Stylish Comfort Nestled in the Luberon Valley - Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

The South of France is a diverse part of this wonderful country, each of the regions that comprise it bring different experiences, cultures and their own unique way of life. One of my favourite regions of the south is the Vaucluse, an area of expansive greenery, grapevines and lavender, epitomising images of the French countryside that never fails to disappoint.

Lavender fields in the Vaucluse

Situated around an hours drive north of Marseille is the Luberon Valley, home of hilltop towns and villages from bygone years and a haven for nature lovers and foodies alike. Winding roads and footpaths, cobbled streets in hidden country villages, the Luberon is an outdoor paradise, all in the shadow of the impressively imposing Mont Ventoux.

Nestled 30km east of the medieval city of Avignon, the largest in the region, you will stumble across Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, a hidden gem and one of the most picturesque villages within the Luberon. It is home to the source of the River Sorgue where, in the valley above the town, water erupts from the hillside and forms into a fully fledged river. The source is said to originate on the Plateau de Vaucluse and travels around 20-30km underground before collecting in an expansive pool in the village.

The pool of the River Sorgue in Fontaine de Vaucluse

The village itself is very small with a population of just under 600 people. It's postcard perfect village square, the Place de la Colonne, features the Petrarch Column, erected in 1804 in memory of the Italian poet of the same name who lived in the village for around 15 years from the age of 9. On balmy Summer evenings, elderly locals can be found in the square exchanging stories and playing petanque, evoking memories of old world Provence. The pace of life and sentiment in this sleepy village really hasn't changed.

Meandering through the streets, on Rue de Bourgades, you will come across the Hotel du Poete. It is a charming, 3 star hotel which provides the perfect base to explore the village and the wider area of the Luberon.

Hotel du Poete features immaculate rooms, beautifully decored in calming creams, shabby-chic furniture and some baroque pieces, fitting perfectly into the surroundings. The public areas in the hotel offer bright, airy spaces to relax and although there is no restaurant for dinner, a full drinks service is available throughout the day and night. The staff are exceptionally attentive.

Junior suite in the Hotel du Poete (photo courtesy of hotel website)

The hotel really flourishes in the outdoor spaces. Leading out from the residents lounge, there is a terrace set within the gardens, overlooking the River Sorgue which continues it's journey through the grounds of the hotel. In addition to the outdoor seating, there is also a fabulous pool and covered jacuzzi, an ideal diversion from countryside exploring, offering the opportunity to relax and unwind.

Hotel grounds

If you are visiting Provence and the South of France, the Vaucluse should be a must on your itinerary. The Luberon Valley is simply a stunning area of natural beauty and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and the Hotel du Poete can provide you with the perfect base to dicsover it from.

Spoilt for Choice in Charlotte Street, London - A Magnet for Foodies

Make no mistake, London is a sprawling metropolis. For the first time visitor, it can be a daunting prospect, not knowing where to start. So many areas and, invariably, a limited time budget to see them in.

I've visited London a number of times and stayed in a variety of different locations, some good, others not quite as rewarding! However, it was during a business trip a few years ago that I stumbled across a little gem called Charlotte Street, bang in the heart of the central London district, Fitzrovia.

Fitzrovia is close to the West End and is nestled between Marylebone and Bloomsbury, just north of Soho. Charlotte Street has a real central appeal to it and the stretch between Goodge Street and Percy Street is a haven for foodies and craft beer aficionados. 

My search for accommodation in the area tends to lead me to the Rathbone Hotel which is situated on Rathbone Street, just off Charlotte Street at the Goodge Street end. This 4-star establishment really offers excellent value for money given the central location and the often inflated London prices. Staff are extremely personable and efficient and there is a wide choice of room layouts and sizes. The Rathbone is part of a very small chain, comprising of Collingham Serviced Apartments in Kensington and a sister hotel and spa in Winchester which goes a long way to explain the quality of customer service you experience.

The Rathbone Hotel, Rathbone Street, London

There are other accommodation options and located directly on Charlotte Street itself you will find the aptly named Charlotte Street Hotel. This stunning boutique hotel is styled in large parts on a "Bloomsbury Set" theme and even features a 75 seat cinema. If the high end room prices are outwith your budget, then don't worry - you can still soak up the atmosphere in the popular Oscar bar and restaurant.

There's nothing better on a Sunday afternoon than sitting sipping on a signature "The Oscar Goes To" cocktail, people watching in this laid back bar. In the summer, the French doors open up and clientele can sit on the street side terrace and watch the world go by.

Charlotte Street Hotel part of the Firmdale Hotel collection

As I mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of restaurant options and you really don't need to travel far to be satisfied, whatever your tastes. I have tried to pick out a few that are personal favourites but a quick scan of the area will reveal a whole host of options.

There is a big Asian influence on the street and it would be a mistake to leave without visiting the excellent Dim t which offers a selection of popular dishes including Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Malaysian. This low lit, contemporary restaurant is excellent value for money with faultless service, not to mention exceptionally fresh and well prepared meals - their dim sum comes particularly recommended!

Dim t, a choice of Asian cuisine styles

Continuing the Asian theme, it is difficult to overlook Roka which is situated on the corner of Charlotte Street and Rathbone Street. This stylish restaurant specialises in Japanese robatayaki cuisine and does so to an exceptionally high standard. 

The floor to ceiling windows give a lovely bright, relaxed feel and the open plan kitchen, visible to diners, helps create a bubbly and engaging atmosphere. Diners have the option to sit privately at more conventional table settings or communally, bar style around the kitchen area.

The quality of the food in Roka really can't be understated. If Roka is a restaurant and food style that you've never experienced before, the superb tasting menu, whilst expensive, is well worth considering. If you prefer to order off the main menu, the shrimp tempura is exquisite.

Roka - Japanese robatayaki cuisine

There are, quite literally, too many restaurants on Charlotte Street to review on this one blog post, however, there are many others that are well worth trying. Elena's L'Etoile is a superb French style bistro which has been serving since the late 1800's. The Ninth is an excellent Mediterranean restaurant and towards the Percy Street end of Charlotte Street you will find the cosy and compact Josephine's Filipino Restaurant. 

If it's something spicy that you are looking for, the Mexican market eating chain Wahaca offers a quick and easy option while it is definitely worth trying the lovingly prepared food at Charlotte Streets' Indian institution, Palms of Goa. Finally, a real personal favourite of mine is the tiny, independent, restaurant-cum-takeaway, Thai Metro. Expect a wait at core meal times, but make sure you do. The food on offer is exceptionally fresh and it is exceptionally well priced given it's location - I recommend the heavily garlic enfused Weeping Tiger from their extensive menu!

However, fear not - despite the wealth of restaurants, it's not all about the food! There a couple of excellent options for beer and wine lovers. Aside from the more regular style London bars such as the Marquis of Granby and the Fitzroy Tavern, Charlotte Street has two establishments that would be a sin to miss.

The Draft House Charlotte - heaven for craft beer lovers

The Draft House Charlotte is on the corner of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street and is part of a small group of pubs on the same theme dotted around London. Despite this, it certainly does not have a "chain" feel to it and this small, intimate drinking establishment is the perfect place to sup up, sample some of the best craft beers available and tuck into some hearty, homemade bar food.

The Draft House take their beer seriously and their Charlotte Street location has some excellent offerings from breweries like Beavertown, Cloudwater, Siren, Verdant and Wild Beer, to name a few, as well as occasional meet the brewer nights. It is very easy to get lost of an afternoon and evening in The Draft House Charlotte - trust me! How long you last may well depend on the strength of your beer choices....

If beer is not particularly your thing, don't panic! Wine lovers can take a trip further down Charlotte Street to Vagabond Wines - part off licence, part wine bar. The concept centres around buying a top up card with a £5.00 refundable deposit. You then load the card with credit and set about sampling the various wines on offer, by entering your card into the wine dispensing machines, choosing either a sample size or larger glass. At the end of your visit, you can either have any unused credit refunded or put towards any purchases you would like to buy and take away with you.

Vagabond Wines, Charlotte Street

Vagabond has five locations across London and their Charlotte Street edition is a lovely relaxed, friendly offering. As well as having over 100 wines to sample, they also offer a small food menu. Focusing mainly on cheeses and charcuterie meats, as well as some smaller sharing plates, the food perfectly compliments the wines available and the staff are friendly, informative and happy to point you in the right direction. Vagabond is another place that can be very difficult to tear yourself away from!

Interior of Vagabond Wines

London is a very big place with a lot to see, however, if your time is limited and food and drink is your thing then the Fitzrovia gastronomie paradise that is Charlotte Street is definitely the place to be.

Luxury & Nature Hand in Hand - The Datai Resort, Langkawi

There are not many places in the world where nature and the modern world happily co-exist. As the human race constantly seems to strive for better, bigger, more and richer, nature's place within our planet increasingly seems to get ignored.....only no one seemed to tell that to the Datai Resort on the island of Langkawi. 

 Beach at the Datai Bay Resort, Langkawi

Langkawi is situated off the north western coast of Malaysia and is a relative stones throw from the country that governs it and Thailand, slightly further north.

What sets the Datai apart from other, similar high end resorts is it's closeness with nature. The idea that we can live alongside our natural habitat around us is entrenched in the ethos of the resort and has helped them develop a stunning environment for people to enjoy holidays in.

The hotel complex tumbles down the side of a rainforest, opening out onto the stunning Datai Bay beach with glorious views of the Andaman Sea and to Thailand beyond. 

Tree top hotel suites at the Datai Resort

Guests can choose to book beautifully furnished hotel suites called their "Canopy Collection" or, alternatively, an exclusive rainforest or beach villa which come with the option of a private pool.

As you make your way around the resort on wooden boardwalk paths, you get a sense of how much consideration was given to the wildlife and their natural habitat during the construction process. Jungle dwellers are visible at all times of day and night but because guests are restricted to where they can venture, it feels like a very happy relationship between humans and wildlife.

The Datai takes their nature very seriously. Activities include morning beach walks with the resident Marine Biologist, nature night walks and trips to the islands mangroves. You can consider yourself unlucky if you don't have the chance to get up close and personal with the islands ever curious monkey population!!

One of the Datai's pools with stunning views across the Andaman Sea.

For sports and fitness enthusiasts, the hotel features two pools - one in the main complex and the other beach side. There is also a fully equipped gym while at the nearby Els Club Teluk Datai, you can play golf in stunning luxury on a course designed by Ernie Els. The Els Club also features two tennis courts.

As you would expect, watersports are also available with sailing, kayaking and windsurfing available on a complimentary basis.

The lobby bar and lily pad frog pond

The Datai excels with its culinary offerings as well. They have excellent Thai and Malaysian restaurants which also run fun and inventive cookery classes. Additionally, they have more relaxed dining options at the Beach Club and the Lobby Bar. The standard of food on offer is exceptional and all of the restaurants are complemented with an outstanding selection of world wines and other premium alcohol.

For those special occasions, there is also private dining options, including an unforgettable candlelit dinner on the beach overlooking the bay. The level of staff service and attentiveness is nothing short of outstanding.

Private candlelit dining on the beach

The Datai is not a budget option for a holiday but it is a truly unforgettable experience. There is something magical about being so close to wildlife and the Datai have been able to develop an outstanding resort with full respect for the nature surrounding it.

An Amsterdam Canal Side Apartment in the Heart of the Jordaan

The Jordaan is probably one of the most captivating areas of Amsterdam, although curiously overlooked by many in favour of the bright lights and well trodden cafes and bars which are a feature of the city centre.

On the western edge of the city, the Jordaan is packed with character. Narrow streets crammed full of independent, off the wall shops and clusters of some of the best bars and restaurants that this vibrant city has to offer.

Amsterdam can be an expensive place to stay. Although food and drink and the usual glut of tourist attractions are comparable to most other European destinations, accommodation can be at the higher end of the price scale.

Situated on the Lijnbaansgracht canal, the Studio Apartment Amsterdam Center offers excellent accommodation in the most picture-esque area of the city at an excellent price.

Studio Apartment Amsterdam Center, Lijnbaansgracht 156

The apartment is spacious and bright with glass panelled wooden doors to the front. It features a double bed and a generous living area which includes a dining area for two people, a couch and flat screen television. The owner also provides wi-fi and access to an iPad within the apartment. The bathroom and kitchen areas are smaller but are tastefully decorated and really well equipped with everything you require.

Bedroom and living area of the apartment

On the doorstep of the Jordaan are some excellent bars and restaurants. In the farthest north of the district you will find the super-cool Bar Finch slap bang next to the bustling Noordermarkt. It has a great tapas style snack menu as well as bigger mains on an Asian Fusion theme with a popular outdoor terrace for sunny days. Hop just over the Prinsengracht canal to Cafe Tabac which is as laid back a bar as you are likely to find anywhere in the world. Don't let the basic decor put you off - the atmosphere is great and they have an extensive bar to work your way through!

Situated centrally within the Jordaan is Cafe t'Smalle, which is an Amsterdam drinking institution on the intersection of the Prinsengracht and Egelantiersgracht. This is a real worldly old school institution - marble chequered floor, wood panelled walls, stained glass windows - where you are transported back in time to an Amsterdam of years before. Here you can brush shoulders with the old local crowd, passing the afternoon sharing stories and playing cards.

Cafe t'Smalle

A short walk from the heart of the Jordaan will take you the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets). This is a charming conglomeration of quirky shops selling anything from homewares to vintage clothing. It is the perfect place to spend the day, dropping in and out of the shops and soaking up the atmosphere in it's array of cafes, restaurants and bars.

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Jordaan and the Studio Apartment gives you the perfect base to explore the most vibrant area of the city.

Tuscan Road Trip - an amazing journey through a wonderful region of Italy

Tuscany is one of the most popular and beautiful regions of Italy. Undulating, rolling hills. Tranquil, picturesque villages. Castles and churches bulging with history. The problem is, where to stay in this vast region to make the most of your experience.

To sample as much of the region as possible, I tackled Tuscany by incorporating a road trip sandwiched in between a city break in Rome and a week in a villa in Volterra. Our journey north took us through some amazing places, let us meet some wonderful people and, of course, allowed us to sample the fabulous Tuscan food, wine and hospitality.

Day One - Rome to Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano is about two hours north of Rome. It is situated on the west coast in Southern Tuscany on the peninsula of Monte Argentario and is one of two harbour towns, the other being Porto Ercole.

Porto Santo Stefano is a traditional fishing town with a strong presence of excellent fish restaurants beside the harbour which is set at the foot of a cluster of narrow streets and houses tumbling down the hillside.

Yachts in the harbour at Porto Santo Stefano

B&B Villa Flora is situated about a 15 minute walk from the town. After a busy 4 night break in Rome, it really was the perfect place to unwind. Perched on a rocky outcrop with amazing ocean views, the B&B is a beautifully renovated villa. Some of the rooms come with their own private balconies and you can breakfast on the terrace watching the sun rise over the popular Island of Giglio. You also have access to a small (non sandy) private beach below the villa. We found this a great place to relax in the afternoon, before wandering into the main town in the evening for dinner.

Breakfast terrace - B&B Villa Flora, Porto Santo Stefano

Around Porto Santo Stefano, slightly further north, The Maremma is well worth visiting. A preserved area of natural beauty in Tuscany, it offers something for everyone from wildlife enthusiasts, walkers, canoeists as well as beaches for sun worshipers!

Day Two - Porto Santo Stefano to Montalcino
The second day of our road trip saw us skirt around The Maremma and follow the SS1 north and eastwards into Central Tuscany. Your destination is Montalcino, a timeless, idyllic Tuscan town with a population of only 5,100.

Montalcino is situated almost 570 metres above sea level between the valleys of the rivers Ombrone, Asso and Orcia. The town is a maze of tumble down shops and houses set on cobbled narrow and winding streets - it's easy to spend hours strolling in the sunshine and exploring the eclectic mix of craft shops, art studios, cafes and enotecas.

The wider area of the municipal territory of Montalcino is renowned for it's wine production, so if big booming reds are your thing, this is the perfect place. The most famous wine from the area is Brunello and you will find that the majority of the shops, regardless of their regular type of trade, will sell wine and offer tastings.

The west wall of Montalcino along Viale Strozzi

We stayed in a basic bed and breakfast called Il Rifugio D'altri Tempi on the main Piazzale beside the 14th Century Fortezza. Clean and tidy, offering everything you need, it provided the ideal base to explore the town.

Right next door to the B&B is Drogheria Franci, a fabulous little enoteca offering wine tastings with a local feel as well as local delicacies. An outdoor terrace allows you to sit with impressive views of the imposing Fortezza.

Other places worth visiting include the excellent Vineria Le Potazzine which is a perfect for a spot of lunch and Al Giullare which is the restaurant that we chose for our evening meal, just around the corner from the B&B, offering fantastic food (especially the duck!) and great service at a reasonable price.

Day Three - Montalcino to Monteriggioni

Staying in Central Tuscany, day three involves a shorter journey, travelling north for a further hour into the Chianti region, to the captivating medieval walled village of Monteriggioni.

View of the main piazza in Monteriggioni from In Piazza B&B

With a population of barely 700 people, this completely enclosed 13th century castled village, features in the the famous Divine Comedy by Dante. No vehicles are allowed into the village which centres around one main piazza in front of the castle.

Within the castle itself is the stylish In Piazza Bed & Breakfast featuring beautifully appointed rooms overlooking the main square. The piazza itself has three restaurants, the most notable being Ristorante Il Pozzo which offers high end dining.

The church of Santa Maria Assunta in the main piazza in Monteriggioni

Around the perimeter of the village, you will find a selection of local craft shops, the pick of which is Iris, who make hand crafted jewellery, sundials and water colour paintings. It is also worth paying the small charge of a few Euros to walk along the fortified walls of the village offering impressive views stretching out to the Chianti countryside beyond.

Day Four - Monteriggioni to Volterra
The final day of travel is relatively short, travelling westwards into Western Tuscany for around 45 minutes, arriving at the Etruscan market town of Volterra.

The town has a wealth of museums, exhibiting impressive collections of Etruscan artefacts and also features the remains of an old Roman Theatre - the Teatro Romano. It is also famous for it's beautifully crafted white statues made from locally mined alabaster and sold by the many craft shops within the tangled web of streets.

The Teatro Romano, Viale Ferucci, Volterra

Volterra itself is handily placed with other popular Tuscan towns and cities within easy reach, allowing you to factor in a few day trips if you are planning on a longer stay. Pisa is just over an hour north and west of the town and heading in the other direction, you can reach Florence in around the same time, travelling north and east.

If you have the time, it is worth hopping back over to Central Tuscany to visit the picturesque San Gimignano, and in particular the Tenuta Torciano Winery based just outside the town. The winery offers tastings, cookery classes, parties and events and the staff are guaranteed to give you a warm and friendly reception as you learn all about their locally produced wines. Tenuta Torciano will be featured later in my blog.

We chose to stay in Volterra for a week, rounding off our Tuscan road trip. Our villa was a short drive from the town featuring just a single bedroom and a private swimming pool - if you are travelling as a couple, it really is the perfect property for the ultimate relaxing, romantic break. You can view the villa here.

Podere Coiano Villa, Voterra

Swimming pool at Podere Coiano Villa, Volterra

Tuscany really is one of the must see regions of Italy. It's scenery, food and wine, towns, villages and the welcome from local residents make it almost unmissable. I hope that this post has helped give you a flavour of the region and provided you with some ideas to plan the perfect trip!

Coming Soon to Travel Suitcase........

Make sure you stay in touch with Travel Suitcase over the coming weeks where I will be featuring a whole host of great travel ideas and itineraries....

Find out where you can sample fabulous craft beer in the heart of Provence.

Follow a fantastic 4 night road trip in Tuscany.

Check out the best breakfast and brunch joints in Soho, New York.

Relax in a canal side apartment in the Jordaan, Amsterdam.

Explore the best nightlife Hong Kong has to offer.

This and much, much more brought to you by Travel Suitcase. Make sure you subscribe to keep in touch.

Posada Del Dragon - a boutique hotel in the heart of medieval Madrid

Madrid is unlike a lot of European cities - it is relatively easy to find high quality, well priced accommodation. The trick is making the right choice. If, like me, you want to stay far enough away from the well trodden tourist hotspots, but close enough that all the all the main highlights are easily accessible then the Posada Del Dragon is the place for you.

Posada Del Dragon, Calle de la Cava Baja, Madrid.

The hotel is based in the heart of medieval Madrid, the old town in the La Latina district. It is situated on Calle de la Cava Baja which hosts some of the best and most traditional tapas bars in the city.

The hotel has 27 rooms all superbly decorated, portraying interior styles that transport you through the ages of Madrid right through to modern times. Balcony rooms overlook Cava Baja and the rooftops of La Latina, with interior rooms opening out onto the courtyard restaurant.

The rooftops of La Latina district, Madrid.

The hotel bar is a popular haunt for Madrid locals. It serves excellent tapas and has an extensive collection of gins and gin based cocktails, served with fresh botanicals and not in particularly small measures!

Although the hotel has a fabulous menu and is well worth eating in, a short walk away, there are plenty of options for food and drink. Further down Calle de la Cava Baja, you will stumble across Taberna Txakolina which is a superb "point and shoot" tapas bar and great value for money. In the next street over, Calle de la Cava Alta, restaurant Taberna Matrium is well worth a visit with a superb traditional Spanish menu, including tapas, run by the most attentive and friendly staff that you could ask for.

Although the hotel and the La Latina district is tucked away in it's own little corner of the city, it is only a short walk from some of the main sights including Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Peurta del Sol.

For the foodies among you, the famous Mercado de San Miguel is only a short distance away. There is a real buzz amongst the food stalls and eateries and it's not difficult to while away the hours tasting the local produce over a glass or two of white Rioja!

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid.

Madrid is a fabulous city to explore and the Posada Del Dragon gives you the chance to soak up the atmosphere in one of the oldest and most traditional areas of town.