STAY > The Standard, London (18/20)

Where to stay in London is often the eternal question. For this visit, we were arriving via Eurostar and departing via Heathrow five days later. I landed on staying near St Pancras for ease of movements, helped by having The Standard on the door step. . ABOUT > The Standard Hotels The Standard…

ByPaulaOctober 11, 20250Comments

CAFE > TOKYO CAFE >

CAFE > Fuglen Espressobar, Tokyo (18/20)

There’s a certain timelessness at Fuglen Espressobar, tucked away on Tomigaya’s sleepy backstreets, just moments from Yoyogi Park — somewhere between retro Norwegian cool and Tokyo edge, every detail balancing minimalism with cosy, mid-century warmth. Fuglen is a Japanese coffee institution dating back 60 years and this super hip venue in Tomigaya opened in…

ByCrispyOctober 3, 20250Comments

EAT > MELBOURNE EAT

EAT > Circl Wine House, Melbourne (18/20)

Discover the vinous wonderland of Circl Wine House in Melbourne’s CBD, where award-winning Head Sommelier Xavier Vigier curates an impressive collection of 1,500 wines, including 150 available by the glass. Indulge in exquisite dishes crafted by Executive Chef Elias Salomonsson, such as the sensational half duck and caviar with house-made crumpets. With a stunning ambiance…

ByCrispySeptember 21, 20250Comments

STAY STAY > FALLS CREEK

STAY > Astra, Falls Creek (18/20)

Regulars to Falls Creek Ski Resort in Victoria are probably very familiar with Astra, it is a great place to stop for an apres ski drink, or come back for dinner. But the greatest luxury comes from staying at Astra and having the full experience. Astra is a super stylish hotel that continues…

ByCrispyAugust 31, 20250Comments

EAT > ADELAIDE EAT

EAT > Star of Greece (18/20)

If ever asked about where to eat in Willunga, The Star of Greece is on the top of my list, actually if its top of my list if someone asks me the best places to eat in South Australia (but maybe I am a little biased). I spent some of my formative years living…

ByCrispyAugust 26, 20250Comments

STAY STAY > PORTUGAL

STAY > Reid’s Palace, Madeira Portugal (18/20)

Perched dramatically atop rugged cliffs, where Madeira’s balmy breezes mingle with the salt-sweet tang of the Atlantic, sits Reid’s Palace—a vestige of an older, more gracious world. Arriving, one is met by a sweep of subtropical gardens, their riotous colours tumbling toward the blue below, and the unmistakable hush of history. Indeed, it is a…

ByCrispyAugust 17, 20250Comments

DRINK > WINE > Nebbiolo (including Barolo) DRINK > WINE

WINE > Figli Luigi Oddero Barolo, Piedmont Italy 2013 (18/20)

There are Barolos that linger politely in the glass, and then there are those that stride into the room with quiet gravitas—Figli Luigi Oddero’s 2013 Barolo is firmly the latter. Heritage and tradition echo in every swirl, as this estate’s legacy (fractured but never diminished by familial divides) carries through in the pedigree of the…

ByCrispyAugust 7, 20250Comments

DRINK > BURGUNDY DRINK > BARS

DRINK > Caves de l’Abbaye, Beaune, Burgundy (18/20)

Step from Beaune’s winding, cobbled heart into Caves de l’Abbaye, and you’re greeted by the cool hush of a centuries-old cellar—a true Burgundy hideaway shaped from vaulted stone. Beneath low arches, the glow is candle-soft, shadows flicker against wine-streaked walls, and every table feels like a private alcove ready for pure vinous discovery. AMBIENCE >…

BySimonAugust 2, 20250Comments

STAY > SPAIN

STAY > Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián Spain (18/20)

The Maria Cristina is a grande dame whose very walls seem to hum with the glamour and history of San Sebastián’s Belle Époque. Built in 1912 and named for the Spanish queen who summered here, the Maria Cristina is more than a place to sleep: it’s a living stage for the city’s most elegant moments.…

ByCrispyJuly 26, 20250Comments

STAY > GREECE

STAY > The Dolli at Acropolis, Athens (18/20)

There are hotels that simply provide a place to rest your head, and then there are those rare addresses that leave an indelible impression—The Dolli at Acropolis is firmly, and strikingly, in the latter category. LOCATION > Right in the heart of ancient Athens, Dolli is a boutique retreat set within the historic Plaka district,…

ByAngieJuly 26, 20250Comments

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