A Weekend at the Badminton Horse Trials and Exploring Charming Cotswolds Villages
I recently had the pleasure of attending the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials, one of the world's premier equestrian events, held on the grounds of the stunning Badminton House in Gloucestershire, England. The event attracted top riders from around the globe, including Olympians and international competitors, who tackled challenging jumps, tricky maneuvers, and water obstacles in a thrilling display of skill and athleticism.
The event grounds were well-organized, with numerous food stalls offering a variety of delicious options, as well as horse-related shops, arts and crafts vendors, and clothing boutiques. Pimm's trucks and other bars were scattered throughout, providing refreshing drinks to enjoy while watching the competition on the big screens set up in various seating and lounge areas. The beautiful weather made for a perfect day to enjoy the exciting competition and soak in the lively atmosphere.
We stayed at a delightful Airbnb in the nearby village of Colerne. The accommodation was simple, clean, and cozy, with a beautifully renovated bathroom, a kettle for tea, and a soft double bed. The peaceful garden was a lovely spot to relax after a busy day at the event. The village itself had a few pubs and restaurants within walking distance, making it a convenient base for our weekend getaway. We rated our stay a well-deserved 5 stars.
One evening, we dined at the Fox and Hound, a small village pub with an unassuming exterior. The food was simple, tasty, and hearty, offering great value for money. The lovely staff made our visit even more enjoyable.
We also took a short drive to explore the picturesque village of Castle Combe, known for its charming old buildings, babbling river, and historic church. We discovered a small "trust" shop serving cakes and drinks on an honor system, as well as coffee upon request (although it wasn't the best, it was hot and welcome). Parking was inexpensive at just 80p for the entire day, with a 9-minute walk down to the village center. The walk was a bit precarious as it involved walking along the road, but the stunning views made it worthwhile.
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For lunch, we stopped at The Salutation Inn, a beautiful old pub with a high-ceiling dining room and outdoor seating under the trees and in the large beer garden out back. The Sunday roast was delectable, featuring perfectly cooked beef, crispy potatoes, broccoli, spinach, mashed turnips, Yorkshire pudding, and plenty of gravy. The only minor critique was that an extra slice of meat would have been welcome.
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All in all, it was a fantastic weekend filled with exciting equestrian competition, charming villages, cozy accommodations, and delicious food. I highly recommend a visit to the Badminton Horse Trials and the surrounding Cotswolds villages for a quintessential English countryside experience.
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Exploring the Charms of Flayosc and Southern France
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Flayosc is a hidden gem tucked away in the rolling vineyard-coated mountains inland from Nice in Southern France. With stunning scenery, sensational food and wine, and lovely locals, this area enchanted me during my recent trip.
My travel companion and I flew into Nice and made the two hour drive to the west through the lush countryside into charming Flayosc. Despite our limited French, the villagers were welcoming - especially when they learned we came all the way from Australia!
We toured the beautiful Chateau de Berne winery, sampling refreshing rosé, crisp whites and bold reds along with tuna tataki salad and seafood pastas that showed off the bounty of Provençal cuisine. Their gift shop offered plenty of temptations like truffle olive oils and wines to take home.
For lunch at Le Bistrot du Château de Berne, we began with a refreshing tuna tataki salad with sesame crusted tuna sashimi, mixed greens, avocado and a ginger soy dressing. For our mains, we chose the seafood linguine piled with plump mussels, clams, and shrimp in a light tomato sauce and the French pork fillet topped with a mustard demi-glace, served with roasted potatoes and vegetables.
The postcard-worthy village of Tourtour with its medieval cottages, towering church and whimsical statues did not disappoint. We indulged in the most perfect steak frites - a sublime hanger steak smothered in a peppercorn sauce alongside crispy potatoes and pickled salad. We also ordered the duck breast with a sweet and tart cranberry glaze that beautifully cut through the rich meat. It was served with a creamy dauphinoise potato mash and buttery seasonal vegetables.
We even took a quick day trip jaunt over to ritzy St. Tropez, crossing the glistening sea by ferry to explore the world-renowned luxury destination. Once there, we spent the afternoon browsing the various high-end designer boutiques like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior. We grabbed fancy cocktails at a beach club while gawking at the outrageous mega yachts docked in the harbor.
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For lunch, we indulged in the freshest seafood including lobster, sea bass, octopus and more at a harborfront restaurant. After our meal, we walked along the beach walkway, dipping our toes into the crystal clear turquoise waters and admiring the spectacular sunsets over the Côte d’Azur. Though posh, St. Tropez still retained the easygoing seaside spirit and beauty of the French Riviera that draws visitors back year after year.
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Our final night in Flayosc was centered around a local Michelin star restaurant. We began with seared scallops presented with fancy citrus foam and other creative embellishments. Our mains featured premium Angus Porterhouse steaks cooked to perfection, paired with a rich red wine jus reduction, sides of truffled mashed potatoes and crispy seared seasonal vegetables. For dessert, we savored a sublime single-serving crème brûlée topped with glistening fresh berries bursting with flavor. The exquisite meal showcased the talents of a masterful chef at the height of their abilities.
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In just a few days, we were able to take in incredible food and wine, charming villages, friendly locals, and the captivating landscapes of Southern France. J’adore Flayosc et Provence!
Our Fantastic 3 Days of Maltese Adventures
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My partner and I recently spent three wonderful days discovering the charms of Malta. We packed our short trip full of delicious food, scenic tours, and underwater adventures.
Malta's cuisine impressed us, with its fresh Mediterranean seafood, local specialties like lampuki, and traditional pastizzi pastries. We need to return to try more authentic restaurants, but enjoyed what we did have.
Renting quad bikes for a small group tour was a highlight. Our knowledgeable multilingual guide brought us along cliffs, beaches, and medieval towns, sharing interesting facts. We stopped at a secluded beach to swim in the blue water and eat at a tiny cafe.
We also did a boat tour to Malta's stunning Blue Lagoon on Comino island. Arriving early ensured we got lounge seats up top to take in the scenery. We jumped into the crystal clear water at several spots to swim and snorkel.
The scuba diving was amazing. We joined an intro dive for mums second dive ever, the guide was partnered with her and allowed us to explore the sheltered wall that went down 20 meters with incredible visibility. There was plenty of colorful marine life to take in. They also had options for advanced certification dives.
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In just three days, we absorbed Malta's rich history while admiring its walled cities and Baroque architecture. The friendly locals, mouthwatering cuisine, and stunning seascapes exceeded our expectations. But there's much left to still explore - we can't wait to return!
Our Fantastic Long Weekend Exploring Crete
My partner and I recently spent an amazing 3 days exploring the Greek island of Crete. The natural beauty, history, and delicious food exceeded our expectations.
Elafonisi Beach was a huge highlight. The pale pink sand wasn't as vivid as we imagined but the stunning turquoise water made up for it. We had a blast snorkeling and taking in the underwater sights. The beach was popular but totally lived up to the hype.
Wandering the old town streets of Chania was so cool. The maze of pedestrian walkways were full of life and great spots to sample delicious gyro pitas and spanakopita. We stumbled upon little harborviews around every corner.
Our beachfront hotel was such a peaceful home base, thanks to the warm hospitality of the staff who went above and beyond. Renting a car was clutch for navigating the crazy Cretan roads and exploring remote parts of the island.
In just 3 days we packed in so many great experiences - swimming, historic sites, amazing food. We left completely enchanted by Crete's natural wonders, rich culture, and genuine hospitality. We can't wait to return and explore more of this special island. It exceeded our expectations and gave us so many fond memories.
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