getaway. The thriving independent food scene St Albans is home to myriad independent restaurants that are sure to delight. For a real treat, visit Thompson…

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Pub in the Park launches a major new London festival in Gunnersbury Park, celebrating the very best of the city’s Gastro pub scene. Celebration of established London pubs plus showcasing the latest up and coming talent. Cubitt House’s The Grazing Goat, The Bull & Last, The Tamil Prince and The Butcher’s Tap & Grill Chelsea all join the first wave line-up. Chef James Cochran to join with latest venture The Brave as well as chef talent Tom Brown, Sabrina Ghayour and Ben Tish. Special guests and hosts include Michel Roux, Tom Kerridge, Jay Rayner, Joe Warwick, and Grace Dent.…

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Andy Bowler has a stellar career spanning some of the city’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants. He began his culinary journey under Michel Roux Jr, before spending five years with Simon Rogan at Fera at Claridge’s and Roganic and most recently with Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus.  mWhen the pandemic shut restaurants, Andy launched Indulge Dining, a fine dining meal-kit service delivering exceptional restaurant-quality experiences to homes across London. The business has been so successful it is now delivering nationwide Nearly half (47%) of Brits stress over Christmas dinner, with common challenges like limited oven space (37%), timing (37%), and juggling multiple dishes (34%).…

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When Singaporean entrepreneur Christina Ong launched her first hotel in London in 1993 at The Halkin, it was with a passion for delivering exceptional cuisine inspired by the places she loved most from her travels in the fashion industry. Two years later, The Halkin’s restaurant by Stefano Cavallini received the first ever Michelin star for an Italian chef outside the country’s borders.  As Ong’s COMO Hotels and Resorts brand expanded — now with 18 properties worldwide, from Burgundy to Bhutan — so did her network of chefs, all of whom have contributed to the COMO approach to what good food…

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   It was a magical night to remember as celebrities stepped out to attend the spectacular 2024 launch of the Hogwarts in the Snow feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Guests including Abbey Clancy, Peter Crouch, Ronnie Wood and Fearne Cotton got to experience Christmas at the Studio Tour, seeing their favourite iconic Harry Potter sets dressed for the festive season in a blanket of filmmaking snow.   Celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, TV and music including Jack Whitehall, Roxy Horner and Vicky Pattinson took to the red carpet in the magnificent…

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Sauce Shop®, the UK’s favourite craft condiments brand launches another two bold limited-edition flavours: Brussels Sprout Kimchi Hot Sauce and Spiced Cranberry Hot Honey. These new creations bring a playful, flavourful twist on typical festive flavours. Sauce Shop® X Aldi Brussels Sprout Kimchi Hot Sauce is a bold and tangy savoury blend that reimagines the classic sprout with a Korean-inspired twist. The secret to Sauce Shop’s range of tasty hot sauces is their signature fermented chillies – taking perfectly ripened chillies, salting them and ageing them for 2-4 weeks for layers of flavour. For their latest creation, they’ve taken things a step further, fermenting…

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