Champagne brunch is the thing to do on a Friday in Dubai. The working week is from Sunday to Monday so Friday is when the ex-pats party. The Marina restaurant at the Jumeirah Beach hotel is the perfect place to brunch. The restaurant is at the end of a long jetty which stretch a fair way out into the shallows of the gulf. If you can persuade a porter to drive you on a golf buggy I would recommend that. The Veuve clicquot is flowing from start to finish. The choice of food ranged from western dishes, oriental and plenty of fresh seafood. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive and you are encouraged to return and keep topping up you plate. By the time the deserts were layed out most people were too full to be tempted, and maybe a bit tipsy. By the time it’s finished at 3pm you should probably go home. However most of us opted to mosey on upstairs to alfresco Bar 360. Aptly named for the view. This is where the chic set hang out and party on till the early hours. It’s also a great place too admire the neighbouring hotel and world famous Burj Al-Arab and is probably the best spot to check out the amazing architecture and Sail inspired creation.

The Bed Supper club in Bangkok has to be one of most memorable dining experiences I have had.

When you arrive you feel like you are walking into a spaceship and once inside can’t help but notice there are no tables and chairs – just Bed’s all in white linen in which people are lounging on. Once everyone has arrived the entertainment begins. In the centre of the room two guys bring out a huge block of ice and starting chipping away creating a sculpture. Friends have been when the entertainment is live art e.g. A scene of a lifeguard on top of his tower surveying the beach. It changes all the time.

While all this happening the staff are starting to bring out appetisers. You are not quite sure what you have been given and its not until all appetisers are out that the details of the dish is projected onto the wall. We ate some strange stuff that night. Just have an open mind and be prepared to try new things.

By the time we were on to our mains the sculptures were really starting to take form. Then out of nowhere came a man in drag who then performed a cabaret performance. Its all so much to take in.

Once all the food is out of the way – the whole dining area erupts into a big night club and within minutes the dance floor is choc-a-block with bodies.

Time for my exit….. and onto the pub that was in a tree…… but that’s another story.

Being a part of the Peppers Hotel group we knew this hotel would be pretty nice. The rooms were great complete with Ipod docking station and other creature comforts. A door opens onto a little patio area where each room has a table and two chairs. We actually spent a lot of time her playing cards and enjoying the water views. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that great when we were there so we didn’t get to take advantage of the sea or swimming pool. Even if you are staying her, booking a meal in the hotel restaurant is recommended as its gets booked pretty fast. Merrett’s Restaurant has received numerous awards courtesy of their resident Executive Chef, French-born Ludovic Poyer. After dinner we took a stroll along Peppers man made harbour. The water was calm like a mill pond and it was very romantic as we watched a school of Dolphins emerge and flip in an out of the water on their way to a new place. At $900 for two nights it was quite expensive and although it was a lovely place I think you could find somewhere just as pleasant for a bit less.

One of my favourite places to visit is Ludlow, Shropshire. My Nan’s side of the family come from there so as kids we used to spend many a summer holiday there. Our days were filled at the Castle, at the Linney Reserve park where we would row down the river, play on the swings and walk along the weir. 

20 years on and I still like to do the same activities there. The difference now there is much much more to occupy my time. Ludlow has become a gastronomic centre and you don’t have to go far to find a good meal in one of the many historic buildings. Not to forget the Daily market held in the town square where you can pick up some tasty snacks or some arts, craft, preserves and lots more. 

My Nan’s favourite place is the Feathers Hotel. Recently dubbed ‘The most handsome Inn in the world’ and is internationally recognised for its beautiful Jacobean architecture and medieval heritage 

The Feathers Hotel
The Bull Ring
Ludlow
Shropshire
SY8 1AA 

Go and listen to the tales of ghosts that haunt this historic building. 

It really is a beautiful part of England and with a population of approximately 10,000 it has still managed to retain his history and charm whilst adapting to modern times. The locals look after this town like the treasure it is. 

The castle is the centre piece of the town and a lot of time and money has been spent in restoration. In summer you can sit on the lawn and watch a musical festival or sit in the café on the outskirt of the grounds and have high tea. Some days you can even be lucky enough to see the traditional town crier holler " Hear Ye!” before making an announcement. 

It’s a great place to visit no matter what age you are.

 

The london Dungeons are BRILLIANT. 

They transport you back to gruesomes time where they used various methods to torture people. I personally liked the hosepipe down someones throat which pumped water until they body exploded!  Its like a wax works of scenes of torture.  They have the history of some of the people including their heinous crimes and the way in which information was gleamed from them.

Some of the scenes are quite horrific, but the staff try to lighten things up....when they aren't making you jump out of your skin.

You also get to partake in a crime investigation of  Jack the Ripper - Who was he? Its a real historic experience too and focuses on Old london town , the Great  Fire of london and many of the prolific killers from back in the day.  worthy performance.The staff get very involved too - One of them took me aside at one point and asked me to jump out on the rest of the group with an ear piercing scream. I willingly obliged -  It was Hitchcock worthy performance.

Its eerie and creepy as you would expect.  I guess the clue to that is in the name, it sure is a relief to see the light of day again.

I went to see Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre in Dec 2008.  
I love the Aldwych theatre and being built in 1905 it has a lots of history which you can definitely feel when you walk in.

There are great bars and restaurants for pre and post dining all close by too. In fact in some bars in the street you can order your interval drinks.
The set was fantastic and the cast were great. Although you can't help but make comparisions to the film.  Saying that, it does remain quite loyal to the movie production. Hearing the line made famous by Patrick Swayze " Nobody puts Baby in the corner ....", resulted in the entire theatre erupting in cheers and applause. 
This is definitely one of my favourite shows - which explains why I went twice.

 

We had planned to go to the Central Coast, NSW Australia for the weekend and the weather was miserable.  Gone was our beach weekend and we were at a loss for things to do, until somebody suggested we go to The Entrance.  We were staying at Avoca Beach which was about a 15 minute drive away.
Theres a lovely promenade which has bars and restaurants along it on the waters edge.  We had a few drinks in the pub and a bit of food.  It was a nice way to while away the hours.At 3.30 pm we made sure we had a good spot for the daily Pelican feed.  Who knew the Entrance is now recognised as the 'Pelican Capital of Australia'!!
All of a Sudden flocks of Pelicans started to congregate awaiting the practice that has been taking place now for over twenty years. Kids of all ages (including us Big kids) ooohhhed and ahhed and giggled as the pelicans waited for the feeders to release the fish each time.  Then a mad frenzy woiuld occur until the fish was well and truly devoured - all eyes back on the feeders.
I couldn't believe how large the pelicans were and what personalities they all seem to have.  It was great fun. Small donations were put into a bucket at the end which helps to keep this program running 365 days a year - whatever the weather.  if you get a chance please go and show your support too!

 

I was on a business trip to Beijing and thought there was no way I could leave without seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world. 
With that in mind I got the hotel to book me onto a tour.  I was told a coach would pick me up the next day but due to the fact that only myself and one other person who we picked up had booked they sent a car.
It was quite a long drive from the CBD (rougly 45 miles) and they stopped at various Jade outlets along the way.  It felt like we were never going to arrive.  The traffic was awful as well. 
However we did arrive eventaully and the Wall was ceratianly a sight to be seen, I can remember welling up as it felt so surreal to be there.   There are so many sections of the wall you can visit so be sure to investigate.  I went to a section called Badaling which one of the most touristy but also most well preserved. 
The wall was magnificent and really made you feel like a speck in comparison.  I also wasn't prepared for the steepness of it.  Defintiely not for the faint hearted!!! Do not wear heels and defintely bring something warm to put on. 
Disappointing were the various souvenir stalls that speckled the way - kind of distracted you from trying to envisage it being bulit or when it was used as a look out. 
I would defintiely love to retun there one day perhaps to a different section and do a proper walk along it.

Montmartre is one of my favourite places in Paris and a MUST do each time I have been.  Montmarte is really the name of a hill on which sits the Sacre Coeur. but just around the corner is a part of town historically where Artsist used to congregate and although now it's a little tourirty - they still do.

There are heaps of bistros and restaurants in which you can just take up a Pew and watch the artist's mill around looking for their new subject to draw.  This is their main source of income so can be quite pushing.  Make sure you view some of their previous sketches or that they are sober enough to draw, in order not to get stung - Like me.

Its a great way to spend an afternoon and either have a bit of fun and get yourself a charicature or try a more formal style of drawing. 
Either way, its a day you'll never forget :)

 

What can i say about the Hotel Trianon?
When can i come back? I never wanted to leave. I don't know where to start. The hotel is beautiful, the rooms amazing, the staff were so courteous and helpful, the food delicious.
Unfortunatley my stay didn't allow me enough time to sample Gordon Ramseys' new restaurant in the hotel - But saying that I was loathe to leave the room anyway.
What only added to the experience was the dramatic and breathtaking view from my hotel room window of the staggeringly beautiful Chateau Versaille. Every glance out of the window transfered you back in time. You couldn't help but imagine Marie Antoinette strolling through the chateau or taking air in the outstanding gardens.
The transquility only 20km from centre of Paris was definitely worth the slightly higher than average price tag.