“We’re a little bit out of the way,” our genial host cites as we enter Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings. Spoiler Alert: Not at all! The Clerkenwell restaurant, set in a 19th-century building, is a quick 10-minute taxi from our hotel even though the driver fretted that he didn’t recognize the … Read more
The Doomstone. That’s its name, and it’s the best relic I’ve ever seen. Aside from sounding like something Indiana Jones might off a few Nazis for, it depicts a typical day in Hell: fiends, demons and a cauldron full of the damned — Bon Appetit! A picture is worth 1000 … Read more
“Are you boys going to watch some football today?”, our hostess coyly asks as she seats us. We’re still a little groggy from the short flight to Manchester from Philadelphia and coffee more than football is what’s on our minds. In the ensuing days in this compact metropolis, however, we’ll … Read more
On London’s quaint and endearingly buzzy Portobello Road, The Distillery’s deep navy awnings serve as a beacon for what lies inside, though what lies inside can hardly be contained by the singularity of its name. There is indeed a full-blown subterranean distillery installed, but alongside it is a school of … Read more
Tradition. Innovation. Excellence. – Since 1931, thousands of students have followed these principles at Le Cordon Bleu in London, one of the top culinary arts, wine, and management schools in the world. Located on Bloomsbury Square, the stately entrance radiates grandeur and energy, and students dressed in white aprons with … Read more
A Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Class Experience First, a small confession: I’m not great in the kitchen. I can make a mean apple pie (provided I use a ready-made crust), and my husband calls me the “Soup Queen” (really, I just toss things in a pot and add chicken stock), but … Read more
Here are the Top 10 Things To Do In London London’s St. James neighborhood is uniquely situated amidst greenery, with St. James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park nearby, as well as Buckingham Palace, the hustle, bustle of Piccadilly, the elegance of Mayfair and West End theaters a short stroll … Read more
London is hopping during the summer. There are numerous choices for where to bunk from The Rosewood and Claridges to the Hotel Café Royal and the Ritz. I can personally recommend all of the above but let’s take a deeper dive into Andre Balazs’ Chiltern Firehouse and the refurbished Goring, … Read more
Liverpool is an exciting destination city in the UK that has an important musical heritage most notably with the Beatles and the Mersey Beat. Great nightlife
Like pilgrims flocking to the Holy Land, Smiths fans travel for days to be here. No distance is too great for true devotees, who cross oceans and time zones to reach this temple of popular culture. I’m at the Salford Lads Club in Greater Manchester, a Victorian youth centre immortalized … Read more
Stuffy, staid English-ness? Yes, St. Ermin’s is just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park and the ceiling lobby is finished in full on Rococo plasterwork rivaling the Sistine Chapel’s decoration. And true, it does feel like Mr. Darcy might walk down the grand staircase at any … Read more
Its blue and white arms descending to the Thames from two ornate towers connected by overhead walkways, London’s Tower Bridge matches the Tower Bridge of memory. There’s nothing superlative about it, yet there is, as it probably inspires more glances upward than any other bridge in the world. As … Read more
Hazlitt’s: Like a Clock in My Heart Located on a quiet street off Soho Square, Hazlitt’s occupies three historic 18th century townhouses in the heart of London. Beautifully restored to its original Georgian style, the hotel blends the charm of yesteryear with modern innovation. [wide] [/wide]As owner Peter McKay states, the … Read more
U.K’s Little Secret Photos © Crown copyright (2010) Visit Wales Being of Irish descent with family both in Ireland and England, I’ve been to those countries on many occasions, each time seduced by the beauty of areas like Connemara or the Cotswolds. Over the years, I’ve also visited Scotland and … Read more
A Royal and Bucolic London Getaway ‘‘Richmond’s great for walking,’’ says a patron named Bruce, raising a glass of ale to his mouth. ‘‘It’s best for seeing real history, without running into crowds,’’ counters Alan, who shares a wooden bench with him near the crackling fireplace in the cozy Victoria … Read more