Here are eleven of London's hottest new restaurants, where culinary innovation reigns. From cutting-edge gastronomy to old school excellence and hidden gems, these are the capital’s latest dining delights.
21.07.2023 - 08:37 / roughguides.com / Ernest Hemingway / Greg Dickinson / London Eye / Paris / London
Launched in 2012, the Avenue Verte is a low-traffic cycle route connecting London and Paris , making the most of southern England ’s extensive National Cycle Network and France ’s bucolic north. Greg Dickinson took to the saddle and put the route to the test.
“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” Words don’t get wiser than this. It may be quicker to book a seat on a budget airline than it is to fix a puncture, and you can pass through the Channel Tunnel in the time it takes to cycle from Big Ben to London Zoo, but Ernest Hemingway’s fleeting remark still holds true seventy years after he wrote it. There simply is no better way to explore a country than on two wheels, and with the creation of the Avenue Verte the path has been set for novices and seasoned cyclists alike. Falling somewhere between the two, my girlfriend and I were soon on the road, our panniers overflowing with fig rolls and crumpled waterproofs.
The route officially starts at the London Eye, although the bright blue cockerel erected on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square seemed a more suitable starting point for our four-day grand voyage. After slaloming around early-riser tourists at Buckingham Palace and dodging dog walkers on Clapham Common we had our first taster of the promised verte with the Wandle Trail: a ten-mile path snaking past old watermills along the River Wandle to Carshalton.
Our exodus from London continued over the North Downs. This ancient strip of chalk grassland could be mistaken for the Peak District, were it not for the occasional glimpse of the hazy metropolis in the distance. From here a steep downhill zoomed us over the M25 and into an uninspiring stint through Redhill, Horley and Crawley – which really ought to have been renamed «Suburbia Gris». The fact that the official (and very good) Sustrans guide lists Gatwick Airport as a notable sight says it all.
Leaving behind what is probably the dullest stretch of the entire cycle we joined what is arguably the finest. Here the Avenue Verte heads 20 miles east when the coast is actually 30 miles due south; frustrating for anyone in a rush, but a welcomed detour for pootling pedallers. This delightful section ambles along the Forest Way, through timbered hilltop villages and down the Cuckoo Trail before arriving in Newhaven Port, the spiritual halfway point of the journey.
Shortly before docking at Dieppe we were directed to the deafeningly loud loading bay, where a bundle of bikes and helmets were now knotted in a corner. During the four-hour journey we had met some fellow cyclists, ranging from retired, Lycra-clad gents with fist-like calves, to a group of university
Here are eleven of London's hottest new restaurants, where culinary innovation reigns. From cutting-edge gastronomy to old school excellence and hidden gems, these are the capital’s latest dining delights.
Last month I traveled by train from London to Berlin and back.
I’ve never been to London, but I’ve experienced it many times. From sitting in on royal meetings in Buckingham Palace to passing through the walls of King’s Cross Station at Platform 9 ¾, London has come alive in my imagination through some of my favorite books and movies.
Could you justify spending $35,000 for a year’s worth of unlimited business-class flights between New York and London or Paris? Probably not. But if so, La Compagnie has a deal for you.
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
Editor’s Note: This snapshot of life in Italy under COVID-19 lockdown comes from Nancy Raff, an American expat who has lived in Italy for nearly a decade, and who shares her experiences of life in a small Tuscan village on her website and weekly newsletter.
Despite having over 584 locations, 19 distinct brands, and an expansive global footprint, I’d never really checked into Hilton—mostly because I’d gotten accustomed to a handful of other tried-and-true corporate brands.
I am, by my admission, not a fashion girly.
I'm a pretty goal-oriented traveler. I fill my days with as much sightseeing as I can handle. Forget the hotel pool. I'm checking off national landmarks and natural wonders from a carefully researched list.
Laos is an amazing place to visit for a variety of reasons. The country is home to stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cultures, and friendly people. From the jagged limestone mountains in the north to the lush waterways that wind their way through Laos’ countryside, travelers will be amazed by its majestic beauty. Additionally, the Laotian culture is rich with tradition, and visitors will especially enjoy the unique cuisine and vibrant festivals that come with it. For adventure seekers, Laos offers a wide range of activities from kayaking through its caves to trekking up its mountains. With all of these features in mind, it’s no wonder why so many people are drawn to this wonderful country each year. These Laos Airbnbs make everything accessible.
It may be hard to believe, but there’s a place in England where the sand is fine and white, the sea is turquoise blue, and the sun shines more than just about anywhere else in the country. In this dream-like place, you can surf, you can sunbathe (and even get a tan), you can hike coastal paths, valleys, and moors, and you can stuff you face with cream teas and pasties. You guess it, Cornwall, England, is a must-see when in Britain. Lucky for you, it’s only a direct train ride away from London.