Roald Dahl travel tips

The 53-year-old multimedia artist Yto Barrada grew up in a blue two-story house in a verdant Tangier neighborhood that overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar. About a decade ago, the Moroccan French artist, who also lives in New York City, transformed part of the family compound — including several small structures, as well as an expansive botanical garden that provides the flora she uses to make natural dyes — into what she recently named the Mothership, an experimental arts center where she offers textile and other workshops and hosts artists’ residencies. One of its newest additions, in another small garden up the path from the main street, is a 95-square-foot single-room pinewood caravan, a 50th-birthday gift to Barrada from her husband, the American filmmaker and actor Sean Gullette. “It’s my favorite present ever,” she says.

Families in Scotland were expecting to taste chocolate treats and observe “optical marvels” at a Willy Wonka-themed event in Glasgow this past weekend. Instead, they got a couple of jelly beans, a short walk around a nearly empty warehouse and a visit from police officers.

Fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be happy to know they can experience the wild and wonderful world of Willy Wonka during their next trip to Britain. The newly released film Wonka is based on the 1964 novel written by British author Roald Dahl, and it tells the tale of Willy Wonka’s early days as an eccentric chocolatier, counting several notable British sights as backdrops.  From actual film shooting locations to chocolate-centric attractions, you will find a wonderful Wonka-esque experience waiting for you at any of the following places in Britain. 

Until recently I knew relatively little about beer. I assumed that crystal malt had something to do with Breaking Bad. I was blissfully unaware (vegetarians, look away) that fish bladders are used in the beer filtration process at most breweries. And I had absolutely no idea that Gordon Brown had been hailed as the «patron saint of craft brewing» after introducing tax breaks to small breweries in 2002.

Capital of Wales since 1955, Cardiff is unrecognisable from a few years ago. With an exhilarating mix of heavyweight cultural sights, exciting regeneration projects – not least the revitalized Cardiff Bay – world-class sport, a prolific music scene and some seriously banging nightlife, it’s easy to see why Cardiff now ranks alongside London and Edinburgh as one of the UK’s most compelling destinations. So if you were in any doubt, here are ten great reasons to visit…