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4 IDEAL TIPS FOR FLYING WITH CAMERA GEAR

Editorial Team
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4 IDEAL TIPS FOR FLYING WITH CAMERA GEAR

The preparation, the packing, and the getting there; travelling can be a stressful old thing at the best of times. Add to this some heavy camera equipment, and you’ve got a recipe for a stress overload. Just trying to decide what gear to bring with you, getting your head around airlines regulations on batteries for your camera, and generally trying to keep everything within weight restrictions, can represent a huge obstacle to your sense of enthusiasm about the approaching adventure. With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with Clifton Cameras to advise you on what to bring, how to choose it and the best way to keep it all safe and sound. So here’s 4 IDEAL tips for flying with camera gear.

WHAT TO PACK

There is so much that you can pack when you’re aiming to take countless high-quality photos while travelling. And in this Insta-obsessed age, the emphasis on getting that great snap is larger than ever. If you’re limited when it comes to travel space, you may not be able to take everything you’d like to. What’s more, lugging it all around will be a massive pain; likely to sap your enthusiasm for actually having the patience to capture some amazing snaps. So, here are two checklists – one with the essential items that you shouldn’t leave home without, and the other offering the ideal extras, for those times when you find you have a little more luggage space to spare:

THE ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST

  • Camera (obviously)
  • All-purpose zoom lens
  • Wide- aperture prime lens
  • Batteries and charger
  • Memory cards
  • Polarizer filtre
  • ND filter
  • Tripod
  • Microfibre cloths
  • Camera bag and rain cover

IDEAL EXTRAS

  • Laptop
  • Portable backup drive
  • Care reader
  • USB cables
  • Filter System
  • Drone

CHECK WHAT ELECTRONIC DEVICES YOUR AIRLINE ALLOWS

Board a plane in the UK and, as we all know, you’ll be faced with restrictions on what you can take onboard. Moreover, the types of electronic devices you can take onto a flight will differ from one country to the next, as well being airline dependent, so double check beforehand what you can and can’t bring. Also, ensure any electronic devices are charged ahead of travelling. If a device is unable to switch on when requested by security, you may be unable to take it.

Some airlines are pretty strict on the equipment you can bring in your hand luggage. Usually, up to two spare batteries for portable devices which contain lithium ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 WH (not above 160 Wh) can be taken onboard with you. They cannot be put into the hold luggage and the devices themselves must remain switched off during the flight. Likewise, batteries for devices which contain lithium metal or lithium cells can also be put into hand luggage. And again, they can’t be put into the hood. Devices powered by fuel cells are only permitted to be carried in hand luggage or on one’s person, they cannot be placed in hold luggage.

INVEST IN A PROPER CAMERA BAG

A quality camera bag is one of life’s worthwhile investment for any photographer. Indeed, the use of a dedicated camera bag, with all the right compartments will be your saviour when travelling with all your photography equipment. Not only will your cameras and lenses be well padded and nicely organised, it will save your back a whole lotta strain while running through airports.

INSURE YOUR EQUIPMENT

If possible, it’s best not to pack your valuable, fragile equipment into checked luggage. Just imagine if it gets damaged or worse; goes missing. That’s not only expensive equipment difficult to retrieve, but a danger of losing those all important photos, too. However, if your bag does get checked beyond your control make sure all your camera equipment is insured, as often a standard content policy won’t cover these items. Also, back up any photos you may already have on your device.

6 IDEAL REASONS TO GIVE A PROMISE RING TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE

Editorial Team
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6 IDEAL REASONS TO GIVE A PROMISE RING TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE

When the phrase ‘promise ring’ is uttered, what do you think of? An old emo song you loved in your teens? A cartoon involving pink unicorns fighting crime? Broken pledges, rather than kept ones? Whatever your response, it’s unlikely that it’ll be recognition. It may, indeed, take a little time to work out what one is, and you’d certainly be forgiven for questioning the difference between a promise and engagement ring. Since one of the most common reasons of giving one is with the intent of getting married, then the confusion with a proposal is understandable.

But, there is more to these two words than just crippling confusion. Yep, the wonderful thing about promise rings is that one can mean whatever you want it to mean. Unlike an engagement ring that has one symbolic purpose, a promise ring can be given for many reasons, conveying a meaningful significance to the wearer, and only to that wearer. With an increasing amount of specialist stores offering a wide range of promise rings in UK, we thought we’d dig deeper. So, here are 6 IDEAL reasons to give a promise ring to someone you love.

AS A TOKEN OF LOVE

If you’ve ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll remember the episode when Angel gave Buffy a Claddagh ring, depicting two clasped hands holding a heart (see above pic). To paraphrase, what he told one of the most loved teen heroines of our time is that the Irish exchange these rings as a sign of devotion. The hands represents friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart… well, you know. If you wear it with the heart pointing towards you, it means you belong to somebody. Indeed, the ring represents a visual sign of love or friendship and serves as a warm reminder of commitment – pretty special, don’t you think?

TO YOUR BEST FRIEND

Speaking of friendship, promise rings aren’t just worn by romantic couples. Friends also share promise rings, for many reasons. It can be to celebrate a long-standing relationship and a promise to always support them and be good and fair to each other, through tough times and hard, even if busy lives get in the way. Ok, we know that sounds kind of like wedding vows – corny, even – so instead think of a promise ring as one of those braided colour bracelets you used to make your BFF as a kid, but a grownup kind. 

AS A PRECURSOR TO AN ENGAGEMENT

Promise rings are often called “pre-engagement” rings,  given as a ‘promise’ of marriage, sometime, somewhere down the road. However, even if you don’t end up actually getting married, a promise ring is a symbol that you are committed to your partner and have eyes for no one else at that moment in time. Now that’s a romantic gesture, if ever we saw one.

BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO GET MARRIED

Have you ever questioned if marriage even makes sense anymore? You’re not alone. Western women no longer live in a patriarchal society, and thank god (a female version) for that.  As such, marriage is waning in popularity in contemporary culture and many millennials are deciding not to tie the knot. That said, sometimes it’s nice to have a symbol of commitment. Indeed, if you’re in a longterm, monogamous, cohabiting couple, then a little token of  loyalty and faithfulness is a whole lot cheaper and less stressful than having a wedding to affirm the same ideas.

TO RESTORE HOPE & FAITH IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Hope, faith, chastity (no, wait; the last one is the wrong type of ring). Jokes aside, a promise ring can act as an apology and a promise to never do something again, therefore becoming a symbol of hope and faith in a relationship. Perhaps your partner, husband or wife has done your wrong and you’ve been arguing.  A promise ring can be a sign of commitment between two people to show intent to right a wrong or make an effort to listen to each other instead of argue.

As previously mentioned, there is no particular type of ring you should give as a promise ring, however you could consider personalising the ring. For example, if you’ve just promised to try and listen to each other more, then consider a ring with an aquamarine gemstone, which symbolises courage and communication. Or perhaps you’ve pledged to help out with the chores more, maybe do some more cooking, or clean the house more frequently? If this is the case, then stores like Perkin Knives have an amazing collection of promise rings made from Damascus steel, the same material used to make knives – of which you’ll be picking up more of in the kitchen too, of course.

TO MAKE A PROMISE

Exchanging promise rings can equally be a symbol of a joint commitment which is not related to love – emphasis on the word promise. Life is full of promises, some are routine like looking after your friend’s pet when they go on holiday and some are more cherished, like becoming someones Godmother. It’s for these cherished promises where such a ring is often exchanged. 

4 IDEAL REASONS MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Editorial Team
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4 IDEAL REASONS MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

It’s no news that friends are important to health and happiness. Friends are the family that we choose, we love them despite their annoying qualities and when it comes to happiness and friendship, there is no end to the correlations.

In the past, maintaining friendships was perhaps more difficult. However, SunLife’s campaign shows that the way we communicate over the past 100 years has changed dramatically. Indeed, with today’s technology, staying connected has never been easier and allows us to nurture friendships, whether or not we’re in the same town, country or even continent.

Nonetheless, even though we can send messages, emoticons and selfies with the intended party receiving them instantly, sometimes life gets in the way and those all important friendships can begin to wane. Some even argue that technology is ruining friendships. So, hoping to inspire you to keep your social life well and truly alive, here are 4 IDEAL reasons maintaining friendships is important for your health and happiness.

BOOSTS YOUR MOOD & REDUCES STRESS

A 2011 study highlights that spending time with your friends can help decrease your stress levels; triggering our essential endorphin system, which in turn boosts our mood, reducing the stress we may feel. Don’t believe us? A study conducted by Oxford Economics discovered that in a survey of British adults, those who always eat alone score drastically lower in happiness points, showing that a little company goes a long way. 

INCREASES YOUR SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE

Feeling that you belong is so important. Not only can it can help you see value in life, it can also help you cope with painful emotions. According to Karyn Hall, Ph.D., director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center in Houston, “A sense of belonging to a greater community improves your motivation, health and happiness,” and “When you see your connection to others, you know that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There is comfort in that knowledge.”

GOOD FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

Whether you know it or not, your friends have shaped in to who you are today and they will continue to do so for the rest of your life. Friends allow you the chance to increase your knowledge and learn about new things, whether it’s through telling you a story about themselves of through shared experiences. Our friends can open our eyes up to the world, present us with new ideas and help us grow as a person.

HELPS YOU TO BE FITTER AND LIVE LONGER 

Along with the benefits to your mental wellbeing, scientists have discovered that maintaining close friendships can improve your physical health. In fact, it has been shown that people who have close, long-lasting friendships live longer than those without. As our friends reduce our stress levels and anxiety, it can, in turn, lower our blood pressure and even reduce the risk of illness, such as coronary heart disease. Quite like hitting the gym, maintaining friendships can even help us fight obesity.

Friendships are as vital to our health, both physical and mental, as eating the right food, exercising and getting enough sleep. Loneliness and isolation can attribute to a shorter, unhappy life, so cherishing, nurturing and valuing every friendship we make is crucial. However, it doesn’t mean we have to settle for those friends who make us feel less-than-great. Cutting toxic and negative people from your life, whether old school friends or brand new, can transform your stress and anxiety levels, and improve your wellbeing. So, look at the bigger picture and embrace the art of social connections.

5 IDEAL TIPS FOR DEALING WITH COLD CALLERS

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR DEALING WITH COLD CALLERS

There’s never a good time to talk to a cold caller, is there? Somehow they either manage to ring halfway through EastEnders, when we’re just about to sit down for a meal, or about to walk out of the door.

We get that these guys are just trying to make a living, and they’re only doing their job. If we’re the ones irritated by an unwanted call, just imagine how the cold callers feel, facing rejection after rejection during an eight hour shift. However, we still hate getting cold calls. According to research presented by The Times, Britain is the worst country in Europe for dealing with nuisance cold-callers. Brits were victim to 2.2 billion phone calls last year which calculate to around 4,200 phone calls and messages every minute — with many having the intent to scam people.

With 57% of Brits saying that the most annoying thing about owning a phone is the nuisance calls, we’ve teamed up with True Solicitors LLP, a company that can spot mis-sold timeshare occurrences from cold-callers in a heartbeat. This article will help you prepare for the next time a cold-caller rings —and make sure that they never dial again. So here are 5 IDEAL ways to deal with cold callers.

WASTE THEIR TIME

There’s nothing that salespeople hate more than a potential customer (you) wasting their precious time. They call to get you instantly on board with some product or service that they’re selling, but telling them you’re not interested at the start of the call won’t achieve anything. They will first mention the product that they are selling and you must act interested at the start, they’ll start their sales patter and after they’ve put the effort into doing that — just admit that you’re not really interested and admit that you were just wasting their time. Remember that they have targets — they’ll not want to ring your number again!

RECORD THE CALL

We’ve prepared you a script that will hopefully deter any unsolicited calls coming into your home. Say something along the lines of: “Hello, just to let you know that I will be recording this phone call as you’re not complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations of 2003. This legislation has been put in place to help restrict marketing methods through cold-calling, unsolicited texts, emails, and faxes”. The good thing about this trick is that they’ve probably ended the call after the first sentence. Don’t be afraid to try this one!

TELL THEM YOU’RE BANKRUPT

Cold-callers want one thing and one thing only — your money. Tell them that you’re an undischarged bankrupt and they will put the phone done quicker than you could imagine. By saying this, you’re telling them that you are unable to obtain credit beyond a certain limit without informing the creditor of your status. Of course, this does not exist in your case — but they don’t know that.

TELL THEM YOU’RE A CRIMINAL

This one could work in a variety of different scenarios, if you’re becoming the victim of an obvious timeshare scam where the operator says that you have won a free holiday — tell them that you’ve been issued a travel injunction and have had your passport revoked by the county court or, tell them that you’re in custody and are awaiting your trial and plan to plead guilty.

SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE (OR GIBBERISH)

As they’re targeting your home in Britain, they’re likely expecting you to speak English. Don’t conform to what they want! If you can speak another language, try doing that, and as they won’t be able to understand what you’re saying, they will hang up. If you don’t know another language, make it up and this will leave them even more confused than what they originally were.

 

 

IDEAL FOR SUMMER FUN: STRAWBERRY & PASSION FRUIT ICEBOX PIE

Editorial Team
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER FUN: STRAWBERRY & PASSION FRUIT ICEBOX PIE
  • Vegetarian
  • Preparation time:30 minutes + chilling
  • Cooking time:25 minutes
  • Total time:55 minutes + chilling
  • Serves: 4 – 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 200g pack shortcake biscuits
  • 75g unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ tsp vanilla powder
  • 8 passion fruit, sieved and pips discarded
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 medium Free Range Egg, yolks only
  • 397g can condensed milk
  • 400g strawberries
  • 300ml double cream
  • 1 passion fruit, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Lightly grease a 23cm tart tin.

2. Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a fine crumb, add the melted butter and vanilla, and pulse again to combine.

3. Transfer to the prepared tin and press into the sides and base with the back of spoon until evenly distributed. Place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.

4. Strain the passion fruit juice into a large bowl (about 100ml), add the lemon juice, egg yolks and condensed milk, and whisk to combine before pouring into the biscuit base. Level with the back of a spoon and slide into the oven to bake for 15 minutes until just set but with a slight wobble.

5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool before popping in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.

6. Slice the strawberries and place on top of the set pie. Softly whip the cream, then pile on top of the strawberries, drizzle with a little extra passion fruit and serve.

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

THE IDEAL SUMMERTIME DESSERT: TRAYBAKED BERRY MERINGUE

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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THE IDEAL SUMMERTIME DESSERT: TRAYBAKED BERRY MERINGUE

Can anything beat fluffy meringue and warm berries topped with a dollop of thick cream? For us it’s the ultimate summertime dessert and this recipe for traybaked berry meringue is sure to please.

RECIPE INFO

  • Preparation time:15 minutes
  • Cooking time:60 minutes
  • Total time:1 hour 15 minutes
  • Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 600g mixed berries, including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
  • 400g (approx 6) plums, halved, stoned and roughly chopped
  • 75g light muscovado sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 4 Waitrose British Blacktail Medium Free Range Egg whites
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 140°C, gas mark 1. Place the berries (strawberries halved if large), plums and muscovado sugar into a baking dish or tin measuring about 20x30cm. Split the vanilla pod in half and, using a small, sharp knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds and mix well with the fruits then add the scraped pod.

2. Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Gradually add the caster sugar 1 tbsp at a time, whisking well after each addition, until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add the cornflour and vinegar and whisk until just combined.

3. Drop large spoonfuls of the meringue mixture on top of the fruits until roughly covered, then bake for 1 hour, until the meringue is crunchy on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside, and the fruits are tender and have a lovely sauce. Serve warm or cold with thick cream or ice cream.

 Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

IDEAL FOR SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA: ORANGE PISTACHIO CAKE WITH CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER & STRAWBERRY COMPOTE

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA: ORANGE PISTACHIO CAKE WITH CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER & STRAWBERRY COMPOTE

This wonderfully moist cake with sweet, spicy and bitter flavours is IDEAL for afternoon tea in the summer months.

RECIPE INFO

  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten Free
  • Preparation time:15 minutes
  • Cooking time:50-60 minutes
  • Total time:65-75 minutes
  • Makes: 1 x 23cm cake

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large orange
  • 100g soft apricots
  • 250g butter, softened
  • 250g caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp for the strawberries
  • 4 medium Free Range Eggs
  • 150g polenta
  • 2 tsp baking powder (use a gluten-free variety to make this cake suitable for coeliacs)
  • 200g pistachio kernels, finely ground in a blender
  • 400g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1. Place the whole orange and apricots in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently for 1 hour until very soft, then drain. Cut the orange in half and remove any pips, then blitz in a blender with the apricots. Leave to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Butter and base line a 23cm deep, loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Cream the butter with 250g of the sugar until pale and light then beat in
the eggs one at a time. Fold in the polenta, baking powder and ground pistachio kernels, then the puréed orange and apricot mixture to give a soft batter.

3. Spoon into the prepared cake tin and level the surface. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake emerges clean. Cool in the tin on a wire rack.

4. Place the strawberries in a bowl and scatter with 2 tbsp sugar and the black pepper. Leave to stand to allow the juices to run. Spoon onto the cake, and serve in slices with spoonfuls of crème fraîche.

 Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

IDEAL FOR YOUR GARDEN TEA PARTY: SUMMER ARCTIC ROLL

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR YOUR GARDEN TEA PARTY: SUMMER ARCTIC ROLL

The summer arctic roll; an oxymoron if ever there was, but one that makes perfect sense. This sponge and ice cream pudding is IDEAL for any summer garden party.

METHOD

  • Preparation time:20 minutes + freezing
  • Cooking time:35 minutes + freezing
  • Serves: 4 – 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 large Waitrose British Blacktail Free Range Eggs
  • 100g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 75g plain flour
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp strawberry jam
  • 500ml tub vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 300g fresh strawberries, hulled, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Line a 24cm x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Place the eggs and sugar in a bowl, and whisk well with a hand-held electric whisk for at least 3 minutes until you have a very pale and thickened mixture that leaves a trail when the whisk is lifted out of the mixture.

2. Carefully fold the flour, baking powder and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until well combined. Gently pour the mixture into the Swiss roll tin, and bake for 15 minutes until golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until you can handle it. Carefully take the sponge out of the tin on its paper and turn over and remove the parchment. Place on a clean piece of parchment, dusted with caster sugar, and roll up while still warm. Leave to cool rolled up.

3. When totally cooled carefully unroll and spread the whole of the surface with the strawberry jam. Spoon the softened ice cream down the long centre of the sponge, then fold over the sponge and secure with the parchment, twisting in the ends of the paper like a Christmas cracker. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the ice cream.

4. Serve cut into slices with extra strawberries on the side

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

HOTEL REVIEW: FAMIANA RESORT & SPA, PHU QUOC – THE IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Travel Team
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HOTEL REVIEW: FAMIANA RESORT & SPA, PHU QUOC – THE IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Phu Quoc; only a decade ago largely untouched by the broader strokes of tourism. But now, an island with something for everyone and anyone. And with the huge amount of options now on available, especially under the resort and spa banner, it can be hard to differentiate. The paradox of choice, it seems, can grip you and not let go. Famiana offers comfort and luxury while being reasonable and accessible; a great compromise for the budget traveller not wishing to break the bank, or for the head of a family needing pocket money for souvenirs, day trips and toys on the beach.

IDEA

A popular choice for holidaying Vietnamese, Famiana offers comfortable surrounds, a gorgeous spa and great sport and recreation options. Combined with access to a gorgeous stretch of private beach and delicious food in its onsite restaurant, there really isn’t much more one could ask for.

LOCATION

Famiana is on the long, focal point road of the island, Tran Hung Dao. A short taxi ride will take you to a host of restaurants and bars if you do feel like stepping out, although it’s entirely possible to eat well within the resort. The hotel is divided into three sections; beach, spa and green villa, each with their own personality. The resort’s beach is reputedly the best on the island’s west coast to catch the sunset. With Pho Quoc’s sunny disposition offering a healthy dose of vitamin C, expect good moods to match.

DECOR & AMBIANCE

The décor is clean, comfortable and straightforward – all you could ask for when nestled on such a lovely beach. The hotel makes great use of greenery – with trees and grass giving the stage over to nature to do her thing. We adore the wicker hanging chairs dotted around the resort, ideal for sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the natural surrounds. Of intrigue and enhancing the natural essence of Famiana is a large greenhouse slap bang in the middle of the resort, growing greens and vegetables for the onsite restaurant. This place is kid friendly, a big plus, with fun and frolics to be found for the little ones at every turn.

ROOMS

Accommodation is split into the beach zone and green villa zone – pretty self explanatory-  but just incase you didn’t get it, some have beach views while others are set back within the lush tropical garden. Beds are huge and luscious, and together with the black out drapes, a good night’s sleep is guaranteed. Another big plus point for the hotel is the bath; a large, spacious and relaxing affair (if you haven’t had your fill of water in the form of the pool and of course, the sea). Placed next to a large window, you’re able to look over the resort (without being seen) and really kick back.

FOOD & DRINK

The buffet breakfast choices are plentiful. A rotating cast of light, refreshing Vietnamese noodle soups is the highlight – different each morning and downright delicious. If you happen to be staying when bún riêu (a crab and tomato soup) is on offer, you’d be crazy to pass up on it. All this is served set in the garden area, close to the pool and overlooking the sea; a pleasant start to any day.

Drinking cocktails at a bar by the beach, under the shaded palm trees is a perquisite of any tropical holiday, and you can do this at the hotel’s Cheers Bar. What’s more, La Viet Cafe is the ideal place to enjoy Vietnam’s much lauded caphe nau da (iced coffee with condensed milk) while both Faminana restaurant and the Garden restaurant offer pan Asian fare. Here fresh fish, especially squid, is utilised well for lunch and dinner.

FACILITIES

The reasons so many people come to Phu Quoc is to relax and unwind, therefore it’s obligatory to treat yourself to a session at the hotel’s Sandles Spa. Indeed there’s nothing like having some much needed relaxation time on a tropical beach, only to be followed by more relaxing and indulgence in the spa. The usual hot stone, Swedish and Thai massages are on available, as well as a variety of treatment therapies including aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. It’s also equipped with a sauna, spa tub and a steam room. All you need, then.

The swimming pool is expansive and properly deep – something you don’t always find in hotel pools here – with a small area for children to splash. The resort also offers water floaties and rideable toys for kids to play with. Just be careful; the amount of fun they can have here makes leaving very difficult indeed.

Giving individuality to the resort are options for tennis and archery – something we haven’t seen elsewhere on the island and really fun. Oh ,and the hotel offers free transfer from the airport – just let them know in advance if you need a ride.

WHY GO

For the comfort and luxury provided, Famiana is a budget friendly option with everything you could need from a beach and spa resort; a real gem.

Website:  famianaresort.com

IDEAL FOR SUMMER LUNCH: STRAWBERRY, TOASTED PECAN & GORGONZOLA SALAD

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER LUNCH: STRAWBERRY, TOASTED PECAN & GORGONZOLA SALAD

Nothing tastes of summer like freshly picked British strawberries and if you’re looking for a new way to add strawberries to your summertime menu, this strawberry, toasted pecan and gorgonzola salad is IDEAL.

INFO

  • Preparation time:10
  • Cooking time:3-5 minutes
  • Total time:13-15 minutes
  • Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 100g pecan halves
    2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    2 tsp red wine vinegar
    2 tbsp finely shredded basil leaves
    1 small shallot, finely sliced
    225g pack essential Waitrose Strawberries, hulled and thickly sliced
    120g pack Waitrose Rocket Salad
    100g Waitrose Gorgonzola PDO Dolce, cubed

METHOD

1. Warm a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pecans and cook, turning them frequently, for 3–5 minutes until lightly toasted.

2. Mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil and shallot together in the base of a large salad bowl. Season to taste, bearing in mind that the cheese you are adding is quite salty.

3. Place the strawberries into the bowl together with the rocket salad, warm pecans and Gorgonzola. Toss well and serve immediately with crusty bread.

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

IDEAL FOR SUMMER: STRAWBERRY, ELDERFLOWER & MINT PAVLOVA

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER: STRAWBERRY, ELDERFLOWER & MINT PAVLOVA

You may have seen that last week the Telegraph reported that reduced price strawberries have been flooding supermarket aisles across the country because the spring weather has led to a ‘giant crop’ of bigger, juicier and sweeter strawberries than usual. We have the perfect solution for using up those excess strawberries – make this sensationally sweet strawberry, elderflower and mint pavlova.

RECIPE INFO

  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten Free
  • Preparation time:20 minutes, plus macerating and cooling
  • Cooking time:1 hour
  • Total time:1 hour 20 minutes, plus macerating and cooling
  • Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

4  Free Range Egg whites
1 lime, juice
200g caster sugar
400g pack British Strawberries, halved
5 tbsp Bottlegreen Elderflower Cordial
Small handful mint leaves, shredded, plus a few leaves to decorate
150ml double cream
150g Greek yogurt

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 150˚C, gas mark 2. Draw a 20cm circle on parchment; place upside-down on a baking tray. Using electric beaters, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lime juice. Start slowly then turn up the speed and beat to firm-ish peaks.

2. Beat in the sugar in 3 additions, combining completely between each, to a stiff and glossy meringue. Pile onto the parchment inside the 20cm circle and use the back of the spoon to make a dip in the middle. Put in the oven, lower the heat to 120˚C, gas mark ½, and bake for 1 hour. Once baked, turn the oven off, prop the door open and cool completely (around 2 hours).

3. Meanwhile, mix together the strawberries, 2 tbsp cordial and the remaining lime juice. Macerate for 30 minutes, then stir through the shredded mint. Using a balloon whisk, whip the cream to soft peaks. In a separate bowl, mix the yogurt with the remaining 3 tbsp elderflower cordial. Fold the yogurt into the cream, then pile onto the cooled meringue. Top with the strawberry mixture, spooning over any extra juices, and decorate with a few whole mint leaves.

COOKS TIP

Using half cream and half yogurt in the filling makes this summery dessert a little lighter.

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE IDEAL VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE IDEAL VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE

Who doesn’t love a Victoria sponge cake? Best enjoyed with a cup of tea, it’s a baking classic and a tasty tea-time treat. The original late 19th century recipe by Mrs Beeton has survived two World Wars and now stands as an art form in-itself; the Women’s Institute offers rosettes to whose sponges that pass their high-standards of baking.

So how do you make the perfect Victoria Sponge? We asked Betty Blythe’s own Founder, the UK’s no.1 expert on Street Parties and author of Style Me Vintage Tea Parties, Lulu Gwynne, how to whip up the perfect rosette-earning Victoria sponge cake that could put Paul Hollywood to shame. Here’s her 5 tips for making the IDEAL Victoria Sponge cake.

PREPARATION IS KEY

Before you begin mixing, weigh out your ingredients so that when you come to start cooking, you’ll be able to work quickly. Every baker’s worst nightmare when it comes to cooking Victoria Sponge is leaving the cake mixture too long, losing its air! Prep will help prevent you from over-mixing the cake, too. My Aunt Blom’s secret tip? Use self-raising flour with a teaspoon of baking powder for an extra-high and light sponge.

KEEP THE INGREDIENTS THE SAME TEMPERATURE

Like Goldilocks, your ingredients should be just right. Slightly warm eggs
don’t hold the same volume of air as chilled eggs, so keeping your ingredients at room temperature is a major save. But butter or baking spread should be slightly warmer than everything else to keep it soft but still holding together. Too cold and it won’t blend with the sugar and eggs, too warm and it’ll be oily.

ALWAYS SIFT THE FLOUR

Always. Sift. The. Flour – sifting adds air and makes your Victoria sponge even lighter and fluffier. If you use the freshest eggs you can find, the whites will whip up into a frenzy of air. When you whisk the whites with the sugar, whisk until it’s white; that’s a tell-tell sigh that the mix is plump with air.

PREHEAT THE OVEN

if you don’t preheat the oven beforehand, you might not get the best results from your sponge. While baking, preheat the oven to a toasty 180C/350F. Line the cake tin bottom with greaseproof or parchment paper for best results.

GO GOLD

Pale golden brown is a winner. Indeed, the best way to know when the Victoria sponge is ready is that it goes a pale golden- brown colour. When you put your finger in the middle and press gently, it should feel firm. Using a knife, slide around the edge of the tin to release the cake. After taking it out of the oven, place the cake on a wire rack to cool but never put the cake in a tin warm as it might go mouldy! You’ll be the Mary Berry of your friends with this intel.

Image: Victoria Sponge in The Tea Cosy | © Matt Biddulph

12 IDEAL TIPS FOR QUEUING AT WIMBLEDON THIS YEAR

Editorial Team
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12 IDEAL TIPS FOR QUEUING AT WIMBLEDON THIS YEAR

Queuing is what us Brits do best, and what’s more British an event than Wimbledon to form a line for? To increase your chances of getting your hands on the much sought after court tickets and to minimise the pain of a drawn out morning wait, you’d be at an advantage (pun intended) if you camp.

Almost 7,000 tennis fans made #TheQueue for opening day last year (and yes, even the tents are pitched in an orderly line), so it’s advisable to get there early to ensure a place at the front.

To ensure Wimbledon queuers get the best from #TheQueue experience this year, here’s 12 IDEAL tips for queing at Wimbledon this year, courtesy of our friends at premium mattress brand TEMPUR.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT STATION

 The Queue entrance is a five minute walk down Wimbledon Park Road from Southfields tube station; don’t go to Wimbledon or Wimbledon Park if you want to avoid a longer journey laden with camping gear. You can view the Wimbledon Queue map here.

GET THERE EARLY

Early birds will arrive up to 40 hours before the first matches. For Centre Court or Court 1 you need to ideally be among the first 1,000 to guarantee your ticket. Last year there were 400 people already queuing by 8am on the Sunday.

WAIT FOR THE QUEUE CARD AND KEEP IT SAFE

You may have to wait some time in the queue before you receive the queue card, however, don’t be tempted to leave until you have it safely stashed away. It is the only thing that registers your place in the line and entitles you to get your tickets. Once you have been issued a queue card, it’ll allow you to pop away from camp to stretch your legs, buyfood, nip to the pub, or visit fellow queuers.

BRING THE RIGHT SIZED TENT

Whilst it’s a great experience to be a part of, it’s not a party, so don’t bring a family sized tent or you won’t be able to pitch it… Tent size is restricted to two person tents only.

PREPARE FOR ALL WEATHERS

It’s July but it is England. Pack sun protection, sunglasses and shorts, but also waterproofs, and don’t forget fleeces, socks and blankets to make sure you get through the chilly night comfortably.

OTHER PACKING ESSENTIALS

Torch (for night time toilet visits), small bag of toiletries and hand towel, wellies if it’s due to rain, compact picnic blanket, pack of cards, wireless phone charger.

ALCOHOL

Cans of G&T, Pimms or Prosecco are a packing essential, but this is Wimbledon and it’s civilised so don’t overdo it, as 1), drunk and disorderly behaviour is not tolerated and 2), you’re only allowed one bottle of wine or two 500 ml cans per person once you get into the grounds.

MEALS IN #THEQUEUE

Once you have your queue card, you can mosey off to get food, but temporary absences from your place in The Queue are restricted to 30 minutes, so it’s advisable to bring a picnic. You can also order a delivery, but make sure it arrives at the at the Wimbledon Park Road gate by 10pm. And don’t forget to pack supplies for breakfast!

THE RULES

There are rules to abide by, including no BBQs, no loud music, no smoking or vaping and no anti-social or drunken behaviour. This is a very British queue after all… See here for the Wimbledon Queue full Code of Conduct.

TAKE CASH

Cards are not accepted for the queue-on-the-day tickets.

BANNED ITEMS

Beware of banned items once in the grounds. Leave the selfie sticks, Tees brandishing political slogans, flasks and big camera lenses behind. You can find a full list of prohibited items here.

PREPARE FOR AN EARLY START

Get an early night (stewards will be ushering you to bed around 10pm). Make sure you have all you need to get a good night’s rest – ear plugs, travel pillow, warm bedding – and prepare for an early start. Many are packing up their tents from as early as 5am and if the noise doesn’t wake you, you’ll be woken by the stewards at around 6am.

5 IDEAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF KISSING

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF KISSING

It’s National Kissing Day (22nd June) – a day that celebrates and encourages the nation to share a kiss. However, although we all like a good smooch, many are unaware of all the psychological benefits kissing has. Indeed, from our mental well-being to healthier, happier and longer lasting relationships there are so many reasons to lock lips more often. With this in mind we asked We-Vibe’s Relationship Expert Dr Becky Spelman, to share 5 IDEAL psychological benefits of kissing with us.

MAKES US FEEL GOOD – SCIENTIFICALLY

Kissing prompts our bodies to secrete oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that prompts a sense of well-being and fosters feelings of love and affection, and dopamine, which helps us to feel a sense of bonding with someone else. When we kiss someone we love, it enhances our feelings for them and we feel more relaxed in their company.

LOWERS STRESS LEVELS

Kissing also lowers the rate of cortisol in our system. As high levels of cortisol are associated with stress, that’s good news for our mental health.

IT’S GOOD FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH

Speaking of mental health, research into the role of a healthy microbiome (the bacteria that naturally live in our body) increasingly shows that having a good variety of healthy bacteria in our system is not just good for our physical health, but also our mental health, and especially good at helping to avoid depression. When we engage in deep kissing with someone, we swap more than just saliva; there’s also an exchange of the bacteria that live naturally within us, helping us both to maintain a varied microbiome. This also helps to boost our immune system and can assist in keeping depression at bay! In fact, some scientists think thatkissing might even have evolved as a way of swapping our “good” germs.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT OF ATTRACTIVENESS

When we kiss and are kissed, we are reminded that we are attractive—and feeling attractive is good for our self-esteem, which in turn fosters positive mental health. By giving and receiving a kiss, we are telling ourselves that we know we deserve love and affection and boosting our sense that we are entitled to be happy. Research suggests that couples who kiss often are healthier, happier, and more likely to stay together.

Of course, there are some things we can do to help us get kissed more often; when you quit smoking, for example, your breath will smell better, and kissing will taste better, so you’ll get to do it a lot more.

IT REMINDS US THAT WE’RE CARED FOR AND LOVED

Kissing that is accompanied by sexual desire fosters the secretion of hormones associated with sex, raises our heart rate, and attunes us to small changes in our partner’s reaction. Kissing is normally part of a healthy and loving sex life and kissing in this context reminds both parties that they are cared for as well as desired.

5 IDEAL PREPARATIONS FOR YOUR FIRST ACTIVE HOLIDAY

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL PREPARATIONS FOR YOUR FIRST ACTIVE HOLIDAY

 

Heading off on your first active holiday can be slightly daunting. What if I can’t do it when I get there? What if the weather turns bad? What if I get lost and don’t speak the language? Well, it is pretty easy to put ‘what if?’ to the back of your mind, get prepared in advance and squeeze every jot of joy out of your active holiday. To help you get prepared and banish any pre-holiday worries, Fraser McRae, Destination Specialist at walking and cycling holiday provider Macs Adventure, shares his 5 IDEAL tips for preparing for your first active break.

KNOW THE TRIP IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR

Active travel is by far the best way to see the world, to get you completely immersed in any particular area, but before you go, you have to ensure that the specific trip is the right one for you, your skills and your level of fitness.

Deciding that you want to go on a walking holiday and that you love France does not mean that you should go and walk the Tour du Mont Blanc. For a first timer, this might just break you, so it is essential that you take in exactly what is expected of you on a daily basis and decide if your body can cope with that.

Don’t be over-cautious though! An active holiday should challenge you, and you will definitely feel the benefit of pushing your body a little harder, just don’t overdo it!

GET FIT FOR IT

This ties nicely into number one. Even if you have chosen the perfect trip for you, it is imperative that you get yourself in decent shape for it. There is nothing worse than being halfway through a day’s cycle and feeling that your quadriceps are going to explode and that you can’t go on.

Working on your general fitness is important, but building up your training to mimic what you can expect on your holiday is a great way to ensure you can focus more on enjoying your trip and less on ‘I need a seat, I am done in!’ If you are taking a walking holiday with average distances of 15 miles per day, make sure you can walk a couple of 15-mile days in a row before you head out.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT KIT

The thought that you are going to go on a pilgrimage across Spain instantly makes you think of sunshine. Add to this the fact that your trip is active; you might think, shorts, t-shirt, walking sandals; sorted. I have been there, only to be at the top of a mountain, in two feet of snow, freezing cold.

Getting the right information about where you are going, and a good packing list is essential. This also helps with not overpacking, which is the other end of the scale. Figuring out exactly what you need and packing only that makes your active holiday that more comfortable and enjoyable.There are always things that don’t immediately spring to mind when heading to a particular location, like taking sunscreen to Scotland, but it does occasionally get blisteringly hot, and you don’t want to be caught out and ruin the rest of your week.

GET TO KNOW THE AREA

While it is always lovely to get a surprise, it is a great idea to do some research before heading on your active holiday. Knowing the area and knowing at least a bit about what to expect is a fundamental way to stay safe and be able to overcome any incidents you may have on the trip.  

If you don’t want to see what it looks like, then guidebooks are the way to go. They will tell you all about the area in rich detail, without showing you exactly what you are letting yourself in for. The next level up is blogs and online guides. These give a great personal side to the area you are going to travel in and let you see a bit more, get to understand the region. Then, for the full experience, YouTube is the place to go. There are thousands of YouTube videos for every subject, so you will be able to see people participating in the exact holiday that you are going to take, watch their trials and celebrate their victories.

THROW YOURSELF IN

Travelling is different things to different people, but by far the most enriching travelling experiences come from when you simply immerse yourself, get into the local customs and culture and experience it all. When you are walking or cycling in a particular part of the world, you come into far more frequent contact with the locals, asking them for directions, where the nearest bar is, where is best to eat.

Taste all you can (active holidays mean you have an excuse to eat a lot!), try those local wines, speak your 15 words of Spanish as often as you can and feel the warmth in the replies you will get for trying. Holidays come too few and far between, so explore any opportunities that present themselves while you are away and you will return home having had a hugely fulfilling experience.

Bon voyage, travellers!

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