Osprey Farpoint vs Tortuga Setout: Which Carry-On to Buy “Which carry-on backpack should I actually buy?” That was my main question before leaving for full-time travel in 2019. I went with the Osprey Farpoint 40 based on forum votes — carried it for 18 months through Southeast Asia, South America, and long routes around Australia.
Off to the Royal Opera House or the English National Opera? Whether you’re a Baroque buff or a ‘Norma’ novice, seated in the gods or near the pit, with the children or with your grandmama, it’s always best to take a pew after a proper supper. A night at the London opera or ballet is
Is there anything better than a good book and a slice of cake? I think not. London has some enchanting bookshops where you can practically curl up with your favourite tome and tuck into a delicious slice and a cuppa. Here are 12 of the best bookshop cafes in London. Bookshop with the best cakeLondon
What’s in a name? I’m in Southall to review Brilliant restaurant, and my greedy fingers are crossed that it’s as brilliant as it says it is. Apparently, it’s King Charles’s favourite Indian restaurant and it seems Boris is also a fan. And with “Curry Queen” Dipna Anand at the culinary helm of this Ealing landmark, my hopes
One of my favourite places to have some cake and tea is in the Great Cloister overlooking the gardens of Horace Walpole’s Gothic fantasy at Strawberry Hill House. It’s a charming museum café from which you can stare across the Walpolian gardens where Georgian London’s great and godly once partied. Or when the sun is
I have a real loathing of places which refer to themselves as London’s “best-kept secret,” but Sticky Mango actually deserves the accolade. It’s not wedged into Southbank’s busy arteries which overflow with humdrum chain restaurants. Instead, this Waterloo outpost is quietly but conveniently located on Coin Street, close to the Old Vic, the National Theatre
The original Harry’s Bar in Venice invented the Bellini in 1948. White peach purée, Prosecco, served cold. That drink became the shorthand for a specific kind of Italian luxury — unhurried, precise, unapologetically expensive. Harry’s Dolce Vita in Knightsbridge carries that same DNA into one of London’s most affluent postcodes. The question is whether the
First published as a 1,345-word overview; now fully expanded to over 1,500 words with deeper insights, pricing examples, and actionable steps. 1. Why Container Gardening Works in Small Spaces Container gardening is not just a trend—it is a practical solution for millions of urban dwellers who lack access to traditional garden plots. By growing plants
Most people pay £85 at Claridge’s without realising that afternoon tea inside the actual Houses of Parliament — Thames views, Victorian Gothic stonework, the full thing — costs around £45 to £65 per person. I’ve done both. The Claridge’s scones are technically better. But nobody at Claridge’s has ever leaned across to point out where