Europe and Middle East

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in Europe and Middle East. independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

Bandol London restaurant is what lovers of Provence have been waiting for - a restaurant which showcases the food of that region, under-represented in UK restaurants, and many of the lovely wines for which the South of France is regaining  a reputation.  Dining Booths at Bandol

BANDOL LONDON RESTAURANT. Discover the delicious taste of the south of France in south London.

Bandol London restaurant is what lovers of Provence have been waiting for says Anthea Gerrie.

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Bovino Steakhouse

Bovino Steakhouse. Quinta do Lago has never tasted so good.

Andy Mossack eats at the Bovino Steakhouse at the beautiful Quinta do Lag resort on Protugal’s Algarve.

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quinta bonita 003

Quinta Bonita. Beautiful boutique Quinta close to Lagos

I’m having breakfast at Quinta Bonita and watching hens wandering around in front of me on an immaculate lawn. Playing match my breakfast egg with that hen is a fun diversion for a few seconds, but owners Chantelle and Fraser have to play it for real every day as they wander the grounds of Quinta Bonita searching for those freshly laid eggs. “They could be anywhere” says Chantelle “but we always try their favourite spots first.”

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Andy Mossack explores Val Gardena in summer and discovers art, landscapes and gastronomy in the beautiful Dolomites.

Val Gardena. Experience Glorious Summer in The Dolomites.

Anna is teaching me the highly skilled art of Tyrolean cooking at the chalet Luech de Curijel in Selva and she’s not looking best pleased. It seems my Apfelstrudel and spinach crafuncins, two of the simplest of local dishes here in Val Gardena, are not up to standard. Now when your teacher possesses hands with the power to knead dough as if it were mash potato, generating hostility is not a healthy option.

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gallery jerpoint abbey from rear

Kilkenny. Friendliest city in the world?

Kilkenny, only 90 minutes south of Dublin has been voted one of the friendliest cities in the world. It was also Ireland’s tidiest town in 2014. No wonder. Locals talked to us nonstop about nothing and everything and I never saw a stray ice cream wrapper or a crumpled greasy chip bag during my stay in this beautiful medieval masterpiece along the ‘Ancient East’ route.

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