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If you like chicken, and haven't yet tried Piri Piri, I have to break it to you.....you're missing out big time! The dish is traditionally made from Piri Piri peppers which originated in South Africa, and were imported to Portugal from Angola and Mozambique. Restaurants across Portugal have their own individual recipes for the dish; but the Algarve town of Guia is said to have the most authentic Piri-Piri houses, and I am quite confident when I say I think I have found the best. O Teodósio (otherwise known as King of Chicken) opens for lunch at 12 noon; and 6pm for evening meals. Trust me, it pays to get there just before it opens. Long queues of people soon build up, and every time I've eaten there it has been mobbed - quite impressive when you consider it seats nearly 700! Although they do serve other dishes, you never see a menu being handed out - you simply order "Frango piri piri, batatas fritas e salada" (chicken piri piri, chips, and salad). It'...

With dark nights and chilly mornings upon us, you can't help but think of Christmas, as it draws ever closer. Forget the panic of shopping; and the stress of cooking, and instead why not plan a last minute trip to the Christmas markets. Some of the most famous markets in Europe have been running since the middle ages, and today they can draw around two million visitors during December. With less than six weeks until Christmas day (apologies to those who haven't done any shopping yet!), I decided to give you three suggestions if you fancy travelling to get some last minute bits and pieces for your loved ones, or just going to enjoy the mulled wine and festive atmosphere! Basel Christmas Market A few years ago, I visited the Christmas market in Basel, which is located in the three countries corner of Switzerland, France and Germany. It is a stunning city, and even more pretty when the markets make its Old Town come alive. It has the longest illuminated Christmas street i...

Outdoor life is all about taking in beautiful scenery; and the best thing about glamping is that you don't have to give up all your luxuries, and can still enjoy the rustic feeling of camping. The county of Carmarthenshire showcases some of the most diverse landscapes in Wales; with spectacular mountains; rolling landscape, and sandy beaches. The last thing you would expect in the middle of this stunning Welsh countryside is an American caravan! Photo courtesy of www.canopyandstars.co.uk The 76er - named after its vintage, is as far removed from its original American roots as you can imagine, but somehow the way it reflects the countryside on its aluminium exterior just works. The enthusiasm for Airstreams has surged in recent times; and now it's not only cool surfers that want them, but there are also millionaire owners such as Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. Photo courtesy of www.canopyandstars.co.uk The trailer sleeps two (it has a king sized double bed); and ther...

If you popped in to check out my blog on Friday, you will know, that I'm dedicating this week Travel Lightbulb 'Glamping UK week'! The idea of camping with luxuries seems to appeal to you all, as I got a lot of feedback on my post ' Sydney under canvas ' back in August. So I decided to feature two locations in the UK this week, as I appreciate Australia isn't accessible to everyone.  Photo courtesy of www.canopyandstars.co.uk The Curve, Ekopod in Cornwall, is a fascinating concept by Simon Cathcart, who wanted to come up with a luxury, low carbon holiday solution. It provides open plan luxury under canvas, and its design echoes the nearby Eden project (an eco visitor attraction). Photo courtesy of www.canopyandstars.co.uk The Curve features a king sized bed, which has incredible views onto the secluded tree lined meadow with a moorland stream. There is a flushing toilet (a definite bonus when camping!) and a wood heated bath tub. While there are ...

Those who have followed my blog for a while may remember my post on  glamping in Australia  - a super place which combined luxury, and camping perfectly. I t proved very popular, with many people who lived in Oz even getting in touch to say they'd never heard of it, but they were going to check it out! Photos courtesy of www.lcrtp.com.au/tandara-sydney For me the joy of that style of accommodation is being able to make the most of your surroundings, and I thought that it as time to see if anything similar existed in the UK. I was stunned to find that there are lots of unique accommodation choices, and have decided to dedicate next week 'Travel Lightbulb Glamping UK week'! If you love spending time outdoors, but don't want to give up on life's little luxuries, then don't miss next week's blog posts, starting on Monday with a visit to Cornwall.  If you have any suggestions for places, bars, restaurants, and hotels that Travel Lightbulb should feat...

Staying in a villa on holiday gives you the freedom to do what you want; when you want, and if you fancy Greece as a destination, I have found a stunner! This pretty little two bedroom cottage stole my heart when I came across it, and if you were going to the Greek islands, don't you agree this would be the perfect place to stay? Having had a look at lots of private rental accommodation in Greece, it seems unusual to find places on the beach, and you have to admit its location alone is stunning. Alonissos is the sleepiest of the four Sporades islands in the Aegean, and while there is no airport on the island, you can fly into Skiathos and take a ferry from there (approximately two hours fifteen minutes). The extra travel time is well worth it, and while Sea Horse Cottage was once a fisherman's cottage, it is now a comfortable two bedroom retreat. Although the accommodation is very comfortable, the outside space and views are what you come for. Just imag...

I have just returned from an incredible trekking trip to Peru, and with around six to nine hours of walking everyday, I had a lot of time to think. While snuggling into my sleeping bag at night, in temperatures of minus 10 degrees celsius, I wondered...do I prefer luxury holidays, or do I secretly like roughing it? It's a tricky question as I loved getting up every morning at 6am; cupping a mug of warm coca leaf tea in my hands, while breathing in the fresh air in the incredible Andes. At the same time, you can't beat climbing into a huge hotel bed with fresh sheets, and plump pillows. Since I returned from the magical mountain ridges in Peru on Saturday, I have taken great pleasure in the simple things in life; like switching on lights instead of rummaging in my rucksack for my head torch. Having said that; I miss the feeling of open spaces, and a lack of people - it was a strange feeling being in London Heathrow with thousands of other travellers, and I do wish I...

Since opening in 2008; Sweden's first floating hotel has been attracting visitors from all over the world, and it's more than just a gimmick. In low-lying coastal regions which are struggling with rising sea levels; a hotel that floats seems to be a very good business move, and another reason it sits on the water is because there was no more room in the fishing village! It is located on an island North of Gothenburg on the beautiful Swedish west coast.  The proprietors of the 46 room hotel also chose the location (off a small fishing island near Gothenburg) because they didn't want to impact the land. In fact the whole hotel has been designed to have little or no effect on the environment; and the minimalistic style is not only for cosmetic purposes, but the designers also had to make sure it would float! The Salt & Sill company have always been passionate about the environment, and the excavating rock left over from the building work is being used to build a...