We’ve all seen the deluge of think pieces in the past few months, about the sacrifices young folk might have to make to be able to afford a house. Cut out the Netflix, eliminate the avocado, stop buying that daily Starbucks…
Yep, it’s perhaps the least useful advice out there. For a start, you’d have to go 4’307 years without Netflix to save enough for the average house in London, and we really don’t have that long. What would you fill those years with anyway, without the chance to binge watch Bridgerton, Stranger Things et al?
Anyway, before we consider the time it takes to save up for a whole house, let’s first consider the deposit. It’s common practice for you to need at least 5% of the price of your house as a deposit, but you should aim to save up around 15 to 20%, depending on the price of the property and how good your credit rating and history is.
That number will largely be determined by your current financial position. With that in mind, if you’re looking to save money for a house deposit, here are 6 tips.
Enlist The Help Of A Mortgage Broker
Speaking to a mortgage broker is a smart choice when you’re looking to buy a house as they will be able to level with you and inject a much-needed sense of realism into how long it’s going to take you and just what level of savings are going to be needed.
Can You Save On Your Rent?
Are you able to move back to your parents’ house? If you can, you can start putting your previous rent payments into your savings account. You’ll avoid extra rental expenses this way and reduce how much you have to pay monthly. You’ll even be able to save money because you are going to save on bills, too, though you might well lose a little of your independence (and your sanity) doing so.
If that isn’t feasible, consider downsizing your current living arrangements while you save up for a deposit, or move into a house share, which will likely lead to lower rent payments. Whilst it isn’t ideal and won’t help you generate enough for a deposit overnight, every little helps.
Sort Out Your Credit Score
It’s also harder to save for that deposit when you have struggled with your finances in the past, but all hope is not lost.
That said, you shouldn’t ignore your debt and simply hope for the best. Go through your credit file and pay off any outstanding debt that you might have. When you do this, you increase your borrowing power, and reduce the amount of deposit you’ll have to put down upfront. By having a high credit score, you can be sure to secure a lower necessary deposit.
There are many ways that you can improve your credit score, but it’s important to keep on top of your credit report and try not to apply for any credit for around a year before you apply for a mortgage. Somewhat ironically, it’s also important to note that simply performing a credit check can cause you to lose a few points on your overall credit score.
Pay Off Debts Before Applying For A Mortgage
Do you have loads of outstanding debts? Lenders will look at everything from car payments to existing loans to get a picture of your financial health before offering you a deposit amount.
While of course, having these types of debts is completely normal and can actually demonstrate your ability to pay back money on time, lenders want to understand how your pre-existing loans may eat into your income.
Generally speaking, lenders will be worried if you’re borrowing more than 30% of all the credit available to you. Say, for instance, that you have a credit card with a £5000 credit limit. If you’re using more than £1500 of that, it might indicate that you have trouble managing your debts.
Consider Buying Part Of A Property Through Shared Ownership
Another potential avenue to buying your own house with a reduced deposit is through shared ownership. This allows you to buy a share of a property (usually between 10% and 75%) and pay rent on the remaining share. You can then increase your share gradually, which is known as staircasing.
The main advantage of shared ownership is the smaller deposit requirement. That said, you will have to pay all of the maintenance on the property, even if you own a low percentage of it.
See How The Government Can Help
You may find that you’re able to utilise the UK government’s Help to Buy scheme, which in some cases can allow you to buy a property that is worth more, even if you don’t have enough of a deposit already saved up.
In April 2021, the UK government announced the mortgage guarantee scheme. This scheme helped potential buyers and investors secure a mortgage for their property purchase with just a 5% deposit. On top of that, a stamp duty holiday has been extended until the 31st December 2022.
The Bottom Line
The path to home ownership is rocky and complex, but there is help available. Good luck in your search and we look forward to our housewarming invitation!
*Anything written by IDEAL Magazine is not intended to constitute financial advice. Always consult with an independent financial advisor or expert before making an investment or any personal finance decisions.*
The benefits of solo travel are well documented. Not only can the whole thing be liberating and character building, but tackling the big wide world alone can also open you up to new and novel experiences. From a more selfish perspective, it can be kinda nice to just do your own thing without having to compromise!
That said, the ideal of solo travel, of seeing new things, making lifelong friends and forming bonds with people from all walks of life, can seriously diverge from the reality. Indeed, exploring the world on the hoof and your tod can be an insular, isolated experience if you don’t throw yourself into it.
However, in a world where COVID-19 still looms large, as Conde Nast points out “Strangers-turned-friends are harder to come by, itineraries take extra planning, research, and flexibility, and social distancing means it’s a little more isolating than usual”.
We couldn’t agree more. With all that in mind, here are 7 ideas and tips on how to make friends when travelling solo.
Book With A Solo Travel Tour Operator
The experienced solo traveller will know that there are opportunities to make connections with people everywhere, from the airport lounge to queuing in line at a museum, all the way to the humble park bench.
However, with Covid changing many people’s travel behaviours, whether it be from fear of infection to people wearing masks in public making communication harder, it’s become difficult to interact and make friends with people. The answer? Book a trip with a solo travel operator.
The guys at Friendship Travel, who offer the opportunity to book solo travel holidays all over the world, tell us that one of the best things about about booking a tour with the intention of travelling alone but within a group is that you’ll be travelling with plenty of like-minded people to share your experience and memories with.
Indeed, a solo travel tour means that you get the best of both worlds when it comes to travelling on your own; a group of ready-made friends and time to explore on your own.
The idea of an organised group adventure also appeals in the fact that it’s, well, organised – it means that you don’t have to faff around with booking PCR tests, accommodation and transportation, leaving you to enjoy the trip and concentrate on making the most out of your solo travel experience.
Moreover, tour operators are seeing an uptick in solo-cation bookings as many more people are “taking the plunge to travel on their own” to make up for lost travel time. In other words, travelling alone is no longer a niche pursuit, meaning there will be lots more people to make friends with.
The idea of safety in numbers also plays a part, but we’ll return to that a little later.
Try Out Airbnb Experiences
Another great way to meet like minded people and engage with fellow sightseers and travellers is through Airbnb Experiences. The platform offers the chance to gain firsthand knowledge from experienced locals on all manner of subjects, whether that’s a mole cooking class with an indignenous cook in Mexico or horse whispering with an equine enthusiast in Barcelona (yep, that really is a genuine one).
Withlocals provides something similar; simply book a tour with a local and enjoy their insights on secret hangouts and hidden gems across the city. Approach the experience with arms and mind wide open, and you might just make a friend for life, too.
Put Your Phone Down
Those intrepid souls who book solo travel holidays are richly rewarded, if only they look up from their phones to appreciate the world around them. Let’s face it, many of the benefits of solo travel are lost if you spend your whole time messaging friends back home and scrolling Instagram feeds of other people’s holidays.
Holidays are meant to be about getting away from it all, putting the screens down, seeing a different way of life through the lens of reality, and learning to look up again. Try not to fall into the trap of falling back into your comfort zone via your phone, and you’ll open yourself up to new experiences and people.
Check Out Solo Travel Social Networking Apps
We know we just told you to put down your phone and look up, but we’re going to contradict ourselves here and recommend you pick it back up and download these social networking apps designed for travellers.
Hang on, you’re probably already on your phone, reading this. Ah well…
Tourlina is the first women-only travel app with verified female travellers from all over the world. Through their verification process, Tourlin provides a safer international female travel buddy experience. This is a great travel app for solo travellers or for women who just would like to meet up with other solo travellers. Each day hundreds of new users join Tourlina and become a Tourlista… Could you be one of them?
The Solo Travel Society is just as it describes; a society of solo travellers who can meet online or in real life. The Facebook page has more than a quarter of a million followers, all who share a love of travelling solo.
It’s easy to join this vibrant community of travellers – simply leave comments on the site’s posts, participate in the Solo Travel Society Facebook discussions and make connections with people. The site also features weekly posts on solo travel destinations and photos contributed by readers – ideal for some solo travel inspo, if nothing else!
There are also several apps that function much like dating platforms, with all the profiles, swiping and emojis that implies, but for friends. Some of the best include WINK, Bumble BFF and Meetup.
Be Open & Flexible With Your Plans
Travelling alone is one of the best ways to build better self-confidence, as well as helping you to make new connections and meaningful friendships. When you’re by yourself, you’re much more likely to strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller, interact with locals or try out new and surprising things, so get ready to lean into it.
Having a plan and a schedule is great as a solo traveller, as it gives purpose and meaning to your trip. What’s really important, though, is not to be too rigid in sticking to this plan. If you’ve met some great people who’ve invited you along to see the local temples, do it! Perhaps you’ve been invited to a local’s house for dinner with their family? You’d be crazy to pass up the opportunity! So, be open to making changes to your carefully laid plans, and you’ll end up having a much more rewarding time.
Step outside of your comfort zone and be open to the ebb and flow of spontaneous solo travel. In doing so, you’ll learn so much about your destination and yourself. What’s more, with a spirit of ‘arms wide open’, others will be drawn to you, and that’s why you’re here, right?
The beauty of staying put while travelling on your own (a bit of an oxymoron, we realise) means that you can become a regular somewhere, whether it be a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, library, or all four!
Indeed, one of the best ways to integrate and socialise is by becoming a regular somewhere. Eat that bowl of Hanoian pho at the same shop a few days in a row, or have your night cap of mezcal in the same streetside bar in Guadalajara as a matter of routine, and soon you’ll have made friends with shopkeepers and patrons alike. Even having breakfast in your hotel every day is an opportunity to meet people, so pledge allegiance to a place and reap the rewards.
Brush Up On The Local Lingo
Making friends with fellow explorers is great, and part of the reason you’re out here on your own, but don’t just cosy up with other travellers for the duration of your trip or you risk missing out on seeing the ‘real’ culture of the country you’ve chosen.
Instead, learn a few (or better still, a lot of) phrases – some polite, some playful – of the local lingo to help you integrate with the people of the city; people who may well offer to show you around and let you in on the secrets and hidden gems of the place.
Of course, this spirit of adventure shouldn’t be lived in a completely carefree way. Wherever in the world you’re travelling, some precautions are necessary to ensure you’re keeping safe while you explore.
These include taking Uber rather than taxis off the street so your location is tracked, checking in regularly with friends and family so they know where you are, and always meeting new found friends in busy places. Also, be sure not to display your valuables too overtly, go easy on those mezcals we mentioned earlier, don’t announce to the world that you’re travelling alone, and most importantly, trust your instincts.
Harness the power of tech, too. As the Independent highlights “Apps provide another level of support for women travelling alone. Free ones such as Chirpey, RedZone, MayDay, Tripwhistle and Noonlight let women flag incidents and areas of danger, and contact local law enforcement”
You’re going to have a blast on your solo sojourn!
Mention the Greek Islands – as you do – and, inadvertently, images of Santorini’s whitewashed walls and blue domes or the windmills of Mykonos are likely conjured up.
But for groups of friends looking for a holiday a little removed from the crowds and cliches, Paros, nicknamed the ‘quiet heart of the Cyclades’, might be an even better bet. A large island with plenty to offer, the capital Parikia serves as the hub for the Cyclades ferry system, meaning Paros can be enjoyed both as a destination in and of itself, and as the anchor from which to explore Greece’s most iconic set of islands.
Famed for its fine white marble, used to build perhaps the most famous Ancient Greek sculpture of all, the Venus de Milos, currently standing in Le Louvre, and even whiter sands, Paros is a visually striking place.
It’s also a place that’s incredibly accommodating to group holidays, owing to its relatively affordable price tag (it’s sometimes dubbed the ‘poor man’s Mykonos’) and spaciousness. Should you be heading here with a throng of friends, then here are some of the best activities for groups in Paros, Greece.
The Valley Of The Butterflies
If members of your gang are fans of all things that flutter, then Paros’ Valley of the Butterflies, ‘Petaloudes’ in Greek, represents a wonderful group outing. Just a ten minute drive (or hour’s walk) south from Parikia, the butterfly reserve is a small pocket of paradise, with an ecosystem unique only to Paros and the island of Rhodes.
This is one to visit in the summer months, when the gardens come alive with Jersey Tiger Moths who occupy every nook, cranny and corner of the Valley. Interestingly, many choose to visit the reserve by riding a donkey from the capital, making the excursion an even more unique one. A convoy of your friends, all on donkey-back? Sounds like a memorable day to us!
It should be noted that The Valley of the Butterflies is closed for the off-season, but opens between June and September, from 9am to 8pm daily.
A Trip To Naoussa Fishing Village To Enjoy Some Spectacular Seafood
Being an island, Paros has several fishing villages to visit, all with great options for dining on the sea’s bounty. That said, the clear standout is Naoussa, one of the most implausibly, incredibly beautiful places in Greece, with striking, sheerfaced whitewashed buildings lapped by azure waters all year round.
Located on a huge bay on the northeastern corner of the island, there are several beaches closeby for a sunbathe and a dip, if any of the group fancy a timeout. There’s also plenty of larger villas to rent around Naoussa, if you’re keen to base yourselves here.
But we’re here first and foremost for the seafood and the views, of which both are abundant along Naoussa’s harbour.
Restaurants Mediterraneo and Sigi Ihthios are both particularly good, keeping things simple and letting the freshly caught fish do the talking. They both have expansive, al fresco dining spaces which could comfortably accommodate a larger group, too.
Or, a little set back from the water, check out Le Sud, which is an elegant, romantic place to spend an evening. Alternatively, simply follow your nose – there’s always a grill burning and a barbequed bream turning! For a drink, head to Trickster bar which offers the perfect spot for a post-dinner cocktail.
For a more mellow fishing village, the gang might enjoy the small fishing port of Piso Livadi.
Visit The Moraitis Winery
A comfortable walking distance east of Naoussa is the Moraitis Winery. Overlooking the beach of Aghioi Anargyroi (try saying that after a tasting tour), this is one of the most picturesque wineries we’ve ever visited, with a prestigious product a worthy match for the location.
The island as a whole is famed for using a unique, low intervention wine growing technique known as ‘aplotaria’. This method lets the vine spread on the ground, affording the grape protection from the sun and strong winds, of which Paros boasts both. The unique climate, combined with Paros’ sandy soil high in clay, leads to truly gorgeous wines which carry Greek Protected Designation of Origin status.
The Moraitis Winery is open from Monday to Saturday between 12pm and 8pm, and takes reservations for group tours.
We couldn’t visit Paros without a brief dalliance with its sleepy sister island, Antiparos. Accessible via the small port town of Pounta on Paros’ west coast, ferries run daily, every half hour or so, during peak season, and return to the island regularly, too, taking just ten minutes.
Whilst the old town of Chora is well worth checking out, the real appeal of Antiparos is the mellow, untroubled beaches. 3km south of Chora, you’ll find Panagia, perhaps the most picturesque on the island, and sprawling enough never to suffer from overcrowding.
Vathis Volos is another great option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to sunbathe, though you’ll need to take a taxi or drive there, as it’s a good 12km southwest of the old town.
Alternatively, the small beach Agios Spyridonas is just a short stroll from Chora, and the closest stretch of sand to the port.
The village of Lefkes, 11km south east of Parikia and standing at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level, is one of Greece’s prettiest settlements, defined by windmills, Venetian architecture, 15th century churches, and traditional dovecotes.
But the charm of Lefkes is only half the reason to visit; the hike to and from the village is stunning, too. And you know what they say about the journey and the destination, that the former is the latter? It’s certainly true here, so get your hiking boots on and explore!
The ascent from Parikia to Lefkes should take you around 2 and a half hours, and is signposted. If you’re keen to head into the countryside after checking out the village, then Lefkes marks the start of the popular Byzantine Road trail, which takes in the oldest road in Paros, dating back to 1000 AD, and plenty of panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and sea.
Take A Boat Tour Of The Small Cyclades
If you’re truly looking to escape the infamous Cyclades crowds, then consider taking a private group boat trip to the ‘Small Cyclades’, a chain of secluded islands, many of which aren’t inhabited at all. Check out Koufonisia, in particular.
As if it wasn’t expensive enough, the average price of champagne has recently broken the £25 barrier for the first time. And this was before recent issues with lorry driver shortages, carbonated drink scarcity, and all manner of other issues threatening the supermarket and bottle shop shelves of the UK.
But it’s not for this reason alone that, increasingly, British consumers are expanding their sparkling wine horizons when seeking a celebratory drink. In recent years, exclusive brands of English sparkling wine have consistently beaten champagne in blind taste tests, with the country now producing some of the finest fizz in the world. Alongside premium Prosecco and choice Cava from the continent, that world is getting incredibly interesting indeed.
If you’re keen to get your cellar stocked up for Christmas and are considering this exciting, effervescent world, then here’s what to look for in the best sparkling wine.
NAME & CHAMPAGNE
Firstly, let’s quickly explore the elements that distinguish champagne, cava, prosecco and British sparkling wine from one another.
Champagne is sparkling wine that’s been produced in the French region of the same name, whilst Prosecco is produced in Veneto, the north east of Italy and the vast majority of Cava in Catalonia, the north east of Spain.
The grapes used differ, too, with Champagne made from one or all three of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Cava most commonly uses Macabeu, Parellada and Xarello, as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Monastrell, and Prosecco is made with a grape variety named Glera.
British sparkling wine, which hasn’t been given a proper name yet, must be made from grapes grown in Britain.
When shopping for sparkling wine, ‘dosage’ refers to the amount of sugar that’s been added to a sparkling wine between the disgorging and corking stages. Without this addition, the wine can be highly acidic, which isn’t to many people’s taste.
In order to find your preferred level of dosage, it’s first important to recognise the terminology involved, which is judged by how many grams of sugar have been added per litre of liquid:
Brut Nature or Brut Zero –Sometimes referred to as Non-dose or Pas Dose, no sugar has been added here, but up to 3 grams of natural residual sugar may remain.
Extra Brut – Fewer than 6 grams of sugar per litre.
Brut – A maximum of 15 grams per litre.
Extra Dry or Extra Sec – Between 12 grams and 20 grams of sugar has been added.
Dry/Sec – Between 17 grams and 35 grams.
Demi-sec –Between 33 grams and 50 grams.
Doux – Above 50 grams of sugar per litre of liquid.
Whilst preferred sweetness is a matter of personal preference, the two extremities of Brut Zero and Doux may be too much for most, the former astringent and the latter very, very sweet. Since a little subtle sweetness tends to define a good sparkling wine, it’s best to look out for dosages above 3 grams per litre but not exceeding 10 grams per litre.
For reference, recent versions of the world renowned Dom Perignon champagne sit at around 6 grams per litre, while the revered English sparkling wine Hambledon Classic Cuvee is 4.5 grams per litre. Prosecco tends to be on the extra dry (and often, Brut Zero) end of the spectrum, contributing to its less sweet finish. The famous cava Cordon Negro Brut offers 9 grams of sugar per litre.
LOOK AT THE LABEL
Often, that terminology will appear on the sparkling wine bottle’s label. Here, you’ll find some other useful information that can help you pick a particularly fine drop. A set of three or four letters, known as wine appellations, are especially telling of the quality within a bottle.
Most prolific wine producing countries have their own labelling systems and denominations that denote how a wine has been made, and guarantee quality when considering premium wines.
France has its Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC) measure, Italy uses its own Denominazione d’Origine Protetta (DOP) classifications, and the USA a standard known as AVA. In Italy, for example, if you see DOC or DOCG on a paper band wrapping around the bottle neck, you can be assured that you’re in for an excellent drop.
British sparkling wine now deploys a PDO classification that indicates that one of six grape varieties has been used; either Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir Précoce, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris, or a blend of these.
BUBBLE SIZE MATTERS
Interestingly, even the size of bubble in your glass can help you recognise a quality (or duff) sparkling wine. It’s said that smaller bubbles are an indicator of quality, and expressive of fewer impurities in the wine.
What’s more, the mouth and palate discern these smaller bubbles much more easily. On the flipside, a larger bubble (usually caused by a hasty fermentation process) can feel coarse in the mouth.
DEPLOY ALL OF YOUR SENSES
Should you be tasting your sparkling wine prior to purchase, it’s essential you deploy all of your senses in order to discern a good from a great bottle. When tasting, you should be looking for intensity, in sharpness, sweetness or the balance between both, as well as a lingering, elegant finish, which is emblematic of a higher quality wine. Typically, a delicious sparkling wine balances citrusy notes with whispers of vanilla, brioche, yeast and toast.
The mouthfeel should be buttery and soft; the sound hissing and excitable. Visually, a pale and bright liquid is a good sign; any hint of green implies a rushed fermentation process.
Regardless of the quality of your sparkling wine, if you don’t store it correctly, it won’t drink as well as it should. Check out these tips for storing your wine to guarantee longevity for more on that. Cheers!
IDEAL for trying on your next night out, or even making at home.
Calling all java and liquor aficionados! If you are a coffee lover who also appreciates the relaxing buzz of a boozy beverage (responsibly, of course) then you may be interested in a number of unique coffee and alcohol cocktails the next time you find yourself at a bar.
By combining sweet Kahlua tastes and the distinctive roasted aroma of coffee with the depth, complexity and bite of a little booze, coffee cocktails offer a truly unique experience and something of a taste sensation. Take a look at these 8 of the world’s best coffee and alcohol cocktails, IDEAL for trying on your next night out, or even making at home.
IRISH COFFEE
For an Irish classic that is everything that a perfect java cocktail could ever be, the Irish Coffee is one of the simplest and most authentic coffee and alcohol combinations you can try. For this drink, take a strong, freshly brewed cup of Joe and mix it with a shot of Irish whiskey. Then, stir in some brown sugar. For those who prefer a more indulgent, less bracing sip, a couple of tablespoons of lightly whipped double cream can be gently floated on the top. Delish!
ESPRESSO MARTINI
If you are a coffee and vodka fan who wants to taste the very definition of sweet and bold bliss, an Espresso Martini is what you need. A British invention involving a mixture of Kahlua, Absolut vodka, freshly brewed espresso and sugar syrup, made extra fancy with a coffee bean garnish, this unique twist on a classic favourite is a must-try for caffeine and cocktail enthusiasts.
For more global booze and coffee exploration, look no further than an Italian coffee cocktail. A mix of Strega (an Italian herbal liqueur with a vivid yellow appearance) and freshly brewed Italian coffee at a ratio of 1:5, this drink is then topped with whipped cream and a whisper of grated nutmeg. A perfect after dinner pick-me-up when the tiramisu hasn’t done the necessary lifting.
WHITE RUSSIAN
More gastronomic globetrotting, here, the next drink to try is a White Russian. Another sweet and creamy liquor based, coffee flavoured drink, this cocktail is super easy to make. Simply mix 60ml of vodka with 2 tablespoons of Kahlua and 1 tablespoon of cream, and pour over ice cubes.
THE BUSHWACKER
To truly wake up and smell the coffee, why not step outside of your comfort zone and try The Bushwacker? Offering a mind blowing (and sometimes stomach blowing!) mixture of rum, Kahlua, creme de cacao, coconut cream and milk, the drink ends up tasting something like a boozy chocolate and coffee milkshake.
Originating in the U.S Virgin Islands, check out a great recipe for The Bushwacker here, and beware; though this one might be super moreish, you’re well advised to keep it just to one!
SPANISH COFFEE
While you are out on your coffee cocktail tasting tour, don’t forget to give Spanish Coffee a try. For another international spin on that much treasured mixture of coffee and booze, this one’s all about theatre.
Served in a glass handled coffee ‘mug’, the rim of the tempered glass is first rubbed with lemon and dipped in superfine sugar. A splash of triple sec and rum are both added to the glass before the sugar mixture adorning the glass’s rim is caramelised with a flame. 1 part Kahlua to 2 parts freshly brewed, hot speciality coffee completes the cocktail – the flame should have been extinguished by this stage, of course! Garnish with a float of freshly whipped double cream, if you wish.
CARAJILLO (MEXICAN SPIKED COFFEE)
One for the road, and it’s a Carajillo. Also known as a Mexican Spiked Coffee, this guy offers a unique blend of vanilla, chocolate and citrus tastes, provided by the unique Spanish liqueur, Licor 43. Upon sipping, you’ll simultaenously notice hints of rich, roasted coffee. It is nothing short of pure joy.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Whether you’re looking for a cosy treat at the end of an Autumn’s day, some spring in your step for Spring, or you’re seeking a different kind of seasonal sensation, these coffee cocktails will see you right.
*Just don’t try all of these coffee cocktails in one sitting, make sure you’re over 18 here in the UK when trying one, and please drink responsibly anytime you drink at all*
Eating outdoors is a particular passion here at IDEAL, and after a year spent crammed around the kitchen table, night after night and elbow to elbow, the desire to get out there and eat al fresco is more strongly felt than ever.
Dining outside offers us the chance to slow down and relax, under the sun, sans screens and side by side with loved ones…just as it should be. Moreover, spending time outdoors boosts levels of Vitamin D, lowers stress and helps us reconnect with our elemental past.
In recent years, outdoor cooking has grown hugely in popularity here in the UK, despite the weather and because of the likes of chefs Niklas Ekstedt, Brat’s Tomos Parry and Berber & Q’s Josh Katz, who all advocate the benefits of cooking over open flames.
With interest in foraging and wild ingredients also gaining traction, more and more Brits are taking themselves into the countryside for a feast. And we’re right there with them. If you have a friend who loves to combine their love of the great outdoors with their love of food, then here are suggestions that might suit them to the ground; check out these 6 gifts to give someone who loves eating outdoors.
FORAGING UP A FEAST
Foraging, the act of gathering wild food for free, has become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially since the start of the pandemic. As the Guardian reported last year, “the annual Waitrose Food and Drink report predicts that foraging will carry on enjoying a surge in popularity in 2021, noting an 89% increase in social media interest”.
Whilst 2022 is only a few days old, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if this trend continued into the new year.
Whilst we trust your friend has at least a passing knowledge of which berries are non-poisonous and which mushrooms might cause them to start hallucinating, a book on edible, wild plants, herbs, vegetables and fruits might be just the ticket. The books Forage: Wild Plants to Gather, Cook and Eat by Liz Knight and The Forager’s Cookbook by James Wood will help kickstart your friend on their foraging journey, safely and informatively. For a bonus present, throw in a pair of safety gloves – especially useful if your pal is a fan of foraged nettles!
A STYLISH POCKET KNIFE
The pocket knife – an outdoor cook’s best friend – is easy to carry and to store, and is always there when you need it. While no doubt your friend has a bog-standard camping pen knife, consider gifting them a new pocket knife for an upgrade.
It’s a well-known fact that chefs and cooks love their fancy knives and there are some pretty exquisite pocket knives out there created with the “wow factor” in mind, from ones with old-fashioned faux-bone handles to titanium handles. Brands like Deejoo offer stunning finishes on their blades too, from a simple mirrored sheen to both matt grey and black titanium veneers.
While some argue that folding knife blades aren’t large or versatile enough to do a great job with cutting up food or meal prep, we reckon they are perfectly adequate for basic meal prep and cooking. And when you’re cooking outdoors, it doesn’t pay to be too precious…rather defeats the point, don’t you think?
A pocket knife should be a staple in every cook’s carry arsenal. There are countless uses for a pocket knife when cooking and dining alfresco. Just a few include the clean removal of foraged mushrooms while strolling in the woods, snipping enough wild herbs for your supper without damaging the rest for another forager, opening tins and cans around the campfire, performing basic butchery and vegetable prep, and even shucking oysters. Also, and while this is not an outdoor scenario, if your friend is eating steak in a restaurant and the knife isn’t sharp enough, they can just pull out their pocket knife. Let your imagination run wild (though not so wild that you end up cutting yourself!).
If you’re not yet convinced, rumour has it that the pocketknife has become de rigueur among young hipsters too, and let’s face it, a lot of chefs who love cooking outside with wood and fire could be categorised in that bracket.
A STAYCATION TRIP TO THE SEASIDE FILLED WITH COOKING
A meal enjoyed in the great outdoors, with even greater company, is one of life’s greatest pleasures. So, why not give your friend the best gift of all? No, we don’t mean a diamond ring and a new car, but rather, give them the gift of your undivided attention and time.
If your foodie friend loves fish, consider a camping trip to (or a seaside holiday home on) the Cornish coast, which is a major draw for fish lovers. With excellent local producers and fantastic produce, Cornwall is ideally suited for cooking fish on the barbeque and eating oysters on the beach. St Ives, Newquay, Penzance, Port Issac and Padstow, in particular, all have incredible food scenes.
Speaking of oysters, Essex, which also offers exceptional countryside, green marshland and hundreds of miles of coastline to enjoy, is also awesome for camping. With mineral-rich, brackish tides, Essex estuaries are the perfect breeding ground for oysters. Alternatively, the estuaries and salt marshes of the Kent coast are perfect not only for oysters, but also for lovers of lamb. While you’re there, a trip to the UK’s number one gastropub, the Sportsman, is a must!
Alternatively, rural log cabins are all about celebrating being at one with nature, and the majority come with well-appointed outdoor cooking facilities, so why not consider taking your food-loving friend to one for a holiday of dining al fresco?
A MINI BBQ
For the outdoor cook, the pinnacle of the experience is, without doubt, cooking over an open flame. That said, it’s no secret that disposable BBQs can leave food tasting a lot like lighter fluid, and that’s before we consider their impact on the environment. In fact, last year it was announced that disposable barbecues would no longer be sold by the Co-op near UK national parks, to support bans and stop fires.
As Miles King, the chief executive of the charity People Need Nature told the Guardian “We’re in a climate and ecological emergency and we just can’t afford to risk our vulnerable wildlife and their habitats from being torched because someone wants to cook an alfresco sausage.”
So, to ensure your friend can still enjoy the joys of eating al fresco responsibly, why not gift them a mini, portable BBQ this year.
For something a little less pricey, an outdoor cook can never have too many enamel pans, which respond particularly well to the unpredictable heat of the open flame.
A PORTABLE STOVE
A reliable portable stove can make all the difference to a good outdoor trip and the joys of eating al fresco. Is there anything better than giving the gift of fire to an outdoor cook via a portable stove? We certainly don’t think so.
When it comes to portable stoves, they vary immensely in size. Generally speaking, for trips into the great outdoors, the smaller the better; after all, no one wants to be lugging a huge stove through a forest or up a hill.
If your friend who loves cooking outdoors already owns a portable stove, consider gifting them a portable stove accessory like a hotplate.
AN IMMERSIVE WOODLAND DINING EXPERIENCE
Sure, it’s great to cook outdoors – that we’ve established – but sometimes, it’s even better to be cooked for outdoors. Fortunately, there are immersive alfresco dining experiences aplenty available in the UK, and one of our favourites is from the guys from Nomadic. They offer an outdoor immersive dining experience in a woodland setting in Buckinghamshire, within an hour’s commuting distance of London.
If dining on a table carved out of a birch tree surrounded by a woodland glade and roaming animals is the kind of thing your pal likes, then this is the ideal gift for them.
Seasonality dictates the menu and diners are invited to go foraging before settling down to a feast. Theatrical, informative but most of all, delicious, this is the ideal gift for the friend who loves to eat outdoors but doesn’t necessarily enjoy the washing up!
Who doesn’t love a good slurp? A noisy, appreciative, white shirt destroying one, which no napkin or bib can protect. We certainly do. And while Brighton might not be the first place you pitch up at for a great bowl of noodles – preferring to head for the pickled cockles and saveloy on the beachfront – just a few steps away from the shore you’ll find some fantastic places specialising in the good stuff. These are those; our 6 IDEAL places to eat noodles in Brighton.
UNITHAI
An ordinary looking Thai supermarket out front, with something special hiding in the back. Uni Thai sells the esoteric ingredients needed for your homemade pad see ew in their shop, or they’ll just cook it themselves for you, probably more capably, in their tiny restaurant out back. Just strut through the shop, dishing out your finest sawadees, and find space at one of their four tables in the adjacent room. If you can, that is; it gets busy in here, with locals long since clocked on that this is the best Thai food in town by a mile.
Perhaps it’s that sense of ‘authenticity’, as you hear the reassuring sound of woks crashing and the chatter of Thai, or maybe it’s the brilliant boat noodle soup (kway teow rua) with bouncy pork balls, but we’re definitely sold.
Though it may only look like a takeaway joint from the outside, this Xi’an noodle specialist has seating below, and it’s well worth pitching up for a bowl of their expertly hand-pulled noodles. The menu is brief, but that’s how we like it, no paradox of choice to cripple you, just thick, bouncy noodz with slow-cooked pork or vegetables, either dry or in a broth, warm or cold, with ubiquitous condiments of sesame and chilli oil. For the authentic Xi’an experience, we enjoy the cold noodles, simply adorned with plenty of that chilli oil. Just delicious.
Whilst you’ll see a Thai joint on every street corner in Brighton, Vietnamese food is criminally under represented in the city. Sure, there’s that ubiquitous chain, but if you want a genuinely great bowl of pho from guys who know what they’re doing, head to Preston Street, just a couple of minutes from i360 on the beach, and to Big Bowl. The low and slow braised beef brisket version is deep and rich, and humming with cinnamon, cloves and star anise; a cure for what ails ya, make no mistake. You can also pick up a great banh mi to go here, full of chargrilled meat and pickles. For lunch, in particular, it just makes sense.
Stay on Preston Street for dinner, as it has a proliferation of great restaurants serving Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and more. We love Goemon Ramen Bar if you’re craving the famous Japanese noodle soup with layers and layers of rich, porky flavour and a massive choice of those all-important DIY additional toppings. The tonkotsu miso ramen is our go-to, because if you’re doing ramen, you might as well go umami crazy. The izakaya offerings here are work checking out, too; there’s a delicious grilled ox tongue and the chicken karaage is just as it should be. And there’s no better compliment than that, right?
The cult London Japanese noodle shop Tonkotsu Ramen recently moved into Polpo’s old spot on Brighton’s buzzy New Road, and we’re pleased to report that they’ve already hit their stride. Though the signature Tonkotsu ramen is clearly the headlining act, with a broth so rich and porcine it verges on the obscene, the vegan Soya Tantanmen boasts nearly as much depth, and is well worth ruining your shirt for.
If the heat of summer and the idea of soup don’t feel like the most natural of bedfellows, then Tonkotsu Ramen offers some excellent snacks, sides and light bites, including fine gyoza, a light and piquant ramen salad, and some truly exemplary cucumber pickles. A very welcome addition to Brighton’s noodle scene, make no mistake.
Right in the mix of the main shopping action and just seconds from the clock tower is Noodles Soup, a simple, no nonsense, nominally Chinese joint dishing out bowls of the good stuff to those made hungry and weary by consumerism. The menu is huge and all noodles, with pictures for those who can’t handle indecision and just want to point. The menu actually continent trots, with the Spicy Korean noodz particularly lovely. Broths and additional veg and meat arrive steaming hot and vibrant, suggesting each bowl is cooked to order. A lovely little place.
Nestled in the Tarentaise Valley of the Alps is Meribel, a ski resort that’s part of the Three Valleys Ski area, the largest natural area for snow sports on earth, with a whopping 600km of piste.
Meribel, which is actually a collection of three villages, lays claim to 150km of that figure, with slopes and descents ideal for all skill levels. That said, it’s particularly suited to skiing beginners, with green runs making up around a tenth of the total offering here, and the Easy Rider slopes safe and accessible for all.
But Skiing isn’t the only reason to visit Meribel – the restaurant scene here is superb, with humble honest French fare rubbing shoulders with haute cuisine and everything in between.
Most of all, there’s plenty of hearty Savoyard fare to be found in Meribel. Alpine food often gets a bad reputation among cardiologists, with its high calorific content and popular bases of melted cheese and potatoes. And sure, there’s some truth in that, but Alpine food is fantastic fuel for skiers intent on spending long spells on the slopes and a brilliant way to soak up the liquid indulgences of the apres-ski, too.
These dishes were designed to keep mountain villagers, who were often isolated for months, going during the long, snowy winters. Today, they are a perfect way to keep energy levels up after a morning tumbling down the mountains and to keep folk comforted and warm during those cold Alpine evenings.
With all that in mind, here’s our IDEAL guide to Meribel, the French Alps.
SAVOYARD STYLE
So, what exactly is Alpine food, Savoyard cuisine and the gastronomy of Meribel?
Well, first and foremost, the food of Meribel and its surrounding region is a generous, convivial thing designed to be shared, and to give maximum pleasure, comfort and warmth to those who embrace it.
Savoyard (simply meaning from the Savoy region of France) cuisine is indulgent, sure, but any guilt brought on by its admitted heft should – no, must – be left at the bottom of the chairlift. It’s a food that’s both meant to be burnt off by a day on the slopes and luxuriated over by a roaring five come evening.
The gooey-ooey Savoyard fondue, as delicious as it is, needs little in the way of introduction. Three cheeses – often, but not always, Beaufort (a French gruyere), Comte and Tomme de Savoie – are melted in local white wine and served with crusty bread for dipping. A real treat, indeed, but by no means the only Savoyard dish that deserves a worldwide reputation.
Some other Savoyard specialities you should try include:
Raclette, where a semi-hard round local cheese is melted then spooned over boiled potatoes and served with an assortment of charcuterie such as Savoyard ham and rosette de Lyon. On the side are pickles to offer welcome respite.
If you can’t wait to travel to the Alps to try this one, may we suggest heading to Londo’s Borough Market, where you’ll find a place called Kappacasein serving up the finest raclette and toasted cheese sandwiches.
Tartiflette is a rich and gooey gratin of potatoes, reblochon cheese (can you see a theme developing here?), lardons and onions.
Croziflette, a French baked buckwheat pasta dish which is similar to Tartiflette, sees potatoes replaced with pasta. Wowzers.
Galette des Rois, which is otherwise known as the Cake of Kings. You’ll find this little number in local bakeries in early January, as it’s served to mark the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Layered with puff pastry and an almond paste similar to a frangipane, inside this delectable treat a ceramic good luck charm is traditionally buried…mind your teeth!
Pierre-Chaud & Braserade are two similar spectacles very much reserved for the carnivores. ’Pierre-chaud’, which translates to ‘hot rock’, is a red hot slab which guests sizzle a selection of raw meats (usually beef) on, tableside. Braserade is the same kind of deal but on a table-top barbeque rather than a stone. Since cattle graze on the Alpine pastures, you know this meat is going to be good.
Tarte aux myrtilles, a blueberry tart is a wonderful way to finish any meal, and a good excuse to finish this section of the article, too.
Having a Mountain Burger, or a Mottaret Burger as they’re often known here, is just something that you have to do in Meribel. Once a seasonaire’s secret, everyone now knows about this place. Chez Bif aka Mountain Burger is a hole in the wall joint next to the Sherpa in Meribel Mottaret, and its burger is as good as it gets.
You won’t miss the place; there is always a huge queue of people lining up to get their mouths around this massive stack of meat and bap. If you’re thinking this is your regular burger, think again; crusty French bread is filled with not one, but one and a half burgers (to fit the length of the baguette), pickles and salad, before being finished with melted oozing raclette cheese. Bliss.
SPA AND SNACK
Don’t worry, not at the same time…
The French Alps skiing experts at Ski Resort Meribel recommend a trip to Hotel Alpen Ruitor and its Spa Anne Sémonin. Here you can enjoy the spa’s amenities, which include a hammam, jacuzzi and sensory shower, before holing yourself up in the hotel lounge to indulge in the Alpen Ruitor’s famous dessert buffet, which is prepared by the pastry chef and served with a bespoke selection of premium teas, all next to a roaring fire.
OUT ON THE PISTE
Apres-ski, the social activities and entertainment that follow a day’s skiing, is half (hmm, perhaps more?) the fun of any ski trip. These bouts of after-hours frivolity usually involve a fair amount of drinking, dancing and making merry, and after the absorption and focus required for the slopes, offer a welcome way to wind down.
Some of the best bars and taverns in Meribel include Le Rond Point, which is considered one of Europe’s best apres-ski bars and boasts a sunkissed terrace that overlooks the slopes, and La Folie Douce, with its global notoriety for raucousness.
For something a little more mellow (though it does still get rowdy later in the evening) the Doron Pub boasts a pool table and plenty of frothy ale on tap. Finally, for French sophistication, try L’Abreuvoir, which is a much more laid back affair than the other bars we’ve mentioned.
Wherever you choose to spend your apres-ski, it’s pretty much obligatory to enjoy a glass of local Génépi, a traditional herbal liqueur that comes in a murky green colour.
Photo by Science Photo Library via Canva
ENJOY MUSHROOMS AT LE CEPE
If you’re looking for something a little different to the usual Savoyard fare, then Bib Gourmand awarded Le Cèpe, where (yep, you guessed it) mountain mushrooms are the speciality, is one of the most charismatic places to dine in the Savoy region.
This restaurant is all about local produce, and fish dishes using stuff caught in nearby lakes are done with particular dexterity here. Their truite fario aux noisettes du moulin de Chanaz (grilled trout with a butter and white wine sauce) is just delicious.
Another must-try at Le Cèpe is the Cappuccino de Cèpes, which is as rich and comforting as it sounds. If you can, this one is best enjoyed on their sunny terrace, and if even if you haven’t got mushroom left after dinner (sorry, we had to), you just have to finish your meal with the restaurant’s famous Mont-blanc glacé aux cèpes – resembling a snow-capped mushroom mountain (if such a thing were to exist).
MERIBEL IN THE SUMMER
Ski Resort Meribel tell us that if you’re visiting the French Alps in summer, you will come across a simple and delicious little pastry known locally as bugnes. If you visit during the Fanfoué fête on the first weekend of August, in particular, you’ll see hundreds of them being prepared.
Come summertime, you’ll also see trout appearing on the menus in Meribel in even greater frequency than normal. Here the clear waters of Lake Tueda fill with freshwater trout and you can even try your hand at fishing. Do be aware that a fishing licence is compulsory for fishing on Lake Tueda and every evening there is a designated ‘no kill’ period between 5pm and 8pm.
The Alps are also ideal for summer picnics. Boucherie Petit offers a wonderful selection of charcuterie, cheeses, truffles, honeys and other local produce just perfect for al fresco dining. We also love Boulangerie Maison Braissand, which sells handmade chocolates alongside other delicacies.
A MICHELIN MEAL
If you’re looking for a refined chalet experience and something altogether more fancy, l’Ekrin, in the 5 star Le Kaila resort hotel, is the first and only Michelin starred restaurant in Méribel.
The kitchen is headed by Laurent Azoulay and the guys and gals behind Michelin say he ‘‘proposes a culinary walk between Provence (his native land) and Savoie (his adopted home)”.
The menu straddles these two very distinct parts of France with real skill; expect to see local mushrooms, truffle and cheese rubbing shoulders with artichoke barigoule and trout done in the style of the Vaucluse region of Provence. It shouldn’t work, but it really does!
CONSIDER A COOKING CLASS
If you want to learn more about the culinary fare of Savoie, which is unique, generous and hearty, then there’s nothing quite like a hands-on learning experience to help you get to grips with the cuisine.
The Cookery School at Chalet Savoir Faire, which is about a 30 minute drive from Méribel, offers a range of courses designed to introduce you to hearty Savoyard fare. Alongside the different culinary styles of the region, the course also offers an insight into the local culture, history and people that have shaped this unique cuisine.
Courses are run by owner and chef Nikki, who has 30 years of experience under her belt and a wealth of knowledge about the produce and cooking techniques of the region. The menu you’ll create is seasonal and changes depending on the time of year you join them. They also offer an Alpine market tour, which is a fascinating and immersive glimpse into the unique terroir of the region.
MORE RESTAURANTS TO TRY
La Coursive des Alpes is another highly rated Meribel restaurant which was once an old cinema, and now serves up theatre of a very different kind; the bar on the bottom floor does the most fantastic cocktails in town.
If you’re still hungry, Le Grand Coeur Hotel in Méribel centre is the top luxury hotel in the area and has a wonderful menu of Savoyard specialities. Or, why not try Le Taverne Bistro for an international menu set in a cosy cellar that is visually the very definition of an apres-ski venue. The food’s not half bad, either!
And with that, we’re off to hit the treadmill… Just writing that has made us feel full!
Do you have a freezer bag of leftover parmesan rinds that you don’t know what to do with? Do you approach the pile of potato peel with the best intentions in the world, only to conclude ‘next time’ instead of turning them into something delicious? Are you tired of these semi rhetorical questions and willing us to get to the important stuff? Okay, we will. Here’s our tips on being a better cook, the IDEAL cook, if you will; this is what to do with the bits you normally throw away.
WHAT TO DO WITH PARMESAN RINDS
So many home cooks are quick to throw away their parmesan rinds. Big mistake; you’ve just banished one of cooking’s most potent flavour bombs to the bin. Indeed, those rinds are an awesome vehicle for enhancing that much coveted sixth taste umami; essentially, that mouth filling, savoury quality found in anchovies, tomatoes, soy sauce and more.
You’ll want to collect several rinds before proceeding to extract sufficient flavour, here. If you’re anything like us, and get through blocks of parmesan like the Nonna of an eternally hungry Italian family, then that shouldn’t take long. Once you’ve accumulated a few, make a stock out of them by simmering the rinds in boiling water for a while. Use that stock for making risotto for a one way ticket to flavour town, or as a replacement for milk to make a lighter vegetable puree.
Parmesan rinds are also deployed effectively by simply adding to a ragu in the simmering stage, removing before serving. They’ll impart a real depth of flavour. Alternatively, place a few rinds to a jar, pour over olive oil, and keep in the fridge; ideal for drizzling over soups as a garnish.
WHAT TO DO WITH PUMPKIN AND SQUASH SEEDS
It feels so wasteful to throw away those pumpkin or squash seeds, right? Well, you needn’t commit them to the compost again. Instead, preheat your oven to 160°C, remove all the stringy nonsense intent on clinging on to the seeds, and dry them thoroughly with paper towel. Spread the seeds out on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for around twenty minutes until crispy and golden. And there you have a healthy, moreish snack. Now, all you’ve got to do is figure out how to cook the butternut squash itself. Don’t worry, it’s a doddle.
WHAT TO DO WITH HERB STALKS
The stalks of parsley or coriander post picking certainly don’t look like they’ve got much potential. But throw them away at your peril. Many curries, stir-fries and soups of South East Asia use coriander roots and stalks extensively. In fact, they’re an incredibly prized ingredient. Simply pound some stalks in a pestle and mortar with garlic, white peppercorns and perhaps some ginger, and you’ve got yourself a simple paste to base a stir fry of Chinese greens around or to be the foundations of a delicious mushroom soup.
There’s loads of flavour in parsley stalks, too. Make an on-trend parsley oil by blanching the stalks quickly, cooling over ice then blitzing with olive oil. Hang in the fridge overnight through a sieve lined with muslin cloth, allowing the oil to drip into a bowl or jug. This verdant oil can be used to finish soups, as part of a dressing, or simply to garnish a fish dish. Alternatively, if you’re feeling lazy, simply add the stalks to any stock to add extra herbal flavour.
Go further; combine both coriander and parsley stalks along with any other herbs and salad leaves on their way out to make a delicious pesto or salsa verde. It’s amazing what you can do with leftovers, hey?
WHAT TO DO WITH FISH & MEAT BONES
Any professional chef would be horrified at fish or meat bones being discarded. The backbone (sorry) of so much great cooking relies on them, in the form of stock. The time you spend simmering and the aromats you add should be appropriate to the animal that the bones came from, but as a general rule, vegetable and fish stocks should take half an hour or less, chicken stock around 3 hours and brown (the bones are roasted first) veal stock anything from 4 hours onwards.
Though you should check in with a specific recipe prior to making your stock, there are a few general rules which apply to making all stocks. Most importantly, after bringing the water up to an initial boil, it’s vital to skim off the impurities that rise to the surface, and then reduce to a gentle simmer. If you boil vigorously, your stock will taste cloudy and bitter. And no one wants that.
Once your stock is made, the world is your oyster. Use it as the base for soups and sauces, braises and stews, and your meals will be swimming in flavour.
WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER CHICKEN FAT & SKIN
Sure, for health reasons you may well have trimmed your Sunday roast bird of some of its excessive fat. Perhaps a recipe called for skinless chicken thighs, and you’ve got a few going spare? Do not, for heaven’s and hen’s sake, let them go to waste.
All you have to do with trimmed chicken fat and leftover chicken skin is put them in a pot with a little splash of water, and over a gentle heat render the fat down, low and slow, until the water is evaporated and the fat has gently melted into a liquid. You can use this totally delicious rendered chicken fat (schmaltz in the Jewish cooking tradition) as an oil for frying or as a replacement for butter in savoury baking, such as for cornbread or dumplings (matzo balls). It’s also an indispensable ingredient in Jewish deli-style chopped liver.
Alternatively, you could get all cheffy and make chicken crackling. Simply pat dry whole chicken skins, place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, place another sheet of parchment paper on top of the chicken skin, and flatten it out with another baking tray. Cook in a hot oven for around half an hour, until crisp.
WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER VEGETABLE PEEL
As long as they’re clean and relatively blemish free, all manner of vegetable peel can be reused. Which makes us think; why bother peeling in the first place? Anyway, you can make stock and soup with vegetables peelings, and if you’ve accumulated enough, perhaps even a little puree. Potato peel is particularly versatile; turn it into crisps by tossing your peel with oil and salt, then roasting in a hot oven until they’re crisp. A delicious snack and a guilty conscience, too; bravo!
Now is the perfect time to start thinking more smartly about just how much food you’re throwing away. Whether cooking a simple mid-week dinner for family, hosting a dinner party for a group of friends or cooking a busy Saturday night service in a restaurant, trying to reduce food waste should be a priority for both culinary professionals and the budding cooks at home.
Cooking with thoughtfulness where waste is concerned will not only save you money but your conscience too. With this in mind, we’re sharing these IDEAL tips on how to avoid wasting food and turning anything left over into something downright delicious.
LET SEASONALITY DICTATE YOUR SHOP
The benefits of shopping with seasonality in mind are endless. Firstly, taste. Items in season, whether asparagus in May, grouse in August or peaches in September, taste so much better. They are bright, vibrant and more nutritionally sound. Secondly, it’s economically savvy.
Ingredients at their best are plump and pound-for-pound better value for money. Thirdly, as fruit and vegetables taste so much better in season, you’ll be moved to cook with them more, leading to a healthier diet. All in all, it’s a no brainer.
Shopping with thoughtfulness to seasonality will mean you don’t buy a glut of unripe, tasteless tomatoes in early spring that you can’t bring yourself to eat, or a plaice in winter that lacks sufficient yield for a satisfying meal.
BUY, AND BUY MODESTLY, FROM MARKETS AND GREENGROCERS
Not everyone has the luxury of having a nearby market or local greengrocer’s supplying fresh fruit and vegetables, but if you do, by all means make the most out of it. We’ve all bought a massive packet of carrots in Sainsbury’s just for one, letting the rest rot in the bottom of the veg basket.
At smaller, independent places, you can buy as many as you need, and no more. The brown paper bag preferred by markets will alleviate a bit of that plastic-bag guilt too. Perfect. Waste matters aside, supporting local farmers and producers is vital – the quality is far better than multi-national corporations and farming and work practices more ethically sound, too.
FOLLOW A FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT MANTRA
A philosophy deeply entrenched in all restaurants worth their salt; a first in, first out policy where your fridge and larder are concerned will keep fruit and vegetables from going off. Those courgettes you bought last week need using before that sweetcorn you just picked up on the way home, even if you’re in the mood for corn on the cob. Keep a sensible rotation system going and don’t let foodstuff at the back of the drawer go past its best.
EMBRACE LIMITATIONS
Following on from the above point, embrace having to use up an ingredient you may have seen enough of for one week. Be experimental with new cooking techniques and seasonings.
Be creative – there are so many different ways to coax flavour and nourishment from an ingredient – and have fun with it. Consult recipe books and the internet and remember, sometimes the finest cooking comes from a place of limitation and restriction.
The best cooks are always learning and you’ll find yourself improving your skills and range if you simply get stuck in.
TURN LEFTOVERS INTO A SECOND (AND THIRD, AND FOURTH) MEAL
We all know a roast dinner turns into a sandwich for lunch the next day. But take it further, and use up everything. Those spare roasties can be an amazing Spanish omelette with only the addition of some eggs and onion. There’s a soup to made by pureeing the broccoli florets you were too full to finish – just add cream and some liberal seasoning. Freeze the gravy for a deep base to your next sauce.
Think outside the box – an extra portion of risotto leads to arancini for lunch, too much mash becomes tomorrow’s potato cake; the list goes on and gets more delicious with each extra touch of inventiveness.
PEELINGS, SEEDS AND SCRAPS ARE YOUR FRIEND
Think again about items traditionally destined for the bin. View potato peelings in a different light – soak them in the milk or cream you’re going to use for mash and they will impart some serious flavour.
Tomato seeds can be blitzed in a food processor and turned into a dressing rather than being discarded. The peel, seeds and off-cuts of cucumber can be pureed and used as a delicious base for a sauce with your fish supper. When you peel prawns, keep the shells and make an amazing bisque. Even seeds from fruit, dried in the oven, can be sprinkled over an ice cream or yoghurt for added texture. Look at everything in a different light and think how to utilise and maximise it.
If you’ve trimmed down some meat to make it more presentable, use the trim to bolster up a sauce or gravy. Equally lovely, cook it down and make a croquette out of it (using breadcrumbs from soon-to-be thrown away stale bread, naturally) Ditto fish – add a little citrus fruit and sugar and turn trim into a tartare. And please, please, please don’t throw away any offal or innards you may have been gifted with when you bought a whole chicken or duck. It’s delicious in so many ways.
CHUTNEYS, JAMS AND RELISHES
If you have a glut of fruit that you just can’t make a dent in, or some past its best, turn it into a delicious chutney or jam. By cooking it down with sugar, vinegar and seasoning, and storing it in an air-right, sterilised container, you have a delicious relish to enjoy with cheese, on toast, or simply out of the jar, for months, as it keeps really well.
BONES ARE FLAVOUR
The butcher and fishmonger are your friends. They have plenty of bones backstage they are more than happy for you to use to make amazing stock and sauces from. Establish a good relationship with your local guys and they’ll always keep you plugged in to the best deals. When buying fish fillets from the fishmongers, ask for the bones from that fish too, as it’s rightfully yours and otherwise destined for the bin. Make fish stock or sauce bases from them, exploiting maximum flavour and minimising waste in one foul swoop.
PICKLE, CURE, SMOKE, SALT, FERMENT
By pickling, curing or fermenting foods, you preserve them for a healthy length of time. You also create new flavours and textures from familiar ingredients that you may have gotten bored with. It’s a practice beloved of top restaurants and one which any good home cook should have in their armoury (and fridge).
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, USE A COMPOST BIN
If your fridge is full to bursting with jars of pickles, potato peels steeping in milk, ragus of meat scraps and offal, purees of vegetables and jams, and you really need to throw something away, please use a compost bin. By feeding the waste back into the ground, you’re encouraging the natural cycle of growth and harvest, and reducing waste in the process.
All of this boils down to one key piece of advice – shop and cook thoughtfully, with an awareness and respect for the natural world and producers. If we pay mind to the lengths of effort a fisherman has been to, braving the cold, battling a storm to secure his catch, then we’ll be far less brazen with letting the produce go to waste. The same goes for rearing a cow or nurturing a crop – there has been an enormous amount of hard work to get it to our plate and by being mindful of this, we can all cultivate a better attitude towards food waste.
With the recent relaxation of restrictions concerning movement in and out of the UK, a bounce-back in international travel is anticipated for the spring and summer. Amongst those readying to travel overseas are prospective backpackers, who have been forced to stay put under COVID-19 guidance until present. Long-term travel is once again possible, but nonetheless an expensive endeavour – so how can you earn money during a trip to subsidise its cost?
Teaching English
One of the most populars way for travellers to subsidise their trip is by teaching English in the destination of their choosing. There are numerous ways to do this. One of the most popular is foreign-language English teaching programmes, which can provide teaching skills as well as placements in specific locations. Their digital platforms enable you to offer your services online, needing little more than a laptop and an internet connection to connect with students around the world.
Of course, it’s not as simple as rocking up to a school or flipping open your laptop and reciting the alphabet. You’ll need training and qualifications before you can stand up in front of a class and explain the past perfect continuous tense with confidence.
Some companies require you to have TEFL, CELTA or equivalent certification, but it should be noted that some organisations will actually pay for you to take the required courses once you’re installed in your new location.
You could also offer your services privately to locals without such qualifications, charging an hourly rate, though this does tend to be fairly unpredictable.
For some of the best places for expats to teach English, consider Vietnam, Costa Rica or Spain.
Consider Entering The Financial Markets
Working remotely and on the move doesn’t necessarily translate into viable passive income streams, but the same cannot be said for financial or Forex market trading, when done right.
Forex (‘foreign exchange’) trading is fast becoming a popular way for travellers to make money on the move, as an increase in availability of retail trading platforms enables easier access to markets than ever. The forex market is also open for 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, as currencies can be traded in each country’s trading hours around the world.
Forex trading can seem a complicated system at first glance. In fact, it is complicated, even at second, or third glance, but there are a number of strategies you can employ in order to increase your chances of success. That said, it should be noted that trading of this kind is speculative and the markets highly volatile; there’s a hell of a lot of risk involved, particularly for beginners.
Alternatively, you could consider the stock market, where both returns and risk are likely not so extreme. Sure, you’ll be playing the long game – as Investopia explains ’’if an investor’s market strategy is to buy and hold for the long term, generating steady growth and earning dividends, stocks are a practical choice’’ – but it’s one associated with less danger in terms of the chances of financial losses.
For any financial advice, always consult a qualified accountant first.
Working In Hospitality
Hospitality is an excellent sector to enter if you intend on remaining in a location for a little during your travels. If you have little experience in the area or cannot speak the language, local hostels are a good choice for part-time work as fellow travellers are likely to be both colleagues and clientele.
Working in hospitality requires the same skill set wherever you are in the world, meaning you can use your experience abroad to find regular work throughout your journey. And even if you don’t have much experience, the hospitality industry values, above all else, enthusiasm and commitment.
While this depends on the time of year in which you are travelling, you may be able to find agricultural work in more rural areas surrounding travel destinations. Picking fruit and vegetables can be hard work, and doesn’t pay too handsomely (or often doesn’t pay at all) but the camaraderie levels are high and, in good weather, can be a lovely way to enjoy some fresh air.
What’s more, accommodation and food is often included in the pay package (or is the pay package), meaning you could experience a new culture or way of life from a spell living on a farm and picking the season’s crops.
One of the main platforms that provides the opportunity to work on farms is the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). These guys provide links between visitors and organic farmers, and have been promoting eco-friendly, sustainable practices for over 50 years.
Some of the best places to work on a farm in such an exchange include Australia, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, the USA, and many more.
Become A Flight Attendant
One of the more traditional ways to earn money while seeing the world is to work within the global transport industry.
As long as you’re not afflicted by vertigo or aviophobia and between the heights of 4’11” and 6’4”, becoming a flight attendant could be your channel into the world of getting paid to travel. Training is typically paid and on-the-job, meaning your adventure could start moving almost as soon as you set that ball rolling.
Or, if you’re not a fan of flying, you could consider one of the many roles available on cruise ships, which are numerous and varied. These include roles onboard within fitness and beauty, restaurant work, both front and back of house, cleaning work, entertainment, and even IT. The list goes on!
Hey, if you’ve gone to all the effort of making money while travelling, you might as well manage your money properly. Check out this guide on how to use apps to manage your money while travelling for more on that.
The start of the decade and its COVID-shaped crisis has seen perhaps the biggest shift in the way we work since the original industrial revolution. So much so, in fact, that many pundits are labelling our current phase of remote, flexible working as the ‘fifth industrial revolution’, with companies adapting their working practices to be more pliant and nimble, and accelerating the automation of many of their processes.
Though this has led to (in some sections of the media) a perceived increase in the comfort of everyday work for many, the reality is that employee’s rights are in serious jeopardy of being eroded because of these shifts to remote work.
As a result, several new concepts surrounding worker’s rights have emerged, with some leading to changes in legislation and law. Whether you’re still working from home or you’re returning to the office in 2022, here are 5 employment rights you might now know about.
You Have A Right To Flexible Working
We’re all familiar with the general concept by now, but ‘flexible’ working can actually mean many things; whether that’s full-time working from home, a ‘hybrid’ model where an employee shares their time between home and the office, flexitime (with adaptable start and finish time within agreed limits), job sharing, and compressed hours, where the employee fulfills their contractual obligations over a shorter set of days than your normal five.
Right now, employees must have worked for a company for 26 weeks before they can request flexible working (and can make the request just once a year) though the government is rumoured to be considering the ability to request flexible working a right from day one, essentially making flexible working the default.
The request must be made in writing, and your employer has three months to respond. Should the request be rejected, you can complain to a tribunal.
Your Employer Has A Legal Duty To Take Care Of Your Health And Safety While You’re Working, Even When Working From Home
Employers have a duty to ensure work is a safe, healthy environment for all employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This covers many aspects of the workplace, such as the cleanliness of toilets, the provisions of clean drinking water, adequate ventilation and light, and ensuring all equipment is maintained, safe and that employees are properly trained to use it.
Employers must also carry out risk assessments updated to include COVID-19 preventative measures and offer appropriate levels of PPE.
You have various compensation rights, should you feel your employer hasn’t provided the adequate safety and you suffer an injury while at work. With the help of accident at work solicitors, you could make a claim, particularly if the injury you’ve sustained is a result of manual handling, the lack of proper PPE provision, exposure to harmful substances, or, more generally, any unsafe working conditions or practices.
You Have The Right To An Uninterrupted Break Of At Least 20 Minutes, Every Six Hours
Although it perhaps doesn’t sound like much, and most employers offer significantly more time for breaks throughout the day, you are entitled to enjoy at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted break every day, if you work more than six hours in a day. It should be away from your workstation, ideally, and neither at the start or the end of the working day.
But this isn’t the only type of break you’re entitled to. In fact, the Working Time Regulations 1998 defines three types of break: those 20 minutes we mentioned, as well as 11 uninterrupted hours daily and at least one day off a week.
Interestingly, this still applies when employees are working from home, and you shouldn’t be expected to be at-desk for the entire day as a result. This brings up an interesting debate about the right to disconnect – more on that later.
Your Right Not To Be Discriminated Against
The Equality Act 2010 protects workers against discrimination on the basis of:
Age
Gender reassignment
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy or maternity
Disability
Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation
It’s important that if you believe you’re being discriminated against at work, you first identify which form of discrimination applies, and if you’re protected by law. Citizens Advice have a useful guide to the steps you should take if you believe you’re being discriminated against here. Do check it out.
A RIGHT TO DISCONNECT?
Though it’s currently not a right enshrined in the law here in the UK, several countries worldwide have introduced the idea of a ‘right to disconnect’ as a result of the rise in home working. Essentially, this allows employees to disconnect from work outside of normal working hours, protecting their free time from intrusive calls and emails.
Though Ireland and Portugal have recently joined France, Italy and Spain in having versions of this law, the UK currently has no plans to follow suit. That said, with interest growing in the idea, we wouldn’t be surprised if the law changed in the not too distant future.
*The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only*
It is no secret that having a healthy and beautiful smile can give you a boost of confidence.
However it’s not all just about aesthetics. As the charity Oral Health Foundation explains “Heart disease, strokes, diabetes, premature births and respiratory disease are just some of the problems that can be caused or made worse by poor oral health”.
Indeed, the health of your mouth can indicate and determine the state of your overall health and wellbeing. Reassuringly “with treatments such as tooth whitening becoming more popular…the population is now placing a much greater emphasis on good oral health” says the charity.
If you’re looking to improve your oral hygiene routine and get a glowing smile that you’ll be proud to show off, here’s our guide on how to properly take care of your teeth.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
One of the most essential things that you can do to maintain healthy and clean teeth is to brush them at least twice a day. Make sure to use toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, and be sure to brush all of your teeth, not just the ones that are visible. Brushing your teeth regularly will help to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, and it will also help to keep them healthy and shining.
There are a few reasons why you should not be too rough when brushing your teeth. First, being too rough can damage your teeth and gums. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, being too rough can also cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away, which will make them less bright and healthy-looking. It is important to brush your teeth gently using circular motions. Additionally, it is important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you will not be too rough on your teeth and gums.
Aside from that, it would be best to consider how long you brush your teeth. As Pear Tree, a reputed dentist in Leighton Buzzard, tell us, the recommended time for brushing your teeth is two to three minutes. This will allow you to clean every surface of your teeth appropriately. However, it’s essential to know that longer brushing time isn’t also beneficial because it may cause damage to your gums and teeth. Therefore, two to three minutes can be the optimal brushing time.
Floss at least once a day
In addition to brushing your teeth, it is important to floss them at least once a day. Flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene, and it should be done at least once a day for best results. There are a number of reasons why flossing is so beneficial.
First, flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. This is important because plaque and bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, flossing helps to keep your gums healthy and strong. Gums that are healthy are less likely to bleed when you brush your teeth or floss them. Lastly, flossing helps to keep your teeth bright and shining. By removing plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth, you will be able to achieve a brighter smile.
See your dentist at least twice a year
It is important to see your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up. For instance, Mayland Dental Care, an established dentist in Perth, suggests that you should get your gums, mouth, and teeth checked by an experienced dental professional regularly to achieve that glowing smile. This is the best way to ensure that your teeth are healthy and that there are no problems brewing below the surface.
Your dentist will be able to detect any early signs of tooth decay or gum disease, and he or she will also be able to give you advice on how to care for your teeth properly. If you do not visit your dentist regularly, you may not be aware of any oral health issues that you are currently experiencing.
By visiting your dentist twice a year, you can ensure that any oral health issues are caught and treated early before they have a chance to become worse and costly. Let’s face it; full mouth reconstruction in Beverly Hills, implants in Iwaki, or root canal treatment in Riyahd, certainly doesn’t come cheap, but by visiting your dentist regularly, you can prevent any oral health difficulties from developing in the first place.
Therefore, if you still need to find a dentist, hire an experienced and trustworthy one to care for your dental needs. Try to verify their years of experience and reputation in the dental industry. You can read client reviews online or call some previous clients to know more about their dental practices and performance.
Also, if you have time, visit your prospect’s dental clinic to find out if they have the tools and equipment necessary to perform specific dental treatments and procedures. Lastly, check all the fees and payment plans to know if you can afford their dental services. If you follow these steps, you can locate a competent dental professional in your area.
Consider a teeth whitening kit
First things first, when it comes to teeth whitening, while your teeth may be whiter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are healthier. Indeed, people with pearly white teeth may still have gum infections and cavities. That said, people who get their teeth whitened are more likely to practice good oral hygiene.
There are so many great teeth whitening products available today that can help you achieve the bright smile that you want and seriously boost your self-esteem. Sadly, not all tooth whitening products are created equally, so it’s important to do your research and make sure that you are buying from a credible, trusted manufacturer.
There are countless tooth whitening brands out there today but not all of them care about your health or safety and could end up doing more harm than good to your teeth. By using a teeth whitening kit from a reputable brand – Teeth Whitening 4 You is one we’ve found to be effective in the past – you can achieve a brighter smile in as little as two weeks. Just remember, if a product seems way too cheap or is offering results that sound too good to be true for the price, then it’s probably not worth buying
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks
One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy and shining is to avoid eating sugary foods and drinks. Sugary foods and drinks can cause tooth decay gum disease, and they can also lead to a buildup of plaque on your teeth. It is important to avoid eating sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. If you do eat them, try to brush your teeth afterward so that you can remove any sugar that may have built up on your teeth.
Additionally, it is a good idea to drink lots of water throughout the day. This will help to flush sugar out of your system, and it will also help to keep your teeth clean and healthy. It is important to remember that sugary foods and drinks are not good for your teeth, and it is best to avoid them as much as possible.
See your hygienist often
It is also important to see your hygienist often for cleaning and aesthetic purposes, as well as maintaining preventative care. As opposed to examining your teeth, as the dentist does, a hygienist will clean and scale, as well as looking for early signs of oral hygiene issues that might indicate an underlying issue.
As you can see, there are a number of things that you can do to keep your teeth healthy and shining. By following these simple tips, you can maintain optimum oral health and have a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Start taking care of your teeth today and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile!
Trauma can have a lasting impact on people’s lives. There are many sources that could have caused trauma to take hold of your daily thoughts and feelings. For those that are suffering from the effects of trauma, getting through each day can be a struggle.
Healing after trauma is possible, and many people are able to learn to manage their trauma experiences through a variety of techniques and strategies, and one of these is the use of somatic therapy. This work can be used alongside other forms of traditional therapy and can provide the tools that many people need to help them to move past a traumatic experience to enjoy life again. One of the chief appeals of somatic therapy is that it can be done anywhere and can be used whenever trauma rears its head.
If you are ready to learn some more about the somatic trauma therapy techniques that could be used with the aim of helping you to recover from trauma, you need to read on.
Somatic Therapy Techniques to Help With Trauma Recovery
Grounding
This is one of the most effective ways to handle trauma and to take control of your emotions. Grounding can provide an almost meditative experience that helps many people to pull their thoughts away from memories and emotions that are not needed in the present moment. There are a few ways that you can access grounding therapy, and many of them are open to you both at work and at home.
One technique is to run water over your hands. You should start with cold water and think about how the temperature of the water feels as it slides over your hands. Switch to warm water and focus on this change. Be present in your body and think mostly about what you are feeling. Another way that you can tap into grounding is to move in any way that feels comfortable to you. Focus only on your body and how it feels as it is moving through space.
Some people also head out into the yard with their shoes off and just feel the ground itself beneath their feet. These kinds of techniques make it easy to connect with the present moment and to tell your brain that the fear it is feeling can be overcome.
Visualisation
Visualisation helps to teach your brain not to tap into traumatic memories when triggered. You can use this technique to make a safe space inside your brain that you can send your thoughts to when you are feeling fear, worry, or anxiety. This safe space might include colours, smells, or emotions that make you feel safe and secure.
Some patients have the best luck when they imagine that they are being embraced by a loved one or that they are walking in a quiet place all alone. Visualisation is a powerful tool to help redirect your brain’s energy toward helpful and healthy feelings and emotions, and it can break the cycle of triggered thoughts and feelings that are unhealthy.
Visualisation works best when you train your brain to recognize this safe space while it is feeling peaceful and safe. The feeling of peace and safety that you have used to generate the space inside your mind will be more strongly bonded to your visualisation practice when you are under stress. This is a very useful means of tapping into somatic therapy that works well for moments where trauma sneaks up on you all of a sudden.
Regulation of the Nervous System
The fear response that is triggered by remembered trauma is often rooted in a central nervous system reaction to stress. You can help to break this cycle by controlling your nervous system’s reaction to triggers. Hugging yourself may help to change your nervous system’s response to stimuli and can make your body realise that it is safe and secure in the present moment.
You can also cup your hand and tap your body all over. This causes a reaction in the nervous system that is a lot like grounding, and it can tell your brain that your boundaries are safe and that there is no threat to you at the present moment. Trauma causes both physical and emotional reactions, and sometimes getting the physical reaction under control can make the emotional and mental part of the experience easier to grapple with.
The Bottom Line
When combined with more traditional forms of treatment and intervention, somatic therapy can be a useful tool in your arsenal for coping with trauma.
You know how they say that ‘’what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’’? Well, we’re glad that famous pledge to remain tight-lipped is so rarely respected. Because if it was, we wouldn’t be able to share these tips with you, instead forced to keep all of our favourite finds in the City of Sin a secret.
And where’s the fun in that? Sharing is caring, after all, and we care deeply about you, dear reader. Rather than pointing you in the direction of the cliched, conspicuous places that define the Las Vegas strip, today we’re considering some of the more unique cocktail bars and experiences in the City of Sin.
With that spirit of sharing in mind, here are 5 of the coolest cocktail bars in Las Vegas.
The Golden Tiki
Sure, it might seem strange to be seeking escapism from your chosen holiday destination, but Vegas is that kind of place, and sometimes, you need to seek distraction from The Strip. You’ll find it at the Golden Tiki, which promises to transport you to a tropical paradise for the evening.
It’s a full throttle affair, make no mistake, with Hawaiian shirt-wearing mermaids working the room, toilet walls adorned with pirate’s treasure and piles of skulls, and more eccentric drinking vessels than you could shake a cocktail umbrella’s stick at.
Divided into four sections – Golden Tiki, Pirate’s Lair, Skull Island, and Diamond Falls – you’re bound to find something to suit your tastes, here.
Gold Spike
If you’re having little luck at the casino’s table games and roulette wheels, then you might find some more gentle, less high-stakes (in the best possible way) games at Gold Spike, one of Vegas’ hidden gems near Fremont Street.
Here, after the adult fun of the Vegas Strip, you can unleash your inner kid by playing the bar’s supersized Jenga, which towers above even your tallest friend, as well as their giant chess board and several other fun and interactive games.
At the more standard end of size spectrum, there’s also traditional darts and pool tables for those seeking a little respite from the pursuits that Las Vegas is famed for.
The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, The Cosmopolitan
‘’One Old Fashioned, two Negronis, and a short-back-and-sides please, barkeep’’.
Where better in the world to enjoy a cocktail than in a casino resort which (poetic licence at the ready) was named after a cocktail; the Cosmopolitan. Even if you’re not a fan of the famous marriage of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime, you’re sure to find something quaffable in one of the resort’s world-renowned bars.
Of the seven bars here, the pick of the bunch is perhaps The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, which offers haircuts out front while out back, a prohibition-era hidden lounge serves up vintage whiskey to guests reclining in plush leather armchairs. Be sure to try the house special Golden Dram, containing White Label scotch and bitter orange; delicious! Or, if you’ve just won big, how about an Old Rip Van Winkle, aged for 25 years and available for a modest $25’000.
For a different vibe altogether, more glitzy and less underground, try The Chandelier; three levels of opulence which will have you thinking you’re in a particularly gauche art exhibition. Such surroundings combined with their signature drink, a nod to Alice In Wonderland aptly named ‘We’re All Mad Here’, and you’ll truly feel like you’re tripping. Mind the stairs on the way down!
Happy Hour At Linq’s High Roller
For another totally unique, completely cool cocktail experience in Vegas, you’ve got to try the ‘High Roller Happy Half Hour’. For thirty minutes (a full rotation of the wheel), you can ride the world’s tallest observation wheel, the LINQ’s High Roller on Las Vegas Boulevard, and enjoy the delights of an open bar at 500 feet (or 168 metres) high.
For a daytime ticket, you’ll have to put down $60. Considering you get a spectacular view of the city combined with free drinks mixed by your own personal bartender (each pod has one), we think it’s fair to say that you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
‘’Just what are they putting in these drinks?’’ is an utterance many visitors to Millenium Fandom have made as they pass Darth Vader holding court, and several Squid Game guards and a random Marilyn Monroe hanging on his every word.
Nope, you’re not still tripping from that Alice In Wonderland cocktail you had earlier. Rather, you’re in Millenium Fandom Bar, where punters and staff alike dress up as their favourite sci-fi and fantasy characters and cosplay the night away!
