World Tapas Day

I love Tapas and was delighted to hear that today is World Tapas Day so hurry up and get yourself something yummy and why not wash it down with a nice glass of Rioja! Even better why not visit Spain and get some winter sunshine too!

Tapas is a hallmark of Spain. Both for its unique design, small and varied portions, as well as for how it is consumed, usually standing and sharing the same plate. In every town and city in Spain there are bars and pubs –sometimes even whole neighborhoods–specialising in tapas. Another advantage of eating tapas is that they enable you to sample a different selection of local dishes in each region of Spain. These delicious combinations of miniature culinary delights cater to all tastes and budgets.

More than just food tourism, it is a means of discovering towns and cities by exploring the culture that is revealed in their kitchens –because in Spain, good food is a way of life. Gastronomy is an essential element of tourism in Spain. The term "Tapa" itself is a concept that identifies Spain internationally. Food in Spain is not simply food – it is a combination of cooking styles shaped by regional differences, traditions and customs.

Spanish gastronomy is up there with the most renowned of food cultures in the world According to the statistical data of European Baseline study, Spain is the world’s leading tourism country that ranks first as European country for gastronomical tourism. The Mediterranean diet of the East coast of Spain combined with the elements of traditional Moorish cuisine in the South, a great variety of gastronomic styles of central Spanish regions, the New Spanish cuisine led by the pioneers of molecular and new-age gastronomy, and the New Basque cuisine famous for delicious meat and fish specialities.

Spain is commonly known as one of the largest producers of high-quality wine, olives and cold meats. It also owes its fame to its “pica-pica” culture that implies having a meal consisting of finger foods accompanied by a glass of wine or beer and a spontaneous conversation. Spanish food not only meets a growing demand for “foodies” but it also complements the destination for all tourism products. The Spanish Tourist board want to promote tourism through culinary experiences. And there’s no better way to get a taste of Spain wherever you are than through its excellent tapas. A day of tapas is a unique experience to discover Spanish culture and savour the atmosphere of its bars and restaurants. Going for tapas is a habit that is lived intensely in all towns and cities in Spain where tapas are an exquisite, varied and select part of popular gastronomy. The great taste of Spain in one meal!

If you’re looking for an authentic tapas experience, but happen to not be in Spain, there are of course numerous Spanish tapas bars and restaurants all over Ireland… Join us on World Tapas Day (22nd October) and travel to the Taste of Spain!

Madrid's lovely Tapas spots - watch the video here Madrid Tapas

Come and visit Dublin

Dublin a breath of fresh air!

Tourism Ireland has made a wonderful video about my home town Dublin and I thought I'd share it with you. Click on the picture to view it.

Go to the Bronx and live like a local - New York!

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO EXPLORE THE BRONX’S ARTHUR AVENUE AND BELMONT

—Documentary Film Provides Visitors with an Insider’s Guide to the Italian Enclave and Neighbourhood Cultural Gems—

NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation, today announced its most recent effort to increase tourism in the Bronx with a neighbourhood spotlight on Arthur Avenue and Belmont as part of its NYCGO Insider Guide series. Featured in short-style documentary as part of the promotion, Arthur Avenue and Belmont offer visitors everything from authentic Italian delicacies to bucolic gardens to an animal oasis. To view the documentary and neighbourhood highlights including a map, visit nycgo.com/insiderguides.

 The Bronx

Click on this link to catch the video

“Affectionately known as New York City’s ‘real Little Italy,’ Arthur Avenue will make any visitor feel like they are in Italy with Italian shops, restaurants and specialty stores lining the streets,” said Marty Markowitz, NYC & Company’s Vice President of Borough Promotion and Engagement. “With nearby world-class attractions like the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, we’re encouraging visitors to spend a day exploring the culturally and culinary rich Bronx.”

“Everyone knows that New York’s real Little Italy is in The Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We have the best cannoli, world-class pizza and the most authentic Italian food, bar none. Arthur Avenue is one of the shining gems of the borough and is close to wonderful attractions like the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. I welcome any tourist, from our great nation or from abroad, to come visit this wonderful neighbourhood and experience one of the great neighbourhood of New York City.”

Experience Arthur Avenue and Belmont Like a Local

• Attractions: The 265-acre world-famous Bronx Zoo has more than 6,000 animals that are housed in re-creations of their natural habitats. In addition to the year-round exhibits like the sea lion pool and African plains featuring lions, zebras and gazelles, this October the zoo celebrates Halloween with special Boo at the Zoo programming. Featuring more than a million plants on their 250-acre campus, The New York Botanical Garden is a favourite spot of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. On view until 1^st November 2015, Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life showcases Kahlo’s work and provides a look into her childhood garden.
• Bakeries and Cafés: For traditional Italian baked goods, DeLillo Cafe & Pastry Shop sells homemade Italian desserts, including cannolis, sfogliatelle and biscotti; and Madonia Brothers Bakery is a Sicilian bakery that sells traditional Italian desserts and savoury breads in flavours like jalapeño, provolone and black olive.
• Dining: A family-style restaurant known for large portions, Roberto’s Restaurant serves country-style Italian dishes. The team behind Roberto’s also owns Zero Otto Nove, a rustic Italian restaurant around the corner. Nearby, Pasquale’s Rigoletto transports visitors to Italy with its colourful murals and authentic menu of fettuccine Alfredo, gnocchi Bolognese and more.
• Shops: The Arthur Avenue Retail Market is home to recently opened shops and third-generation establishments where visitors can find a wide selection of cured meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables and boutique goods. Nearby, visitors can find fresh pasta and ravioli from Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles; homemade cheeses at the official mozzarella supplier of the New York Yankees, Casa Della Mozzarella; an impressive selection of fresh fish and shellfish atCosenza’s Fish Market; and a vast selection of quality meats at Biancardi’s. In addition, Teitel Brothers is a wholesale and retail gourmet Italian deli, which sells its quality ingredients, including cheeses, roasted peppers and oils to restaurants around the country.

Visitors looking to experience the Bronx for longer than an afternoon can stay at the Opera House Hotel in the South Bronx. The historic Bronx Opera House, a storied entertainment venue dating back to 1913, has been restored as a boutique hotel. The property has spacious rooms and amenities including flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi, plus a continental breakfast. For the best available rates at hotels throughout the five boroughs, visit nycgo.com/hotels and reserve through NYC & Company’s exclusive hotel booking partner, Booking.com.

NYCGO Insider Guides: Get to know our neighbourhoods

New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Formerly Neighborhood x Neighborhood, NYCGO Insider Guides, which debuted in March, spotlight a new neighbourhood each month. The video documentary series and editorial content take New Yorkers and visitors behind the scenes to introduce them to the character and characters that define some of New York City’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.

To view B-roll and photos of Arthur Avenue and Belmont in our media library, visit nycgo.com/press. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.

Reasons to visit Kissimmee...there's quite a list!

Why Kissimmee should be top of your list for holidays next year!

This info graph says it all really. I would love to go hot air ballooning and check out the Rodeos!

Dream trip around the world!

I get lots of press releases about all sorts of exciting places to visit but this trip caught my eye. It involves visiting several of the worlds most important sites and all on a private 757. This one is worth saving up for!

TCS World Travel, a leading private jet tour operator specializing in highly personalized and enriching global travel experiences, will celebrate its 250th journey with an Around the World Classic trip scheduled for September 29 to October 22, 2016.


The 24-day, all-inclusive journey will whisk travelers to nine of the world’s most iconic destinations in the comfort of a private Boeing 757 jet. Travellers will be delighted with surprises, exclusive events and celebrations along the trip to mark the momentous occasion.

In 1995, TCS World Travel launched its first around-the-world itinerary featuring many of the iconic highlights offered on the 2016 Around the World Classic journey. An elevated version of its most popular journey, this itinerary will explore some of the world’s most incredible destinations including the Serengeti Plain, Great Barrier Reef, Lost City of Petra, Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal and Easter Island. The journey also features behind-the-scenes access to popular global attractions with world-renowned experts as guides and world-class accommodations, complete with personalised, enriching experiences and hassle-free air travel aboard TCS World Travel’s private aircraft.

Highlights of the 2016 Around the World trip include:

• Celebrate TCS World Travel’s 250th journey with an opulent Gala dinner in Agra, India
• Tour Peru with a privately-chartered luxury train on your way to visit Machu Picchu accompanied by exquisite dinner and local music
• Explore the mysterious moai on Easter Island with the former governor and founder of the island’s first and only museum
• Enjoy a private dinner at a temple inside Angkor Park in Cambodia with traditional dances highlighting its rich culture
• In Tanzania enjoy spectacular panoramas of the Serengeti Plain from a hot air balloon followed by brunch in the bush
• Discover Jordan with a Bedouin feast and traditional entertainment at the historic site of Little Petra

All TCS World Travel trips are tailored to the travelers’ individual interests and are all-inclusive of best-available accommodations, ground transportation, dining, exclusive sightseeing options, special events and activities, and enrichment programs. The Boeing 757 aircraft is furnished with thoughtful amenities such as on-demand inflight entertainment, iPads with trip information and in-flight menus designed by TCS World Travel’s executive chef.

TCS World Travel’s 2016 Around the World Classic trip begins at £51,200 per person, double occupancy. Due to popular demand, a similar around-the-world itinerary will be available in 2017 fromSeptember 24 to October 18, 2017. Bespoke itineraries are also available for travelers looking to customize their own adventure and for pre-and post-trip extensions. For more information about TCS World Travel and to view all of the trips, please visit: www.tcsworldtravel.co.uk. In addition TCS World Travel has recently opened a dedicated European office - based in London. As the world leader in private jet tours and a pioneer in around-the-world adventures, TCS World Travel is delighted to offer European travel enthusiasts a truly personalised service that ensures travel dreams come alive.