Tag Archives: Great Britain

5 Music Festivals in Great Britain

Posted on September 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

Do you like music? Good point, here are 5 music festivals in Great Britain not to be missed after the summer! If you know some of those listed below, leave me comment! I look forward to hearing from you!

1. BESTIVAL

The big festival not to be missed this weekend September 5-8 (or to attend next year!), on the Isle of Wight, with an impressive line up of musicians and DJs (including Maya Jane Coles). And big names like: Nile Rogers (no he’s not the “new” guitare hero of the Daft Punk, yes he’s on “Get Lucky”!), The Roots, Snoop Dogg, M.I.A., Fatboy Slim, Franz Ferdinand, James Blake… and of course Sir Elton John. www.bestival.net

2. THE MAYOR’S THAMES FESTIVAL

This Londoner festival from September 6 to 15 is not focusing exclusively on music. But if you missed the famous Notting Hill Carnival, this weekend you can watch and dance with the Great British Carnival: a selection of the best British samba and soca bands. http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/the-great-british-carnival-comes-to-the-thames

3. PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL

You don’t know Wales, me neither. Why not enjoying the long weekend of September 27-29 to discover Porthcawl surrounded by many Elvis? It sounds completely crazy, isn’t it? The Porthcawl Elvis Festival is the world’s largest festival of Elvis fans! Music, attitude and wigs fans! The dream of all photographers! http://elvies.co.uk/

4. OXFORD CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

If you prefer Vivaldi, from September 30 to October 5 the Oxford Chamber Music Festival, founded in 2000 by the violinist Priya Mitchell, a native of Oxford, presents chamber music concerts. This year the festival pays tribute to classical music inspired by the gypsy folklore, “Caravan, Gypsy Folk”. http://ocmf.net/

5. LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

And to finish this short list of music festivals, the London Jazz Festival, November 15-24. For 10 years, this festival provides an excellent programming, mixing famous artists and new talents. Showing this year: Paolo Conte, Courtney Pine and Monty Alexander, Zara McFarlane, Matthew Herbert and many others … http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/

More informations : www.visitbritain.be, www.visitbritainshop.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & CULTURE

London Shopping, Art and Bar

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

Here is my ultimate London shopping, art and bar review: check my spring summer issue! For new comers: my city walks are one of the hallmarks of my blog (you can find all the city walks, full of exclusive address and tips in DESTINATIONS). I walk for hours and hours to capture, watch and take the pulse of the city. This time, I start to Piccadilly Circus, where was my hotel. Not really my usual London, I’m definitely more Portobello and East End than Soho or Covent Garden. Pictures 2 & 7: incredible, after so many trips to London, I’d never been to the National Gallery! I’m a big fan of the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert Museum (coming up post and if you like contemporary art, check my interview with Gilbert & George). In the picture 2, this piece of art (in gold or it looks like gold) of Elmgreen & Dragset is placed in front of the National Gallery. Honestly I don’t like it and I don’t dislike it, let’s say it intrigues me a bit. Picture 3: don’t miss the Radio Rooftop Bar, located on the top floor of the ME London (a newly opened hotel). For a drink or dinner with a panoramic view of the city … hoping you have a better weather than me (LOL!). Picture 4: totally by chance, on the side of Mayfair, I found in the lobby of a company’s building, my favorite work of the Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos! I had the great opportunity to visit her workshop few years ago and see one of her famous giant sandals under construction! Small world! Picture 6: the most iconic London department store, Liberty! Beautiful wooden interiors, in addition to excellent fashion selection and home selection, the place has lots of character. A must do, I had the chance to photograph a famous London based blogger there. Pictures 8, 9, 4 & 1: Anglomania! In Soho, a poster of the theater that displays a show about the Queen. Picture 9: I’ve always been impressed with all the mix of colors, patterns and materials of the English. Unique! Beautiful or not beautiful, that is not the question! Picture 1: beautiful Burberry‘s window in Regent Street. Where you must stop by the huge store of Anthropologie, if you want to shop for your home. Very nice design both contemporary seriously boho, a little regressive (LOL) and very colorful (plates, bowls, candles, furnitures …). In the store, I also like the great wall covered with plants. Picture 10: This small pedestrian street is full of shops and leads to a nice place a little apart, with some (crowd out) terraces, St Christopher Place. Enjoy!

Related posts : Mayfair, London: Shopping & Art

A Manicure @ So Spa By Sofitel Saint James London

Back To London in The Eurostar Standard Premier

DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Sofitel Saint James: A Room With A Breakfast @ The Balcon

Posted on March 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Just arrived in London St. Pancras station

and 4 tube stops later, I’m on Piccadilly Circus, 2 minutes walk from the Sofitel Saint James located away from the crowd, in a little place that I didn’t know. The hotel is housed in an heritage building: a former imposing bank with incredibly high ceilings!

After a warm welcome at reception desk by a French-English bilingual staff, I discover my room: simple, elegant and spacious, in a range of black, white and brown. The decor is stylish with black and white photographies on the wall. Lovely bathroom with the old faucet and tiled black and white checkered.

What a pity amenities are limited to one soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner … all Hermès okay! But for short stays, to lighten my bag I bring the bare minimum like a mini make-up and cleanser, because I usually find everything else in the room. Damned, this time I didn’t take my toothbrush, toothpaste nor body cream (LOL!): thankfully Boots is in Piccadilly Circus!

Otherwise leaving my room with its so cozy vibe and “you’re in London Baby!” exotic view (picture 3) and comfortable king size bed, is a huge challenge my dear (lol)! Photo 4: a regressive wallpaper in the entrance to the room (picture 4).

And for lasting this cozy atmosphere, a breakfast full of vitamins at the beautiful Balcon, the relaxed chic brasserie of the hotel (pictures 6 & 7). Too hard to leave it to go to my meetings! Picture 5: amazing chandelier ceiling of a hotel suite.