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Tours, USA

A Dream Trip to Montana + Giveaway

October 4, 2018 by cheriecity

How much time do you spend making travel wish lists and scrolling through social media and blogs for inspiration? Then, once you’ve visualised your ideal destination, there’s the hours of planning, research and asking for recommendations. Personally I love the development stage of a trip, as it builds excitement and gives you the confidence to hit the ground running, knowing that you’re well-prepared.

After getting married in America two years ago, I’ve felt inspired to discover this vast country more and have been looking into my dream American holiday. While America’s major cities will always fascinate me, I’m increasingly drawn to the most picturesque states.

High on my ‘to see’ list is Montana, the northwest state that is bordered by Idaho, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Known as ‘Big Sky Country’, Montana is the fourth largest and eighth least populated of the 50 U.S states, making it a perfect destination for observing nature at its best.

Montana is home to the Rocky Mountains, renowned national parks, prairie terrain and badlands, but also charming cities and towns. There’s a lot to explore in this state, so let me tell you about a cool travel tool to help plan your USA travels.

On VisittheUSA.co.uk, you can use its new USA Trip Planner to create create a day-by-day itinerary customised to you. Simply input your desired destination, length of stay, the month you want to visit and number of guests, then refine your options by pace and activities. Perhaps you’re looking for a fast-paced outdoors trip focussing on wildlife or a slow and easy tour of Montana’s historic and cultural sites.

I used this tool to tailor my dream 8-day Montana trip to my exact requirements and was pleased with the detail and variation of the results. My trip would start in the town of West Yellowstone to visit the iconic Yellowstone National Park.

Next, I would drive to Bozeman, a city in Gallatin County and spend time at the Museum of The Rockies, the American Computers Museum (appropriate for how much time I spend on them) and finish the day downtown sipping whisky on the patio at the award-winning Bozeman Spirits Distillery. I also wouldn’t want to miss the quaint town of Whitefish in Flathead County, where in April, you can either stroll along City Beach or even ski at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.

On the road again, I would explore the Glacier National Park with its mountain peaks, crystal lakes and alpine meadows. Montana is also a foodie’s dream, known for its locally-reared beef, huckleberries and ice cream. The travel tool also suggested a cute bakery and general store called The Polebridge Mercantile, where you can graze on a bear claw or sticky cinnamon roll.

As if that wasn’t enough, I could also squeeze in a visit to the spectacular Grinnell’s Glacier, Great Falls city in Cascade County, McDonald Creek and Garden Wall. Can you imagine such an inspiring trip, full of natural wonders and picture-perfect views, experiencing a part of America that’s off the beaten track?

Now’s your chance to fulfil your own #WanderlustWish with £200 in TUI Holiday Vouchers by entering the contest!

Competition:

To enter this contest, simply use the Visit The USA holiday planner tool and plan a trip to your top 5 USA destinations. Once your trip has been planned, please write a few words about your itinerary and how you’d spend your time there.

Your entry must be posted in the comment section of this post, with a valid e-mail address associated to your comment and the hashtag #WanderlustWish. Competition closes Friday 19th October.

Terms and Conditions Eligibility:

The Wanderlust Wish Contest is open to entrants aged 18 and over, who are resident in the UK (Mainland).
Employees of the Promoter, its group companies or their family members, or anyone else connected with the Contest are not eligible to enter.
Entrants into the Contest shall be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.? Participation is permitted irrespective of purchase of a product/service. No purchase necessary.

How to Enter:

Entries must be submitted between Thursday 4th October and Friday 19th October.
To successfully enter, a person (“Entrant”) must:
Use the Visit USA Holiday planner tool and plan a trip to their top 5 USA destinations.
The Entrant must then write a few words and submit their entry as a comment on this article with the hashtag #WanderlustWish
There is only one entry per person allowed.
There is one prize available for the Contest in this post.
The winner will be required to respond to the notification from the Promoter within 14 days, confirming where their prize should be sent. The winner will receive their prize within 28 days of providing such postal address (mainland UK only). The Promoter accepts no responsibility in the event that a winner does not respond to the Promoter’s notification or where a prize is not received by a winner as a result of that Entrant having provided inaccurate address details when requested.
If the winner fails to provide verification or address information within 14 days of a request from the Promoter or should the Promoter establish that the qualifying criteria was not met, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to an alternative winner selected from the remaining entries, with the originally selected winner forfeiting their right to the prize.
The Promoter reserves the right to modify, suspend or cancel the Contest without any prior notice.

Privacy and collection of personal data:

The Entrant’s email address and personal details will be used for no other reason than to notify a participant if they are a winner.
By entering the prize draw, Participants grant the Promoter the right to contact them regarding their entry

General:

The Promoter will not be liable if a winner is unable to receive their prize for any reason beyond the control of the Promoter. Prizes are not transferrable or exchangeable and no cash alternatives will be available.
The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered by an Entrant as a result of entering the Contest or accepting the prize. The Promoter further accepts no responsibility for any damage to an Entrant’s or any other person’s computer arising from their participation in the Contest.
The Promoter accepts no responsibility for Entries that fail to meet the entry mechanics, are uploaded outside of the Entry Period or which do not qualify for as an entry for any reason (including where the Entrant does not include hashtag #WanderlustWish).
The decision of the Promoter in all matters is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into, except with the winners.
The Contest and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and Entrants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
The ‘Promoter’ and ‘Administrator’ of this Contest is Brand USA.

Sponsored post

Photos courtesy of VisittheUSA.co.uk

Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, Miami, USA

A Luxury Stay at Tides South Beach, Miami

January 19, 2015 by cheriecity

Our recent stay in Miami was a short and sweet weekend break, so we wanted our hotel to be special.

Tides South Beach ticks all of the boxes with an unbeatable Ocean Drive location, boutique feel and an outdoor pool. It’s a stylish haven in the heart of a buzzing, neon-drenched part of town and just a few steps away from the iconic Miami Beach.

Design

The Miami hotel scene is flourishing with exciting new openings, however Tides South Beach is already an established player and everyone we met on our travels spoke of it affectionately.

Tides South Beach is a true Art Deco hotel with striking architecture that dates back to 1936. Its plush interiors, designed by Kelly Wearstler, also reflect the glamour of the age with a retro beach-chic look.

The Lobby

The open-plan lobby has a Biba vibe with wide leather sofas, shimmering gold screens, palms, hand-painted tropical murals and an original terrazzo floor. It’s the kind of space you can imagine appearing in a fashion photo shoot with Tamara de Lempicka-esque models elegantly lounging.

The ground floor also includes The Tides Restaurant and Terrace, where guests can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink to get settled in – a lovely, old school touch.

The Swimming Pool

The mezzanine level overlooks the lobby and leads to the hotel’s outdoor heated swimming pool. While waiting for our room to be ready, we headed straight to the pool to soak up some sun. The medium-sized pool has a comfortable temperature for swimming (my pet hotel hate is cold pools) and is flanked by sunloungers with parasols and two cabanas at each end.

You can keep hydrated with complimentary chilled water infused with citrus fruits or order a cocktail, lunch or snacks to enjoy poolside. Unlike some of Miami’s flashier hotels, the pool is reserved only for hotel guests and we were delighted to find the pool quiet and intimate on Saturday afternoon with only the music from the neighbouring bars below.

The Studio

Tides South Beach surprisingly has only 45 guest rooms and every one boasts a fantastic ocean view. Our Signature Ocean Front Studio on a high floor was absolutely enormous and beautifully-designed.

There are so many gorgeous design features to discover, including a most exquisite hammered gold writing desk, petrified log mini coffee tables, a faux zebra-skin rug and a large bronze sun sculpture above the king-size bed. The low-set bed was very soft and comfortable, with crisp, high quality linen and good pillows.

The windows aren’t great for keeping out the music from the lively Palace Bar next door or impromptu live percussion on the street during the day, however we did sleep very well at night. We enjoyed watching the bar’s famous drag show after dinner on Saturday, where the pavement outside became a catwalk. I have to say, I was quite sad to miss their RuPaul’s Drag Race party on the Monday night that we were leaving.

The room features a comfy sofa and chair in the living area, a 42-inch LCD TV, DVD player and iPod docking station, powerful air-conditioning and free wifi. A highlight is the large separate walk-in wardrobe with a generously-sized fitted wardrobe, storage drawers and room for suitcases, a mini bar and a Nespresso machine, although it’s a shame that the espresso capsules are charged for.

The Bathroom

The spacious bathroom is an absolute delight with a beautiful marble sink, a rainfall shower with deep soaking tub, magnifying mirror, plenty of fluffy towels and face cloths, plush waffle bathrobes and a full set of lavender and peppermint bathroom products by C.O. Bigelow.

America’s oldest apothecary brand isn’t easy to find in the UK, so that was a real treat and I really liked the relaxing, aromatic products.

Beach Loungers

A real perk of staying at Tides South Beach is doing the beach in style with complimentary loungers, towels and an umbrella for guests. Regrettably we didn’t quite find the time for a proper beach session, as it rained non-stop on Sunday and Monday was set aside for exploring.

If you’re in Miami to unwind, you don’t need to venture far and can hop between the beach and the hotel’s swimming pool, followed by dinner on the terrace.

The Restaurant

Tides South Beach has an attractive indoor restaurant and bar, but most people choose to make the most of the weather and atmosphere on the terrace.

Almost all of the hotels on this stretch of Ocean Drive have a terrace restaurant with passersby walking through the middle and staff coaxing guests in to dine. The food looks tempting and there are cheap cocktails the size of your head on offer – it is party central after all. The terrace can either be delightful or a little congested, depending on the time of day (breakfast is a safe bet).

If you want a more peaceful dining experience, Tides South Beach has a few tables closer to the entrance, so you can observe the scene from above. Or, you can indulge in 24-hour room service in the comfort of your own studio.

Tides South Beach is a romantic, characterful boutique hotel with an enviable location and fabulously-appointed rooms. They don’t call it the ‘Diva of South Beach’ for nothing.

For more information and booking, visit: www.tidessouthbeach.com

Photos by Chérie City (pool and terrace by Tides South Beach)

Chérie City received a press rate for the stay

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Miami, Restaurants, USA

Lunch at Big Pink in South Beach, Miami

January 14, 2015 by cheriecity

When in America, it’s a foodie’s duty to hunt out at least one authentic diner where the food is awesome and the portion sizes are obscene.

Top of our list was Myles Chefetz’s local institution Big Pink, an all-day retro diner with a typically Miami pastel pink facade. It’s a hotspot for big American breakfasts, people-spotting lunches on the terrace and post-clubbing munchies (it stays open until 5am on weekends).

The diner is conveniently located on Collins Avenue near South Pointe and that other famous Miami restaurant Joe’s Stone Crab. We visited at lunchtime before heading out to explore Art Deco South Beach.

Big Pink is all about good ole comfort food with an overwhelming menu of Americana classics, including its signature Big Pink TV Dinner. Seeing the most enormous dishes of fried chicken and waffles, French toast and burgers coming out of the kitchen, we tried to go ‘light’ on the ordering.

I ordered Panko Crusted Chicken Tenders ($9.75), which came served with yummy honey mustard and BBQ dipping sauces. Chunky strips of juicy, succulent chicken breast were lightly covered with a golden, crunchy Japanese-style coating and served piping hot. The portion size was so generous that I could barely finish them.

I accompanied the chicken with a fresh and tasty Caesar Salad ($7.45). Chopped romaine hearts were dressed with just the right amount of house-made Caesar dressing, buttery brioche croutons and shaved Parmesan. The half size was more than enough for one person or even for two to share.

Steven went for a classic Patty Melt ($11.75) served with a bucket of home-made potato chips and a pickle. The tender, nicely charred 10 ounce Angus burger was smothered with gooey melted Cheddar and sweet grilled onions served on griddled rye studded with aromatic caraway seeds.

The potato chips were actually cooked fresh in the kitchen and were full of flavour – an extra touch that earns Big Pink its great reputation.

We were far too full to indulge in dessert, but the next time we find ourselves in Miami, we’ll be back for a Peanut Butter Snickers Pie, Red Velvet Cheesecake or a Chocolate Sky Scraper Cake.

Big Pink is a must if you’re after delicious diner food at affordable prices just moments from the beach.

Photos by Chérie City (exterior by Big Pink)

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Beach, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Miami, USA

The Best Art Deco Spots on South Beach

January 7, 2015 by cheriecity

After our recent Celebrity Eastern Caribbean Cruise, we spent two extra nights in Miami before flying home. It was a great chance to explore the port city and the perfect end to a relaxing, inspiring trip.

Discovering Miami can take time, as it’s quite a spread-out city with long causeways connecting the centre of Miami to Miami Beach. As we were only there for a short weekend, we concentrated on two areas – Wynwood Art District near Downtown Miami and of course South Beach.

South Beach is such an intriguing place, bathed in a neon glow with the biggest cars you’ve ever seen and gym bunnies rollerblading on the boardwalk in front of the perfectly-manicure beach.

It can at first be disorientating, but I quickly fell in love with Miami and it’s dreamy, pastel-hued Art Deco architecture. Luckily, our hotel for the weekend, The Tides South Beach (an Art Deco gem itself), on Ocean Drive is ideally positioned to see the very best of South Beach.

The long powder sand beach has mostly calm waters and is punctuated with the coolest deco-style lifeguard huts. We loved strolling up and down the beach to spot them and admire their different colours and patterns.

After the devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the city of Miami Beach set about replacing the damaged huts (only one of 17 survived) and took the opportunity to jazz up the beach landscape.

Brooklyn-based painter Kenny Scharf, among others, lent his pop art style to the design of 29 huts and each took around 5 weeks to build. It would now be difficult to imagine Miami Beach without these colourful beacons.

Miami Beach’s famous Art Deco Historic District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world with 960 historic buildings. Built during the 1930s and 40s, Miami’s historic buildings have their own unique ‘Tropical Deco’ style, reflecting the spirit and glamour of its seaside location.

The buildings are recognisable by their pastel painted facades, aquatic motifs, eyebrow window overhangs, neon lighting and nautical design features such as porthole windows and ship-like railings.

Thanks to the Miami Design Preservation League, established by the late Barbara Capitman in 1976, the buildings have been protected as landmarks and restored to their former glory, after falling into neglect.

Some of the most striking and well-known Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings are on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and ones we saw include The Breakwater, The Barbizon, The Carlyle, US Post Office, The Marlin Hotel and The Colony Hotel.

Not to be missed is The Webster on Collins Avenue – it’s the epitome of Miami glamour, complete with illustrated flamingoes and splashes of pink neon. The beautifully-designed concept store offers three floors of covetable designer womenswear, menswear and accessories, as well as a ground-floor bar and buzzing roof terrace (there’s even a happy hour on selected evenings).

It’s worth paying a visit to the Art Deco Welcome Center to find out more about the area and book a walking tour. There’s also a fantastic gift shop filled with kitsch Miami souvenirs, vintage jewellery and art prints of the Art Deco buildings.

While out spotting Art Deco treasures, we took some time to people-watch with a cup of frozen yoghurt on the South Beach promenade. It’s definitely a stage for Miami’s tanned, toned locals and with such a fabulous beach on the doorstep, who wouldn’t want to be outside?

We were also treated to a few iguana sightings, watching them climb up the palm trees and bask in the sun. Can you spot one of the little creatures camouflaged among the palms?

Our weekend in Miami really enhanced our already fabulous cruise and if your flight leaves late on disembarkation day, you can add a whirlwind excursion to explore the city. Cruisers can glide along the Everglades on an airboat or enjoy a Hop On Hop Off Miami City Tour with a seamless airport drop-off.

Miami is a truly unique city with so many amazing sights and neighbourhoods that you can’t help but be charmed by it. Florida still owes us for the all-day torrential rain on Sunday and we’re convinced it’s a sign to return soon.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Art, Cafes, Cruises, Miami, USA

A Guide to Wynwood Arts District Miami

January 4, 2015 by cheriecity

Miami’s Wynwood Arts District was high on our list of sights to see and even a tropical storm couldn’t deter us from visiting.

Wynwood is a semi-industrial neighbourhood north of Downtown Miami where derelict warehouses have been given a new lease of life as art galleries, artist studios, restaurants, cafe-bars and shops. It’s become known for its riotously colourful, large-scale street art and is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon discovering local talent.

Wynwood is a huge part of Art Basel, hosted annually in Miami, with a number of gallery events, parties and open studios.

Wynwood Art Walk

The best time to visit, however, is for the Wynwood Art Walk on the first Saturday evening of each month, when there’s a real party atmosphere. There’s even a direct shuttle bus from South Beach to make getting there even easier.

On Sunday afternoon, we crossed the enormous Julia Tuttle Causeway from our base on South Beach and started from the top at North 36th Street and 2nd Avenue.

Immediately we encountered cool graffiti, vintage clothes stores, coffee shops and a number of Puerto Rican shops and restaurants (Wynwood has been known as ‘Little San Juan’ since the 1950s). If you hadn’t already guessed, Wynwood is Miami’s hipsterville.

Wynwood Walls

At the heart of the district is the Wynwood Walls, a permanent outdoor mural exhibition, featuring work by over 50 artists from around the world including Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Aiko, Faith47 and Retna.

Created by the late Tony Goldman in 2009, Wynwood Walls has become a revolutionary platform for street art and the murals now extend far beyond it.

Zak The Baker

A highlight of our trip to Wynwood was seeking shelter from the storm over lunch at Zak The Baker. I’d read about Miami born and bred baker Zak Stern before our trip and the bakery was just as good as I’d hoped.

Housed in a converted warehouse with a large open-plan kitchen, Zak The Baker is a rustic-urban bakery and cafe that Zak states ‘happens to be kosher’.

Zak has quite an intriguing background – he turned his back on a pharmaceuticals degree to travel the world and learn how to bake bread. His travels took him to an ashram in India and farms in South America, Israel and across Europe.

Zak The Baker is a popular spot for lunch and serves hearty stews, home-made soups, gourmet sandwiches and tempting cakes. I ordered a fantastic sourdough toast topped with sage pesto, roasted calabaza and fontina. The combination of simple flavours was incredible and the ingredients were of such high quality.

Steven went for an equally delicious toast topped with tuna, cranberry, cilantro and grated carrot. If we have the chance to return, we’d try one of the more substantial sandwiches and an indulgent chocolate and almond butter toast.

We finished on a sweet note with a double chocolate cookie and a cup of Earl Grey tea. The heavenly cookie had a rich, fondant-like centre and a delicate, crumbly crust – a perfect way to brighten a rainy day.

Panther Coffee

Another Wynwood hotspot is Panther Coffee – a Miami-based speciality coffee roaster with a second cafe on Miami Beach. They have some pretty cool coffee-making apparatus and there’s a good selection of bites to choose from. It’s a small cafe and seemingly home to the laptop brigade, but there’s plenty of space on the terrace on brighter days.

Wynwood is such an inspiring, unique creative hub and it should be high on your list of places to visit in Miami. Unfortunately Sunday was our only option on this short stay in Miami, so quite a few galleries and shops were closed.

Then again, Zak The Baker is closed on Saturday – and that’s an experience you won’t want to miss – so perhaps visit midweek and take a closer look on the Saturday evening Wynwood Art Tour.

Chérie City started and finished a Celebrity Cruise Eastern Caribbean Cruise in Miami. Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visitwww.celebritycruises.co.uk

All photos by Chérie City

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Tours, USA

Exploring Philipsburg & Marigot, St Maarten

January 2, 2015 by cheriecity

The third destination on our Celebrity Eastern Caribbean Cruise was the stunning island of St. Maarten. It was our favourite day onshore, thanks to our fantastic excursion – the 5-hour Sightsee Marigot and Beach Getaway.

St. Maarten is a unique island, as it has both a Dutch and French side (named St. Martin), complete with different local languages and currency.

Originally discovered by Christopher Columbus, St. Maarten was colonised by the Dutch, French and British, who established salt mines on the island. They were later exiled by the Spanish, but after the 80 Year War, were able to return and the land was eventually divided between the Dutch and French.

The Celebrity Reflection docked on the Dutch side in Philipsburg and we swiftly set off on our large air-conditioned coach driving through the town and countryside. Our first stop was close to Fort Amsterdam, boasting spectacular views over Great Bay and Philipsburg.

Marigot

We spent two hours exploring Marigot, the island’s picturesque French capital. Marigot’s Rue de la Liberté is lined with colourful sidewalk cafes, fresh seafood restaurants, local shops and an open-air market selling clothes and handicrafts.

Marigot feels unmistakably French with designer stores such as Hermès, Cartier and Longchamp at Plaza Caraïbe, pharmacies selling French skincare brands and a number of quaint boulangeries offering freshly-baked baguettes and tempting pastries.

The town has a relaxed, friendly vibe and is slightly off the tourist trail, so it doesn’t feel crowded. We had a great time strolling through the town, admiring the colourful Creole houses and pretty gardens.

For a spot of culture, climb up to the historic Fort Louis. Built in 1789, the fort was ordered by the governor of St Martin and St Barth for Louis XVI of France. Originally built to protect the harbour warehouses, the fort is perched on a hill above the marina and offers breathtaking views of Marigot and Anguilla.

Marigot Bay is a delightful place to sit and watch the world go by and enjoy the warm, humid weather.

Orient Bay

We then drove on through the lush, green countryside to Orient Bay for a relaxing beach break. On the way there, our driver slowed down so we could spot a number of iguanas basking in the sun. It was a nice surprise to see so many of them together, all different sizes and shades of green and orange.

Orient Bay is a stunning beach destination with golden powder sand, gentle waves and lush green hills. The excursion included use of sun loungers and we were offered a complimentary drink of rum or fruit punch from the beach bar.

We took a dip in the sea and walked along the shore, but if you have more time to spend at Orient Bay, you can hire a jet ski.

On the way back, our excellent tour guide shared more facts about the island and took us through some of the residential neighbourhoods.

Philipsburg

While Marigot is the place for duty-free designer fashion, Philipsburg’s Front Street is lined with a number of diamond and fine jewellery stores. The port is also lively and fun with plenty of shops and rum shacks – look out for the bar that makes delicious coconut smoothies.

St. Maarten is such a beautiful island and I highly recommend booking one of the longer shore excursions, so you can explore both the French and Dutch side. We covered quite a distance to get to Marigot and our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the island and eager to share.

For a more leisurely day, you can relax on Grand Bay beach, within walking distance of the port in the centre of town.

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom). For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Barcelona, Caribbean, Lisbon, Miami, Paris, USA

My Top Five Travels of 2014

December 31, 2014 by cheriecity

2014 feels like it has flown by, but luckily it’s been filled with some unforgettable travel experiences, from European city breaks to a long, relaxing cruise in the Caribbean. Here are some of my favourite moments from over the year…

A Cocktail Masterclass at Le Bristol Paris

My first stay at Le Bristol was one of my most memorable times in Paris, so I was thrilled to be invited back a second time (staying in the very same Junior Suite, no less).

I had the pleasure of meeting Head Barman Maxime Hoerth, who took us on a fabulous tour of the city’s coolest cocktail bars – Le Mary Celeste, Sherry Butt and Jeffrey’s. We learned how to make a variety of Old Fashioned cocktails in a private masterclass in Le Bar du Bristol and Maxime created my very own cocktail, the ‘Chérie Club’.

Happily, most of our time was spent in the hotel, indulging with room service breakfasts, lunch in Le Jardin Francais and 114 Faubourg and exquisite cakes.

Not only was it a dreamy, relaxing trip in the company of a fun group, but I was reunited with Fa-Raon, the hotel’s majestic white Birman cat. I dare say my cocktail making skills have improved too.

A Foodie Trip to Lisbon

Lisbon is a place that I’ve always wanted to visit and I was really impressed by the warm, welcoming Portuguese hospitality wherever we went. We were kindly invited by Four Seasons Lisbon, who went the extra mile to make our trip so special.

We saw the city in style with a private car tour organised by the hotel, taking in the city’s beautiful sights such as the Castle of São Jorge and Church of Santa Engrácia in old Alfama, the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Trying a couple of Portuguese custard tarts from the famous Pastéis de Belém is an absolute must.

Lisbon is also a haven for foodies and we had the most fantastic meals at José Avillez’s two Michelin star restaurant Belcanto, one Michelin star restaurant Feitoria and lunch at Flores do Bairro and Varanda. I’d love to spend more time in Lisbon and explore the nearby coastal town of Caiscais.

Late Summer in Barcelona

It had been quite a few years since I visited Barcelona, so it was definitely time to revisit the Catalan city. We spent a good amount of time by the Barceloneta, staying at the stylish Hotel Arts Barcelona and munching on Californian-style burgers at SALT Beach Club at W Barcelona.

Visiting during Catalan Day offered an interesting insight into the cultural and political mood in Barcelona and we could feel the energy of this important day when strolling around the MACBA square, El Raval and El Born. As ever, food was high on the agenda with dinner at Blanc at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, tapas at Ocaña on Plaça Reial and gelato at Eyescream and Friends.

My Birthday in Paris

I have my Parisian friend Coralie to thank for suggesting I spend my 30th birthday in Paris. As we all know, Paris is always a good idea, and where better to spend a monumental birthday with friends?

Steven and I spent the first night in Pigalle with a wonderful birthday dinner on the terrace at Hotel Amour with Coralie and Sunny. We ended the night with a nightcap at Le Mansart, just a few steps away from where we were staying at the atmospheric Hotel Josephine.

Then it was on to the beautiful Pavillon de la Reine in the Marais and an evening at legendary Paris cabaret club, The Crazy Horse (I’ve always wanted to see the show in Paris). Other highlights of the trip were country-style burgers at Big Fernand (arriving soon in London), perfume shopping at Nose and watching the world go by at the Place des Vosges.

A Eastern Caribbean Cruise

This was a trip of firsts – the first time I visited the Caribbean and the first time I’d been let loose alone (well, with Steven) on a cruise ship. The Celebrity Reflection was a destination in itself with copious amounts of food and drink around the clock, a fabulous pool and sundeck and plenty of entertainment.

We explored three very different Caribbean destinations that I never thought I’d have the chance of visiting – San Juan (Puerto Rico), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and Philipsburg and Marigot (St. Maarten). I’ve definitely caught the cruise bug, as they say, and look forward to more sailing with Celebrity Cruises in 2015.

After the cruise, we stayed in Miami for two nights at boutique design hotel The Tides, right on South Beach. We enjoyed a stunning dinner at The Setai, discovered the Wynwood Art District and marvelled at the pretty Art Deco buildings on South Beach. It was a perfect end to the year and led nicely into the run-up to Christmas in London.

What was your travel highlight of 2014? Which destinations are on your wish list for 2015?

All photos by Chérie City

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Shopping, USA

Places to See in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas

December 15, 2014 by cheriecity

The second destination of our Celebrity Cruises Eastern Caribbean Getaway was Chalotte Amalie on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

One of my favourite parts of a cruise is sailing in to the port of a new destination and feeling the excitement build as the scenery unfolds. Even better if it can be from the privacy of my own balcony, complete with a plush bathrobe and room service breakfast.

Arriving in Charlotte Amalie was a real thrill as we admired the colourful buildings and lush green hills along French Bay and Prince Rupert Cove.

We decided to explore Charlotte Amalie on our own, however there are some tempting shore excursion such as a tour of nearby island St. John, snorkeling in Shipwreck Cove or a trip to Magens Bay Beach.

Downtown Charlotte Amalie

From Havensight Port, we took one of the public safari buses for a short ride into Downtown Charlotte Amalie. The open-sided buses are frequent, comfortable and the most popular form of transport for Celebrity Cruises guests to get around the town.

Charlotte Amalie is a haven for duty-free shopping and most cruisers head to Main Street with its pretty, colonial-style buildings to pick up some bargains.

On arrival, a friendly local bar owner spotted us and kindly gave us a mini factual tour of the nearby buildings. Proud of the town’s historical spots, which may often be overlooked by the lure of shopping, he said emphatically “shopping, that way… history, this way”.

Frederick Lutheran Church

On his recommendation, we took some time to visit the pretty, Georgian-style Frederick Lutheran Church. Built by the Danes in 1820, it’s the oldest Lutheran church in the Western Hemisphere.

The church was open and quiet when we visited, so we had a chance to step inside. It was so tranquil and atmospheric with a mahogany alter, an elaborate chandelier and simple stained glass windows.

Blackbeard’s Castle

If you fancy a challenge, climb the 99 steps (actually 103) behind the church up to Blackbeard’s Castle, one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S Virgin Islands.

Dating back to 1679, the watchtower is said to have been used by the notorius English pirate Blackbeard (real name Edward Teach) as a lookout point.

Diamonds on Main Street

Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street (also called Dronningen’s Gade) is filled with a number of high end diamond boutiques and large stores selling every spirit you could imagine, as well as rum, coffee and chocolate produced in the Caribbean. There’s even a dedicated Chanel cosmetics and fragrance boutique, a Tommy Hilfiger outlet and a number of Little Switzerland watch stores.

There’s a real vacation atmosphere around the town with a live Calypso band by the harbour, cheery shopkeepers and copious amounts of rum. So many residents greeted us as we wandered around, which made us feel welcome rather than burdensome tourists.

Camille Pissarro’s House

An exciting discovery in a courtyard off Main Street was the home of Danish-French painter Camille Pissarro. Born on St. Thomas in 1830, Pissarro lived on the island until he went to boarding school in France, aged 12. He later became known as a father figure for the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, influencing the likes of Cézanne, Monet and Gaugin.

The second floor is now an art gallery, offering a selection of original paintings and prints by local artists. There is a collection of Pissarro works depicting the island life of his childhood, as well as pieces by artists inspired by the great painter.

The Skyride

Our plans to take the Skyride and see Charlotte Amalie from Paradise Point were hampered by an unexpected tropical storm (well, it was the rainy season after all). We took shelter in one of the many passages filled with shops and restaurants before catching a safari bus back to the ship. Even the intense rain, thunder and lightening couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Celebrity cruisers – they remained chipper, cracking jokes throughout.

Charlotte Amalie is a delightful destination with a relaxed, friendly Caribbean vibe. To get the most out of your day there, it’s worth taking a short excursion to the other side of the island to swim in the crystal clear waters at Magens Bay Beach before an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing.

It’s so easy to get around that you can easily do both and still have time for a cheeky rum punch in one of the port bars before embarking the ship.

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Caribbean, Cruises, USA

Exploring San Juan Old Town, Puerto Rico

December 12, 2014 by cheriecity

On our recent Celebrity Cruises Eastern Caribbean Getaway, the first destination we visited was San Juan in Puerto Rico.

After two glorious days at sea relaxing and finding our way around the Celebrity Reflection, we were excited to start exploring the Caribbean. The ship docked at 4pm and we headed off on our first excursion – a tour of Old & New San Juan.

Our tour bus driver took us on a spin around new San Juan and neighbouring Carolina, pointing out authentic local restaurants, residential areas, golden sand beaches and the glittering new Condado strip.

It was an insight into San Juan life, but historic Old San Juan is the area with the most monuments, colourful architecture and charm. On the way to the Castillo San Cristobal, we drove along the rugged coastline and admired the grand and imposing El Capitolio de Puerto Rico (home of the Puerto Rican legislative assembly built in the 1920), the Colegio San Agustín and the Museo de la Guardia Nacional.

Castillo San Cristobal

Castillo San Cristobal is a historic fort built by the Spanish in 1783 to protect San Juan from land attacks. It’s perched along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the rough, tempestuous sea. If you stand by the main view point, the salty aromas and fresh sea breeze are intoxicating.

The fort has quite a history of endurance, surviving a major earthquake, multiple attacks by the Dutch and the British, the Spanish-American War and World War II. It’s now part of the San Juan National Historic Site – a World Heritage Site awarded by the United Nations.

Colourful Houses

Exploring Old San Juan on foot was my favourite part of the visit, as we raced up the steep hills to see as much as possible before sundown. The elegant Spanish colonial buildings were everything I’d hoped they would be, painted in bold and pastel shades with attractive white framing.

The winding, cobbled streets are a delight to explore with side streets hiding dusty old bars and local restaurants. I can just imagine them hosting some fabulous salsa parties come nightfall.

La Perla

We then walked along the Calle Norzagaray coastline road overlooking the barrio of La Perla towards the striking Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Further on is the Castillo San Felipe del Moro, a 16th century citadel built on the north-western point of the island.

Plaza Colón

After that, it was an easy stroll downhill towards the port, where we visited the jewellery and local crafts shops around the Plaza Colón. A statue of Christopher Columbus stands majestically over the square, commemorating his discovery of Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the new world. It’s a pleasant spot to rest your feet and take in the buzz of the Old Town at one of the open-air cafes.

The Port

We’d planned to have dinner on the ship that evening, but Old San Juan is the place to sample authentic Puerto Rican specialities such as roast pork with plantains, whole barbecued fish, traditional tres leche cake and potent, island-grown coffee.

The port area is lively at night with plenty of bars, cafes and shops open late, so you can have a quick nightcap before heading back to the nearby ship. The Celebrity Reflection looked particularly pretty at night, lit up in multi-coloured lights.

If you have just a short time in San Juan, I recommend simply exploring the Old Town and leisurely absorbing the atmosphere of this characterful area before sundown.

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Miami, USA

A Celebrity Cruises Caribbean Holiday

December 1, 2014 by cheriecity

When I took my first European cruise last year as part of a group trip, I knew immediately that I’d been bitten by the cruise bug. As seasoned cruisers will tell you (and we met many), it really is addictive and a fabulous way to see the world.

With one cruise under my belt, I was excited to venture further afield and experience the Caribbean for the first time with Celebrity Cruises.

The younger sister brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity has a creative, design-led approach to cruising and attracts a diverse age group. Quite quickly we discovered it’s this point of difference and youthful vibe that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Pre-Cruise

Our trip began in comfort with an overnight Halloween stay at Sheraton Miami Airport (part of the cruise package), following our breezy Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow.

The next morning, we joined fellow Celebrity Cruisers in the lobby to catch our coach transfer to the Port of Miami to board the Celebrity Reflection (the newest ship in the fleet). Embarkation was a little delayed due to first-time immigration procedures for the ship, but the check-in process was easy and we were given bottles of mineral water while waiting.

Stateroom

Our Ocean View Balcony Stateroom was an absolute delight to spend a week in, with more than enough space for two people and pristine contemporary interiors.

On arrival with a Mimosa in hand, we were greeted by our fantastic Stateroom Attendant Ozy who came to introduce himself and ask if we had any particular preferences for our room. We were kindly welcomed with a bottle of Celebrity Cruises Champagne on ice, a fruit bowl and a vase of colourful flowers.

Room features include a plush double bed with sumptuous embroidered Egyptian cotton linen, a comfortable seating area with a wide sofa and coffee table, minibar, a cabinet with bar top and drawers and a double wardrobe. There’s also a large interactive flatscreen Samsung TV on which you can order 24-hour room service, book excursions and watch TV channels including the ship’s exclusive Top Chef at Sea.

It was a real treat to have a private balcony with a table and two chairs – perfect for sailaway drinks, breakfast al fresco and sunbathing. There are some staterooms that simply have a window, but I recommend choosing a balcony room, as it really does enhance your stay.

The Bathroom

We found the bathroom truly impressive with an excellent walk-in shower, single sink, storage space, plenty of fluffy towels and face cloths, bathrobes, a proper hairdryer and a full set of Bvlgari White Tea bathroom products.

Our stateroom was serviced twice a day and we were brought turndown treats, invitations to onboard events such as the new Bvlgari store opening and the daily Celebrity newspaper with information about the destinations, excursions and the dress code for the following evening.

Dining

Food is a huge part of a Celebrity Cruise and with an unlimited selection of meals, snacks and drinks included, you’re guaranteed to never go hungry. In fact, we were blown away at the standard of cooking, fresh ingredients and choice.

Ocean View Cafe

A popular spot around the clock is the Ocean View Cafe – an enormous self-service restaurant conveniently located on the 14th deck, just a few steps from the outdoor pool. Chefs are present at each station to help serve dishes or cook up bespoke orders.

The lunch and dinner offering is quite dazzling with international dishes including fajitas, Thai noodles, spicy curries, fresh pizza and pasta, grilled chicken Caesar salad, charcuterie and antipasti.

The breakfast is particularly impressive with everything from yoghurt and granola and sliced exotic fruits to Eggs Benedict with freshly-carved Canadian bacon and a full American breakfast. I really liked the sweet station laden with waffles, pancakes, French toast and crepes, served with fruit compotes, maple syrup and the most amazing orange butter.

There’s also high tea in the afternoon, all-day ice cream, a candy bar and the most addictive home-baked cookies. Ground coffee, a wide selection of tea and iced water are free on tap as well as non-carbonated soft drinks such as iced tea, lemonade and fruit punch. Alcohol, premium soft drinks and bottled mineral water can be purchased on their own or as drinks packages.

AquaSpa Cafe

The AquaSpa Cafe by the indoor pool is great for fresh salads and light bites while the Mast Grill keeps it simple with crowd-pleasing hot dogs and burgers.

Opus

In the evening, we ate in the elegant main dining room Opus, which was every bit as grand as we’d hoped. We enjoyed some fantastic meals there including a Top Chef at Sea menu and a very special dinner at the Captain’s Table with copious fresh seafood on formal night.

Fine Dining

For something a little different, the Celebrity Reflection offers a wide selection of speciality restaurants, where you can dine for an additional fee. Modern French fine dining restaurant Murano has all the old world refinement that you would expect on a cruise ship, while the Lawn Club Grill is like a ‘country club on the sea’ with tempting barbecued meats and flatbreads, plus the chance to be the designated Grill Master for the table.

Qsine

One evening, we dined at Qsine, the high-tech concept restaurant where dishes are ordered for the table from iPads – perfect for a blogger who can’t quite let go of technology! Inspired by destinations around the the world, each dish comes in a tasting portion for the whole table. We tucked in to treats such as popcorn fish ‘n’ chips, spring rolls, chilled soups in test tubes with hot soufflés, filet mignon with a palette of tasty sides and a kobe beef ‘slider party’.

I ended with a Red Velvet cupcake with cute little icing piping bags and sprinkles to decorate it myself, while Steven tried an inventive Cheesecake Martini.

A luxurious feature of the cruise is the 24-hour room service with most items offered complimentary. There was so much food readily available that we only used it a few times for evening pots of tea and warm milk with cookies.

Facilities

Poolside was the place to be on sea days with a live DJ, pool volleyball and zumba classes. For the ultimate relaxation, guests can unwind in the Persian Gardens, take a meditation class or enjoy a treatment in the Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Other features include an art studio, designer boutiques (Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York and more), theatre, casino, games room, library, lawn, private alcoves and jogging track. One of my favourite peaceful spots was The Hideaway, an intimate lounge with cosy seats and a dedicated tea and coffee station.

Entertainment

There is always something creative happening on the Celebrity Reflection, whether it’s a fantastic Motown band, Thriller flash mob, Sin City burlesque show, Daft Punk-esque dancing robots or an impromptu guest dance-off (to the Titanic theme song, no less). There’s a lovely sense of community onboard with everyone getting involved and not taking it too seriously.

The ship also has an extensive contemporary art and photography collection, with striking pieces to be found on every floor. It’s worth spending some time to take the iPad Art Tour and discover new artists.

Destinations

The seven-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway was super-relaxing with three days docked at the destinations and the rest spent at sea. We explored historic San Juan (Puerto Rico), the beautiful beach and shopping haven Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and the island of St. Maarten with both a Dutch and French side. We also stayed in Miami for two additional nights and would recommend building this into your cruise – Celebrity has a good selection of partner hotels for easy booking.

Verdict

Our Celebrity Cruise was a dream from start to finish and it’s easy to see why some guests book back-to-back cruises. There’s a real feel-good vibe onboard yet it never feels overbearing and the staff are genuinely friendly and helpful.

A Celebrity Cruise is ideal if you want a bite-size experience of some interesting destinations and plenty of relaxation time. It’s the opposite of my usual style of travelling, trying to get under the surface of a destination and exploring local restaurants and hotels. However, the ship is an experience in itself and we liked the simplicity of having everything we needed on our doorstep.

It was hard tearing ourselves away from the ship on the last morning, but every time London life stresses me out, I go back to my happy place on the Celebrity Reflection pool deck with an iced tea.

Are you tempted to try a Caribbean cruise? If you’re planning to take a trip with Celebrity Cruises, send me your questions in the comment box below…

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, USA

Anndra Neen for The Beverly Hills Hotel

April 9, 2014 by cheriecity

Anndra Neen, winners of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2011, have created a limited edition collection of jewellery inspired by The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Since presenting their pieces at The Beverly Hills Hotel in 2011, Phoebe and Annette Stephens’ label has become known for its intricate metalwork and is stocked at over 40 stores worldwide.

Their accessories are a firm favourite among fashion editors and have been worn by Michelle Obama, Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore, Nicole Richie and Anna Paquin.

Their line for The Beverly Hills Hotel is inspired by the hotel’s iconic design elements, from its dreamy shades of pink to the signature banana leaves found on the wallpaper and landscaped gardens across the property.

The striking hand-made necklace, choker and ring feature rose quartz, alpaca and brass materials.

Anndra Neen’s collection for The Beverly Hills Hotel is priced from £185.19 to £389.53 and is available to buy at the hotel’s Logo Shop and online.

New York, Restaurants, USA

Luke’s Lobster at The Plaza Food Hall

May 22, 2013 by cheriecity

While in New York, I was determined to find a great place to eat lobster rolls. Our first attempt at visiting Luke’s Lobster in the East Village was ill-fated, as the tiny bar was packed full (it only seats 8!) and it was too chilly for take-out.

Luckily, we stumbled upon Luke’s Lobster again in one of my favourite NYC foodie haunts, The Plaza Foodhall, after a long trek around Central Park.

Lobster rolls may sound like an extravagant indulgence, but a lobster glut on the East Coast last year means that prices have been driven down and happily lots of affordable seafood joints have recently popped up in New York. Luke’s Lobster now has ten locations and has expanded to Washington DC and Philadelphia’s well-heeled Rittenhouse Square.

We ordered a Lobster Roll with soda, chips and a pickle ($17) and a Crab Roll – just the roll ($12) to share. The Maine style lobster roll was substantial with a quarter-pound of plump, chilled lobster meat atop a split toasted and buttered roll spread with mayonnaise, a drizzle of warm lemon butter and scattered ‘secret herbs’.

The lobster was incredibly fresh and succulent and was perfectly complemented by the oozing butter sauce and the ‘secret’ ground herbs (I detected a bit of paprika and oregano). The lobster roll came with a choice of Cape Cod potato chips and a glass bottle of Maine Root Mexicane Cola.

The crab roll was also delicious with a flaky texture and a clean, subtle taste. Both were extremely tasty, but the lobster roll had the slight edge as the lobster meat was more flavoursome. If you’re really peckish, try the Taste of Maine – half lobster roll, half crab roll and half shrimp roll with a soda, chips and a pickle ($20).

Unlike other lobster shacks in NYC, Luke’s Lobster rolls are simply packed full of seafood rather than bulked up with lots of mayo and celery – they’re probably the best value for money too.

Many of the outlets can be small and hard to find a seat when it’s busy, but The Plaza Food Hall has plenty of seated eating areas. In the warmer months, grab a few rolls and head to Central Park for a posh picnic – what could be better!

For more New York dining ideas, read my reviews of:

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