Travel Tuesday- Seatown

 Seatown is a tiny village right on the coastline in Devon/Dorset. It's a single Lane to get down to the sea, but once you're down there is a lovely shingled beach sun trap. 

In 1992 there was a humped back whale in the bay that followed a fishing boat & let children ride on it! Then in 1999 there was a pod of dolphins playing in the area. 

The Anchor Inn, aptly named is a refurbished pub that serves real ales and fantastic food. It's busy and has a beautiful view. 

There is plenty of parking with a carpark that charges £2 per day or first come first serve parking at the pub- only whilst using the Anchor Inn. 

We stopped for lunch and to get some fresh air on our way down to Devon. The beach and pub are dog friendly and frequented by locals, passers by and is child-friendly. 

Delicious menu with daily specials, a variety of ciabatta sandwiches, light bites or a selection of main courses. We chose sandwiches- chicken and chorizo with basil Creme Fraiche and  Brie with roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomatoe pesto. Served with dressed green salad. 

Fun Fact Friday! National Gallery in London.

The National Gallery is one of London's most important museums. It has an impressive collection of paintings covering the period between 1260 and 1900, with works from virtually all renowned artists of the era.

Motivation Monday- last minute travel

All my friends know that we don't need a second invite to come and visit- I'm booking tickets after the first invitation! My trip to Amsterdam tomorrow is no exception! 

I messaged my (ex) sister-in-law to let her know were expecting number 2 in November and besides the normal congratulations she said she missed us & we're welcome anytime. That was all I needed to get onto the Internet & book tickets. So my reply was great we'll be there in a couple weeks! 

I told my mother-in-law... Not like the dragons in the movies. I'm very blessed to have an AMAZING mother-in-law with whom I get on very well with. She wanted to come too, so tomorrow Alfie, Lou & I head to Amsterdam for a few days- woohoo! 

Life's too short, you've got to make things happen, so don't think about it- as Nike says 'just do it'! 

5 Top Skincare Tips

Skin can take a beating when you're travelling because of the climate change, dryness on board a plane, and time differences. Follow my top 5 travel skincare tips to keep your skin glowing! 

1. Pack a sample cleanser and moisturiser in your hand luggage to freshen up before landing. 

2. Use a hydrating spray mid flight to keep skin hydrated- Dermalogica Ultra Calming Mist is my favourite. 

3. Apply a heavy moisturiser before you travel and put a barrier protector over your skin inflight- Dermalogica climate control is my favourite. 

4. Use a booster with  hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient to keep your skin hydrated  

5. When you get to your destination exfoliate and mask as part of your evening skincare regime. 

5 Packing Tips from a Retired Hosty

As a former flight hostess for Virgin Atlantic, Di shares 5 great tips on how to pack for your next holiday! 

- Pack in colour schemes so that everything matches and you only have to pack one set of accessories- for example one handbag that matches everything.

- One pashmina that goes with each outfit- they work great as a wrap for an evening, scarf if it's cooler in the day or even as a sarong for the pool. They are also lightweight, don't wrinkle & are super small to pack. 

- Always pack a swimsuit- you never know if you'll get diverted or if the hotel has a pool, it's great exercise if your gym kit won't fit into your luggage

- LBD- the little black dress or equivalent. There are opportunities that may arise that surprise you and you need to dress up, so best to always be prepared! 

- Travel sized samples make a great weekend away size for your suitcase & you can dispose of them, leaving more room for shopping treasures found on holiday. 

Bon Voyage!!!! 

Prague, Top 5 Things to See During Christmas Market Season! Our 2010 Adventure!

Prague is a magical city, especially during the winter season. 2010 marked our first holiday to Eastern Europe and it was filled with endless adventures!! 

The Christmas markets inspired me to suggest to Monica that we make Prague our 2010

Annual Adventure destination. We arrived on opening day! As we got off the train,

we came across rows of stalls with crafts, mulled wines, candied almonds, sausages, bohemian crystals, and so on. Traditionally, the Christmas markets are open from late November to early January. Check  

http://www.czechtourism.com for specific dates. 

1. Visit the Christmas market stalls

We found hand painted ornaments, wool gloves, beautiful eggs, and endless unique finds. 

2.  See a Performance at the Opera House 

Imagine sitting in the same venue Mozart once performed at. Incredible! We decided to see if there were performances the evening of our arrival. So lucky!! With less than an hour before showtime, we bought tickets for a beautiful ballet for under £10/$15! 

3. Try the traditional Tredlnik 

Monica's Market Fav, Tredlnik-a delicious traditional Czech Christmas treat. These sweet delicious treats are cooked on long rotating skewers over hot coals and immediately after baking they are rolled in cinnamon sugar and almonds. Mon affectionately referred to these as "Cinnamon Nic". You can find Tredlnik sold by vendors throughout the markets, yummy! 

4. Visit the Prague Castle Compound 

Walking up countless steps in the snow was worth it!!! As we came to the top of the compound, we saw the St. Vitus Cathedral-just  breathtaking!

5. Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate at Cafe Savoy 

Perfect on a cold day and yummy! Plus, the ambiance at the Cafe Savoy is fab! Stop in for a cuppa and savor the moment. 

Paris Restaurant, it's Ćest Magnifque!!!

It's amazing how food experiences can connect us to fond memories. Think back to your childhood and a specialty your grandmother made, that you wish you could still have today, since it brings back happy times. Or, the best dessert you ever had while on holiday and so on. 

A BVF favourite in Paris is the Relais 
de l'Entrecôte (RE) located at  20 rue, St. Benoit. It's a fab restaurant and its right near Café de Flore, where Ernest Hemingway would frequent. Love the history!  

Diana and her dad discovered this restaurant while on holiday with her brother a few years ago. 

Last year, during our adventures in Paris, we enjoyed a wonderful time at RE!! We sat next to a Parisian woman, accompanied by her husband. She was wearing a fur coat and had a tiny dog next to her, too cute!!! 

There is no dinner menu, you read that correctly. Once seated, you are asked how you would like your steak prepared. Then you receive a delicious plate of salad lightly tossed in dijon dressing and topped with walnuts, plus crispy bread-of course!! 

What makes RE really unique is something we've never experience elsewhere. No wonder a line forms outside for dinner!! So, what makes this place so different, aside from not having a dinner menu? Half of your steak is served to you with endless pomme frites, while the remainder is placed on a tray, which is kept warm above a set of burning candles. The steak has an amazing buttery and lightly seasoned sauce, a delicious accompaniment to the pomme frites. 

If you desire a simple yet exquisite French dining experience, add this to your 'must try' list. If your heart desires, end the evening with a delicious dessert-they have a lovely selection of sweets to choose from. 

Bon Appétit!!!