CULTURE & FASHION
As the hugely popular SUV market continues to grow, so does the wonderful range of vehicles South Korean manufacturer Kia has to offer. This month here at The Gentleman Select I was lucky enough to test drive Kia’s newest addition, the XCeed, around the very cool streets of Berlin.
When visiting a restaurant most of us go somewhere local or perhaps jump on a train to the next city. I can say however I have never boarded a plane and flew to a restaurant destination. This was indeed precisely what I did when renowned chef Nico Simeone flew myself and 69 other lucky passengers to Belfast to experience the latest addition to his Six by Nico restaurant portfolio. On the menu was the six course “Chippie” theme. One which I couldn’t wait to try.
Up and down the country regional accents, words and phrases are a massive part of our history and culture. Some stand out so much they are instantly recognised as Glaswegian, Tyke or Geordie dialect. Recent research from LNER however reveals that almost half of Brits think the number of people speaking with a traditional accent is falling. Quite a sad fact indeed but one that hasn’t gone unnoticed. This month with London North Eastern Railway, I was lucky enough to work on their Track Record campaign. A wonderful, charming audio poem created to celebrate people, places and regional accents along the scenic LNER route.
The festive time of year is all about spending time with family and friends whilst enjoying good food and drink in the best of surroundings. Of course once the Christmas turkey is all done and you’ve had one to may drams on New Years Eve, what better way to blow off the cobwebs and kick off 2019 than a fantastic day at Musselburgh Racecourse for the Betway New Year’s Day Race meeting.
As a frequent traveller here at The Gentleman Select I know all to well the difficulty in trying to eat and exercise properly whilst always being on the move. It can be so easy to simply grab some fast food and bypass the gym area because you are tired and want to rest up however continuing with those choices can be a slippy road to go down and even harder to come back up. Thankfully one particular brand, Pullman Hotels, is driving forward Wellness Tourism with a passion, aiming to get visitors making healthy choices when they travel. Recently I paid a visit to their stunning site at Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport for an exciting two days of healthy living, exploring their invigorating anti jet lag programme and spending time in the company of its creator and Pullman brand ambassador, Sarah Hoey.
A few weeks back I was lucky enough to spend an overnight in The Edinburgh Grand, a luxurious series of 5 star apartments at the heart of Edinburgh city centre. As part of the Chris Stewart Group portfolio along with the Old Town Chambers and Merchiston Residence, it is a venue I had heard much about and here at The Gentleman Select I couldn’t wait to visit.
Every now and then a vehicle comes along that is perfectly suited and crafted for long adventures on the open road. Last month I was lucky enough to drive one such vehicle and take it out on a short road trip to the historic Scottish town of St Andrews. It is a journey I’ve done before but never in quite so much comfort and elegance. This time I would be making said trip in the magnificent Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV.
In the past St Andrews was always a place I visited to play golf and why not, it is the home of golf after all with its incredible links courses presenting so many challenges. What I also love about the place is the narrow, cobbled little streets leading to quaint little pubs for drowning your sorrows after several wayward tee-shots during the day! Most recently however I visited St Andrews for a different reason. It was to check out the newly refurbished The Saint Bar & Kitchen, the ideal place to see what culinary delights this picturesque Scottish seaside town has to offer.
There is nothing better than staying in a hotel which is packed full to the brim with style and character. Since 1881 the building which has now become The Principal Hotel on George St, Edinburgh, has been welcoming guests into its delightful surroundings. It is made up of five listed Georgian townhouses in what is a truly stunning location in the capital’s city centre. Fast forward from those wealthy citizens who entered many years ago and I recently found myself lucky enough to be a guest at the hotel, spending an overnight where I experienced its charm and elegant ambiance to the full.
Earlier in the month I mentioned of my excitement at adding another great feature to The Gentleman Select website in the form of the first travel and hotel review. Delightfully I have been on more travels, this time experiencing the hospitality and delights of an astounding boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh the details of which I couldn’t wait to get started writing about. The establishment I speak of is the Radisson Collection on the Royal Mile.