Category Archives: Travel

Top 10 Must-Have Travel Items

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Essential Travel Items

So you love to travel, but you hate packing. We get it. Sometimes it can be quite a hassle – especially when you can’t decide what to stuff into your already-overflowing suitcase and what to reluctantly leave out. Plus, it gets worse when you start to experience that nagging feeling that you’ve forgotten something of absolute importance. Obviously, passports, travel documents and cash are a no-brainer – but to be prepared, take full advantage of the limited space you have.

So here’s our checklist of top 10 essential travel items and accessories that will make your life that much easier, as well as save time and money.

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London’s Best Burger Restaurants

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London's Best Burgers

London has seen an explosion of gourmet burger joints and there are plenty of options when you are craving for a good and solid burger. Think huge and juicy patties enveloped in soft pillowy buns, together with crisp lettuce and feisty sauces. Whatever kind of burgers you are craving for, you can probably have them satisfied the Brit way. We explored the city to discover London’s best burger restaurants. Here are our top picks for the finest burgers:

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simplylife European-Style Bakery Cafe Hong Kong

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Simply Life Hong Kong

Among all the different dining concepts that we went to during our Hong Kong trip in July, simplylife – a European-style bakery cafe by Maxim’s Group - is our favourite place.

In a busy city where people are always racing against time and missing out on the smallest things, simplylife is an oasis of calmness in Hong Kong, and quite simply what life should be. We fell in love with it, more than what we thought we would. The space is one that will have you slow down, relax and breathe in the simple pleasures of life. simplylife, indeed.

Simply Life

Since its opening in 2007, simplylife has not only expanded to 8 branches in Hong Kong, but it has also garnered a strong support among its loyal customers. Nothing is unnecessarily expensive, and only the freshest ingredients are used for every item they serve and put on your table.

We can go on and on about why we are head over heels in love with the concept, but the best way is for you to include it in your itinerary when you are in Hong Kong. Here is how simplylife stole our hearts:

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How Phuket’s Taxi Mafia Spoils The Beauty of The Thai Island

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Phuket Taxi Mafia

There are many things to fall in love with at Phuket. The beaches sparkle in the prettiest jewel tones, the satisfaction that Thai food brings is unrivalled, the countless gorgeous beach resorts and villas to call home, the cheap Thai massages to soothe those tensed muscles, and the list goes on.

As much as the well-loved holiday destination is popular and sees constant tourism, there is this one system that stains the beauty of the Thai island, one that makes commuting a headache and frustration, one that does not benefit anyone, one that needs change.

Getting around Phuket means you either take a tuk-tuk or you go for “private taxis”. Or you rent a bike, but that is beside the point. Quite unlike Bangkok, the transport here does not offer you an option to “charge by metre”. In other words, everyone sets a fixed price across board, and you either pay them what they ask for, or you are on your own – by foot. Because most places and points are very far apart, sometimes separated by hills, and walking is almost impossible.

So how does Phuket’s Taxi Mafia system come into place, and why do we think it is warped?

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Beast: London’s Hottest King Crab & Steak Restaurant by Burger & Lobster

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Beast London

Not the most pleasant word in the dictionary, but a dinner at Beast King Crab & Steak Restaurant is surely one of the most memorable dinners we’ve had at London. Fans of the ever-popular Burger & Lobster would know that Beast Restaurant is the other brainchild of the same owner, and it is a five-month-old joint that is the talk of the town.

It is similar, yet very different. Beast Restaurant is a posh outlet in Marylebone, and it is a stunning underground restaurant for diners of the after-dark. Longitudinal log tables and seats fill the indoor sitting area, together with endless candles to light up the restaurant. It felt like we stepped right in to a scene from Phantom of The Opera – the regal British atmosphere is second to none. The open kitchen makes the place less intimidating and we had fun exchanging banters with the chefs. The team of wait staff stands all around the space, ever ready to serve.

Be seated, have a drink, and the staff will brief you about how Beast Restaurant works. There is no menu. At £75 per person, you are in for a feast that is fit for even the biggest beast. Like many other things in London that will shock you with its price tag, this dinner is an indulgence, one that only those with a raw love for premium steak and Norwegian red king crab will covet. If you are willing to splurge, Beast Restaurant will promise you a theatrical and gastronomical experience.

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Travel Savvy with Insure & Travel Enhanced and Win Air Tickets to 5 Dream Destinations

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Travel Savvy

How travel savvy are you? Do you feel prepared for every trip that you take, and equipped with all the knowledge that would enhance your experience? Apart from reading up on the places you are going to visit, and shopping for the clothes and necessities you would need, how else do you prep yourself and ensure you are truly ready for your holiday?

Have you missed out on getting yourself a reliable travel insurance? If you are having second thoughts or even considering if getting one is necessary, you should hesitate no more, because being insured is as vital as needing an air ticket to board your flight. You would also want to travel without worries, and to know that should something untoward happen, you are covered, right?

UOB Travel Savvy

So we celebrate our recent partnership with Insure & Travel Enhanced distributed by UOB, and we would like to share with you the incredible travel insurance plans that are made readily available – no matter where and when you are traveling.

From now till 5 October 2014, Insure & Travel Enhanced is having a weekly challenge where you can play a simple travel quiz to win air tickets via Singapore Airlines to Bali, Taipei, Seoul, Melbourne and Maldives. The game is extremely easy and incredibly addictive. There will be a series of questions on food, culture, landmarks and all you have to do is to choose the correct answer (out of two options) to the picture shown.

The top 10 highest scorers every week will win prizes and anyone who participates in the online quiz will be eligible for a lucky draw to win air tickets. Challenge yourself at www.uobtravelsavvy.com

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Where to eat at Phuket Patong Beach

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Patong Beach

Phuket is one of the most well-known beach destinations in Asia; travellers fly in from all around the world for some soaking up in the sun and relaxation at the prized Thai island. Among all the beaches in Phuket, Patong Beach is the largest and busiest one on the island.

While Patong Beach is known for many things – from water sports, to nightlife and luxe resorts – it can be quite a challenge to find affordable authentic Thai food when you are there for a holiday. Most restaurants along Patong Beach are tourist traps, and they serve mediocre Thai food at exorbitant prices.

We made several trips, and picked out some fantastic places to dine at when at Patong Beach. They may not be the cheapest by Thailand’s standards, but they are authentic enough with reasonable price tags, some of which are favourites even among locals. Here is our guide on where to eat at Patong Beach, featuring five restaurants and eateries that offer delicious Thai classic dishes and seafood.

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URBAN Bakery Works’ Ball Law Cowssant is a Must-Eat in Hong Kong

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URBAN Ball Law Cowwsant

Sexy. Artsy. Fuss-free. Comfort. URBAN Bakery Works presents itself as the it place in Hong Kong for all-day casual dining. Its concept shop at The Landmark is a stunner, and it promises nothing but a hip and fun experience. While there are many things that we love at URBAN Bakery Works, the highlight has got to be the Ball Law Cowssant. It totally blew us away. We will go so far as to say that it is a must-eat in Hong Kong.

A hybrid of croissant and po luo bao (pineapple bun) complete with a slab of French butter, the Ball Law Cowssant (Dare devil version) is nothing but sheer indulgence. If you love po luo bao, you will fall in love uncontrollably with URBAN Bakery Works’ divine creation!

Besides the Ball Law Cowssant, URBAN Bakery Works offers croissants (made with French A.O.C butter) in seven different flavours – like almond, Belgian chocolate, cheddar cheese, and brulee. The croissants that we’ve sampled are so well made that they are just as good, if not even better than the ones that we had in Paris.

What the fudge

That’s not all. The chic bakery cafe also serves excellent Vittoria coffee, a variety of salad and sandwiches which are perfect for a light and casual meal, as well as an array of decadent cakes and pastries. Our favourite is the What The Fudge – a luscious chocolate fudge cake that is enveloped with what seemed like a whole factory of kitkat and M&M’s. And this is what we call super photogenic and Instagram-worthy. Non-chocolate lovers might just be besotted, too!

We like that URBAN Bakery Works never rests on its laurels and is constantly coming up with new creations. Kiss My Butterfly is its latest invention. The classic Mille-feuille is given a modern twist by using caramelised palmiers layer with season fruits and custard fillings. Just the thought of it is enough to make us salivate. We cannot wait to try it the next time we are in Hong Kong!

For the latest updates, go to www.maxims.com.hk, and like Maxim’s Group on Facebook.

URBAN bakery Works
Room 322, 3/F The Landmark
12-16 Des Voeux Road Central
Tel: +852 3565 4320
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 8pm Sat, Sun & PH: 8.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Central

This feature is brought to you by Maxim’s Group.

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