Outside U.A.E

Destinations you may want to consider flying to while you're in Dubai. Brilliant short break destinations with comfortable flight durations and itineraries you can COPY. So the hard research has been done for you.

July 7, 2023 by monica Leave a Comment

SLOVENIA – An easy destination with something for everyone

We LOVED our trip to Slovenia – an easy destination with something for everyone. Read on to find out where you should eat, sleep and how best to see this stunning country in a few days.

Slovenia – How to get there

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia with easy flights from London, Warsaw, some German destinations, Austria and Dubai!

The flydubai flight (terminal 3 same as Emirates) takes around 5 hours and timings are sensible. You leave mid morning and return on an evening flight.

Gold and Silver card holders can access the Emirates Lounge when taking a flydubai flight from Terminal 3.

No visas required for British passports. The airport is small and beautiful so you get to see the mountains in front of you while waiting for your luggage. No long walks or queues either.

Where to stay in Slovenia – Ljubljana is the capital city

You should definitely stay within easy walking distance of the Old Town of Ljubljana, about 30 minutes easy taxi ride from the airport.

We chose and recommend the InterContinental hotel in Ljubljana (pronounced Lubiyana)

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Old Town Ljubljana

Why choose the InterContinental Ljubljana

It’s an easy 10 minute walk to the Old Town so location is perfect.

Spacious modern rooms with lovely views and fantastic bathrooms featuring Byredo products. High thread count linen too.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Intercontinental LJU Room

It’s an easy 7 minute walk to lovely museums, the Tivoli park and a very cool department store – Maxi Market. That’s a bit like Selfridges food hall in London, check out their basement for food and drink to bring home with you when you leave.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Byredo Intercon LJU

The hotel has an excellent spa with a pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi as well as a well equipped gym.

These facilities are brilliantly located on an upper floor of the hotel with floor to ceiling views of the city.

Even if you’re only in Slovenia for a few days, it’s lovely to either start your day or early evening with a session in their spa.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Pool Intercon LJU

The hotel breakfasts are excellent. Expect fresh, high quality, often local produce that covers pretty much everything you’d expect at breakfast time.

We LOVED our breakfasts here. Service is efficient and super friendly, plus there is both an inside and outside terrace area. Felt a bit like I was eating in California at times! Sorry not many pictures of food as I was mainly eating it!

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai coffee Intercon LJU

If you’re doing some tours outside of Ljubljana and we recommend you do; then the InterContinental is a great place to be picked up and dropped off as ALL of the old town is pedestrianized.

There are little shuttle carts if you need them to get around the old town, super useful for those who cannot walk too much. Best of all the service is totally free but a little tip goes a long way!

Useful emails for the InterContinental Ljubljana

General Information mail is ljuha.info@ihg.com

Concierge service mai is ljuha.concierge@ihg.com

Room reservations mail is ljubljana.reservations@ihg.com

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Lobby intercon LJU

What to see in Slovenia and which tour company to choose

Despite our trip just being 4 nights long, we managed to see SO MUCH of Slovenia but that was mainly due to the excellent tour company we chose. They pretty much did everything for us. It was so easy.

We chose Slovenia Explorer company for all our experiences and were happy throughout. I would definitely use them again.

Their email for any enquiries is info@slovenia-explorer.com and ask to speak to Urska or Gregor.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Slovenia explorer van

Please say you heard about them from Monica at DoinDubai. Thank you.

We highly recommend a good walking tour of Ljubljana especially if you’re interested in the history and architecture of the town.

Slovenia Old town Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila

Your guides will be very happy to answer any questions you may have along the way. This tour is about 2 hours long, it’s best to do in the morning as early as possible especially if you’re going during the summer as it won’t be too hot!

We loved our guide Nina who took us to the Alpine villages and major lakes about an hour and half drive from Ljubljana.

What to see outside Ljubljana

That depends on your interests and how much time you have plus how active you’re feeling! Slovenia is a country for active people!

We loved our day trip to Lake Bohinj and the Alpine villages, Lake Bled Castle for lunch and a walk then ending with a gorgeous trail through the Vintgar gorge.

Lake Bled and the castle shown in the first picture on this post.

The Vintgar Gorge is an easy, super scenic 45 minute or so walk through waterfalls and forest.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Vintgar Gorge

We also did a much longer trip to Piran, the coastal part of Slovenia after a visit to the Skocjan caves.

The cave visit is quite long, you walk for around 2 km inside the cave system, with many steps along the way and it’s dark at times.

Not recommended unless you’re quite fit. But very dramatic none the less.

If I was to book a private tour of this coastal part of Slovenia I would spend longer in Trieste exploring the old town, maybe have lunch there, then visit Portoroz and end with a walk and drinks around Tartini square in Piran.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Piran Coast

What about food and drink in Slovenia

Food and drink in Ljubljana and outside is excellent. See our post here on FOOD AND DRINK RECOMMENDATIONS SLOVENIA for where to head to and try.

SLOVENIA - An easy destination with something for everyone Monica Kapila DoinDubai Food and drink Slovenia

If you liked this post – then please share using the buttons.

Check out our DoinDubai INSTAGRAM Slovenia highlight for VIDEOS.

Fancy a different European destination – then try MILAN

MILAN Cool places to eat sleep and sight see DoinDubai Monica Kapila Cathedral

Want to go further a field – how about a KENYAN SAFARI

KENYA SAFARI IN THE MASAI MARA Moncia Kapila DoinDubai Elephants on safari

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HONEST UPDATES LIKE THIS ONE

Disclosure: This post was written in conjunction with the Intercontinental Ljubljana but the views are all my own.

July 6, 2023 by monica Leave a Comment

SLOVENIA – Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana

Expect to eat and drink really well in Slovenia – best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana are recommended below.

We LOVED all our eating experiences in Ljubljana, very high quality food and hugely affordable meals and wine.

SAVE and SHARE this post for when you or your friends visit.

Slovenia – Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and it’s here you’ll find the most restaurants, bars and cafes. The coffee culture is gorgeous too! Try and find Cafetino in the old town if you can – super coffee and croissants. Breg in the Old Town is just in front of the river, get a table outside if you can.

We stayed in or very close to the Old Town of Ljubljana so EVERYTHING we mention in this section (apart from Bled Castle restaurant) is within easy walking distance.

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila Breg hummus and lamb

Slovenia – Ljubljana is a SMALL place so be sure TO BOOK IN ADVANCE

It’s definitely a good idea to book ahead for restaurants for dinner in Ljubljana as it’s a small place and during the busy summer months, it’s popular with locals and tourists.

Moreover Ljubljana has some excellent Michelin starred restaurants so they are sought after. We loved our tasting menu at JB restaurant just outside the old town in Ljubljana.

JB was the first restaurant from Slovenia to make it into the the world’s top 50 restaurant list! We suggest the tasting menu, but remember to leave yourself plenty of time and go hungry! You’ll be given Greetings from the Kitchen (amuse bouches) as initial tasters too!

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila JB Tasting Menu

There are also great sushi restaurants and contemporary pop up restaurants as well as venues serving classic Slovenian food and drink.

Try as much as you can! Sushi Mama is a super Japanese place for lunch right in the heart of the old town. It’s a very sought after restaurant by Japanese visitors too. Don’t ignore little pop ups in Ljubljana too. We LOVED our drinks and snacks at Kulinaricni Studio 2.0 a few minutes walk past the Dragon Bridge.

Shown below is the super sunflower seed butter and fresh sourdough rolls. Their pickles section is great as is all their wine. Try a Pet Nat here.

Do I need to put a credit card down for a booking

Not usually but you do for some of the better known Michelin starred restaurants. But it’s expected that you cancel if you really cannot make your reservation.

You should book via email or your hotel can book on your behalf.

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila Sushi Mama Old Town Sea Bass

How about wine in Slovenia is it any good

The wine in Slovenia is fantastic! There is one vineyard in Slovenia for every 70 people, they take their wine very seriously and everyone has a knowledgable sommelier type person, even in casual places! Do ask to try a selection of wines before you decide.

Prices are super reasonable. Many menus don’t offer wines by the glass in an obvious written section BUT generally all wines offered by the bottle are ALSO available by the glass – just ask!

We highly recommend dinner and drinks at Georgi Bistro just 5 minutes walk from the Intercontinental Ljubljana hotel and about 12 minutes walk from the Old Town. Super friendly service, great quality food and I would say a contemporary Slovenian restaurant experience. I would definitely go again, but do book in advance.

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila Wines by Glass

What’s food and drink like OUTSIDE Ljubljana

Food and drink outside Ljubljana is also very good! We LOVED and totally recommend lunch at Bled Castle if you visit! Again you must book and don’t be too much of a hurry. Get a table by the window for spectacular views of the Lake Bled below.

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila carpaccio Bled Castle

If you liked this post – then please save it and share with others using the buttons below

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila Breg ceviche

Want to see more of SLOVENIA ? Check out our post on where to STAY in Ljubljana and what to SEE touring wise.

Check out our Slovenia instagram highlight on DOINDUBAI instagram – just called SLOVENIA

SLOVENIA - Best places to eat and drink in Ljubljana DoinDubai Monica Kapila Wine

Check out what to see and where to stay in Slovenia too. New post with everything we recommend coming soon.

Fancy a different city break in Europe? Then we recommend Milan fabulous food and drink recommendations there too.

MILAN Cool places to eat sleep and sight see DoinDubai Monica Kapila Rinascente lunch

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HONEST UPDATES ON FOOD AND TRAVEL

December 14, 2019 by monica Leave a Comment

TAJ PALACE HOTEL DELHI

TRAVELLING

TAJ PALACE HOTEL NEW DELHI STAY

THE TAJ PALACE HOTEL DELHI

A legacy hotel that’s been established for over 35 years, the Taj Palace hotel Delhi suits business and leisure travellers alike. My overall Top Tip is to go there hungry, as the food is incredibly good.

Where is the Taj Palace hotel Delhi

The Taj Palace hotel Delhi is located in Chanakya Puri, a leafy, diplomatic enclave about 20 minutes drive away from the Indira Ghandi international airport. Importantly the hotel is also about 20 minutes drive away from some of the best independent shopping Delhi has to offer. Think Connaught Place, Shahpur Jat, Khan Market and the cool Santushti complex.

The Big Breakfast

Plenty of delicious dining experiences to be had at the Taj Palace hotel Delhi. It depends what cuisine you’re in the mood for. But the best meal of the day and one of the highlights of our trip had to be breakfast in the Capital Kitchen, the hotel coffee shop.

Allergic to dairy? No problem, you’ll find almond, soya and lactose free alternatives, but that would mean you’d miss out on the gorgeous, fresh hung yoghurt, obligatory with a hot, stuffed parantha (Indian layerd bread definitely not gluten free) or some succulent, freshly cut fruit.

There are plenty of gluten free options though, the Western kind so granola, muesli and porridge from Bobs Red Mill but also the natural, original Eastern kind. Dosas, Idlis and moong daal chillas are all also gluten free and made fresh to order.

Chole are also gluten free, but maybe skip the deep fried bhatura, if you can!

More Food and Drink

We liked the fact the Taj takes seasonality into account as well; it was winter in Delhi when we visited so we got fresh methi and pea paranthas as fresh methi (fenugreek leaves) have a short winter season.

We also tried the Spicy Duck Chinese restaurant and would highly recommend it. I stayed in the area many years ago as a child and this restaurant used to be called Tea House of the August Moon!

Try the duck, but let them know if you’d like to assemble your own duck pancakes! Their chilli oil isn’t the same as in London, but there is wide variety of sauces to accompany your meal.

If it’s authentic Northern Indian cuisine you’re after, and why not, you are in Delhi, then head straight to Masala Art, also on the ground floor of the Taj Palace hotel. Expect high quality, well prepared, traditional North Indian food. We loved our Seekh kebabs, tadka daal and the onion kulchas are a must try.

We were treated to a taste of something called Sabz Ka Halwa, literally a soft, desserty type halwa made with vegetables. It was totally delicious blend of sweetness and a bit too easy to eat!

There is another award winning restaurant serving French/English cuisine, The Orient Express but we didn’t have time to try it on this visit. It did look quite formal though.

Do make some time to have a drink or cocktail at the Blue Bar one evening though, great views and cool vibes in this small, but atmospheric bar adjacent to the Spicy Duck restaurant.

Shops open l a t e in the morning in Delhi, between 10 and 11 am, so take your time getting up, use the spa or have a swim and then tuck in to a long, hearty breakfast and skip lunch.

The Suite Life

We experienced a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite with a large sitting room and dining area, a small study and outdoor garden accessed directly from the sitting room. This was the Garden Presidential Suite located on the first floor of the hotel. It’s luxurious and spacious for sure but you couldn’t say that this could be any suite arrangement in any city in the world as the décor and artefacts completely reflect the legacy and heritage elements of the hotel.

The arrangement would be perfect for families or a group of friends who’d also like to maybe invite some family or more friends for an informal private gathering, the terrace just adds to the appeal. So try it for a special occasion, I would definitely go back with my family or a group of friends.

The Club Lounge

Certain rooms allow access to the Club facilities on the 7^th floor of the hotel. Light refreshments are available 24 hours, but you could have your breakfast here, not as elaborate as downstairs, but still comprehensive. They also have a high tea service offering Indian tea time savouries and sandwiches. This is followed soon after by an evening drinks and snacks service.

Try the Sula Tropicale Brut sparkling wine. I liked this version of Indian rosé prosecco. This is a great place for a quiet chat or informal, small meeting.

Meet me at the Taj Palace Delhi

Get a feel of the vibe of this place.

Staying Fit

If you have time to fit in some fitness then do so! You can eat more. Try the heated pool, spa and the gym, all accessible via the mezzanine floor in all the lifts. Your author didn’t try the facilities on this trip.

TOP TIPS for visiting Delhi

Shops open late in the morning in Delhi, we’re talking between 10 and 11 am, so take your time getting up, use the spa or have a swim and then tuck in to a long, hearty breakfast and skip lunch.

Wear walking shoes or trainers for shopping about as pavements can be uneven and you may have to go up some narrow staircases to access some places, especially in Shahpur Jat and Khan Market.

Employ a reliable driver and car to stay with you throughout your trip, it’ll make your life so much easier.

Buy a local phone chip from the airport with a data package, talk time is way cheaper than Dubai.

Diet before you arrive as you’ll be eating way more than at home! Eat like a King at the Taj Palace hotel in Delhi.

NEXT POST COMING SOON ON THE BLOG

Shopping in Delhi

This review was written in conjuction with the Taj Palace hotel Delhi, but our stay wasn't free. The views are also all my own.

Monica Kapila

Founder of DoinDubai

MOTIVATION

Go somewhere new every year, it’ll broaden your horizons and you’ll definitely see things differently when you come back home. Travel makes you richer.

If you’d like us to review a product or service for this award winning website, then get in touch using the link below:

COLLABORATE

Subscribe to our newsletter

FOR FRESH INSPIRATION

August 25, 2019 by monica 1 Comment

COOKING LESSONS in LONDON SAUCE by the Langham

Immerse yourself in some cooking lessons in London Sauce by the Langham.

A classy, interactive, fun, cooking workshop where you’ll hone your culinary skills regardless of the level you’re currently at.

Building Blocks of Good Cooking

The cooking school is called Sauce and the lessons are all about the building blocks of good cooking. I tried their Stocks and Sauces course one Saturday in July.

The workshop includes lunch with wine, a tour of the Roux at the Landau kitchen, all your instruction, ingredients to replicate everything you’ve watched being made and you get to take home your creations too.

Coffee and gorgeous snacks are also included to help you get through the day.

What do you learn in your cooking lessons in London Sauce by the Langham

We learnt how to make chicken stock, chicken jus, a sauce Antiboise, Hollandaise sauce and variations on that as well as a superb Crème Anglaise sweet sauce.

How do they teach you

We watched a very informative, practical demonstration by the Kitchen Manager Millie Simpson for each dish and then returned to our fully equipped cooking stations to replicate what we had seen but under some expert guidance. We didn’t have to clear anything away or wash up. You do need to keep your station tidy though.

Do you need to know how to cook

No, you don’t need to know how you cook, but you must have a keen interest in cooking and you probably do cook a bit yourself at home. Millie showed us classical, but accessible French methods to make our stocks and sauces. There aren’t really any short cuts. You do have to be quite energetic, not be afraid of sharp knives and quite quick at your workstation. There is a fair amount of cooking involved in the workshop so you get great value for money.

I learned how to:

expertly cut onions (banana shallots, always hold at the root)

concasse tomatoes (blanche with a slit, peel, petal and dice)

make a good crème anglaise from scratch (and I know how to rescue if needed)

make a chicken jus

make a sauce Antiboise

we were shown MUCH MORE than the above, but I am confident at trying all I have listed having done the lessons with Millie!

What was the most impressive dish

The brown chicken jus:
I would never have believed such a tasty, classy chicken jus could be made by simply starting to roast chicken wings in their own fat in the oven, lot’s more to do after that of course, but that’s how you start.

The crème anglaise:
Even the one I made (that needed rescuing in a water bath) was a good French restaurant quality custard. Creamy, not too sweet, milky and infused with vanilla pods, I served mine cold the next day with warm rhubarb crumble dessert.

I have also learnt that there is a logical order involved in sauce making:

It’s Alcohol followed by Stock followed by Fat

REMEMBER

ALCOHOL THEN STOCK THEN FAT

Course details

The class started at 9.15am with a light breakfast. It finished with lunch and wine at about 2.15pm.

Cost £150.00 per person.

It’s a great, group activity. Go with some mates and combine with a cocktail at the award winning Artesian bar on the ground floor before you leave.

Sauce is located on the first floor of the Langham hotel in London.

Disclaimer: This post was written in conjunction with the Langham but the views are all my own. Would I do a class here again? I would definitely do the pasta making cooking lessons for sure. Some of the participants in our class had already done it and highly recommended it.

Monica

Editor