​Wearing a mask has become an everyday requirement for many people so it’s great to find a mask that is comfortable, efficient and saves you money.
 
The Breath Happy mask comes in two forms. Everyday is for low density areas such as shops or outside use, and Commuter is for higher density usage. Initial kits, each containing five filters per mask, can be purchased for one, three or five people

The initial mask kit comes in three parts. First there is the main unit that fits snugly around the face and made of a comfortable soft material. Then there is a front filter holder, plus a pack of five replaceable filter pads. These can be bought separately when your initial supply runs out.
 
The Everyday filter has a Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of 95% and the Commuter filter achieves 98%. Each filter can be used for seven days before being replaced. Everyday filters cost less than £1 each and Commuter filters no more than £1.25 each, less if purchased in larger quantities, a massive cost saving over disposable masks, and much more effective.
 
Because the mask moulds comfortably to the face, it doesn't need to be regularly adjusted, and  it won’t steam up your glasses!

​Ideal for shopping, work or travelling, if you are looking for a comfortable, efficient and cost-saving mask, this could be the answer.
 
For more information and to order, go to https://www.breathe-happy.com

DRYNKS, the British alcohol-free craft brewer, has launched the UK’s first full range of alcohol-free (0%)  beers and ciders, and they are great!
 
The Manchester-based business secured one of Dragons’ Den’s best ever deals in March 2020 with Peter Jones amazed at how close to an alcoholic drink its beers and cider tasted.
 
DRYNKS is the only UK drinks brand who can produce the full remit of craft beers and cider because it owns the first and only state-of-the-art alcohol-free brewery which gently removes alcohol from premium craft beer and cider. The Smashed range uses the finest British ingredients to create authentic tasting craft beers and ciders and then the alcohol is gently swept away in a low impact cool vacuumed environment. This clever process maintains the same bubbly, personality, character and flavour of the full alcohol version.

​The Smashed brand of premium craft drinks is now five strong as it launches two new delicious drinks - a Pale ale and a Berry cider. These two new drinks complement its recently launched Smashed Lager, Smashed Citrus beer and Smashed Cider.
 
All Smashed drinks are vegan, gluten free (where possible), low in sugar and contain less than 100 calories per bottle/can.
 
Richard Clark, founder of Drynks Unlimited said: “Our SMASHED range of truly 0% beers and ciders have to be tasted to be believed. They taste so good you wouldn’t even realise they don’t have any booze in them.
 
“Our drinks geniuses have carefully crafted the SMASHED range to allow people to have a great night. Whether you’re looking to reduce your alcohol intake as part of a healthier lifestyle, or if you just want a great-tasting alcohol-free drink you can ‘swap in’ we’ve got you covered.”
 
The 330ml Smashed bottles and cans have a RRP of £1.99 and are available in Booths supermarket as well as online at www.drynks.co.uk, Zeroholic.co.uk, Drydrinker.com (exclusive Smashed Lager 660ml) and a range of local independent retailers across the UK. 

​All four Macdonald Hotels & Resorts in Spain have been included in the prestigious Tripadvisor ‘Travellers’ Choice 2020’ Awards. The Doña Lola, Leila Playa, Villacana and La Ermita resorts each achieved top billing in Tripadvisor’s 18th Annual Global Awards. 
 
The awards are based on millions of reviews from travellers around the world and reflect the "the best of the best" for service, quality and customer satisfaction, from hotels and accommodations to destinations, attractions, restaurants and experiences.  

​Of the 8.7 million tourism and hospitality businesses listed on Tripadvisor, only a tiny fraction – just 4,817 worldwide – received the top award
 
Michael Stott, chief executive officer for Macdonald Resorts, said: “These prestigious awards are a true reflection of the extremely high quality of service which our staff provide to our guests, day in, day out. 
 
“Over the past six years, our Spanish resorts have consistently performed extremely well based on guest reviews on Tripadvisor and we were inducted into the Tripadvisor Hall of Fame last year.  

“This year’s achievement shows our staff and management certainly have not rested on their laurels and I’d like to warmly congratulate them on their fantastic track record of excellence and customer care. 
 
 “The majority of our resort staff have been with us for many years and this achievement underlines the strong and positive relationship that they have developed with our guests over the years.  
 

​To book a break at any Macdonald Resort in Spain or the UK visit  https://resorts.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
​

This week is World Paella week, a celebration of Valencia’s most famous dish, with World Paella Day on 20 September. So, even if you can’t travel to Spain right now, you can get into the spirit of things by making one to share with friends or family.

​Two highlights of the World Paella Day programme are the special edition of the Paella Week that will take place from 17 to 27 September, and the World Paella Cup, an international championship that will bring together chefs from all over the world to prepare this universal dish on the main day of the celebrations, Sunday 20 September.
 
Paella Week
The key event of the World Paella Day programme of activities will be the special edition of a restaurant week centred around different versions of paella. This will take place from 17 to 27 September and will involve over 60 restaurants in the city. If you want to enjoy the proposals created specially for this contest, bookings are open here.
 
More than 60 restaurants in the city and province of Valencia, as well as other places in the region, will serve menus consisting of a starter, a special paella and dessert for the set price of 25 euros. There will also be quintessential Valencian versions, such as Alejandro del Toro's traditional paella with green beans and butter beans, La Ferrera's paella made from stewed rice with meatballs, and seafood varieties like the dry rice version with cauliflower and cuttlefish served at Kaymus and the creamy rice with cuttlefish, squid and shrimps favoured by Pelayo Gastro Trinquet.

World Paella Cup: a gastronomic tournament at Mestalla
In this event eight chefs - four men and four women - from Italy, France, Romania, Australia, Japan, China, the United States and Spain will compete in an international tournament inspired by the format of world sports championships to discover which of them makes the best paella. The contest will be broadcast on 20 September from the Mestalla stadium.
 
For more information on Valencia, go to ​https://www.visitvalencia.com/en

The clever people at Salcombe Brewery have launched a delicious vegan, gluten-free beer.
 
A blend of American hops gives the beer a strong dry taste that is intensely satisfying, even on the warmest of days; something I can personally vouch for!

​Owner of Salcombe Brewery, John Tiner commented: “We’ve spent a considerable amount of time creating the perfect gluten free and vegan friendly beer using the finest ingredients. We want as many people as possible to enjoy our beer and ‘Sun Drop’ has made this possible.”  John continued: “It’s been a difficult few months for the brewery industry and its trade customers; we’re absolutely delighted that pubs and restaurants are reopening and hope to get back to some form of normality soon.
 
Customers can order Sundrop Beer and Ocean Cider from the online shop for nationwide delivery or make use of our free local delivery. Sun Drop comes in 330ml bottles and is priced at just £24 for a case of twelve bottles.
 
For further information and orders visit www.salcombebrewery.com.

Blue Islands’ codeshare partnership with Loganair, Scotland’s airline, is now live. Customers can book services from Exeter, Southampton, Jersey and Guernsey to destinations on the Loganair network via www.blueislands.com, or their preferred travel agent.

​The codeshare enables customers to seamlessly book connecting flights with just one booking and one transaction. All hold luggage will be checked through to the final destination.
 
Starting from 26 October, passenger can book from Guernsey and Jersey to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester via Southampton.
 
From Exeter and Southampton, passengers can fly to Aberdeen and Inverness via Manchester.

​Blue Islands CEO, Rob Veron said, “We are delighted that customers can now book flights using our previously announced codeshare partnership with Loganair. Our initial set of connections enable easy travel to a number of very popular destinations in Scotland and the North for our customers in Guernsey, Jersey, Exeter and Southampton. We expect the network to develop even further very soon, with a wider choice of destinations for next summer.”
 
Loganair Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles said “We’re excited our new codeshare partnership with Blue Islands starts today and we’re confident it will be welcome news for customers looking to travel to the North from the Channel Isles and by those in Scotland looking to explore all that Jersey and Guernsey have to offer.”

​Bucking the trend in aviation, regional airline operator Blue Islands is today re-launching flights from Exeter to both Manchester and Jersey to service both leisure and business passengers.

Flying with Blue Islands is designed to be as easy as possible with simple transparent fares. Blue Fly includes 1 x 23kg luggage allowance as standard. Choose the Blue Plus fare for inclusive 2 x 23kg hold luggage allowance, complimentary seat allocation, double frequent flyer points and flexibility. 
 
Blue Islands is also working with Visit Jersey to promote late summer/autumn breaks to Jersey. Flights from £49.99 one way are still available this September and October, it’s a world away in just 45 minutes.
 
Blue Islands CEO, Rob Veron, confirmed, “We are very pleased to reinstate two very popular routes from Exeter. The flights will initially operate three days a week, and for next summer we will increase frequencies with Manchester served three times a day and Jersey once a day.”
 
He added, “The initial flights in September and October will use aircraft from the Channel Islands. However, as previously announced we will base an aircraft in Exeter from the end of October, employing around twenty pilots, cabin crew and engineers in total.”
 
For more information, visit the airline’s website https://www.blueislands.com

Blue Islands, the Channel Islands airline, announced a significant plan to restore key lost routes at Southampton Airport today.

Prices start from £34.99 for Guernsey; £39.99 for Jersey; and £49.99 for Manchester and Dublin. All fares now include a generous 23kg hold luggage allowance included in the price. Flights are now on sale at the airline’s new website, www.blueislands.com and all customers are invited to sign up to the airline’s new Blue Skies Club frequent flyer programme.

 Flying in a 70-seat ATR72 in brand new corporate colours,  the airline confirmed four initial routes
 * Southampton-Jersey – daily rising to double daily - from 31 August
 * Southampton-Manchester - daily - from 31 August
 * Southampton-Dublin – four times weekly - from 31 August.
 * Southampton-Guernsey – double daily from 31 August

Many people are disappointed at having their holiday plans disrupted, but the good people of the Czech Republic, supported by their tourist board and national brewery Budweiser Budvar, have launched a scheme to console those who have had to postpone their trip.

Visitors simply upload evidence of their cancelled flights to the special website  and the first five hundred will receive a Care Package delivered directly to their door courtesy of the national brewery. But hurry, two hundred have already been claimed!

The aim is to offer armchair travellers ‘a taste of the Czech Republic’ from the comfort of their own homes amid the current quarantine, with CzechTourism UK & Ireland also asking visitors to pause, not cancel their trips.
 
In addition to the Care Package giveaway, CzechTourism will be unveiling a series of virtual itineraries on their social media channels to encourage ‘armchair travel’, bringing the Czech Republic to travellers whilst they are under quarantine including a 360 degree tour of the Budweiser Budvar brewery in České Budějovice (Budweis), exciting city tours and a host of outdoor adventure activities. The campaign also offers the chance to win a free holiday to those that upload a picture of themselves using the #CheersFromCzech hashtag, courtesy of CzechTourism.

The country has lots to offer visitors. Many are familiar with the capital, Prague, but there is so much more to see for those who venture away from the big city.

“We are grateful for everyone that booked a trip to the Czech Republic, and this is our way of saying thank you, even though they can’t visit right now they can still explore the country through our new virtual itineraries. We look forward to welcoming tourists the minute travel restrictions have been lifted and this is just a small taste of what Czech hospitality is all about.” said Katarina Hobbs, CzechTourism UK & Ireland .

​Beer brewing has a long history in the Czech Republic and the country prides itself on being one of the world’s top beer producers.  The city of České Budějovice was granted the right to brew beer by the Holy Roman Emperor from the 12th Century, with Budweiser Budvar brewing in the town since 1895. The city of Plzen (Pilsen) is also known as home of the first pilsner lager. The Czech Republic is starting to see a new development of the traditional beer industry with the opening of many smaller craft breweries.
 
“As the national brewery of the Czech Republic, we are immensely proud when visitors choose to visit our country. The current situation is a hugely difficult time for the hospitality industry and breweries both in the Czech Republic and across the world, we hope to see tourists visiting to enjoy the rich Czech pub and beer culture again very soon”. Petr Dvořák, Managing Director, Budweiser Budvar National Corporation.

For more information on the Czech Republic, go to ​www.czechtourism.com

​The Omega Speedmaster Professional, known affectionately as the Moon Watch, is the world’s most widely travelled watch. It is also probably the only piece of space travel equipment available in shops for the general public to buy.
 
In 1962, NASA began the search for a wristwatch that could be worn by the Gemini and Apollo astronauts so they could time space walks and other ‘extra-vehicular activity’. They purchased a number of watches from a variety of manufacturers which had to be waterproof, shockproof and anit-magnetic. They also subjected them to a series of tests that included violent acceleration, vibration and extreme changes in temperature.
 
Only one watch, the Omega Speedmaster Professional, purchased over the counter from a jewellery shop in Houston, survived all the tests. In 1965, with the launch of the first Gemini flight, the watch became part of the astrunauts’ standard equipment. Worn on a Velcro strap outside the space suite, it was worn by astronaut Edward White on the first ever space walk.

Astronauts often wore two watches, one showing mission elapsed time and the other showing Greenwich Mean Time or the time in Houston or Moscow.
 
Whilst the watches were popular with astronauts who often wore them on a daily basis, American watch makers attempted to persuade NASA to use their products. This even resulted in a Senate hearing, but to no avail.
 
On the historic Apollo 11 flight the watch timed the two hours and forty minutes that Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong spent on the surface of the moon. It is believed that due to a failure in the Lunar Module, Neil Armstrong left his watch behind as a back-up so it was Buzz Aldrin’s watch that made it to the lunar surface.
 
Disaster struck in 1970 on the Apollo 13 mission, which was also scheduled for a moon landing. Two days into the mission an explosion left the Command Module without electrical power and the crew of three were forced to transfer to the lunar module and start up its support and navigation systems. The lunar module was supposed to support two men for two days but there were three astronauts and they were four days from home. 

Because of lack of power the astronauts had to shut down all electrical equipment except for the radio, which was on receive only. As they rounded the moon and headed for home, James Lovell, the mission commander, used his watch to time the thrusts required to get them home safely.

​As the pressure increased on NASA to use American equipment, in August 1972 NASA invited companies to submit products for testing. In order to comply with the ‘Buy America’ rules, Omega had the watch cases made in Michigan and the crystal ‘glass’ was installed there before the watch and crystal were sent to Switzerland where the movements were added. After exhaustive tests, once again the Omega product proved faultless.
 
In 1975, when American astronauts met their Russian counterparts in space, their historic handshakes were marked by the fact that both crews were wearing the same watches. Later the Russians also selected the Omega watch to be supplied to all cosmonauts.
 
Despite the advances in technology and improvements in reliability, the Speedmaster Professional is still the only watch that bears the stamp on the reverse “Flight Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions"
 
I know, I wear mine every day.

More astronaut images

The Brits go to Tuscany in the summer; the Italians go to Elba. 

Looks like the Italians are on to a good thing!

One of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets, the Tuscan island of Elba is the perfect destination for an Autumn walking holiday, as the summer crowds have long departed and the temperature has dropped to a comfortable level. It is also when the Tuscany Walking Festival takes places allowing participants to discover the natural and historic treasures of the island free (or, in some cases, a few Euros).

If visitors travel in September and October, they have the chance to join one of the Tuscany Walking Festival events, whether it’s a hike to the English Fort built in 1700, a moonlit silent walk appreciating “mindfully” the late night smells and sounds of Marciana, watching the annual bird migration or keeping fit with Elba No Limits as they take participants on a walk incorporating an open-air gym session, there really is something for visitors with every kind of interest.

​‘It’s like a Mediterranean village’, I said as the taxi passed through the entrance to Windjammer Landing, the unique resort hotel in St Lucia, and I spotted the Mediterranean roof-tiled buildings. Indeed, that is how its designer wanted it to look and it certainly worked.
 
Situated at Labrelotte Bay on the north west coast of St Lucia, stunning Windjammer Landing is built on the side of a hill on an island where peaks rise to over three thousand feet, It’s a delightful mix of hotel room and villa accommodation offering guests the option of self catering with breakfast, or all-inclusive. The A I package covers all meals at its five restaurants, wines by the glass as well as cocktails and premium spirits. It also includes motorised and non-motorised water sports as well as kids’ clubs and tennis clinics.

​Home for my stay was a gorgeous two-bedroom villa at the top of the hill with stunning views out to sea from the patio and pool. The villa included two bathrooms, a large and comfortably-furnished lounge and a huge kitchen-diner with American-size cooker, microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble drier, a comprehensive range of kitchen appliances and loads of crockery and cutlery. I could easily have moved in on a permanent basis!

​A fleet of air-conditioned shuttle vehicles is available on demand to save guests negotiating the steep roads leading down to reception and the beach. Next to reception is a sun-lounger area and pools for those that don’t want a dip in the sea.
 
Lining the beach are a number of restaurants. Light and airy Dragonfly is where breakfast is served as well as dinner and, on Tuesdays a great Caribbean buffet, whilst Jammer’s offers casual lunch and dinner as well as a welcome and shady bar. Along the beach past the ice-cream parlour I discovered Embers.  It’s a great place for lunch in the shade and offers a menu ranging from light bites to substantial meals. 

​Another great discovery was 96 degrees, a circular bar just along the beach from Embers and ideal for guests looking for a quiet drink and a break from the hot sun. It’s one of those friendly bars where guests quickly fall into conversation with others whilst enjoying a cool beer or cocktail. 

Just up the hill from reception I enjoyed an authentic Italian dinner at Papa Don’s, rightly popular with guests and again served by the ubiquitous air-conditioned shuttles.
 
In the unlikely event that it decides to rain for longer than a few minutes, the hotel has a comfortable seating area and a library stocked with good books. There’s also a shop, Windmart, where guests can stock up on things they need to save leaving the resort. 

With a spa, gym, tennis courts, water sports and kids’ club, there’s plenty to keep guests of all ages occupied, and a range of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. What more could you want!

Noting a growing awareness of the benefits of digital detox and an appetite for travellers to switch off from the digital world,  IHG Hotels announces that four of its hotels in the UK will be introducing a free library service to encourage guests to put down their phone and instead indulge in a book by a local author.

Launching in time for the May half term break, 27th May, books will be available at four properties across the UK. Located in the lobby of each hotel, the library will feature a selection of books written by local authors, poets and playwrights which guests can borrow for free when they stay at one of the participating properties. In addition to the books, information about the local authors will be on display to provide guests with more information about the writers.

The following hotels will be participating in the scheme, each one featuring its famous local authors. They are

Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh: J.K Rowling, Robert Louis Stevenson, Kate Atkinson, Muriel Spark and Robert Burns

voco™ St. David’s Cardiff: Roald Dahl, Ken Follett, Rosie Harrison, Jon Ronson and Dylan Thomas​

Staybridge Suites London- Vauxhall: Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, George Orwell, Sir Arther Conan Doyle and Zadie Smith

Hotel Indigo® Stratford upon Avon: William Shakespeare

Karan Khanna, IHG's Managing Director for UK & Ireland said,  “Our guests are our main priority and we are committed to ensuring they get the best experience when they stay with us. In a world where, technology and staying connected is key, it is also important for guests to feel they can fully unwind and relax. This offer will enable guests to escape the digital world and truly immerse themselves in the literary world of some of the UK’s best loved writers.”

Last week the British Ambassador to Argentina, Mark Kent, welcomed visitors to his official residence, the Madero Unzue Palace in Buenos Aires. 

Rated as one of the most beautiful British diplomatic residences in the world, the Palace is listed as part of Argentina's national heritage.  

​Built between 1914 and 1917 under the direction of British architects Walter Bassett-Smith and Bertie Collcut, the Palace was originally designed to be the family residence of Carlos María Madero and Sara Unzué Baudrix. However, following the death of Carlos and his wife, the property was put up for sale. It was bought by the British Government in 1945. In 1946, parts of the Palace were renovated in anticipation of the Ambassador’s occupancy, including the façade facing the back garden and an imperial staircase from the first floor. 

The British residence showcases one of the most important collections of English furniture in Buenos Aires. The garden is home to a large number of native trees and shrubs and features part of the wall of the property that had previously occupied the lot, owned by the Hale family. On his visit in 1966, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, planted a tree and laid a foundation stone in the garden.

Today, the British diplomatic residency is inhabited by Mark Kent and his wife and is used for a number of different cultural events, official visits and other functions associated with British diplomatic activity in Argentina. The palace has received many important figures in its time, including members of the British royal family such as Princess Anne, Princess Diana of Wales, and Prince Harry, as well as musician Sir Tom Jones, rock n’ roll legends the Rolling Stones, and many more.

​It’s not unusual to find meals where each course is paired with a different wine, but it was very refreshing to have lunch with Visit Flanders on Wednesday where each of the five courses was paired with a different beer – and such amazing flavours too.
 
Chef Didier Boudeaux, owner of Maison D in the delightful town of Ronse, was responsible for the brilliant paired menu. Pre-lunch drinks consisted of a choice of ‘Champagne’ beers and an appetiser of eel, cauliflower and leek. The beer was served in a wine glass, as were all the other beers we enjoyed over lunch. Once we were seated, a further appetiser of marinated veal, turnip and sheep’s cheese was served.

​For starters we enjoyed lobster, potato, spinach and white asparagus, paired with a delightful St Bernadus Tripel. This was followed by a main course of pigeon, green asparagus, wild garlic and pointed white cabbage, washed down with Kwaremont.
 
A selection of cheese followed, with apple and pear chutney, and finally desert of cremeux of café noir, served with a chocolate beer that tasted like iced coffee. Chef Boudeaux even produced some home-made petit fours including madeleines, chocolate peanut delights and orange macaroons.

​It was a delicious meal and if this is what visitors to Flanders can expect, I’ll be booking a seat on Eurostar very soon!