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8 Gastronomic European Cities Every Food Lover Should Visit At Least Once

Editorial Team
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8 Gastronomic European Cities Every Food Lover Should Visit At Least Once

We get it; and we feel just the same. After more than two years of home cooking and restaurant meals largely confined to your local area, you’re feeling desperate to travel the world again in such of the finest food known to man. We’re hungry to do the very same!

If you’re keen to whet your appetite before your next adventure, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 8 gastronomic European cities every food lover should visit at least once.

London, England

Needing little in the way of introduction, London draws tourists from all over the world, keen to experience the world class art galleries and museums, engage with the history of the royal family, and sample the city’s diverse food scene.

What to Try: Roast dinners, fish and chips, pie and mash, afternoon tea…visitors are well versed in the cliches, but scratch the surface of London just a little and you’ll find a hugely varied, thrilling dining scene, with every corner of the globe represented. In fact, this diversity is perhaps the defining feature of the capital’s food.

Where to Eat: If you are looking for traditional British food cooked with confidence and flair, then Rules (London’s oldest restaurant) and St. JOHN (arguably its most influential) are both superb. For Michelin starred food in an old school British pub setting, then it has to be the Harwood Arms. Or, for a modern take on ‘British’ cuisine, try Lyle’s or Clove Club, both in the groovy Shoreditch neighbourhood. 

We hope we’re not blowing our own trumpet when we say that we’re experts in the field of quality London restaurants. So much so, in fact, that we’ll redirect you here for extensive guides to many of the city’s best places to eat.

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

The cuisine of Dubrovnik is a blend of Balkan, Italian and Mediterranean influences, and the city is a seafood lovers’ paradise. Here, you’ll find platters of grilled or fried seafood piled high in nearly every restaurant; the calamari and lightly floured then fried whitebait in this part of the world is arguably the best you’ll find just about anywhere.

What to try: Walls Of Dubrovnik, who offer some of the best value Dubrovnik tours in town, tell us that you have to try the octopus salad that’s native to the region and traditionally eaten as a starter. Using a wine cork in the octopus braising liquor to tenderise its flesh, it’s a deceptively simple, simply delicious dish.

Another must try is skampi na buzaru which translates as ‘shrimp stew’. This coastal speciality sees scampi (huge langoustine, really) cooked in a suave sauce of tomatoes, garlic, wine and a special spice mix, which is then thickened with breadcrumbs. 

In many local taverns (konoba), you’ll find buzaru dishes served with pura – polenta. Another specialty you can’t miss is crni rizot, a squid risotto made jet black and funky via its ink. 

Where to Eat: Restaurant 360º is Dubrovnik’s only Michelin starred restaurant, and one of only 10 in Croatia as a whole. For more of our recommendations on the city’s eateries, check out these best restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town.

Rome, Italy 

Italy’s capital plays host to a veritable feast of local delicacies, and the best way to swerve the tourist traps and experience genuine Roman cuisine is to take a food tour. 

If you plan on curating your own, be sure to include Cacio e Pepe, a seemingly basic pasta, pepper and cheese dish which is so much more than the sum of its parts. You’ll also find the finest gelato on the planet in the capital, with each place taking great pride in their product. We particularly like Gelato GROM, but options are almost endless, so just get out there and explore!

What To Try: Though there’s a vast variety of pasta dishes all over the city, Rome is particularly famous for its four key, classic pasta preparations- cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and alla gricia – each of which is a variation of the other.

There’s an offal lot of offal in Roman cuisine (sorry). Back in the day, slaughterhouse workers in Rome would be given the “quinto quarto” or “fifth quarter” as a perk of their job. This was basically all the parts of the animal that no one else wanted such as intestines, tails, organs and other innards.

As a result, many quinto quarto recipes were developed and a new part of Roman cuisine was born. Indeed, some say you haven’t eaten properly in Rome until you’ve enjoyed some offal. For some of the best, head to Testaccio, the neighbourhood where many of the most famous offal dishes came from. Some of the best offal offerings include trippa alla romana (stewed tripe in tomato sauce), pajata (calf intestines with the mother’s milk still inside), and coda alla vaccinara (braised oxtails).

Where to eat: If you’re after the real thing (get on with it already!) then Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro, close to Piazza Navona, does arguably the finest carbonara in Rome. Another popular choice among the food cognoscenti of the city is Da Gino al Parlamento, not far from the Pantheon. While the alla gricia here is certainly good, their bucatini amatriciana is particularly revered.

And if it’s carbonara you’re after, check out Ristorante Roma Sparita, declared by the late chef Anthony Bourdain when he visited Rome as being the best rendition in the city.

By Helen Bell via Canva

San Sebastian, Spain

Located in northern Spain, San Sebastina sits in the heart of the Basque Country, which is one of the most gastronomically blessed regions in the whole of Spain – scratch that, the world.

Anthony Bourdain once said of this famously ‘foodie’ city that ‘‘You could make the argument that there is no better place to eat in Europe than the city of San Sebastian’’. We couldn’t agree more.

In our article on “10 Ideal Foodie Destinations You Need To Visit”, Tom Barber, co-founder of multi-award winning Original Travel, tells us that “San Sebastian has a fast growing reputation as a bucket list destination for gastronauts, and with good cause. The city has more Michelin stars per capita than Tokyo and Manhattan (best of the bunch is dad/daughter run Arzak), in no small part thanks to the Basque habit of making pretty much everything highly competitive.” 

“The city’s secretive gastronomic societies have elevated cooking alongside other Basque obsessions such as pelota (the fastest ball sport on the planet) and visitors to the various bars serving delicious pintxos (Basque tapas) are the grateful recipients.’’ 

What to Try? ‘’Basically anything, washed down with the local (and slightly sparkling) local moonshine wine, txakoli”

Where to Eat: If you’re after high-end, cutting-edge gastronomy, then the aforementioned Arzak should be your first reservation. Should you be seeking something more informal, then forget the concept of reservations entirely and go on a pintxos (small bites usually served on bread) crawl around the Old Town. Make sure you stop off at Bar Nestor, a particularly legendary spot famed for its tortilla. Be warned; you’ll need to order this particular dish in advance!

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a city steeped in culture, history and most importantly, fantastic food. In Vienna, you won’t go hungry. In fact, any trip here will require a detox of light salads and healthy soups when going back to terra firma. From schnitzel to sausages, and rich, flavourful stews, the food in Vienna is heavy, hearty and wholesome. 

What to Try: Though it’s perhaps most famous for its cakes, Vienna is a carnivore’s paradise. Tafelspitz is a traditional meat dish featuring beef or boiled veal that is accompanied by vegetables and onions, and is one you should seek out early in your trip to really get to grips with the gastronomic culture of the city. 

Aside from that, some of the most traditional dishes you should try include Austrian goulash, wiener würstel (Viennese sausages) Spargel (spring asparagus), and of course, schnitzel. Almost every restaurant in Vienna will have schnitzel on the menu, but one of the best places to try a traditional version is Figlmueller, a place which has been selling the dish since 1905 and is often referred to by regular patrons as the ‘Home of the Schnitzel’.

Desserts are also hugely popular here, with apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and Zwetschgenknoedel (plum dumplings) both must-try dishes. And you can’t leave without trying a slice of Sachertorte, created in 1832 and still going strong today; one of the most famous chocolate cakes in the world. Wash it all down with a melange (Viennese coffee) and you’re good to go (lie down).

Where to Eat: Vienna is home to several fine dining institutions. If the traditional Austrian dishes are weighing a little heavy, then firstly check out Fabios for regional Italian dishes.

For a modern, indulgent take on Austria’s cuisine, with plenty of global twists thrown in for good measure, Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant, which is two-Michelin-starred, is the place to go. 

Alternatively, At Eight offers traditional Austrian cuisine, or you could enjoy the quality wines at Restaurant Steirereck. You may also want to try out Walter Bauer, which is a family-run business that has earned a Michelin star.  

Lisbon, Portugal

Oh, to be sitting on the banks of the Tagus somewhere in Baixa, with cerveja in hand and sun on face. Carefree days, indeed. Lisbon is a quick, convenient city break that has it all; a laid back yet exciting disposition, superb, proudly local cuisine, cobbled streets and attractive architecture, as well as a pulsing confidence and energetic, 24/7 nightlife. Above all else, Lisbon’s food scene here is one of Europe’s finest.

What to Try: Rather than keep you here, check out our guide to the best food in Lisbon. You won’t regret it (unless you’re feeling hungry!).

Where to Eat:  At Time Out Market, you can sample some of the city’s most famous dishes all under one roof. For some of the freshest seafood we’ve ever tasted, and with a raucous atmosphere to boot, you’ll love Cervejeria Ramiro, a Lisbon institution. In terms of fine dining, Belcanto is considered one of the world’s best restaurants. ‘Nuff said.

Paris, France

It’s a bit predictable, a bit cliched, a bit obvious, sure; but it’s known as Europe’s great food capital for a reason, right? It’s a city which smells of food, in the best possible way; there’s a certain aroma of sweet, freshly baked pastry which seems to permeate through every wall and linger on every street. 

Obviously, Paris has fine dining at its heart, with easily the most Michelin stars of any European city, but you can eat well here for surprisingly cheap, with the right planning and at the right time; even at some top-end places.

What to Try: Though we’re going to need a much bigger word limit to list them all, some of the most renowned French foods include pâté, tartare, crepes and soupe à l’oignon. Of course, it’s essential to check out the city’s patissieres, too. Whether you love oysters or herb buttered snails, pain au chocolat or tarte tatin, quiche lorraine or boeuf bourguignon, you will be sure to find something that will tickle your taste buds and delight your senses here.

Where to Eat:  If you’re looking for a mid-range option that still delivers knockout food, we highly recommend Les Cocottes. Or if you’re looking for a taste of old school Paris, with dirt cheap wine, stereotypically brusque wait staff and hearty food, then look no further than Chartier, a Parissien phenomenon. 

For three Michelin starred luxury, Paris boasts an incredible ten restaurants with the guide book’s highest accolade. Perhaps the most thrilling of these is Arpège, which places a keen focus on organically grown fruit and vegetables, but sacrifices no opulence or flavour in doing so.

Alternatively, one of the hottest tickets in town (no, the world) is Septime. With a lunchtime tasting menu a relative steal at €60, it’s essential that you book well in advance for this one.

Barcelona, Spain

There are many reasons to take a city break to Barcelona; the distance, the ease, the city’s layout, the party and arts scene, the football….but the food, until recently, wasn’t considered a star attraction. 

This has all changed in the past decade, with big name chefs opening lauded restaurants, and generations-old tapas bars finally getting the recognition they deserve.

What to Try:  Tapas are, of course, the most traditional way to eat in Spain, and Barcelona is home to a wealth of fantastic tapas bars, including Cal Pep, Tapas 24, El Xampanyet, Quimet y Quimet, La Cova Fumada and Bar Canete. 

The city also plays host to what is widely thought to be the world’s best food market, La Boqueria, where you can enjoy traditional dishes prepared by chefs in the market.

If you’re keen to try traditional Catalan dishes, which lean heavily on fresh vegetables, oily fish, pork products, soups and stews, then make sure you visit 7 Portes, Can Culleretes and Can Vallès.

Where to Eat:  You could spend several weeks in Barcelona and dine out on tapas alone, but in doing so, you’d miss out on a well-established and hugely exciting fine dining scene. 

Disfrutar, which translates as ‘enjoy’, offers two Michelin starred food but with high levels of fun and frivolity, with a modern, molecular take on traditional Spanish food earning the restaurant critical acclaim in recent years.

Alternatively, Enoteca offers an ultra-modern twist on the classical dishes of the Catalan coast, but loses none of the conviviality and generosity of the tradition in doing so.

Things To Consider Before Buying An Air Fryer

Editorial Team
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Things To Consider Before Buying An Air Fryer

It feels as if, in the last couple of years, air fryers have appeared out of thin air and are suddenly occupying the countertops of every health-conscious household in the UK.

One of the cleanest, quickest ways to fry, roast, and grill in your kitchen, air fryers enable you to streamline your cooking methods and save your time, all while enjoying crispy, crunchy foods using far less fat. Result!

From perfect home-cooked chips to crunchy chicken tenders, there is a whole world of incredible foods to try with your new air fryer. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; there are several things to ponder, from space to safety, before you make your purchase. These are those; our things to consider before buying an air fryer.

Things To Consider Before Buying An Air Fryer For Your Kitchen

Although the best air fryer is one of the most modern and convenient routes to healthy, tasty food in just minutes, they do take some getting used to.

You’ll also need to make a few decisions regarding the specification of yours:

  • Different Types Of Air Fryers: You can find a huge range of air fryers on the market, but the main decision you’ll have to make is if you’ll need a double basket or a single basket. Keep in mind that even if you buy a dual basket air fryer, you can generally only cook on one setting at the same time. The dual feature simply allows you to separate your meat from your vegetables, for instance, or cook two foods with different flavour profiles away from each other.
  • Element: Typically, most air fryers have the element close to the basket, which is not good for your food. In fact, such close proximity can dry out your food quite markedly. Ideally, the better air fryers on the market have their basket raised a little above the element, so they’re not directly touching it.
  • Capacity: If you have a small family, you can select a compact air fryer, but for larger families and meals, you may need to cook in multiple batches when using an air fryer. Most air fryers have a max fill line that shows how much food they can hold at once. Air fryer sizes are usually referred to in litres (here in the UK) or quarts (in the US). A 3.8 litre basket capacity is generally considered enough to feed a large family – equivalent to six portions of French fries, for instance. A 5 litre air fryer will comfortably roast a whole chicken.
  • Viewing Window: Without it, you can’t see your food. 
  • Counterspace: The air fryer won’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen, but it is better to make sure that you have enough space on your kitchen countertop before buying one. As a very general rule of thumb, air fryers take up around the same amount of space as a mini-fridge.

Safety Tips & Things To Avoid While Using An Air Fryer

Fundamentally, air fryers are a great way to cook delicious foods using little oil, and offer plenty of benefits over both deep-fat frying and traditional ovens. Contrary to popular belief, they can also be used for more than just fried food, so you can get creative with what you make! 

However, there are some safety concerns that you must be aware of when using an air fryer. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Never use water or any other liquid in an air fryer because it will cause damage to the appliance. 
  • Read the manual before using your air fryer for the first time. 
  • Do not touch any element when your air fryer is on. Use a silicone glove or oven gloves. 
  • Always place your air fryer in a ventilated area. 
  • Don’t use chemicals for cleaning; it might start to spoil the coating on a nonstick basket or tray. 
  • Don’t crowd your air fryer basket; leave some space for air to circulate so that the food cooks evenly. 
  • Don’t place anything on top of your air fryer.
  • Always make sure that all machine parts are completely dry before use as they can become damaged if damp. This includes any removable parts such as baskets or trays!
  • Do not leave an air fryer unattended whilst items cook inside because it could overheat and cause damage due to thermal shock, which happens when there’s too much heat inside. 
  • Unplug your air fryer immediately after use.

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it, your things to consider before buying an air fryer. Now you’re equipped with this knowledge, we can’t wait to hear what delicious, healthy meals you produce!

Wondering what other gadgets and gizmos your kitchen needs? Check out these essential kitchen gadgets to take your cooking to the next level.

4 Business Functions Scaling Businesses Should Consider Outsourcing

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4 Business Functions Scaling Businesses Should Consider Outsourcing

It can be difficult for business owners to let go of certain core tasks when they’re expanding. Many of them are used to having full control over their operation, and that comes with a certain level of comfort. 

But sometimes in the cut throat world of business, comfort can mean complacency. In such cases, business owners may end up overspending or underestimating if they’re hellbent on handling everything on their own while in a process of expansion. Handling everything in-house can seriously stunt a business’s growth, or even be its undoing. If your business is growing rapidly, here are some functions you should consider outsourcing right now.

IT Support

Small businesses can sometimes get away with hiring a consultant to come in and install systems and provide updates or having someone on their payroll to put out fires from time to time. But it’s usually a better idea to let a third-party team handle things once your business starts expanding and your network becomes more complex.

Hiring an in-house team at this point doesn’t usually make sense for many reasons. First of all, you probably won’t need someone to monitor your systems around the clock, but you may still have to deal with very complex problems from time to time, as Impreza, provider of Kent IT services, gently caution. You may also have difficulty attracting top talent. 

An outsourced team will overlook your systems without charging you by the hour. They will usually charge you a fixed fee that will often be much lower than what you’d have to pay for a full-time in-house team. And we can almost certainly guarantee you that their level of expertise will greatly surpass your team’s. 

Texaport.co.uk, an acclaimed IT support provider in Scotland, tells us where IT systems and support is concerned, it’s often best to defer to the professionals. Doing so means that not only will they look after your systems and make sure that they’re safe at all times, but they can also help deploy solutions for you. They will enhance your company’s cybersecurity as well and will be able to scale with your business.

Payroll & Human Resources

Payroll is something most businesses can benefit from outsourcing, no matter their size. If you’ve been handling payroll in-house up until now and you never had issues, you were probably very lucky, but it’s not recommended that you handle it on your own if you’re expanding. You could easily find a service that will handle the payroll for you and handle many other things such as human resources as well.

Some people may be asking themselves why a growing company would want to let a third party handle something as personal as human resources, but there are plenty of reasons to do so. 

Again, there’s a strong chance that you’ll have a limited talent pool of HR professionals to choose from as a business compared to a company that does nothing but HR. HR companies are experts at what they do and will transfer all of that expertise to you. This means that you’ll be able to recruit better talent faster and for cheap.

Outsourced HR doesn’t stop at interviews either. They can help set up structures for onboarding, implement an effective leave management system, and help with training too.

They can help build your company’s culture and improve your brand as an employer. And they will play an active role in resolving conflicts. So don’t assume that a third party will be disconnected from your operation as it is their job to merge with it and mould themselves to it while providing their insight.

Online Marketing and Social Media Management

Though it’s perhaps not imperative to hire a social media manager unless they’re a massive operation with tons of different accounts to manage and a very heavy social media strategy, you may benefit from online marketing expertise from time to time. 

If all you need is to manage your Facebook or Instagram, then you could instead hire a freelancer. Even a virtual assistant could do that for you if it’s not a major ingredient of your marketing mix.

Online marketing is also something you should outsource. This is a very passive function that doesn’t require active monitoring, so having someone clock in to perform things like SEO or managing online campaigns will be a waste of money.

Customer Support

Customer support is something that no small business that is expanding should handle in-house. Coordinating a growing support team in-house can be difficult and finding great support employees as well. You’ll be spending lots of time looking for managers and employees, and many of them will let you down. Instead, you could go with a good outsourced customer support service and have a fully formed and proven team at your service.

The Bottom Line

Expansion can complicate a company’s structure, and outsourcing is a good way to keep it as light as possible. So, consider outsourcing some or all the functions in this article if you don’t want your business’s structure to become too heavy.

5 Of Our Favourite Georgian Wines To Try In 2023

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5 Of Our Favourite Georgian Wines To Try In 2023

Georgian wine is having something of a moment right now. Whilst we acknowledge the irony of that statement – the country recently was declared to be the world’s oldest wine producer with a tradition dating back some 8’000 years – in modern-day London, the statement does ring true.

Due in part to an increasing interest in both amber and natural wines, in recent years, unique and often biodynamic Georgian wines have occupied the upper echelons of wine lists at some of the city’s hippest restaurants and wine bars, from Kol to Planque, Bright and beyond.

Not that Georgian wine producers would necessarily consider themselves particularly trendy. In fact, it’s commonplace in the country for families to make their own wine, nearly always using ancient, organic techniques handed down through the generations.

Here, and on plots of land across the country, a lengthy maceration and fermentation process occurs in traditional earthenware vessels known as qvevri, which are buried underground to regulate temperatures – usually with minimal intervention and leading to a resultant bold structure and intriguingly complex flavour profile. We just love it.

There’s a huge variety on offer in the country, too, with around 8’000 vintages and 500 varieties of grapevine, the most in the world, according to our friends and Georgian wine aficionados at 8wines.com. 

They go on to tell us that Georgia’s nine wine regions cover the whole country, with Kakheti in the north-east, lying at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, the most productive area.

But enough talk, we’re getting thirsty. Let’s explore what’s drinking really well right now; here are 5 of our favourite Georgian wines to try in 2023.

Papari Valley 3 Qvevri Terraces Saperavi 2020

We start with one of the best-selling Georgian wines in recent memory, the gorgeous organic red Papari Valley 3 Qvevri Terraces Saperavi 2020.

Though the country is arguably most famous for it’s low-intervention orange wine with its characteristic flavour of the farmyard, this Saperavi is perhaps even more revered, spending a lengthy ten month process fermenting in a qvevri, with the long skin contact lending an intense colour and even more forward-facing finish.

Though the tannins are certainly firm and tightly-knit, there’s a seductive plum-like fruitiness to the wine, with the Papari Valley’s position on the Gombori range and subsequent cool climate also lending a distinct minerality that balances both those dense and plummy notes. 

It should also be noted that if you have the right conditions to store fine wine safely, then this Saperavi ages beautifully.

This is a gorgeous wine, make no mistake, available for £15.20 from 8wines here.

Papari Valley 3 Qvevri Terraces Chinuri-Rkatsiteli 2020

We couldn’t leave the Papari (meaning ‘horse’s mane’ in English, referring to the wavy nature of the hills here) Valley without trying one of the region’s famed organic orange wines, which are getting real recognition here in the UK among natural wine aficionados. 

Crafted from a blend of Rkatsiteli and Chinuri grapes and distinctive for its high alcohol content (this particular orange is a whopping 12.5%), the first thing you’ll notice about this wine is its striking almost-gold hue, which indicates the luxurious, lingering drinking experience that awaits.

On the palate, there’s plenty of tangy, fresh-forward notes of pome fruits, with an earthy, citrus undertone reminiscent of thyme or bay leaf. The gentle tannins and pleasingly drawn out finish mean the wine is the perfect companion to smoked or barbecued fish.   

Available from 8wines for a surprisingly modest £13.20 here.

Lagvinari Rkatsiteli 2019

Georgia’s premier wine region, Kakheti, plays host to the Lagvinari winery, which does things in a proudly, stubbornly old-school way. In this unusual white wine – a relative rarity in a country where orange wine is so popular – the Rkatsiteli grape is fermented underground for nine months, with six months of skin contact in the traditional qvevri leading to a hue that’s close to amber (though not at all cloudy), despite its classification as a white.

On the nose, there are toasty, nutty notes and an intoxicating almost-overripe apple aroma, as well as plenty of floral elements, all of which translates on the palate into a solid, medium-bodied, ultra-complex wine. This intriguing, sometimes spicy complexity lends itself perfectly to Turkish, Lebanese or Greek food.

You can find this totally unique white at 8wines for £32.40 here.

Barbale Late Harvest Rkatsiteli 2019

When you think of dessert wines, the mind immediately conjures up images of Sauternes, Muscat, Pedro Ximenez or even a christmassy Taylor’s Vintage. But Georgia is starting to make a real name for itself in the sweet wine world, and it’s down in part to this guy; the Barbale Late Harvest Rkatsiteli 2019.

This striking sweet wine comes from the newcomer Barbale Winery in the Kartli region, which is one of the most exciting new areas for Georgian wine production. Using only indigenous grapes and centuries-old techniques, this organic sweet wine made from 100% Rkatsiteli grapes (harvested by hand as late in the year as possible to ensure the maximum sugar accumulation) is a real showstopper.

Looking like liquid gold in the glass, you may feel like you’re drinking gold, too; you’ll pick up honey and lavender on the nose, with an explosive flavour of ripe pear and and an ultra-refreshing nature making it a superb partner to seasonal fruit tarts.

Available from 8wines for a bargain £16.60 here.

Tchotiashvili Kisi 2016

We simply had to end a list of our favourite Georgian wines with another organic orange number; the Tchotiashvili Kisi 2016, from the award-winning, family-run Tchotiashvili winery.

Before 2006, the Kisi was considered a long-forgotten grape variety, but in recent years, many winemakers have once again embraced this grape, with the Tchotiashvili family integral in bringing it back from extinction. The Kisi grape is known for producing wines with a characteristic citrus zest aroma, gentle, balanced acidity and surprisingly strong, though certainly not unpleasant, tannins. 

This one is best enjoyed just slightly chilled, rather than straight from the fridge, and pairs beautifully with goat’s cheese, as a good deal of orange wines do.

Find it at 8wines for £18.25 here.

Cheers, or as they say in Georgia, Gaumarjos!

Top UK Landmarks To See This Summer (& Some Surprising Misconceptions About Their Location!)

Editorial Team
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Top UK Landmarks To See This Summer (& Some Surprising Misconceptions About Their Location!)

Now that summer is well and truly here, many of us will be packing up the car and taking off on a family holiday, full of exploration, frivolity, and, let’s face it, a fair amount of box ticking where the UK’s most famous sites are concerned. 

Let’s pose a couple of questions to help you narrow down your itinerary; which UK landmarks do you hope to see on your holiday? And, more importantly, are you 100% sure you know where they are located? 

Indeed, in a recent survey of 2000 UK adults, it was revealed that many UK adults struggled to pinpoint the correct locations of our top landmarks. 

So, carry on reading to find out some interesting facts on some of the UK’s top landmarks, plus some precise information on where they are actually located.

Stonehenge

Built around 5000 years ago Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, yet despite this, almost half of Brits (46%) didn’t know its location in the survey. It’s no surprise then that the phrase ‘where is Stonehenge’ has 8100 average monthly searches on Google.

Located in Wiltshire, close to the city of Salisbury, Stonehenge is an excellent place to visit for those who love history. Marvel at the fascinating stone circle and learn a little more about it from the onsite exhibition, which sheds a little light on Stonehenge’s potential origins. 

Though the purpose of the monument is unknown, many theories have been proposed – some believe it was a burial site, others a religious pilgrimage destination. Regardless of its meaning, Stonehenge (along with nearby Avebury) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK. 

Read: 5 IDEAL places to holiday in southwest England

Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash

Buckingham Palace

With 2022 being the year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (or, the Platty Joobs, of course) it’s even more surprising that 15% of Brits surveyed didn’t realise that Buckingham Palace was in the capital city, London. With 15,600 people looking up the location each year, the Palace may be well known, but its exact location isn’t. Huh?

With 580,000 visitors in 2020 Buckingham Palace is one of the most visited attractions in the UK and it’s not difficult to see why. Visitors are allowed a glimpse into the royal way of life as they tour the 19 state rooms filled with royal treasures (many of which the British Empire allegedly stole). 

There’s also a multimedia guide for children narrated by Rex the Corgi, as well as additional activities in the family pavilion. What more could you want?

Read: 7 IDEAL places to explore England’s history

Photo by Anna Claire Schellenberg on Unsplash

National Football Museum

With the Lionesses winning the Euros in a nerve-biting final against Germany this July, there’s even more of a reason to visit the National Football Museum this summer. Learn the History of women’s football (and the men’s too) and enjoy a day out in Manchester. 

With almost as many yearly admissions as Buckingham Palace in 2020, it might be somewhat surprising to learn that only 1 in 4 (39%) Brits knew that the National Football Museum was located in Manchester with 30% of respondents thinking it was actually in London. 

Giants Causeway

If you live in Ireland or are planning a trip across to Northern Ireland this Summer, then a visit to the Giant’s Causeway is a must. A geological wonder and UNESCO world heritage site, the Giant’s Causeway dates back to the volcanic age, almost 60 million years ago. Roughly 40,000 basalt columns of rock protrude from the ground, like giant stepping stones. 

The Giants Causeway is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Europe and yet 1 in 20 Brits place its location as Bristol, 307 miles away from its true location of County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Perhaps they were thinking of the Cribbs Causeway or even the Clifton Suspension Bridge… Who knows?

Have fun exploring Britain and its many landmarks this summer; just be sure to look up their location before you set off!

5 Things To Consider Before Buying An E-Bike

Editorial Team
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5 Things To Consider Before Buying An E-Bike

By now we’re all well versed in the benefits of exercise, but we’ll list them again for those nodding off at the back; engaging in some form of physical activity reduces the risk of heart diseases, improves your sleep, prevents obesity, and lessens stress levels, to name but a few.

But sometimes, that hill can feel just a little too steep. On such occasions, you’ll be grateful you read to the end of this article and invested wisely in an electric bike…

Fast, practical, and environmentally friendly – these are just some of the benefits associated with electric bikes. As their prevalence in big cities increases internationally, perhaps it’s crossed your mind that it could be time to invest? Just imagine; sashaying through traffic with grace and ease, without any guilt about causing pollution, and slipping into the tightest of parking spots at the end of it? This, my friends, is the future of transport.

If only the decision to buy an e-bike was as easy as riding through town on it. However, choosing an electric bike isn’t as easy as choosing a regular bike. There are massive divergences in price and spec, and a few purchasing potholes ready to trip you up. Not to worry, we’ve come up with five essential pieces of advice on buying one. With that in mind, here are 5 things to consider before buying an e-bike.

Start With A Budget

The very first thing that you need to do is to set a limit on how high you’re willing to go with your purchase. Electric bikes come with a variety of features, some essential and some, frankly, superfluous. The more quirks and flourishes you go for, the more expensive your e-bike is going to be. 

So, before you venture onto any online purveyor’s website or visit a physical, specialist shop, arrive equipped with a budget; there will be extras offered and perks dangled in front of you which you want to do your best to resist. 

While you can snag a basic model for under £600, the upkeep in battery costs and maintenance on such a cheap bike could well end up costing you more in the long run. An e-bike costing over £2000 is considered top of the range, with features such as hydraulic disc brakes and suspension coming as standard at this price.

Consider Your Unique Needs

The next thing that you need to keep in mind is the fact that electric bikes are designed for different people and different purposes; some want to be racing around the city centre, darting in and out of traffic and running on adrenaline (and battery power) alone, while others prefer a canter, with green credentials proudly displayed. 

No two bikes are the same, and it’s your specific needs that should determine the type of bike you invest in. If you’re riding long distances, a powerful battery should be your priority (an E-bike’s max distance is usually stated clearly in its description, with anything above 40 miles is considered long range). If you have a need for speed that you’re desperate to satisfy, most don’t exceed a 20mph maximum, though some versions with a larger motor can reach 28mph. Be aware that you’ll likely pay at least another £1000 for the privilege of those extra 8 miles per hour.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

As you are making a relatively large investment here, and your safety relies on the smooth running of your E-bike, then you should be diligent about taking your potential new wheels for a test ride prior to purchase.

Just like you test drive a car before actually buying it, you should test ride your bike, too. You want to feel comfortable and in control on your electric bike, and the only way to make certain of this is to take it for a spin or two around the block. Do make sure you take the E-bike to its upper limits in terms of speed and handling when testing it out, and scrutinise the spec before parting with any cash. That way, there are less likely to be any nasty surprises waiting for you later down the road.

E-Bike Security

Truth is, bikes are one of the most stolen items of them all. If you don’t secure yours with a bike lock (and, often, even if you do!), you run a high risk of having it stolen.

You’re probably wondering if the chances of this happening to you are even greater as a potential electric bike owner? Well, although the e-bike itself could be stolen just as any other regular bike, there is a big chance you can get it back, because e-bike security for 2022 couldn’t be more efficient in 2022. After all, you can install a GPS tracker on the bike, which can be connected to your smartphone. The best part is that the GPS tracker is installed within the engine compartment, so it is not like the robber will take it out and throw it away. 

E-bikes provide more theft protection than common bikes, making this vehicle a great long-term inversion. 

Think Ahead

Needless to say, electric bikes don’t require petrol to run. As the name implies, the energy coming from the battery powers the vehicle, making it safer for the environment. 

Compare e-bikes with petrol or diesel-driven vehicles. While a car uses an average of 15,000 watts of energy, an electric bike uses only 100 watts. This equates to a vastly reduced carbon footprint when compared to a car.

Being environmentally sustainable is more than just buying an e-bike and running it on electricity. As all of us need to play our part in making sure that the world stands a chance in the future, we need to make sure that we only use environmentally friendly products. So, before you finalise the purchase, you should take a look at the quality of the bike and whether it will withstand the tests and tolls of time.

You should ensure that once you buy an e-bike, you shouldn’t need another one for at least ten years; so, check the durability of the bike’s parts keenly, cross referencing with reviews to make sure it stands the test of time. Doing so would rather defeat the point of buying a mode of transport in an effort to be ‘green’. Moreover, when changing the battery of the bike, ensure that it is recycled and not thrown in the rubbish. 

Travel Ideas: 6 Reasons You Need To Go On A Yachting Holiday This Summer

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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Travel Ideas: 6 Reasons You Need To Go On A Yachting Holiday This Summer

The twenty-twenties have been a pretty tumultuous affair thus far, and that’s something of an understatement.

Defined by global instability, a pandemic, and now a cost of living crisis, it’s only natural to want to leave the dry land behind in search of that sense of escape. Indeed, if ever you deserved a holiday, it’s now.

When booking our summer holidays, we’re all after something unique and unforgettable, and not in reasons related to how long we queued at the airport or which airline lost our luggage!

There are memories that need to be made, helping to keep us going through the cold winter months and the daily grind of work and worry. If that sounds like your kind of thing, and to avoid those cursed airports altogether, then a yachting holiday could be right up your shipping channel.

Individual and invigorating excursions it is, and with that in mind, here are 6 reasons you need to go on a yachting holiday this summer.

The Freedom Of The Open Seas

Instead of being stuck in one resort with the odd excursion to provide interest, yachting holidays give you complete freedom to roam where you want and stay as long as the fancy takes you. Depending on the nautical miles and your chosen destination, you might prefer to travel around one coastline, or island hop to see and experience much more.

Groups of friends can moor near to resorts to take advantage of the lively nightlife, couples can find their own private paradise and families might prefer secluded coves away from the noise. Every day brings new views, grooves and moves…

Amazing Destinations

If you’re tired of the same old vacation spots, then yachting is perfect for you. With a yacht, you can explore new and amazing destinations that you never would have thought possible. You’ll get to sail to beautiful places and experience different cultures, all while enjoying gorgeous vistas of open seas, approaching coastlines and the rest.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to visit remote islands and experience nature like never before. Imagine being on a premium yacht charter in Croatia, sailing around the stunning Adriatic Sea. Or what about chartering a yacht in Greece and sailing to the beautiful Greek Islands? Or, even better, a Punta Cana yacht charter under Caribbean skies… The possibilities are endless when you go yachting!

Read: 5 of the best destinations in Europe for an unforgettable yachting experience

A Surprising Versatility

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Or, are you looking for a more relaxed vacation? Either way, yachting is perfect for you. With yachting, you can have the best of both worlds.

No other holiday offers the sheer scope of diverse activities. If you’re the active type, there’s always something to be done on and over board like water sports, swimming, snorkeling and fishing.

If your idea of a perfect holiday is to chill out under the sun with the lapping sea as soundtrack, what could be more perfect than reading a book or admiring the sunset with a glass of wine in hand? When dry land calls you, you can use the boat as a convenient base to go sightseeing and visit nearby places of local beauty. The choice is in your hands – just remember to keep them on the helm, too.

Privacy & Comfort

As you effectively take your accommodation and transport with you, there’s no need to battle your way through the crowds on coach tours or jostle for position on public transport to explore further afield. There is little chance of being bothered – or bothering – neighbouring hotel guests with noise since you can moor wherever you want. As they rarely – but should – say, what goes on out on the waves stays there. This gives you the chance to really relax and concentrate on spending quality time with your loved ones. 

A Value For Money Holiday

Yachting holidays have the somewhat unfair reputation for being exorbitantly expensive, given the glamorous treatment by superyacht-hopping billionaires on Succession. But if you compare the prices of boat hire and an all-inclusive hotel, you’ll find there’s very little difference when you add everything up.

The well-equipped galley means you can do as much cooking as you’d like, while stopping at places which are less frequented by tourists to grant the opportunity to taste authentic and reasonably-priced local specialities. As for day-trips, your holiday is one endless rendezvous into the exciting unknown. How’s that for value for money?

Leave Your Worries On Shore

Most stresses and strains exist in the office, on the work email and along the daily commute; of that there’s no doubt. Taking to the open sea brings you far away from the walls, desks and wifi which require you to be in ‘always on’ mode. When dry land is but a distant memory, you’ll find a sense of freedom rarely felt on terra firma. And that’s what a great holiday is all about, right?

How To Dress Your Hallway To Make A Great First Impression On Guests

Editorial Team
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How To Dress Your Hallway To Make A Great First Impression On Guests

Your home’s hallway is the first place that guests interact with when they walk through your door, and its aesthetic value can make a huge first impression – both good and bad!

However, your hallway can all too quickly become cluttered and messy, from shoes and coats left by the front door, to piles of junk mail and detritus blown in from outside. To help you keep organised and make a good first impression on your guests, here is how to dress your hallway to make a great first impression on guests.

Declutter Your Hallway

As both the entrance and exit point to your home, your hallway is a prime candidate for household clutter. Coats and shoes discarded in a hurry, wet umbrellas drying from the rain, and piles of junk mail all make for an untidy hallway, not to mention debris blown in whenever you open the door causing aesthetic chaos.

Take an afternoon to thoroughly declutter your hallway. Recycle junk mail and sweep away any dirt. Go through your outside shoes and clothing and donate any that you no longer wear to your local charity shop. You could even invest in an attractive shelving unit to store your coats and shoes correctly. 

Consider savvy storage solutions for your hallway, too. Slimline storage units are the way to go; consider using multiples of the Trones shoe cabinet from IKEA mounted together to form one big unit. These units are super thin and fit perfectly in a narrow hallway. Alternatively, a statement piece like the Elona shoe storage unit from Made can look good.

Create A Gallery Wall

In interior design, a good way to establish the mood of a space is through the use of colour and imagery. If you want to add personality and life, going with a gallery of photos is often a smart move. This looks like real thought has gone into the space, which is always a good look. 

A gorgeous gallery wall in the hallway offers a warm welcome to visitors and provides a useful visual cue about what lies within the house. That said, the layout and content of a gallery wall needs careful consideration; without paying attention to the individual elements at play, your picture display wall may appear messy or disorganised instead. 

Most hallways are lengthy by nature and offer a narrow canvas for displaying your framed art or photos. Traditionally, gallery walls are designed to remain square or rectangular in formation, but this is by no means an actual rule set in stone. For example, creating a diamond shape formation is just as effective while also adding visual interest that would otherwise not exist.

Frame Your Art In An Interesting Way

Though it is important to have a common theme for your display, it doesn’t mean that you can’t add interest. For example, you can mix and match different frame styles, textures or even designs to get a wholly unique and curated look. The idea is to have a common theme running for your pictures such as black and white, sepia toned or to only display watercolours. 

Once you establish what that theme is, don’t be afraid to experiment with different frame sizes, lengths, and orientations. It is always a possibility to include some collage picture frames to help you organize smaller pictures while still keeping in line with your display.

Of course, the beauty of a gallery wall lies in the unexpected. You can create dimensional pictures for your hallway by employing the use of shadow boxes and randomly placing them between your selected frames. These boxes are ideal for displaying trinkets and treasures that are unique and personal to you.

Read: How to frame, hang and display your artwork to catch the attention of guests

Lighting

Your hallway can be a dark and dingy place without adequate lighting. Not only can this be unwelcoming for guests, but you may find it intimidating to return home late at night and be faced with a dark hallway. Choose a ceiling light, such as a pendant light, with an expansive light range to illuminate even the darkest corner. 

You could also supplement this with a freestanding standard lamp to provide a softer source of light throughout dark evenings and dim mornings. You could even install a system of smart lightbulbs that you can control via an app, allowing you to lighten up your hallway remotely before you and guests enter it!

By Gvioc_M from Getty Images Pro via Canva

Fine Tune Your Focal Point

A focal point is often the most important and under-appreciated aspect of interior design, or so say the British Academy of Interior Design. And while it may sound a little generic – obvious even – the sentiment makes sense; the focal point is normally what you notice first when you enter a space. And first impressions count.

So, ensure your hallway has one that’s in keeping with the overall aesthetic, both of the passagement and of your home’s overarching interior design. A simple ornament at the end of the hallway, an art deco clock face, or even an intricately framed mirror reflecting the beaming faces of entering guests, all does the job here.

Post-Pandemic Engagement & Wedding Trends That British Couples Are Loving

Editorial Team
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Post-Pandemic Engagement & Wedding Trends That British Couples Are Loving

In the least surprising news of recent times, it’s been reported that the pandemic and ongoing cost of living crisis has caused couples to re-evaluate their finances, and has encouraged many of them to spend less on their nuptials. 

Recent turbulent times have caused couples to think long and hard about what they want from their big day and this has resulted in some new trends emerging. Here are some of the most popular post-pandemic wedding trends happening in the UK right now. 

Downsizing

During the pandemic, weddings were either banned or permitted but only with a small number of guests. While people complained at the time, couples have since embraced this idea of downsizing, shedding some of the frippery associated with traditional weddings in favour of something more streamlined and – whisper it – fun. 

Indeed, as Nimble Fins report, a poll below, ‘’budget-conscious Britons are spending less on their weddings since the coronavirus pandemic.’’ As the company goes on to reveal, there has been an increase in people hoping to keep their big day budget under £10,000.

Rather than seeming stingy, this might be a masterstroke for ensuring the marriage is a long and happy one; it’s been said that couples who spend less on their big day are actually more likely to stay together. Because no one wants to begin their married life mired in debt and misery, right?

Engagement Ring Trends 

Engagement ring trends have changed markedly over the past two years, too. Following the first UK lockdown, there has been much anecdotal evidence of an increase in interest for engagement rings for men. This indicates that more women are proposing to their partners and more same-sex couples are planning to wed. 

Another engagement ring trend is colourful gemstone rings. After two years of uncertainty, couples want a ring that will make them feel bright and happy. Oval diamonds are also popular right now, and we’re very much on board with this trend of cutting loose and thinking outside the box.

Tim Ingle, co-founder and director of industry experts Ingle & Rhode agrees; “The trends that really stand out at the moment are the demand for very delicate rings set with large oval diamonds; the continued renaissance of rose gold; and a growing love for hidden halos. To be fair, oval diamonds have always been popular in engagement rings, with their elongated shape being very flattering on the finger, but what we’re seeing now is the growing interest in having these set in very slim rings which really show off the stones to the max.’’ 

He continues, ‘’Rose gold started to see a resurgence in demand about six or seven years ago, which seems to have been prompted by Apple’s launch of the rose gold iphone, however, this trend is showing no sign of abating! However, the demand for hidden halos, where a ring of metal underneath the main diamond is studded with very small diamonds, is really something that’s only taken off in the last couple of years.”

Fascinating stuff.

Outdoor Weddings

Outdoor civil ceremonies were temporarily made legal in England and Wales in 2021. They became so popular that they’ve now permanently been legalised. With 2022 being a huge year for weddings due to so many being postponed during the pandemic, as well as new couples wanting to get wed, this new legislation has allowed wedding venues to make the most of all their facilities and accommodate as many couples as possible. 

56% of the British public even say that they’d be happy to get married in their back garden. This trend is popular for a number of reasons, including not worrying about losing money if a venue is forced to close due to further restrictions. Not only a great way to reduce costs, but you’ll also have more flexibility when it comes to dates and timing. 

Weekday Weddings

Speaking of flexibility…

Weddings once seemed solely reserved for Saturdays. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, more couples are choosing to get married during the week. Glamour reports that “the proportion of Saturday weddings has declined from 57% in 2019 to 53% 2020, according to Bridebook, and even further among engaged couples. 17% of postponed couples will marry on a Friday and 11% will marry on a Sunday”. 

We expect this change to expand further, with weddings shifting from a weekend focus into the midweek.

Not only is it cheaper to marry midweek, but cancellations of weddings over the past couple of years have meant that weddings all over the country are being rescheduled. As such, weekend weddings are like gold dust and the prices….well, it’s not worth thinking about.  

Post-pandemic weddings are looking very different, indeed. Couples are now less precious about having a weekend wedding, with the pandemic providing the perfect excuse to host the event on a more affordable day. Choosing to have a weekday wedding with fewer guests means that couples don’t have to wait another year – or longer – to get married. Moreover, they are more likely to get the wedding photographer, caterer and florist of their choice. 

As such, keep those calendars clear, and don’t be surprised to receive a weekday wedding invitation soon.

Top 5 Fun Nights Out In London

Editorial Team
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Top 5 Fun Nights Out In London

London is the entertainment epicentre of the UK, boasting restaurants, pubs, clubs and attractions galore.

But what about something different, an ‘alternative’ fun night out in London? Here, we explore some of options you may not have considered before.

ABBA Voyage Experience

Voulez-Vous… Aha!  

The ABBA Voyage show is, to put it simply, quite outstanding. The arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was custom-built for ABBA’s never-before-seen concert. The location is convenient for public transport, local businesses, and plenty of food and drinks options nearby, as well as a selection of seating and standing ticket options and accessible admission. 

ABBA will not be present during the ABBA Voyage London performances. However, they will appear as digital replicas of themselves, ABBA-tars (geddit?), and will be accompanied by a 10-piece live band. Nevertheless, it will feel like ABBA is with you once the show begins.

Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Björn Ulvaeus have carefully curated the ABBA Voyage playlist and have put together a setlist of their biggest hits and also new songs to give audiences the finest ABBA night out!

Dinner & Drinks At The Top Of The Shard

With seven drinking and dining options, The Shard has it all: impromptu cocktails, a romantic supper for two, or a celebration for a special occasion.

The Sky Lounge, located on level 34 within the Shangri-La Hotel, provides a peaceful place to unwind and relax in elegance; if you fancy something a little boozier, why not try Gong Bar, which is ideal for late-night drinks or sunset cocktails. 

Their inventive ‘Interlocking’ Menu has been inspired and created with simplicity and sustainability, with the ingredients at the centre of each creation. Each cocktail on the menu is one-half of a pair, linked – or interlocked – by a common ingredient.

If you’re after something more laid-back, a shisha lounge is a great way to wind down an evening. London has plenty to choose from, particularly around Edgware Road, where you can settle into plush seating, share a flavoured shisha and enjoy Middle Eastern teas and snacks long into the night.

Visit A Casino

Do you want to spend the night at a top London casino? Well, the capital has several world-class casinos that provide a fun night out and a classy setting to try your luck. So, whether you want to boost the stakes with some poker, try your hand at some blackjack, or play the slots, this wonderful city has a casino for gamblers of all types.

Just like licensed online platforms, London’s casinos are also fully regulated and supervised by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the government agency that oversees the gambling industry and one of the most reputable gambling agencies in the world. This ensures that players can rest assured that all games are fair and random, and also that there are responsible gambling policies in place to aid problem gamblers.

Paranormal Tour (Plus Gin)

Meet your guide and fellow enthusiasts in Farringdon, central London, for a twilight stroll through the city’s gruesome history.

Hear stories of the piles of dead buried beneath London’s streets, visit the city’s most fantastic execution site, and listen as your guide regales you with spine-chilling tales, including the legendary Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane! Then, learn about William Wallace’s terrible demise and visit the abandoned jail cell where the world’s worst serial killer once resided.

At each place you stop and visit, your paranormal guide will try to communicate with spirits and ghosts from the other side. 

See them in action as they summon the ghouls with actual Ouija boards, K2 metres, and dowsing roads. Before you end your trip, you will have the opportunity to visit a historic London Gin Palace, which houses an entirely different type of spirit.

Virtual Reality Racing

Supercharged VR London offers immersive racing experiences using sophisticated full motion platforms and virtual reality technologies. 

Their goal was to make racing more accessible while keeping the adrenaline-fueled experience of blasting around a circuit at crazy speeds. With so many cars and tracks to choose from, no two race days are the same. There is something for everyone to fuel their need for speed, from LMP cars on the gruelling Nürburgring to F1 vehicles on the legendary track de Monaco.

Race in groups of up to six people. Prepare for heated (hopefully fair) wheel-to-wheel confrontations as you use your racecraft to impose your authority on the circuit. Remember – only one player will be named champion!

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are a lot of alternatives and fun things to do in London on a night (or day) out, and we hope that some of our suggestions have piqued your interest and given you a few ideas.

5 Ideal Reasons To Go Camping In France In 2023

Editorial Team
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5 Ideal Reasons To Go Camping In France In 2023

We all dream of escaping the urban jungle and fleeing the rat race from time to time. Or all the time, if you’re like us. Some have fantasies of far flung places, of scaling a Himalayan mountain, rowing down the Mekong Delta or licking a toad in a jungle Costa Rica.

But sometimes, the best rural rest’n’relaxation can be found a little closer to home; just across the Channel in fact. With the cost of living crisis causing Brits to consider downsizing their holiday ambitions, many are looking at cutting back on hotel rentals in favour of something more humble. Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that you don’t have to sacrifice entertainment, activities, scenery and – whisper it – comfort when camping in France.

Yep, camping in France has so much going for it. So much so, in fact, that we’ve teamed up with the guys at Hipcamp and written an article about it; our 5 IDEAL reasons to go camping in France in 2023.

The Variety Of Regions

From beach retreats to alpine escapades, there’s something for every holiday taste in rural France. Indeed, it’s a vast and varied land. In the west you’ll find the a vibrant coastline, with dramatic, untouched beauty and beachside campgrounds too good to miss. Head east and the alpine mountains offer arguably the ultimate destination in France for nature lovers. Or stumble down south and the Pyrénées provides opportunity for hiking, trekking and some of the best views going.

hiking in the alps
hiking in the alps

Its Proximity To The UK

While many of the greatest great outdoor adventures require trials, tribulations and transit in terms of travel, a French camping trip needs little more than a ferry ride before the world – or in this case, country – becomes your oyster. And less transport time, as we all know, equates to more time for letting your hair down, laying your hat and living la vida loca. Wrong language? Sure, but the point remains.

Read: How To throw a Fantastic Family Reunion in France this Summer

Activities Aplenty

Going hand-in hand with France’s varied landscape comes a veritable feast of activities for intrepid and not so fearless travellers alike. If high octane is your thing, then France has you covered. With so many waterways it’s no surprise that the country is said to have some of the best kayaking in Europe.

Whether you are camping near the Dordogne and Lot, in Provence, the Alps or the Midi Pyrenees, there’s likely to be a lake or river where you can canoe or kayak to take in the sights, ride the rapids or enjoy a bit of wildlife watching. Alternatively, for something more sanitised, Brittany’s campsites with waterparks offer plenty of thrills and spills, and for a glamping experience with a difference, Bourgogne boasts some fabulous, well-appointed sites.

Feeling even more adventurous? Well, if you’re camping or glamping in the Alps or Midi-Pyrenees, making a detour to take in some spectacular mountain scenery is entirely doable. Even in other regions, you’re never too far from a high peak in France – there’s the Massif Central in the heart of the country, the Juras, Vosges and Ardennes in the east and the Massif Armorican in the north west.

If you’re after something a little more sedate, most towns or villages have a petanque court where you can play a spot of boules. And if relaxing is your thing, many of those aforementioned campsites along the coast have direct access to the beach where you needn’t do anything more than read a novel (a French classic perhaps) with your toes in the sand whilst basking in the sun – parfait! 

Try The Local Produce & Cook French Food

Camping in France needn’t and shouldn’t be about your typical camping foods. Nope, you can leave the corned beef cans at home. It should, however, be about traditional French fare. Many French towns still have thriving food markets where rural producers come to town to sell their wares. These are the perfect place to pick up local produce for picnics and campfire feasts.

For us, there’s nothing better better than a spread – al fresco, of course – of French cheeses like Comté and Camembert alongside cured meats and some saucisson, little jars of preserved treats with a freshly baked baguette that you’ve picked up that morning from a boulangerie. Oh, crunchy cornichons, of course. Who wouldn’t want those? Also, it’s easy enough, with a little effort, to create traditional one pot wonders over the fire such as beef bourguignon, rabbit stew and even coq au vin. Lovely stuff.

Read: 4 of the best places for foodie trips to France

Wine & Cider Around The Fire

With so much fantastic wine produced in the country it would be rude not to sample at least some of it. You can even pitch your tent right next to some of France’s finest vineyards in the wine producing regions.

Or, if you’re camping in Brittany, sipping a cold Breton cider around the campfire is almost a prerequisite. You could even have a go at making your own Britanny buckwheat galettes to complement your cider. Bottoms up, then – or à votre santé, as they say in France.

8 Tips To Help You Deal With The Effects Of Menopause

Editorial Team
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8 Tips To Help You Deal With The Effects Of Menopause

It’s 2022 and awareness of the menopause and its sometimes debilitating effects is soaring. Indeed, just this week it was reported that MPs were considering ‘menopause leave’, with the Women and Equalities Committee saying ‘’stigma, shame and dismissive cultures… must be dismantled.’’

Whilst government intervention to improve the rights of those going through the menopause is welcome, there are also things you can at home to help with some of the symptoms of its onset. Here are 8 tips to help you deal with the effects of the menopause.  

Talk About It

Menopause is a challenging time in a woman’s life, both physically and emotionally. From awful anxiety, fatigue, headaches, aching joints and nausea, the menopausal symptoms that women suffer from are wide and varied.

Unfortunately, it’s a subject that’s still not discussed enough. However, talking about it can help women stay better informed about the symptoms and also on how to manage them. Moreover, sharing how you are feeling with your family, friends, and colleagues means you’ll have support to better cope with any symptoms you’re going through.

Talking about it will also help future generations. As one campaigner told the Guardian, “we need to talk about menopause as loudly and as much as we can because we have to get past the stigma and shame our society places on menopause,…we have to break the taboo.” We couldn’t agree more.

Banish Night Sweats

During the menopausal transition, which lasts on average 7 years, some women have a tough time sleeping because of intense hot flashes. However, you can take several measures to ensure that you stay more relaxed and enjoy your sleep when the hot flashes come knocking with rage. 

Wearing thin breathable pajamas is an excellent start. Also, consider light blankets and bedsheets instead of your thick quilt or comforter. Placing a bag of frozen produce under the pillow might work for you; you can flip it over and lay your face on the cold surface. Lastly, keep the fan running to help cool the room.

Read: Tips for sleeping better in hotter weather

Improve Sleep

Exercises like yoga and tai-chi have been found to have the ability to ease menopause symptoms and improve sleep, whilst it’s also been posited that meditation could help, too. Why not try doing a short session of either of these (or a combination of both) before bedtime?

Consider your consumption in the run up to bedtime, too. Although a late-night cup of coffee, wine, or beer may be tempting, relaxing even, it will most likely disrupt your sleep and reduce the quality of your slumber.

A warm glass of milk is ideal because it contains tryptophan, which may help you sleep. Consider seeing a doctor if none of these methods prove effective, and consider these 4 pre-bedtime habits that will help improve your sleep, too.

Address Vaginal Dryness

Menopause can trigger a decrease in certain hormones, leading to vaginal thinning and dryness, a condition that makes sex painful. If you experience this issue, you may want to turn to water-based vaginal lubricants and moisturisers. Prescriptions from your doctor are the better and safer option because they can be both more suited to the specificities of your condition and, in some cases, more potent versions of high-street equivalents. 

Medications taken by mouth, such as Ospemifene, and vaginal suppositories (Dehydroepiandrosterone) may also help, though, once again, it’s best to consult with a health professional before considering any medicine or treatments.

Rekindle Sexual Desire

Sexual desire decreases as the hormone levels also tank, but it is possible to get in the mood, if you are still keen to nurture this side of you. 

Foreplay, massage, and other new routines can rekindle the flame. Most importantly, avoid rushing anything. Give yourself time to be aroused. The lack of desire for sex might also be due to other factors besides decreased hormone levels. Stress, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depression can contribute to the problem. Consult your doctor if you believe such issues might be the underlying cause of this impact on your sex life.

Even Out Your Moods

Mood swings can be a rocky situation; one minute, you are down and the next, you’re up. That is the nature of menopause, and things can be even more erratic for women prone to PMS before menopause.

Antidepressants might help some women manage mood symptoms, and low-dose birth control pills could provide a similar benefit, but the main treatment for reducing menopause symptoms is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

That said, HRT isn’t without its risks; always consult your menopause doctor when considering treatment.

Ease Headaches

Some women report severe migraines when they reach menopause, and others experience migraines for the first time at this stage in their lives. 

Many experts recommend keeping a headache diary, which can help you track when the migraines occur and identify potential triggers, which can be linked to hunger, temperature changes, stress, anxiety, fatigue, and dehydration. 

Snacks to ensure steady blood sugar levels are also recommended, and it’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water to ensure you stay hydrated. Finally, going to sleep and waking up at a consistent time has been suggested to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

And once again, do not hesitate to see a doctor if the migraines are debilitating and frequent. Your doctor will be able to prescribe medications to treat or prevent severe headaches.

Stop Hair Loss

Thinning hair and hair loss in many women occur when they reach menopause. On the flipside, some women report the opposite effect; unwanted hair growing on their chin and cheeks. 

Your diet is key in managing hair loss during menopause; make sure you’re enjoying a healthy, balanced diet full of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, and plenty of mono-saturated oils such as olive oil. You should also consider adding Vitamin B6 and folic acid supplements to your diet, which may help restore hair growth.

Reducing stress (once again crucial!), getting plenty of exercise and hydrating enthusiastically can also all help with hair loss experienced by those going through the menopause. 

Above all else, remember that these symptoms won’t last forever, and that menopause is a natural event and transition that the vast majority of women experience. You’re not alone.

Smile: Oral Hygiene Habits You Should Avoid 

Editorial Team
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Smile: Oral Hygiene Habits You Should Avoid 

Do you remember that hard-hitting Corsodyl advert with the strapline ‘we wouldn’t ignore blood if it came from a tap’? Or, a similarly unnerving campaign showing a woman using mascara and ignoring bleeding from her eye, with the message ‘we wouldn’t ignore bleeding from any other part of the body, so we shouldn’t ignore spitting blood after brushing’? Yeah, that was an effective campaign. 

Good oral hygiene is really important and protecting your pearly whites through brushing and flossing will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Research has even shown that gum disease might be linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

It’s time to take control of our dental health. With the help of Holly House Dental, here are some oral hygiene habits you should avoid. 

Heavy Drinking 

Drinking alcohol leads to drying the mouth, which prevents saliva from eliminating bacteria. This causes bad breath and endangers teeth, by making them more prone to developing cavities. Alcohol is an acidic drink and, as a result, it damages the enamel.

It’s useful, then, for so many reasons, to reduce your daily alcohol intake to one drink or less. People can also try to replace it with something else, like sparkling water, for example. 

Nail Biting

This bad habit is a result of stress, anxiety, or boredom, and people are often unaware they’re doing it. Even so, it can chip teeth, negatively impact the jaw, and expose the mouth to bacteria found under the fingernails. To reduce nail biting, people may try painting their nails so that the bitter taste would stop them from touching their nails. Alternatively, they might practice various stress management techniques, such as meditation. 

Biting & Chewing Foreign Objects

The majority of people chew the tip of a pencil and eyeglasses whenever they’re focusing on difficult tasks. As relaxing as it may feel, this habit puts pressure on the teeth and can lead to teeth cracking and shifting. What’s more, objects also carry germs that can cause mouth infections. Chewing veggies and sugar free gum instead of items is the healthy alternative to keeping the mouth occupied. 

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is also called bruxism and happens both during the day and at night. It’s usually caused by stress and anxiety. Teeth grinding can expose teeth to decay. Solutions to this problem include wearing a mouth guard and practising exercises that are meant to reduce stress.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Harshly 

Brushing teeth is essential, but doing so too aggressively may irritate the gums, which leads them to recede. It might also damage the enamel and cause tooth sensitivity. There are things people can do to prevent brushing too hard, like buying a toothbrush that has soft bristles and replacing it every three or four months or whenever bristles start to wear off. 

Frequent Snacking

When people eat, bacteria feasts on leftover food particles in the mouth and produces acid, which damages the enamel and causes decay. Eating in a balanced manner, consuming meals that are rich in protein, and drinking enough water to wash away the leftover food particles are great ways to replace snacking often.

Chewing Ice Cubes

The fact that ice is cold and rigid leads to teeth fracturing whenever people chew ice cubes. It also damages fillings and other dental restorations. Drinking through a straw and drinking chilled beverages without ice are two ways in which this issue can be avoided completely. 

9 Of The Best Ways To Celebrate Your Birthday In London

Editorial Team
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9 Of The Best Ways To Celebrate Your Birthday In London

Ideal for a banging birthday bash in London…

Firstly, since you’ve arrived here with us, can we assume that congratulations are in order? Another year around the sun, and might we say you’re looking fabulous.

That said, we both know that decision making isn’t one of your strong points, but rather than be crippled by the paradox of choice, you’ve made the sensible call to enlist the help of a learned, well-informed friend. You’ve got the big calls spot on, and we commend you.

We are that friend. If you’re after some great ideas on the best ways to celebrate your birthday in London this year, then rest assured, you’ve asked the right person for help…

Book A Private Restaurant Room

There are lots of places that offer private dining room hire within London, including some of London’s top restaurants. To celebrate your birthday in style, there’s not much that’s more enjoyable than settling into a private room with friends and getting served some of the capital’s most delicious food.

Some of our favourite private dining spaces include:

  • Quo Vadis, Soho: This legendary restaurant boasts not one, not two, but three private dining rooms on its second floor, with a capacity of over thirty guests in each. Chef Jeremy Lee’s classical, generous cooking never disappoints, and the desserts are to die for.
  • Pachamama, Shoreditch: Their private dining rooms can comfortably cater between twelve and fourteen (hugging) guests. Here it’s all about modern Peruvian inspired dining; a procession of light, vibrant plates arrive full of colour and zip, using some deliciously unknown ingredients and a cooking style which feels both health conscious and abounding. Oh, and the cocktail menu is on point; the pisco sours and Peruvian espresso martini are classics.
  • The Meat & Wine Co – A fine dining restaurant in London that fuses African heritage and cuisine with modern culinary techniques, on our last visit we ordered a grass fed Angus x Hereford steak, and this buttery hunk of premium beef groans all around the table. The company offer a private dining room that seats a maximum of 8 to 10 guests. Alternatively, they have a number of dining areas that can seat groups of four to 12 guests, and areas that can be zoned off for more privacy. What’s more celebratory than bites of buttery steak for your birthday.
  • Brigadiers, City of London: For something a little different, why not try this excellent Indian barbecue joint? With four private dining rooms, free flow beers, giant sports screens and a party atmosphere all year round, Brigadiers is a seriously opulent, high-class affair.
  • City Social, City of London: Chef Jason Atherton’s restaurant City Social offers a private dining room that can accommodate up to 22 guests or a Chef’s Table experience for 11 lucky diners. To continue with the listing numbers theme, the restaurant boasts 1 Michelin star.

A few other great London restaurants for group dining include Bao Fitzrovia, whose basement can be booked for 10 people; Corrigan’s Mayfair, with several private dining rooms for those families who love fresh fish; and Bocca di Lupo, where you can book the private Remus Room and enjoy some of the finest regional Italian cuisine this side of Rome.

Bottomless Brunch

Do you like prosecco? Do you want to drink a lot of prosecco (responsibly, of course)? Hey, who doesn’t? It’s your birthday after all.

Here at IDEAL, we have a motto, if you’re gonna do a birthday brunch, it damn sure better include bottomless boozing. Because what’s more fun than alcohol drenched midday dining? We’ll reiterate – drink responsibly, of course, guys! 

That said, the bottomless brunch field in London has been worked and reaped so extensively, it’s hard to find a good one. The food on most bottomless brunch menus isn’t really anything to write home about, with most folk plainly more worried about the drinking than eating. 

However, this isn’t the case at London Bridge’s Santo Remedio, whose bottomless brunch menu is a Mexican affair that you can wash down with some bottomless margaritas.   

Birthday Bermondsey Beer Mile 

If you’re wondering how to celebrate your birthday in London, then this is it. In the Big Smoke it can be pretty hard to arrange a beer crawl. Enter the Bermondsey Beer Mile. This hoptastic tour will take you through 17 different breweries. Here’s your itinerary: 

Start at Maltby Street Market and have a pre bar crawl beer in the market. Then head onto:

  1. Southwark Brewing
  2. 80 Druid Street
  3. Hawkes Cider, 92/96 Druid Street
  4. Billy Franks Craft Beer & Snack Shack, 104 Druid Street 
  5. Hiver, 56 Stanworth Street 
  6. Anspach & Hobday, 118 Druid Street 
  7. Moor Beer, 71 Enid Street
  8. Cloudwater, 73 Enid Street 
  9. Brew By Numbers, 75/79 Enid Street 
  10. Bianca Road, 83-84 Enid Street
  11. Craft Beer Junction, 86 Enid Street 
  12. The Kernel, Arch 7, Dockley Road Industrial Estate 
  13. The Outpost – Three Hills Brewing, 7 Almond Road 
  14. Spartan, 8 Almond Road 
  15. EeBria, 15 Almond Road 
  16. Partizan, 34 Raymouth Road
  17. 650m to Fourpure, 22 Bermondsey Trading Estate

Better pack some paracetamol for this one!

Read: Where to eat on Bermondsey Street

Meet At A Street Food Market 

Where crowds flock every night of the week to experience the buzz and bites, so the atmosphere is guaranteed to be lively in London on your birthday. If you’re based in East London, Dinerama, just off Shoreditch High Street, is a great place to enjoy a few reasonably priced (London-speaking) craft beers and to satisfy even the most fickle of palates. Moreover, the rotating cast of food purveyors keeps things interesting,

May we also suggest Pergola Paddington? This is a rooftop bar set over two floors and has just had a revamp. Now operating as Pergola Paraíso, the bar wants to transport you to the coast of Mexico this summer and has the decor to match; think cacti, tropical foliage and hammocks galore. Salud!

Try Your Luck at A Member’s Club

London at night offers more entertainment options than pretty much any other city on the planet – you’re absolutely spoilt for choice in the capital. 

If you’re looking for something a bit different from the conventional Londoner’s night out, then consider a member’s club like Soho House. Of course, the only way to actually gain entry is to have a member amongst your group who can ‘invite’ you or pay to stay, so you best start socialising, hey?

Party the Night Away At One Of London’s Hottest Nightlife Destinations

For a party full of fun and frivolity, why not celebrate your birthday in one of these great places…

Tape London

It’s where Travis Scott went to party after announcing the Utopia album release date and the venue J Cole mentioned by name in one of his songs. Needless to say, a Tape London booking is lusted after by many. After all, it’s one of the best hip-hop clubs in the city. With a crowd of A-listers, trendsetters, and the elite, you can expect a wild party full of endless possibilities. Not only that, but the club is also known for its exceptional service, extravagant champagne shows, and for having one of the best DJ rosters in Mayfair.

The Mandrake

The Mandrake Hotel is one of the most unique and glamorous boutique hotels in London. Naturally, their hotel bars are also two of the most elegant bars in the city. Whether you’re looking for an elegant date spot, a seductive location, or an afternoon drinks spot, Yopo Bar or Waeska Bar will not disappoint. Yopo is brighter, intimate, and warm. Meanwhile, Waeska is mysterious, eclectic, and seductive. Keep in mind, both bars operate a strict dress code policy and the dress code is smart casual.

Mr Foggs’ Residence

Nestled in Mayfair, this concept bar is a one-of-a-kind experience. Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days, Mr Fogg’s Residence is designed after Phileas J. Foggs’ drawing room. Once you enter, in no time you’ll be feasting your eyes on the immaculate Victorian-era décor, accurate down to the minute detail. Shortly after, you’ll be entertaining your taste buds with a list of cocktails prepared as creatively as they are named. Everything from the menu to the design is, of course, inspired by the Vernian classic.

Something Active

When it comes to crazy golf, London boasts some truly excellent courses. Perhaps the pick of the bunch is Plonk Crazy Golf, which has four sites across London, in Camden Market, Shoreditch, Hackney and Borough Market. 

We’re also rather fond of the crazy golf at Swingers, which is open until late and has DJs dedicated to spinning great party tunes should you fancy a birthday boogie. 

Alternatively, have you considered ping pong? In that case, it’s got to be Bounce, With venues in Old Street and Farringdon, it has become something of a London Institution, with friends, couples, blind daters and first timers heading here for a few rounds of ping pong and cocktail or two, every night of the week. 

Continuing on the balls theme, how about bowling? At All Star Lanes, you can pay £35 per person for their Drink, Dine and Bowl package, which includes two courses from their American diner inspired menu, a cocktail, and of course, an hour’s worth of bowling. Otherwise, it’s £15 for a lane and a regular game. There are four locations in London; White City, Brick Lane, Holborn and Stratford. Hey, you can even do a spot of karaoke while you’re here. What’s not to love? 

Speaking of which…

Read:  5 unique Paris birthday ideas

Karaoke

London has a great selection of karaoke bars, proving you don’t need to travel all the way to Tokyo to release your inner George Michael. Or, in our case, Andrew Ridgeley.

Perhaps our favourite karaoke joint in the city is Karaoke Box in Smithfield, which has 15 rooms to choose from, each fitting four to 25 guests, and with 8000 songs available in English and Japanese.  

We also love Lucky Voice, with its private pods able to accommodate four to 12 people, meaning you can sing away without any embarrassment. The prop box even has inflatable guitars and tambourines at the ready so you can really show off your inner rock god. What fun!

Throw It In The Park

Did you know that London is made up of roughly 40% public green space, including 3,000 parks totaling 35,000 acres. Throwing your birthday bash in one of London’s many parks is a wonderful way to enjoy London’s green spaces, not to mention keep costs down. 

If you want to have a birthday barbeque, there are only a handful of parks you’re allowed to legally grill in, including Burgess Park in Southwark (complete with views of The Shard), and Camden’s Cantelowes Gardens.

Now, all you’ve got to do is raise your BBQ game to the next level!

How Do You Make An Iced Coffee & Protein Shake?

Editorial Team
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How Do You Make An Iced Coffee & Protein Shake?

You don’t have to be a gym buff or keep-fit-fanatic to know that protein shakes are a popular dietary addition for those who love to lead active lifestyles. Indeed, many believe such shakes are the key to optimising their workouts, having the potential to boost muscle growth and support recovery. 

What protein shakes don’t do, however, is provide an energy boost pre-workout. So, how do you incorporate protein’s muscle-building potential with something that’s going to help you go harder and longer when you’re training?

Here’s a thought; have you ever considered mixing your protein powder with coffee? 

Coffee is not only packed with caffeine, which helps you feel energised and focused, but also with antioxidants. It may even support heart health. Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to take a regular cup of coffee and transform it into a protein rich drink.

A caffeine-related caveat, of course; overdoing the coffee is, simply put, a bad idea. You’ll feel dehydrated, jittery, and anxious. And while we’re at it, a protein proviso; shakes should never be used as a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet.

But when combining coffee and protein powder in the name of enjoying a delicious, invigorating drink, you might find some success both in the gym and after it. Here’s how to make an iced coffee and protein shake.

Protein Powder & Coffee: A Powerful Combo

As you may know, caffeine, whether in your cold brew coffee, iced coffee or regular cup of coffee, is thought to improve performance during short-term, high-intensity exercise. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get an edge on your workout, coffee may be the answer.

And what about protein? Protein is essential for helping your body repair, and helps rebuild muscle tissue after exercise. So if you’re looking to maximise your results in the gym, getting enough protein is key.

Whether you’re a coffee lover or not, if you’re looking for a powerful combination that can help your performance before your workout and take your protein intake to the next level, a protein coffee could help. 

Indeed, many consider it to be part of a new generation of invigorating, energising protein shakes, with Healthline citing many potential benefits to mixing the two.

We’re sure you get the picture by now. Now, let’s paint it. Here are a couple of great recipes for iced coffee protein shakes…

Protein Coffee Shake Recipes

You’re probably wondering why you can’t just mix some coffee granules into your protein shake? Well, that would be gross, and the results lumpy. Don’t do that.

Instead, try one of these two…

Cold Brew Iced Coffee Protein Shake

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of cold coffee
  • 1 scoop of protein powder (choose one of your favorite protein powders)
  • 1 cup whole milk, almond milk, oat milk, or water (if you’d like to be dairy-free)

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Enjoy as is or add ice cubes
  3. For an extra boost, add a shot of espresso to the mix.

Caramel Macchiato Protein Shake

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of coffee (cold brew or regular)
  • 1 scoop of protein powder
  • 2 tablespoons caramel syrup
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or water

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Enjoy as is or pour over ice.
  3. For an extra boost, add a shot of espresso to the mix.

A Word Of Warning

We hope we’re not stating the obvious here, but it should be noted that such shakes shouldn’t be consumed with gusto in the late afternoon or evening. 

Caffeine blocks adenosine, which regulates our sleep cycle and messes with that all important body clock routine we mentioned, and once the coffee wears off, a premature drowsiness is likely to set in. What’s more, it’s a diuretic, and dehydration leads to tiredness. Go figure.

So, whilst we’re not suggesting you cut out the coffees entirely (you’re only human), it might be wise to cut back, particularly post noon. 

Instead, deploy such shakes in the morning, no doubt muttering ‘’breakfast of champions’’ as you do so.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, coffee protein shakes are a great way to fuel your body before a workout. Not only do they taste great, but they’re also packed with nutrients that your body needs to perform at its best.

So, next time you’re looking for a pre-workout drink, try one (or both!) of these coffee protein shake recipes and see how it affects your workout. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Hey, we’re only just getting started with the creative potential of coffee. For more of the same, check out these 10 unusual ingredients to add to your morning coffee.

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