Bluebells Restaurant (Ascot) Review

Bluebells Restaurant in Ascot in the United Kingdom – not far from London – is listed to offer a relaxed yet formal approach to dining. Options include lunch, dinner, Sunday and a kids menu. “Bluebells Restaurant was fully booked a week in advance and when I eventually secured a table at 3pm on a Sunday,Continue reading “Bluebells Restaurant (Ascot) Review”

Three days in beautiful Bordeaux

Wine tourism is a favourite hobby. What’s not to like about sweeping landscapes often with sunny blue skies and a massive variety of grape types pressed into tasty wines across the globe? From the volcanic vineyards of Santorini and Sicily, to Tuscany and the Cape Winelands; and the dramatic Douro valley and Galicia on theContinue reading “Three days in beautiful Bordeaux”

2022 Top 5 Winner: THE IVY ROYAL WINDSOR BRASSERIE, Windsor, UK

One of the Thacks Awards panelists went undercover. James Bond style in Windsor… and wrote this review about why The Ivy Royal Windsor Brasserie in Windsor deserves to receive a ‘2022 Top 5 Award’. Very close to ultimate perfection: “The Ivy Royal Windsor Brasserie was lovely, lively, and a bit of a spoil with friendly,Continue reading “2022 Top 5 Winner: THE IVY ROYAL WINDSOR BRASSERIE, Windsor, UK”

Magical Mendoza

We visited Mendoza in Argentina for four days in April 2022. Four days was too short!! Highlights included vineyards, a food and wine experience at Casa Vigil (El Enemigo), a day tour and an amazing Thacks Awards-winning wine bar in the town. A short flight from Buenos Aires on Jetsmart and we arrived in MendozaContinue reading “Magical Mendoza”

If you won the lottery and could fly Business Class for the rest of your life, which airline product should be the only one to fly if you compare Etihad, KLM, Qatar and Turkish Airlines?

Let’s face it: most of us can’t afford to fly Business Class all the time – and sometimes not even once. But if you could choose between these 4, or if you could only try it once, this is an objective and detailed comparison. BUSINESS CLASS UPDATE POST COVID: One person comparing Etihad, KLM, QatarContinue reading “If you won the lottery and could fly Business Class for the rest of your life, which airline product should be the only one to fly if you compare Etihad, KLM, Qatar and Turkish Airlines?”

2022 Top 5 Winner: NAMIDA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Recently I visited Argentina for less than 3 weeks and although the foodie scene in Palermo (Buenos Aires) is very impressive, Namida is one of the few restaurants I frequented more than once in my too-short visit. They got my 1st Thacks Award for 2022. The venue and decor was delightfully crisp and although NamidaContinue reading “2022 Top 5 Winner: NAMIDA, Buenos Aires, Argentina”

2022 Top 5 Winner: VINOBIEN, Mendoza, Argentina

Thacks Awards panelist Hassan M lived and worked in Argentina through March and April 2022. In that time he and panelist John T undertook a trip to Mendoza for a few days in search of amazing experiences. They found one at VinoBien in Mendoza: “When it comes to wine bars, it takes a lot toContinue reading “2022 Top 5 Winner: VINOBIEN, Mendoza, Argentina”

Las Fallas 2022 – Valencia

There is rich history and tradition to embrace for Las Fallas which takes place every March in Valencia, Spain. Dating back to the Middle Ages in spring every year when fires were no longer needed for light and warmth, carpenters burned spare wood outside their shops. Over time colourful and artistic decorations were added toContinue reading “Las Fallas 2022 – Valencia”

A Night at Villar Carnival

“You HAVE to come to our local village carnival! It started on Thursday already but if you come today, you’ll see the costumes and the final parades. Bring an overnight bag. And be prepared to speak Spanish… It’s about an hour from Valencia, I’ll drop a pin of where you must come.” (This was allContinue reading “A Night at Villar Carnival”

2021 Top 5 Winner: OCEANS 8 SEAFOOD & SUSHI, Somerset West, South Africa

Contrast amazing pizza in Vietnam, superb Chinese food in Cyprus and champagne-style Corpinnat in Spain, the final Thacks Awards Top 5 awarded for 2021 was awarded in December to a Sushi Restaurant in South Africa. Think, thickly cut salmon; freshest yellowfin tuna and other line-fish, recently fished from Africa’s southern-most bay (False Bay). Combine theseContinue reading “2021 Top 5 Winner: OCEANS 8 SEAFOOD & SUSHI, Somerset West, South Africa”