2015 – My year in travels

  As I sit here munching on chocolate coins left over from Christmas stockings I look back on my year in travel. January I saw in the beginning of 2015 with my boyfriend and my sister in the beautiful Barcelona. Like everything in this city New Year’s Eve or ‘Noche Vieja’ as they call it in Spanish is celebrated in a big way, not just with fireworks, but light shows

Cagliari, Sardinia

Coffee with a local in Cagliari, Sardinia

This week I’m in the Sardinian capital of Cagliari to talk Italian gelato, hidden terraces, and maggot filled cheese with local Simona Campidano. So, you’ve brought me to your favourite cafe/bar – tell me about it. The bar is Bar Centrale, it is a pretty typical kind of bar, but what makes this one different is the location. The bar is in Piazza Yenne, one of my favourite places in town.

2014 – My year in travels

Below are some of my travel highlights of 2014. Luckily I’ve been able to do and see a few things this year, which I’ve been wanting to for a very long time. January  I saw in the New Year in the UK with my family and then headed over to Granada in southern Spain just in time for Día de los Reyes or Three Kings Day to see the yearly procession and

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Coffee with a local in Amsterdam

This week I’m in Amsterdam drinking strong black coffee with local Machteld Ligtvoet, who gives me some tips on some of his favourite local haunts – including where you can go to find the best city views. So, you’ve brought me to your favourite cafe/bar – tell me about it. We’re at Stanislavski – a sleek and elegant cafe and restaurant which is open all day and serves good coffee, as well

Florence, Italy

Coffee with a local in Florence

This week I’m in the romantic Italian city of Florence to talk Italian espressos and aperitivos with local Roberta Romoli. So, you’ve brought me to your favourite cafe/bar – tell me about it. This is ChiaroScuro, known for their great choice of expresso coffees. It is located on a little side street, away from the main tourist routes. It’s an elegant place and has a delightful coffee aroma in the air.

Lisbon

Coffee with a local in Lisbon

Tips from local Vítor Carriço on the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, discovering secret custard tart recipes and the origins of tempura. So, you’ve brought me to your favourite cafe/bar – tell me about it. This is the rooftop bar of the Bairro Alto Hotel and due to its location, service and drinks; it is one of my favourite places for a sundowner, overlooking all the boats and ferries crossing the Tagus River.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Coffee with a local in Gothenburg

Insider tips from the Swedish city of Gothenburg by local Alice Andersson. So, you’ve brought me to your favourite cafe – tell me about it. This is Café Villekulla. We’ve walked down the steps into the underground café where no two chairs are the same. Treasures from antique shops and old homes cover the walls and shelves and old copper pots hang from the ceiling. There’s a huge branch from a giant oak