Foodie Monsters Special: Barcelona

Foodie Monsters

Barcelona Edition

 

I am lucky to call Barcelona my home. I spent almost my entire life in this beautiful city and despite now being a Londoner (10 years and counting!) I love going back and endure on everything that the city has to offer. And Barcelona has a lot to offer: culture, entertainment, nature and food are some of the things that quickly come to mind.

We get asked a lot about the foodie scene in this cosmopolitan city, so it was only a matter of time that we would deliver on your requests.

A #FoodieMonsters Special like no other. A Foodie Guide for my home town, and you can easily access it on your computer, tablet or on the go on your phone. Don’t miss out!

https://bit.ly/Foodie-Monsters-BCN

Pro-tip: Make sure you scroll through the whole Google Maps List to see all our pinned spots!

Our Selection for Brunch

Our Selection for (Healthy-ish) Lunch

Our Selection for Tapas

Our Selection for (Fancy) Dinner

Firenze, City of Arts

If you want to be inspired by a city, come to Florence.

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I will never forget my first impression of Firenze. It was my first time in the city of arts and I was very excited to explore every corner of it. I only had 72 hours and so much to see and do.

As I was walking towards the Airbnb with my suitcase in hand, I suddenly was paralysed by the beauty in front of me, the Duomo of Firenze, also called Catedrale de Santa Maria Dei Fiore. It appeared as if of nowhere, but there it was, pure magnificence in front of my eyes. It’s been a minute since I was impressed by my surroundings, and this certainly exceeded the mark. An incredible work of art you’ll find hard to look away from. And that was just the beginning to my trip. Joy.

Looking back, I would have loved a couple more days to fully immerse myself in the arts city that is Florence, but if similar to me, you are here only for a long weekend, find below our suggestions on where to stay, eat, drink and do in this vibrant and busy city.

Have fun and stay safe,

TCB xx

DAY 1

08:00AM - 10:00AM: See the sun rising from a different height and visit the Duomo’s Cupola di Brunelleschi, where Dante’s Inferno is painted.

Two warnings here: this activity is not for the heart fainted and requires booking in advance. You’ll have to hike around almost 500 steep steps to get to the top, so if you are not into this, avoid at all costs. Having said that, you won’t get better views of the city than here. In my opinion, certainly worth it. Not to mention the incredible painting that you’ll get to take in midway through the top.

10:00AM - 12:00PM Grab a espresso and a quick Tuscan sandwich and join a walk tour

Immerse yourself in the history of the Medici and their relationship with Florence by joining a walking tour. It is incredible the little details you can learn by buying into these activities and I am a big fan of (fun) facts so this always gets my vote. Plus I find the guides always have great tips for food! Sold. We stoped by Maledetti Toscani for a Salami sandwich beforehand and it was the best snack/ brekkie we could have ever wished for.

12:00PM - 1:30PM In between hours, shopping!

Florence is no Milan or Rome but certainly has some good spots when it comes to fashion. The city where Ferragamo was born and also the home to Luisa Via Roma, one of the biggest multi brand luxury retailers. Other spots that get our vote include Gucci Garden )Really a must), Boutique Nadine and Dixie.

2:00PM - 4:00PM The time we’ve all been waiting for: Lunch!

Have delicious fresh food at Casella 18, a family run restaurant in the heart of the city. Big mamma plates full of flavour and excellent service. I had a pistachio pesto pasta I am still thinking about.

4:00PM - 6:30PM: Give yourself a little rest, drop your shoppings bags, and maybe have a shower before heading out again. Or continue shopping, or wandering through Florence’s Giardinis. Your call.

7:00PM - 9:00PM: The sun is starting to set, so it’s time for a little walk by the river Arno, crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio, or old bridge, dated from the medieval era. There’s plenty of fancy shops and stalls by the bridge now, so if you are into splurging, you have found your place. For aperitivo with a view, head to Golden View. But don’t stay too long here, as you’ll have to walk back to the centre for dinner.

9:30PM: Dine at La Giostra.

If you can only pick a place for dinner, it has to be La Giostra, and you have to book in advance, cause this place is in demand. The restaurant used to be a winter storage place back in the 1700s, so you can imagine all the stories it holds. The owners have managed to keep its historical look and it is rather charming. The sommelier is hard to miss (we won’t say more) and the steak is a must.

DAY 2

09:00AM - 12: 00PM: Start the day with more culture, this time at The Uffizi Galleries.

Now that you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to get cultural. First stop? The Uffizi Galleries. They are to Florence what the Louvre is to Paris. Vast, opulent and full of incredible art. You can easily spend 2 hours just trying to get through the building in its entirety. Split in to two separate allies by a square in the middle, you’ll see pieces dating from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. Don’t leave without seeing Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Caravaggio’s Medusa. They are a must.

1:00PM - 3:00PM: Street Markets, Prosecco and Lunch at a B-Roof

Now that was quite tiring wasn’t it! Reward yourself with a refreshing glass of Prosecco at Hotel Baglioni’s B-Roof. They have a steal of 35€ Weekend 3-course meal that is hard to combat. Plus their al-fresco terrace is not only gorgeous but also has incredible views of the city. Make sure you stop by the street market on Via Dei Conti, they have excellent leather goods and super fun recycled denim jackets.

3:30PM - 5:00PM: Time to see David

Book your ticket to Accademia Gallery and see Michelangelo’s David in person. It is incredible big! If you’ve been here before, then alternatively we would suggest visiting Pitti Palance, the Tuscan version of Versailles. Think big and beautiful gardens, opulent state house with plentiful Renaissance art and you are almost there.

7:00PM - 9:00PM: Time for aperitivo and sunset again!

For aperitivo today, we would suggest visiting Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, not without a visit to the Santa Croce Church before hand. Dinner should follow at Gurdulu, across the street from the hotel. This part of town feels much calmer and we loved it here, we finally felt we were part of the city, as opposed to mere tourists, only 48 hours after arriving.

What a weekend.

Tuscan Traditions: Pasta Making

I love getting my hands dirty. Today’s pleasure, making fresh pasta was particularly special.

It’s day 4 at Potentino. There is a spear of sunshine coming through the kitchen. This morning, Rachel Roddy, food enthusiast and writer behind An A to Z in Pasta, and she  is telling us about how pasta making is all about child's play.

She is cheery. A tall, curly hair, freckled skin, British lady who has spent 16 years of her life in Rome. She is a striking presence at the castle. Her speech is quick, with bursts of Italian. 

She is showing us the flour divide between Northern and Southern Italy. Another rivalry between North and South. Flour is the key ingredient for pasta making. Puglia, Calabria, Campania, they go for semolina flour, or durum wheat flour. A granular, sandy, fine ingredient that slips through your fingers. On the contrary, Toscana, Lombardia, Veneto, they use a velvety, teddy bear like soft flour, the regular all purpose wheat flour we all know.

It really is simple. You add 200 gr of either flour and 100 ml of water for a semolina flour recipe (or 2 eggs for a soft flour recipe), and you’ve got all the ingredients for pasta for two. As Rachel shows us how to proceed, she tells us how her family likes to think of the process, a flour mountain that turns into a volcano, with the water and/ or the eggs as craters. Mix all the ingredients up, and suddenly you find you have playdough in your hands. 

What follows isn’t quite as much fun, but you need to knead. 10 minutes of pushing down, pulling out, folding and turning in. Thankfully, I like to do hands-on work.

The dough, a soft but sturdy ball with all the tenderness of a baby's bottom, is now ready to rest. 30 minutes are key for the gnoccho (the dough) to rise, and as I listen to others talk about what pasta shapes will be made for lunch, I take a moment to observe my surroundings. 

We are in a kitchen that is more than 700 years old. Maids, servers, owners and friends, guests and volunteers have passed through this kitchen over the centuries, and have made this little universe their own. There’s a wooden cabinet that particularly draws my attention, full of mix & match glass and kitchenware. I made a note to myself to speak to Charlotte, the owner of Potentino, to tell me more about this room.

The timer is ringing. It’s time to shape the pasta. We practice our beginner skills by exploring the pleasures of forms, from classics such as the orecchiette (little ears) to experimental freeform. We are quickly drawn back from pleasure to work though, as lunch time is getting closer and today we are cooking for 20 people. 

The shape of choice for lunch is pici. To get this shape, we pinch about 2-3 inches of the dough and turn it into a thick, long and fat hand-rolled type of spaghetti. This shape, Rachel tells us, originated in Siena, Tuscany. All of a sudden, I am transported to traditions in the valley. Traditions of wine making, growing vegetables without fertilizers, weaving wool from the neighboring sheep farm. Traditions that Potentino is resolutely trying to keep alive. 

Our pasta making work is done, and as we wait for the pici to cook, we move from the kitchen to the dining room. There’s an air of excitement and anticipation (and hunger) in the room. We are all hoping the result of our hard work will be good. Is it going to taste as good as it felt when we were preparing it? Will our beginners pasta survive the cooking? Will everybody like it?

Sometimes actions speak louder than words and as guests have a bite of the fresh pasta, paired with roasted tomatoes passata, olive oil and basil, I only need to see their faces to know the answer. Delicioso! 

The hard work we put in this morning has been a success. One that I am hoping to repeat at home. And I hope you will, too. 

TCB xx

Tuscan Traditions: Making Pecorino

True ricotta is a delicacy many Italians sought after. Its limited availability, combined with the benefits of low fat, high protein and multipurpose use, makes ricotta the cherry on top of any  cheese making, and in particular, of our cheese making class today. 

‘Best eaten hot’ Luisa tells us, so I obey orders and eat a few mouthfuls. She’s right, one bite of this warm, rubbery cheese, and I can’t put my spoon down. It’s a very intimate feeling, as if I am inside the sheep’s body, and its fresh milk is now directly in my mouth. The right amount of salty and light that makes you want to come back for more.

There’s a particular beauty in seeing others making something in front of your eyes. 

Luisa is in charge of the cheese making class. She seems nervous at the prospect of explaining to us how the process goes. There is a German beauty in her blue eyes and soft skin, and as she tells us in perfect English the story of the family business, one can tell she is a very kind and friendly soul. Emiliano, her husband, is staring at her in the background. He is a bit shy I feel, mostly because he can’t speak English with us today. 

As I see them both in action, there are so many welcoming thoughts at the idea of making food from scratch. Grandma making croquetas in their flat near Park Guell. Dad and I making a spanish omelette as our Sunday dinner tradition or my uncle’s David famous St Johns Day cake, something that the whole family waits for every year.

Like making tortilla, traditional cheese making is a special craft. One that has been passed through generations. The end result is surprisingly never the same, as cheese made this way never tastes the same twice. 

At this point Luisa also names Giuseppe, her father in-law and the main figure of the family business, a few times. Despite his absence, we sense his presence very clearly. He started the business, and on top of being a fantastic shepherd, he was also a novelist, a poet, and of course, a great Italian lover. 

Emiliano, on the contrary, seems a man of actions more than words. I am proven right as he shows us the first step of cheese making, getting the ravaggiolo, a curdled cheese that kids and adults alike often enjoy for dessert. 

A bite of this silky and sweet cheese takes me back to summer holidays in Costa Brava in Catalonia, where I would find myself eating a very similar dessert called recuit every lunch after our daily family swim. The slippery taste of this dessert makes you feel so light, you would never stop eating it. If you ever are in that part of town, don’t ever leave without trying it, specially with a splash of honey.

As I look away from my treat, I see Luisa and Emiliano are already working on keeping the momentum going. The process of cheese making cannot be stopped and one of them has now started crossing and crushing the remaining cheese in the pot. Crossing the cheese, because in Tuscan tradition, it is blessed in the making. 

The pot is now at forty degrees to shape what will be the final product, a soft pecorino cheese. It is hard to believe one could take such heat in their hands, Luisa jokes whilst she cheekily looks at Emiliano: ´he can handle the heat´. Emiliano is not happy about the induction hob, he prefers gas, but with a smile on his face he tells us that heat makes his skin incredibly soft, so clearly worth the pain.

One would think once the cheese has been shaped, we just need to leave it to rest, but to my surprise there’s one more step to go, making ricotta. As we say in Spanish, there’s never two without three, and the last step is the most precious to Italians. 

As we now leave the cheese to rest, we are guided to our dininng table. 

Now picture you are in a Medieval Tuscan castle.

Imagine the loggia of such Medieval castle. Luisa and Emiliano are finishing making fresh cheese in it. 

There’s  a certain freshness in the air. The seasons are changing, the wind is blowing strongly, and we are happy to be sun kissed and have our lunch al fresco. 

Luisa and Emiliano have prepared a little cheese tasting for us, and as we wait for it with excitement, I hear them talk about the origins of the farm, Caseificio Murceti, with other guests. I can´t wait to visit them at their farm. 

I may not be able to replicate all the steps of cheese making that we learned today, but something became clear to me this morning and is that the best traditions can be kept alive through generations, and we can consider ourselves lucky to ever witness such marvels in front of us.

TCB xx

Potentino, a walk through living traditions

´Italy has given me so much, I ought to do the same’, Charlotte tells me.

She is the owner of Castello di Potentino, an ancient castle dating from the 10th century and hidden within Monte Amiato, in the heart of the Tuscan Valley. 

It was only 30 minutes since I met Charlotte that I knew she was a strong and determined woman. A tall, straight short hair lady with striking blue eye glasses. Very Italian style I would say, despite herself being British. It’s been 30 years since she moved to Italy and she’s been cultivating and nurturing the lay of the Tuscan land ever since.

‘We had a previous home, but we sold it and bought this ruined castle’. It is clear this medieval beast is her biggest passion and personal project. A once crumbled castle now turned into a living palace to restore Etruscan traditions. I couldn’t think of a better idea. 

Potentino is special. 

We arrived here on a dark and eerie night, and we thought we had got lost. Google Drive was telling us we were a minute away from our destination, but there were no signs of Potentino in any direction. Suddenly, there it was. Low lid yet showing its grandeur, rustic stone walls facing us. Cersei and Otto, the house dogs, welcomed us at the entrance and shortly after, somebody opened the door. Hello, you found us! 

We were greeted, and our story began.  

As we walk into this long-lived estate, I get quickly captivated by the amount of art, books and crockery laying around. One can tell that many have passed through Potentino, and the house still captures its passing stories. Publishers, artists, filmmakers and musicians, they all have lived and left a piece of history here. 

Traditions of wine and olive oil making, which were common in the area since almost 3000 years ago, are also alive at Potentino. I’ve been told that thanks to the golden valley that is Monte Amiato, we are in a highly fertile, volcanic area, which has gifted Potentino with a variety of wines. 

One evening before dinner, we are lucky to get a VIP pass. We tried not one but eight different wines from Charlotte’s latest batch. From easy drinking pinot noir rose to dense red San Giovese. It was a kaleidoscopic experience.

And it doesn’t end here, Charlotte is determined to keep the Etruscan heritage alive and she is set on being kind to the planet whilst at it, aiming for zero waste and respecting the local community. 

As days go by in this fairy tale fortress, we experience farmers from the neighboring town make cheese in front of us, cheese that we eat for lunch; polyphonic singers enjoying Potentino wine whilst chanting Etruscan songs and songs from World War I, and acclaimed food writers teaching us how to make and write about pasta and the joys of life. We are enduring the beauty of Tuscany and its unconventional history.

As I write to you, the sun is shining and my body feels heavy, despite a light breeze passing through. I can feel my soft skin burning, and the seasons changing. The leaves are dancing like shining diamonds changing color under a beaming light. Potentino is in the background, and I already feel part of its tales, too. 

Postcards from Sicily

A Road Trip Through Sicily

 

If you are reading this post is because you are thinking about travelling to Italy and are wondering what route is best to do a roadtrip in Sicily. The answer? It doesn’t matter! Whether you head north to Palermo or south to Catania, you are guaranteed going to have a delightful time.

Now, if you are into beautiful beaches, relax and good food, then the northern side of the island will be better suited for you. If you would like to add some culture and history to the mix, then the southern side will be best.

We did our own research before starting our trip and the northern side of the island tends to get more tourism. We are rebels who like to go against the current, so we voted for a southern roadtrip full of culture, history, great food, and great nature (and of course, some beaches too!).

Thinking you would like to do the same roadtrip?

Then check below for our 2-week itinerary here!

24 hours in Palermo

You may have read that if you want to do a Sicilian roadtrip you must choose between visiting the northern side or the southern side as otherwise it is too much to fit in very little time. We agree. However, there are many flights to Catania and when ours got cancelled last minute, we had to act quickly or cancel our holidays all together.

Truth is, things turned out for the best. We ended travelling to Palermo before starting our southern roadtrip and we loved it so much that we would suggest you do this too.

Palermo is the capital of Sicily and it is full of history. From the Romans to the Spanish, to the history of mafia, there’s a lot to talk about in this city. As newbies, we decided to talk a Free Walking tour (this one here) and we couldn’t recommend it enough. The guide was very lively and gave us lots of tips on where to eat and what else to do. Our favorite spot was the Piazza of Quatro cantos and all its symbolism, along with the Cattedrale de Palermo. Do not miss these out.

Our favorite comfort food was eaten at Caffe del Kassaro and the best cocktails were drunk at Galleria delle Vittorie

Our favorite Gelati was eaten at Cappadonia Gelati

Our favorite shop was Coffee Panormus, where you can stock up on beautiful ceramics and handmade Sicilian Coffa Bags.

3 days in Agrigento (2 Nights)

Agrigento is very cute. Tourists tend to spend one night here as there is not much to do other than visiting the Valley of the temples, but we loved giving this old village more time to be explored so we would recommend you doing the same.

We arrived after lunch and decided to visit the Agrigento’s old village. The highlight was the nun’s monastery where you can buy some homemade pistachio and nut cookies that are to die for. You can then head to the Turkish steps, a white cliff beach, for an afternoon dip. Warning: as the rock has started to become lose, the government has blocked entry to this area. However! We saw plenty of Italians passing over the fence and so we followed them and had a pleasant time in what was pretty much a desert beach. Bottom line, be careful, but go ahead and visit the area. We then packed our stuff and had a well deserved Aperol Spritz whilst seeing the sun set at Lounge Beach Bar few steps away.

The next day was all about the Valley of the Temples. You’ll need about 3-4 hours to do it, so make sure you have a hat with you and plenty of water as it gets hot in here! We also recommend getting a guide or the audio guide, it was very explanatory and worth its 5€ cost.

To wrap up, we had an excellent restful time at Masseria Agnello, a farmhouse of dreams (I would get married there!) before heading for another sunset at Giardonello Beach

Best dinner time in Agrigento was at Sal8 and best pizza at Trattoria Terra&Mare but if you want breathtaking views of the Valley of the Temple and a Michelin-guide restaurant, then we recommend Il Re di Girgenti (wow!!).

Our favorite Gelati was eaten at Le Cuspidi

We stayed at B&B Le Terraze di Pirandello and it was central, with a beautiful rooftop and a yummy breakfast (included in the price). If you are ready to splash the Hotel Athena is breathtaking, but you will be far away from the city center!

4 days in Modica (3 Nights)

Modica is a dreamy ancient villa where old is already meeting new. In here, not only you’ll find out about how the Sicilians make chocolate (that is, using a method dating back to the Aztecs), but also incredible home made food, Michelin-star restaurants, cheap and cheerful wine and cocktail bars and the most incredible baroque cathedral in Southern Sicily, Il Duomo di San Giorgio.

We stayed at B&B Il Giardino dei Mandarini and we couldn’t recommend it enough. Affordable prices, a big room and an excellent breakfast overlooking a beautifully green patio, where you’ll chat to an old Italian chap who serves you breakfast every morning. What else could you ask for? Also location is great, near to our favorite wine bar Rappa Enoteca (side note: the food is also great).

On our way from Agrigento to Modica we had a pit stop at Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman villa that keeps the largest and most varied Roman mosaics in the world. It’s a 20-min detour from your route, but so worth it.

On our first full day in Modica, we decided to explore the beach and headed to Marina di Modica, where we had a relaxing lunch at Modica Beach Resort. One our way back, we visited Scicli. Scicli is another town renown for its baroque architecture. Similarly to Modica and Ragusa, its beauty is palpable all over the city, but is at its best in the churches. If you are into fashion and gelati like I am, then you’ll love this town. Probably the best when it comes to Italian fashion in the island and Nivera was a fantastic choice for icecream :)

One our second day in Modica, we decided to venture out to Chiaramonte Gulfi, based on Lonely Planet’s recommendation. However, we didn’t find anything interesting here. The only thing worth noting about this town is its garden overlooking the vast fields and the winery Locanda Gulfi, 10 minutes drive away from the city. The food and service there were excellent, and so was the wine tasting (3 wines for 15€!) and the subsequent stay at the pool overlooking the vineyard.

Ragusa was our last stop on day 4 and definitely the most breathtaking. It is an exceptional town and a MUST on your trip. This village has 18 sites that are UNESCO Heritage and walking around its ancient streets is like re-living its past. We parked the car in the newer part of Ragusa, and started our walking path from Cattedrale di San Giovanni Batista up to Giardini Ibla.

The view of the old Ragusa along this path was spectacular (with some GoT vibes) and the food we proceeded to have for lunch at Camuri even more. Unpretentious and delicious food and 5-star service. Drinks were also top notch, so I can only recommend you going.

2 days in Noto (2 Nights)

Noto has become quite popular thanks to the Netflix show ‘Chef’s Table’ and its infamous Caffe Sicilia. This is a cafe dating from the 1800s serving unpretentious pastries, granita and gelato. We loved it, but we also loved many other spots lesser known in the town for which you didn’t have to cue for.

Our favorite restaurant was Manna and we would suggest you going for dinner as the town lives up après working hours.

Now what we loved the most about Noto wasn’t precisely its baroque town, but rather the nature surrounding it. The Cavagrande canyon is an unspoilt gem, one that only few locals know about and explore. We followed some online instructions we found to get to a set of natural ponds withing the canyon and not only we found them, but we were also alone. Alone in this nature paradise. That memory will stay with us forever.

Another thing we loved about Noto was our stay at Valle degli Dei. A lemon farmhouse 5 minutes drive away from Noto that will make you feel you are the owner of a beautiful villa in Southern Italy. The sunsets at the house were pretty special, and so was the field of lemon trees.

2 days in Ortigia (1 Night)

You may have heard of Ortigia because of its famous candles. Funny thing is, these were not created by an Italian family, but rather an English lady who fell in love with the city and decided to create a soap and fragance empire around it. Ortigia has its shop in town but theirs items are now accessible globally.

Putting this aside, Ortigia is a little island off Siracusa, Sicily’s old capital. Once again its baroque style blooms through its little streets, and the Cathedral, buiilt on top of an old Greek Temple, is worth a visit. Ortigia has paramount options for dinner but surprisingly not so many for a swim, despite being an island.

However, you can take a boat trip around the island and visit its nearby caves, where you’ll be able to hop on and off the boat for a bit of a dip.

Our favorite restaurant in town was The Wine Assassin (we also LOVED the name)

Our favorite gelati was in Il Cucchiaino and our favorite granita in Pasticceria Artale

The last stretch: 3 days in Taormina (2 Nights)

Taormina is just postcard perfect. Some may say it is the most touristy of the southern side cities, and they may be true. That does not deny its beauty though. From the Greco-Roman amphitheatre to the grottos and beatufiul bays by the sea, this ancient villa has lots to offer.

Food is beyond exceptional and the décor gave us lots of Positano vibes; we were instantly enchanted. Calid colours and lots of lemon print everywhere, is this the Italian idea of heaven?

Foodie Monsters must visit Tischi Toschi (a favorite of Ottolenghi’s) for lunch and fashion lovers must have coffee at Bam Bar.

Dinner at Kitse is essential, but not without a glass of Aperol Spritz at the terrace of the Grand Timeo Hotel for sunset. We had a nightcap at Morgana Lounge Bar and it was fabulous.

If weather allows, we would suggest you finishing your trip with a hike to Mt Etna, one of the oldest and most active volcanos in Europe. Unfortunately (or not), the volcano has been quite active lately and so we couldn’t do this activity, but if you can, then we recommend using this tour guide.

Happy travels careless readers, and stay safe!

TCB xx

Mediterranean Paradise: Menorca

If you are a beach lover like us, then you may be already browsing the best places for a new beach home. Travel isn’t as easy as it used to be, but if you are in for the long run, then it is worth all the hassle. Our suggestion for the summer? Menorca.

We had the pleasure to call this little paradise ‘home’ for a whole month last year, and we were so delighted we wanted to share all our tips on where to stay, which beaches to go to and of course, where to eat. Don’t miss out on this blue gem, it is worth every penny.

A WEEK’S STAY IN CIUTADELLA

Ciutadella is a beautiful port city on the west coast of Menorca and its known for its old quarter and medieval streets. Staying in this cute little city is a favorite option for many, however we branched out and stayed at this airbnb 5kms out of the city (and near the beach), which turned out to be the best spot in the island to see the sunset. The first evening we were there we couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was.

There’s plenty of things you can do for a week near Ciutadella, we loved visit the old town and goind for dinner in the evenings and planned days out at different beaches during the day, but also made sure we booked different activities such as boat riding and mountain biking to keep ourselves entertained :)

One of the advantages of being nearby a port city is the paramount of options to book a boat for the day, which is a must do activity in the island. Entering all those little beach bays by the sea is breathtaking (and lots of fun!).

After much research and a lot of haggling, we found Iguana Boats, which is probably the most cheap and cheerful rental boat company in the island. As long as you have a driving license and 200€ to spare for the day, you are good to go. And you don’t even need a skipper!

Ciutadella is definitely the foodie hotspot in the island, and our favorite picks were S’moix, Mon and Rels. Excellent produce, delivery and customer service, all in beautiful settings and at a decent price tag. What else could you ask for?

Favorite Beaches nearby Ciutadella: Cala en Brut, Cala Turqueta, Cala Macarelleta, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Trebaluger

STAYING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: FORNELLS

If you are looking for a quieter village where to stay, we recommend wandering off to Fornells, another beautiful fishermen village right in the middle between Ciutadella and Mao.

Despite having less than 1000 inhabitants, Fornells has a lot to offer: great beaches nearby, excellent food and beach bars to hang out, a home made ice cream shop and a few clothing boutiques to browse.

This airbnb was a delight and if you are keen to try on of the local delicacies (Caldereta), Es Cranc is a must. If you are missing a bit of meat in your life, Ca Na Marga is possible the best steakhouse in the island and Isabella a few km away is the place to be seen for sunset cocktails and/ or apres dinner fun times.

The biggest and best silver lining that the pandemic has brought to us is the ability to become digital nomads.

More frequently than not, businesses are allowing employees to work from home, but where is home these days? As long as you have access to good Wi-Fi and a computer, the world is your oyster.

A WEEK’S STAY IN MAO

If you are staying in Menorca for a long period of time, we suggest jazzing things up by setting your home up in the other side of the island. Mao is the largest city and the capital of Menorca, and whilst it is very different from the beautifully old Ciutadella, it is definitely worth a visit.

Here you’ll find great restaurants such as El Rais and Es Musclet, and you will be able to visit Gin Xorigue’s distiller, the island’s very own gin.

Once again, there are a variety of things you can do to spend a week in this part of the island, but five are a must do:

1. Visit the Binifadet Winery. We were unaware of this beautiful spot and so our experience was both a surprise and a delight. You can book a guided tour with a tasting and then have lunch overlooking their beautiful vineyard. They cater for weddings so you can get the drill of how gorgeous this place is. Surprisingly, this was also a cheap and cheerful delight! They have a prix fix menu and their wine is delicious yet affordable. Needless to say we left drunk!

2. Visit Llatzeret Island. There are guided tours to the island running on a regular basis (either in Spanish, Catalan and English), and the 18th century quarantine island’s history is worth knowing. Little fun fact: Though it is no longer used for such purposes, the island belongs to the Spanish Health Ministry and government workers can use its for their summer holidays.

3. Wonder through Alaior. Spend the day by the pool at Menorca Experimental, have a wonder through the streets of Alaior’s village before you head to Coves d’en Xoroi for live music overlooking the sunset (note: you must book in advance as these places are quite famous).

4. Wonder through Binibeca after a day at the beach. This made up town will make you feel you are back in Greece! Plus you can grab a yummy cocktail and asian styl tapas for dinner at Bambu.

5. Spend the day in Es Grau Natural Park. We rented bikes and wondered through its wetlands, skinny dipped in their beaches and washed away all of our worries.

Take care of yourself careless readers, and happy travels! I know these are scary times, but we travel do not travel to escape life, we travel for life not to escape us.

TCB xx

A Day Out with Dali, in Figueres

Are you living or Visiting Barcelona but would love a little nip out of the city, for a change? We’ve got you covered; the answer you are looking for is called Figueres.

Home of Surrealism King Salvador Dali, Figueres is a small town up north in Catalonia, approximately 1h 40 minutes away from Barcelona City Center. The city has amounted vast culture through the years and now not only it hosts the Theatre-Museum Dali, that the artist himself directed and decorated, but also a historical toy museum and a historical museum from the area, Alt Emporda.

A perfect day out there? Here you have it:

12.00 - Grab a ticket to the Dali Museum before hand and spend a couple of hours enduring the crazy-ness that this genius went through. Pro-tip: if there aren’t any guided tours at the time, make sure you chat to the guards on each room, they are extremely knowledgeable and they will be please to give you some anecdotes and information :)

2.00 - Grab yourself lunch at perhaps the best restaurant in town: Bocam. They have a cutsie little terrace set up on a sidewalk and the food is terrific. Also the deserts are Dali-themed! Win, win.

Post-lunch: As you walk through the streets of Figueres, endure some of the beautiful modernist buildings such as the old-school theatre El Jardi, worth a visit.

If you are still up for more culture, then the city will provide. Check the Figueres Castle.

Otherwise, sea-town Roses is only a 20-min ride away, get in the car and jump in the sea, enjoy the sun shining and some yummy and refreshing ice-cream.

Et voilà! Sadly, time to go home. What a day!

TCB xx

Barcelona From The Sky (Updated 2024)

Rooftop Loving

Favorites in the city

If there is something that any city lover would enjoy during the summertime, it is a good drink in a rooftop bar surrounded with good friends. Lucky you, Barcelona is catching up with this trend and there are plenty of choices to enjoy this cosmopolitan city from above street level. The options will vary depending on your taste, budget and city view, but there is an alternative for everybody.

For Scenic Views of The City

Hotel Colon

has stunning view of the Cathedral of Barcelona and its surroundings in the Gothic Quarter.

Alaire Terrace Bar

The Rooftop of Hotel Condes de Barcelona is an old-time favorite and has excellent views of Gaudi’s masterpiece La Pedrera.

Ayre Rosellon

Gives you the best view of Sagrada Familia you’ll ever get.

Ohla Hotel

Has a phenomenal infinity pool (guests only) overlooking Barcelona’s neighborhood El Born

For After Shopping

Hotel Pulitzer

A throw away from Barcelona’s busies square (Placa Catalunya) and has fabulous DJ sessions for a fun afterwork evening

Casa Fuster

Perfect stopover after walking shopping mile Passeig de Gracia

For a Cooling Forest in the City

Cotton House

A relaxing and trendy spot in an old Cotton Factory. Food is also fabulous but make sure you bring mosquito repellent with you!

To relax in the Heart of Gracia

Hotel La Casa Del Sol

Love Gracia but need a break from its buzz? Head to the top of this hidden hotel and dip in the pool (accessible for all customers!) whilst sipping a cheap and cheerful drink. Definitely a must in the area!

For less iconic (but still awesome) views

La Isabela

At the Hotel 1989 near Las Ramblas, this is a perfect option if you are in this part of town and want to get lovely views of Montjuic.

Hotel Duquesa de Cardona

For the Harbour-view lovers

Foodie Monster Special: Paris & Food Art

Of course my stay in Paris would not go unnoticed food-wise. C'MON! If there is something French are good at (apart from fashion) is food. Ok, sometimes too many baguettes and too much butter for some, but I am a sucker for both! 

As I was there during fashion week, it almost felt necessary to do an upgrade on my dining options and therefore we chose to have french cuisine most of our nights. 

There was only one night when we made an exception, Ober Mamma was a must. A perfect Italian in the heart of Paris, that not only has a great bar set up, its food is incroyable. Pizzas are beyond delicious, the cured meats as a starter are sublime and to top that you've got lovely waiters to guide you on your menu choices. Not to mention is the hot-spot at the moment, ofc...

As for our french bistros, we've tried many, but there are a few that are worth mentioning: 

Chez Janou for a classic french bistro, pretty chairs outside, low-light restaurant, busy as hell and serving all the french dishes you were thinking about before getting there. Au Petit Fer a Cheval has also become our special favourite for a pre or post-dinner drink. 

Les Déserteurs if you want a twist on what you would call french cuisine. It is still very french, the products are mega fresh and the display is just beautiful. It is recommended in the Michelin Guide, which is always a good indicator, however I am always afraid that I am going to leave the restaurant feeling hungry. NOT THE CASE. 

We had a set menu including 2 starters, a main and dessert (see below!) and I could not have been more happily stuffed. The waiters usually help you pair your food with wine and you are offered some cheese in between dishes, which I would highly recommend. 

Now, sweet tooths out there, I haven't forgotten you. I've been trying to be good since I will be travelling to Philippines in less than a month. But hey ho, you can't go to Paris and not indulge some sweet delicacies. As I tried to go for "healthier options" I've realised that the parisiennes have also taken on board the matcha-kraze. So much they even have a whole restaurant for it! Umami Matcha Cafe. LOVE-IT. 

Other than that and the usual suspects such as Sadaharu Aoki or Eclair de Genie, I've also found Pain de Sucre at Le Marais. A bakery and patisserie offering the right amount of sugar you need in your body!

Don't miss out...and bon appetit!

TCB xx

Portugal's Sleeping Beauty's Castle

If you´d like to visit Disneyland gone dark, you certainly need to visit Sintra. This World Heritage site helds some of the most incredible castles I've ever seen. 

There´s plenty to do in this town (which by the way, is only an hour away from Lisboa, on the train): exquisite palaces to visit, extravagant residences and decorative gardens to admire and astonishing beaches to relax at about 20 minutes away.  

The sights are spread across the hills of the region, and there are a series of challenging hiking trails, so if you are not very sporty, hold your breath. 

As you get into town, you reach the historic centre, where pretty cobbled streets meet with traditional shops and cafes, all centred around the Gothic styled National Palace. 

If I had limited time and I could only visit one sight though, that would be Quinta da Regaleira. I feel this stately home is slightly underrated as you have to walk for a long while but it is certainly worth it.  The gardens are filled with mystic symbolism and hidden features which include secret tunnels, Gothic towers and stone fortified walls. I mean, hello?

To finish our day, we took the bus like the locals and ended up at a tiny village by the sea. Little we know there were local festivities and we would end up dancing samba with the Portuguese...SO MUCH FUN, that´s all I will say.

Stay tuned, 

TCB xx

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Scorching Lisboa

Lisboa is exactly what they've told you: colourful, vibrant, mesmerizing and HOT! The city is full of energy, day and night, and that's exactly what I was looking for. Plus a good company always makes a trip better, and British-Irish squad and I had a blast. 

I'd say you probably need at least 2-3 days to get to know Lisbon properly. More than that, and you are in for a treat of discovering local gems. 

Portuguese are very Mediterranean in their food culture, therefore if you are visiting the city, you are in for a treat. I particularly enjoyed having lunch at Pharmacia, a pharmacy-inspired restaurant by the museum of Pharmacy. You can enjoy some seriously delicious petiscos (tapas) and a good wine for a very decent price (€25-€35 average).

As for sweets: PASTEIS DE BELEM. I mean, what else do you need? I must tell you that it is also my favourite dessert of all times. Can you imagine how hard it was to keep myself at bay? They are so goddamn good! My favorite were the originals from Belem, but you can literally find them at every corner.  Manteigaria is really good if you are in downtown Lisboa. 

Of course you need your postcard picture by the Elevador de Bica, but make sure you stop along the way and enjoy a drink at Park, a rooftop terrace in a car-park. Yes, you may think you are at Frank's in Peckham, but the temperature and the price of your bill will tell you differently.

Views from the Rooftop at Park

To top up your visit to the city, I highly recommend visiting LX Factory, which you could also visit on your way to Belem (a must). 

A bit hidden in the middle of nowhere, this village is full of up and coming artists. Whether you are looking for a great bar or you'd like to get some home furniture or souvenirs, this is your kinda place. 

Grafitti Wall at LX Factory

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Views from Rio Maravilha Rooftop, at LX Factory

Ibiza, Island of Fun

I've been trying to think about how to express my feelings about this island for the last couple of days. So many words come to my mind but I guess my favourite is FREEDOM. Never have I been at a place where 'everything goes' and 'nobody gives a damn', literally.

On the course of five days, I've seen such a variety of people: a naked old man parading all over Ibiza with a pair of House of Holland sunglasses and an umbrella (fancy!), numerous girls in underwear just chilling in the streets, and of course, a lot of hippies.  What do they have in common? That they could care less about it, they were doing what they wanted.

Ibiza is also a place where you can have it all. Party? Check. Relax? Check. Great Food? Check. Great Beaches? Check. Great Bitches? Check, Check. 

You say beachy spots, I say Cala d'Hort. It takes a bit to get there but it is SO dreamy you should not miss out. Crystal clear water, beautiful layout AND a great restaurant serving what is probably the best Paella I had in a long time. 

Enjoy the weekend peeps, 

TCB xx

Copenhagen Symmetry

If there is one word that summarises Copenhagen it is symmetry. Just as I was landing into this nordic country I could tell everything here id done to perfection. And it is, indeed. 

It particularly stroked me how great the food was. I could expect the danish to excel in interior design and home déco (which they do) but food? That I wouldn't know.

We all know Noma is the best restaurant in the world but that's an exception to the rule, or so I thought. Truth is, keeping Noma aside the Danish still have great stuff on offer. Every dish I tried here not only was delicious but it seemed out of a design catalogue. From the infamous avocado on rye toast at Atelier September to a 3-dish tasting menu turned 10-dish extravaganza at Höst, everything tasted delightful and it made you feel as if you were having not only a great meal but a great experience. 

Nørrebro was also one of my preferred wander areas. Apparently the hip neighborhood these days, it helds plenty of foodie offers. My fave have to be Mirabelle for brunch and Bæst pizza for dinner. They are own by the same peeps and there's a brewery in front of it and an Empire cinema. Could you have more in less than 50m distance? Well, if you walk about 200m you have Acne Archive, which is obvs a must if you are a fashionista in need of a scandi touch.

I am not a fab of going through touristy bits but if you had more time and wanted to...Tivoli Gardens are always a good laugh, and its one of the oldest theme parks ever. That's gotta count for something, right? 

TCB x

WHAT I WORE:

Day 1:
Tommy Jeans Logo T-shirt
ZARA Black Playsuit
Skinnydip London Kisses Clutch (old)
ZARA Gold Sandals

Day 2:
Topshop Mom Jeans
Mango Crochet Top
Taylor Morris ZERO Sunglasses
Marc Jacobs Snapshot bag
Warby Parker Glasses
Stan Smith Adidas Trainers