Need to eat? on the cheap? when you’re away?

12 05 2010

Mangia Mangia

Perfect! I’ve got the idea for you. Maybe you’ve heard about it maybe you haven’t: Top Table.

This website is great for booking restaurants in London, New York, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam etc… But this is not some high-end foodie guide. Though you can eat at the high-end if you want.

Instead it’s about saving you money when you go out to eat. Pick a place in London where you get 50% off or a restaurant that caters for under £25 . And these are good restaurants.

Check it out and let me know how it goes!





Escape Bermuda in June…where? here:

12 05 2010

Fly away...where?

June is the halfway point in the year (yeah ok anyone with a calendar can get that). It has the longest day: 21st of the summer, which, for some, is a chance to visit Wiltshire. Yep this town about two hours from London has a bunch of big rocks….ok sorry Stonehenge, where visitors come to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year. For me that would mean actually sleeping in because I would have more day to play with, but to each their own.

Need some other ideas to get on a plane next month? Need to plan ahead? Here’s some ideas.

1. Montreal’s Jazz Festival: From June 25 until July 6 this European-feel city will be hosting the likes of Lionel Richie, Bobby McFerrin (you know…the one-man band?), Cyndi Lauper and Manhattan Transfer to name a few.

The best part? For Bermuda-bound, Westjet has just launched its service from our 21 square mile island to Canada. A cursory search on their website uncovered a flight leaving on June 25 and returning July 5th for $407! Added bonus? The flight leaves at 3 p.m. from Bermuda and gets you into Montreal by 8 p.m. Not bad I would say.

Mind The Gap

2. London: Well seeing as it is a direct flight from Bermuda even with British Airways far-from-discount-fares, it is a convenient destination time-wise. So to start you could catch the sunrise on June 21 in Stonehenge (only two hours from Heathrow so Bermudians get on your bus from Gatwick to Heathrow…no problem) and then head to Wimbledon for the first day of the tennis match.

Of course if you are here at the end of May… May 25 to the 29th to be exact, there is the annual Chelsea Flower Show held on the Royal Hospital Grounds.

3. Boston: or Baaaston. Whatever your pronunciation tendencies this will be the town to be in for June 4th for any Conan O’Brian fans. Yes the man might be off the Tonight Show but he’s not letting that stop him. Catch him at the Wang Theatre on June 4th and 5th.

If you’re heading to Bean Town at the end of the month all the better. This town knows how to throw a party and will be celebrating July 4th (yes one day) with 6!! Days of partying. From June 30th to July 5th.

4. New York, NY: Calling all those with fish tails! The annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade will be…swimming? through this town on June 19 at 2 p.m. I can’t think of anything more appropriate for Coney Island – hosting the largest and most random art show parade! Even better? Flights on Jet Blue from June 18th to June 20th (Fri to Mon) are only $240!

And for those bored by running, sick of training for Iron Mans, drunk enough saltwater for the triathalon no fear – New York is here. September 25 it is hosting the NYC Urban Race. What is it? Check it out...able to scale tall buildings? Training needs to start now..hence my inclusion.

5. Bozo Beach, Dominican Republic: For all the bad rap Bermuda’s immigration Minister has given the women of this country it’s also one of the kitesurfing capitals and a destination for many Bermudians seeking the heights of good wind. Here from June 16 to June 20 are the World Cup Kitesurfing Championships. Yeah! I didn’t know this sport had them either.

For more info about the Dominican Republic…stay tuned for the latest addition to my Bermuda Abroad page. And remember to send me photos, a story, a annecdote about your travels and Bermuda spottings abroad.