The Real Mary Kings Close Edinburgh #Review

The Real Mary Kings Close Edinburgh Review: October 2018

Happy Halloween to you all my ghoulish ghostliest friends, its time for a Spooktacular step back in time, to explore Edinburgh’s only uniquely preserved 17th century street, and follow in the footsteps of past residents.

Prepare to go deep underground under the famous Royal Mile, to the Real Mary King’s Close, delve into the mysteries and myths, but be prepared to hear the authentic truths about Edinburgh’s murky dark past.  For a small fee, make sure to pick up your ghoulish souvenir photo at the end of the tour.

Costumed Characters aka your tour guides include previous residents of the Close, The Maid to the cant family 1535 Agnes chambers, head of Edinburgh’s Foul Clengers, who’s uniform bared the Cross of St Andrew motif, as he put is life at risk to clear the disease stench homes of those infected or the renowned physician and pioneer of Medical sciences in Edinburgh Joannes Paulitius aka The Plague Doctor, and the first to officially treat the sick.

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Escape Reality Edinburgh Tortuga Pirates & Jungala #Review

Escape Reality Edinburgh Tortuga Pirates & Jungala Review: November 2018

Escape Reality Edinburgh, located within the Fountainbridge area, offers an entertaining, exciting and engaging real-life escape game experience. Dave, Brian and the rest of the team provide warm welcomes and enthusiastic energy throughout.

Family and friends unite your strong genius team of between 2-6 people, take on the challenge and prepare to play the game.  Question is can you escape, you have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, use your skills wisely and become the A-team!

Calling all you Jungle Explorers out there, grab your survival backpack, camouflage and torch to take on Jungala.  A rumbling noise could be heard from the attic, cautiously climbing up the stairs, we noticed a dusty cobwebbed game box.  As we attempted to wipe through the dust, the game suddenly opens, engulfed by a super strength vortex, we were briefly transported into an alternative realm, which was a terrifying sight, and within minutes back in the attic again.

Immediately, attempting to leave the attic, shook up and scared, but the game had other plans.  “The dice have been rolled” now appeared to be embossed on the game, we had no choice, but to play the game and seal our fate, fail and you are locked inside the game’s realm forever.  We escaped, but the question is can you?

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Burlington’s Restaurant at The Beech Hill Hotel & Spa in the Lake District #Review

Burlington’s Restaurant at The Beech Hill Hotel & Spa in the Lake District: October 2018

Burlington’s Restaurant, named after the local slate, located within The Beech Hill hotel & Spa, is open to both residents and non-residents.

Why not begin proceedings with pre-dinner drinks on their outdoor patio which has some impressive views across the lakes to the western fells.

Dinner at Burlington’s begins with some fabulous freshly made canapes. Impressively, Burlington’s have held AA rosettes for the last 20 years.  Current head chef Lukasz specialises in both French and English cuisine and where possible using local produce

Warm welcomes are plentiful from the Burlington’s team and for me the team make’s the dinner service extra special.

Sensational starters included the Crispy Goats Cheese & fresh sage risotto cake with smoked celery cream and the gorgeous goats cheese delight.

Mouth-watering Mains included the Portobello mushroom & Jerusalem Artichoke pithivier with rocket pesto and cauliflower cheese puree.  Also, the roast duck confit with baked sweet potato mash, roast chicory, fondant potato and sweet and sour orange glaze.

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Fun without the rum at Turtle Bay Blackburn #Review

Fun without the rum at Turtle Bay Blackburn – Review: October 2018

Bring on the good vibes, without the booze, at Blackburn’s Turtle Bay located in the Cathedral quarter development.

Follow the bold bright lights and make Turtle Bay your “One Love”. Plenty of warm welcomes from the GM Heather, Abs, Ben, Shania and all the team, who did a fab job looking after us all evening.

The bar offers a chilled casual Caribbean style service, why not wrap your lips around a can of super refreshing ting, the national Caribbean soft drink or opt for a non-alcoholic cocktail and staff will shake things up.  The lush Virgin Kolada a fab frozen blend of coconut milk, coconut syrup and pineapple juice.  The Virgin Passion Punch was packed with fresh passion fruit, lemon & orange juices.

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A Luxury Spa Break with The Beech Hill Hotel & Spa #Review

A Luxury Spa Break Review with The Beech Hill Hotel & Spa – Review: October 2018

The Beautiful Beech Hill Hotel & Spa is boastfully situated in an enviable postcode on the shores of the lovely Lake District.

Straight away there is a wonderful warm and homely feel about the place, with full on fire and fabulous fresh floral bouquets in abundance.

A breath-taking moment, as we entered our room which revealed a beautiful bay window with a wow view across the picturesque lake.

The sensational Select Plus room with a super large wardrobe and long mirror was spacious, cosy and décor consisted of subtle neutral and earthy tones.

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Pho Manchester #Review

Pho Manchester Review: October 2018

Pho originally opened in 2005, by husband and wife team, Stephen and Julitte Wall, after their inspirational Vietnam travels specifically in Ho Chi Minh City.  Fast forward 13 years and Pho is still family run and serving healthy Vietnamese street food.

Pho Manchester located in the heart of the iconic Corn Exchange provided a relaxed and authentic Vietnamese experience, with vibrant city street lights and all-round positive vibes.

Offering fresh fabulous and fantastic food, Pho really warmed up my heart and soul. While you decide why not enjoy some munchable Bánh phồng tôm prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce.

Sensational starters included Veggie Gỏi cuốn – fresh rice paper summer rolls with herbs, vermicelli & pickle and the Veggie Chả -giòcrispy spring rolls served with lettuce & herbs to wrap & dip, both served with a choice of nước chấm or peanut sauce.

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48 hours in Liverpool with Novotel Liverpool Centre #Review

48 hours in Liverpool with Novotel Liverpool Centre: October 2018

Destination Liverpool, a fabulous friendly city of culture offering visitors so many exciting activities to see and do.

Novotel Liverpool Centre, is perfectly situated for exploring all that Liverpool has to offer, check into your cosy city centre Novotel hotel – a 4 star home away from home.

Novotel’s nice executive rooms are the perfect homely hub, spacious with all the mod cons you need during your stay.

Unpack, relax and prepare to head off for your lovely Liverpool adventures.

Liverpool Cathedral

Morning began in a peaceful place of solace and worship, Liverpool’s majestic, ore inspiring Cathedral whereby ground floor entry is free, but donations are welcomed.

Designed by the amazing architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who interestingly was also commissioned to design a telephone kiosk to commemorate the Jubilee of King George V – hence the red iconic telephone box was born.

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Top Manchester Activities #Review

Top Manchester Activities: October 2018 

Marvellous Manchester, a UK city which offers visitors, so much to see and do, but here are my top options, in no particular order, for those who want to have fun while in the city.

1.TeamSport Go Karting 

Located slap bang in Manchester City Centre, Grab the Girl & Guy squad and head down to TeamSport Go Karting Manchester for the race of a lifetime.

Hit the track, feel the speed, use your skill and aim for the chequered flag and prepare to clinch victory from your opponent by driving smart.  Let Meg, Clo, Hillary and the rest of the team look after your safety while providing a fun on track experience.  What will your best lap time be?

2. Lucardo University of Magic: The Entrance Exam

Fancy your hand at being a witch or wizard, well first you must graduate from the University of Magic.  Get your wand at the ready and prepare to cast your way to success.

Lucardo offer a truly unique, immersive and exciting spellbinding experience in Manchester City Centre.  Find your way into a secret room, cast a spell and make a potion.  With Professor Emma’s help we graduated, the question is – can you?

3. Popup Painting 

Prepare to Paint Popup style, with Popup Painting, originally a London launch with the aim of promoting creativity out of the classroom.  Now held at venues throughout the UK, Manchester being one of them, try your hand at paint brushing your way to creating your very own marvellous masterpiece.  Our afternoon was based on the interpretation of Hokusai’s Great Wave Painting.

We sploshed and splashed our way around the easel like seasoned pros with our friendly skilled artist’s step by step guide.  Fancy going off-piste, not a problem, as your artist promotes and supports your inner creative desires.

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