Archive for July, 2011

David Cameron to take a luxury family holiday to Tuscany

David Cameron and his family will be flying out to an 18th-Century luxury villa situated in the lush Italian hills in Tuscany for a two-week luxury family holiday. The Italian holiday will be the PM’s first foreign holiday since the general election last year. The luxury villa is on the outskirts of Mercatale Valdarno, close to the converted hunting lodge which is owned by the famous pop singer Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler.

The Cameron’s family and two other families will be flying out on a budget airline and be sharing a £10,000 a week mansion on the Petrolo Estate. The estate is surrounded by olive groves and lush vineyards, as well as oak woods which contain roaming wild boar, and there are also fishing lakes on the estate.

Yesterday Luca Sanjust, owner of the Petrolo Estate, said, “They have exclusive use of a pool and tennis courts and there is some beautiful countryside as well as the historic cities of Florence and Siena nearby.”

Tuscany holds a special place in both David & Samantha Cameron’s hearts as it is where the couple first laid eyes on each other back in 1992 on holiday. David Cameron set his eyes on Samantha whilst playing tennis together when she was on a family holiday. We wish them a fantastic and relaxing luxury family holiday whilst in Tuscany.

Source: Number10.gov.uk

My First Ranch Holiday Experience

I don’t like horses, I didn’t really think fly-fishing was all that interesting and never had an wish to shoot a gun that could stop a bison in its tracks…that is until I went to Montana, in the north west of the United States.

Okay, the truth is that I’m actually scared of horses – and they know it too! But having promised my girlfriend that we’d go on a Ranch holiday one day, this was the year that I had to fulfil that promise, and we headed off to The Ranch at Rock Creek.

And what an absolutely beautiful part of the world Montana is! And the Ranch at Rock Creek is simply stunning…forget any misconception that you (and I) had about a ranch being a dusty wooden barn and having to sleep on bails of hay and eat beans around a camp fire. This was pure luxury. In fact it has to be one of the finest lodges which I’ve had the pleasure of staying in, during my 25 years of luxury travel.

We stayed in a ‘Trapper Tent’ and were situated on the banks of the creek – which is actually now a roaring river following a snowy winter. The suite was one of just eight, and was surrounded by the corale and cattle. The main lodge was just a two minute cycle away, and it’s there that we would venture to indulge on some gorgeous meals, each one cooked to perfection by Josh and his team in the kitchen.

We were able to choose the daily activities we wanted to participate in, and were able to do them for as long as we wished to do them. So of course I had to at least try horse riding…

Secretly, I was quite excited about being a ‘cowboy’ for the few days while I was there, and any fears I had about horses quickly disappeared as I was presented with Chester – my horse for the weekend.

Chester - My Horse

He couldn’t have been any calmer and was so easy to ride too. As we climbed up into the mountain air, it then became so clear to me why so many of Western & Oriental’s clients take ranch holidays. This is ‘Big Sky’ country and that really sums it up very well! You actually have to experience it to really appreciate that statement, but as you sit ‘On Top of the World’ (actually only about 500 feet high) you really do envy the guys ‘n’ gals who work at the The Ranch at Rock Creek – they have to put up with this every day!!

Top of the World - sign post

By this point I was also quite keen to see what fly-fishing was all about, and it’s the art of fishing with a pole that is much longer than the one many other types of fish are caught with. I was told that I had to be really patient, but this was reserved for our wonderful guide Mike, who had the patience of a saint as he unhooked my ‘fly and line’ from the tree behind me for the seventh time in 10 minutes. But hey, I caught a beautiful cutthroat trout after 30 minutes. Sadly for me I was still four fish behind my girlfriend – also a novice at fishing!

Fly-fishing gone wrong!

We also tried our hand on the shooting range, situated in a valley, where we also paused our instruction session to listen to the coyote’s fighting in the nearby woodland. After an hour of playing at being John Wayne, I’d been beaten again by my ‘non-competitive’ girlfriend!

The evenings weren’t spent around the chuck-wagon, but enjoyed spending time eating deliciously cooked dinner and also in the Silver Dollar Saloon bar – complete with pool table, movie screen and bowling alley! If you are planning a Ranch holiday and thought they were only about riding on horses, believe me, there are many more activities to do than that! They are perfect for couples and even for more adventurous families.

Western & Oriental have some fantastic summer savings at the Ranch At Rock Creek, you can stay 7 nights and only pay for 5. Valid for travel between 27 August – 30 September 2011. In addition to the free nights, you will receive a free pair of riding boots to the value of US$195 per adult. See here for more information on The Ranch At Rock Creek.

BBQ Recipe from Jamaica: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican Jerk Chicken, is world famous for its fantastic zesty taste and spicy after taste. This simple recipe will let you bring a bit of Jamaican culture into your food and home, the perfect thing to shake things up a little.

Country: Jamaica

Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Ingredients:
1 spring onion, minced
4 tablespoons of orange juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

Instructions:

1. Combine spring onions, orange juice, ginger, chili, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, allspice, cinnamon and cloves.
2. Add chicken and marinate for 8 hours
3. Preheat barbeque for medium heat. Cook chicken until juices run clear, and drizzle with leftover marinade that has been boiled for 2 to 3 minutes.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

You can enjoy your Jamaican Jerk Chicken whilst your on a Jamaica holiday or at home with friends and family.

BBQ Recipe From Mexico: Mexican BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Mexico is a country famed for its diverse culture and cuisine. This delicious recipe creates the perfect fusion between the sugar and the hot chillies. This recipe is perfect for any BBQ occasion and will leave your guests smiling!

Country: Mexico

Recipe: Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

8 chicken drumsticks
3 tablespoons of Soy sauce
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup of water
2 bay leave
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of hot sauce
3 teaspoons of cilantro (minced)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan combine Soy sauce, garlic, water, bay leaves and hot sauce. Mix ingredients together and bring to a simmer.
2. Place the drumsticks in the saucepan and gently simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Pre-heat the grill to a medium heat and place the chicken on the grill.
4. Grill for 6 minutes turning occasionally. Serve chicken with rice and left over sauce.

You can enjoy this recipe on your next Mexico holiday or at home with your friends and family.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

BBQ Recipe from Anguilla: Anguillan BBQ Sauce

Caribbean cooking is known for its blend of rich flavours and spices to create a truly sensational culinary treat. This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any of your BBQ recipes and is the perfect way to add a bit of spice to your cooking.

Country: Anguilla

Recipe: Anguillan BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
½-2 scotch bonnet chilies seeded and minced
3 lbs of tomatoes ripe: peeled, seeded and chopped
¼ cup of tomato paste
¼ cup of barbeque sauce
2 tablespoons of Caribbean hot sauce
¼ cup of cider vinegar
¼ cup of brown sugar
¼ cup of rum
¼ cup of water
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of chopped fresh time (1/2 teaspoon of dried)
Salt and Freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and chile and sauté until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Stir in the tomato paste, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, 1/4 cup each vinegar and sugar, the rum, 1/4 cup water, the oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning, adding salt, vinegar, or sugar as necessary; the sauce should be highly seasoned. Add water if the sauce seems too thick.
4. Any unused sauce may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
5. Makes 3 to 4 cups.

Bring the taste of Anguilla to your cooking.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

Taste the Flavours of Mauritius in Grandma’s Kitchen!

The beautiful Shanti Maurice in Mauritius is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens with breathtaking views of the hills and the Indian Ocean. In addition to the rejuvenating  amenities of this fantastic five-star resort, Shanti Maurice is also known for the unique culinary experiences it offers. Ingredients come fresh from the ocean, the resort’s gardens or nearby farms, so fresh local produce and imaginative menu choices are the order of the day.

Always at the forefront of innovation in hospitality, Shanti Maurice has recently introduced a new eatery concept which combines home-cooked meals with the essence of a five-star dining palate. On November 2011, Shanti Maurice was also awarded with the prestigious ‘Best Initiative in Clients Experience’ Award by Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2011, for the ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ experience.

This culinary option invites guest to dine with one of the resort’s favourite team members who prepares and serves her own individual creations of decadence. “Grandma”, is the grandmother of Rimala, the General Manager Paul Van Frank’s assistant, and the venue where Grandma cooks and receives the guest is at their family home.

As a lover of the art of food, Grandma handpicks fresh ingredients daily, guaranteeing that you will have the healthiest, but tastiest selection of options.

Grandma Purchasing Fruits & Vegetables

Her specialities encompass a wide variety of dishes including a fish curry, honey lamb with cinnamon, and a thick soy and ginger sauce. If guests are in the mood for a refreshing sweet treat, she will offer you a pineapple bomb consisting of locally grown fruit, sugar and eggs topped with cream.

Grandma Cooking Food

The importance of Grandma’s Kitchen as a culinary experience is not simply about the food, but also about creating an ‘at home’ atmosphere. During dinner, guests sit around a communal table as Grandma shares stories about her life and passion for cooking.

Grandma's Family & Guests

At the end of the meal, you will receive a mini cookbook that includes some of Grandma’s handwritten recipes and secret cooking tips.

Although your holiday in Mauritius will eventually end, this unique memory of dining in Grandma’s kitchen on your luxurious Mauritius holiday will without a doubt last a lifetime.

Buried Treasure! The Hidden Gem of the Maldives

Touching down at London Heathrow Airport, I took a moment to reflect on the incredible two weeks I had just spent on my luxurious Maldives holiday. We all know about the sapphire blue seas, white sand beaches and year round warm weather, but the Maldives has so much more to offer, it has undiscovered treasures, and that’s what I wanted to share with you on this blog article.

Diving is often thought to be the best way to see the true beauty of the Maldives, but as a fairly new diver, I was a little sceptical about going out to sea, for half an hour only reliant on an oxygen tank, a much more daunting task than splashing around the swimming pool, where fresh air was only a few centimetres away. I tried to escape the expedition by saying ‘the place is so beautiful anyway, I don’t need to see anymore’ and in my eyes there was plenty of wildlife to be seen on the land, such as the rare birds and the occasional turtle that ventured onto the beach. However, my husband, a keen diver, ignored my protests and chivvied me onto the boat. After reluctantly boarding, we set off out to sea, and eventually arrived at the spot where we were to plunge under water. Standing on the side of the boat with my back to the drop, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. We rocked backwards and then crash, we hit the water.

After a few moments of only being able to see white water, I was suddenly astounded as my eyes opened up onto a wonderful plethora of colour, my eyes feasted on the sight. The abundance of tropical fish of every colour of the rainbow glided past my eyes and weaved through the ethereal coral reef as it swayed gently with the movement of the sea. All of my previous anxieties had disappeared; I was completely dumbfounded by the beauty that danced before my eyes. A tap on my shoulder by my husband, woke me from my reverie, he did a big ‘thumbs up’ and even behind the mask I could see his huge grin and I could feel my face as it involuntarily cracked into a huge smile, I couldn’t stop it!

Marine life in the Maldives

We swam amongst the reef, watching the fish as they swam almost entirely ignoring the fact that two humans had just entered their habitat. Then we were both tapped on the shoulder by our guide and asked to swim back to the top where we clambered back onto the boat. It took me a few moments to gather myself before I said to my husband, ‘thank you that was the most amazing experience I have ever had.’

Coral in the Maldives

The underwater world was something that I had never even imagined would be a part of my holiday to the Maldives. I was just there to lie on the beach, read a few books and eat and drink till my heart was content. Our Maldives holiday was a world away from what we expected and I hope you will go to the Maldives and scratch beneath the surface and discover the true beauty of these islands.

BBQ Recipe From Thailand: Beef Waterfall Recipe

The Thai style of cooking is suited to all types of meat, but the rich flavours and strong spices are especially suited to the rich succulent taste of beef. This recipe is wonderfully flavoursome and perfect for a Thai style summer BBQ.

Country: Thailand

Recipe: Beef Waterfall

Ingredients:

A Nice Chunk of Marbly Beef 500gr
1 Fresh Lime
2 Tbs Sesame Oil
2 Tbs of Seasoning Sauce
2 ts Chicken Stock Powder

Instructions:

Slice the beef into steak sized slices for the barbecue

Give them a good pounding with whatever comes to hand (rolling pin, steak tenderiser etc)

Next mix in a bowl with 2 slices of lime juice

Using a mature barbecue, place meat on top to cook, turning regularly so as not to burn the outside.

If you have a nice piece of marbly beef the oil will dribble out and fire up on the coals hence the name “waterfall”

Remove when cooked through, it should still be very soft and a slight pink center is perfect

You can enjoy this recipe on your luxury Thailand holiday or at home with your friends and family.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.