In november 2007 two men, Eddie and Jack, one from the Philippines, the other from the UK, met in London. Together they embarked on a new adventure: Tao Philippines. Tao offers a five day boat tour between Coron, El Nido and the hundreds of remote islands in between, for travellers who are looking for adventure and are willing to journey without any luxury (that includes no hot showers and no wifi). Read more »
We were positively surprised to find an organic restaurant in Manila. Executive chef Robby Goco explains: Green Pastures is all about three ingredients: originality, local and organic. Their philosophy is that the taste of the food should be the main focus. Read more »
Quartier Latin in Marche-en-Famenne is a 4**** hotel, restaurant and spa. It presents a perfect combination to relax in the Belgian Ardennes at the end a hectic December month. Make a reservation for a massage during the day and if you stay in the hotel you just walk there in your bath robe. Some of the products they use are organic, we were pampered with a bio lavender oil massage and a facial treatment which contained only natural organic products. Read more »
The restaurant Saveurs d’ici et d’ailleurs serves a delicious and healthy lunch menu with as many local ingredients as possible. We enjoyed the veggie salad with lots of nuts and fruit. Some products are organic, but the origin or the ‘terroir’ is even more important. The owners are part of a co-op and find it important that the ingredients have local or regional origins. They also run a small shop which sells organic and fair trade coffee and tea, juices and herbal teas. One of the owners even designed the interior of the lunchroom and the furniture himself. Read more »
We love chocolate. Let me say that again. We love chocolate! And of course we prefer the cocoa to be fair trade and organic. Artisanal chocolate factory Defroidmont in Erezée makes their chocolate in a factory that is visible through the shop. Next door to the chocolate factory and shop they also have a museum where you can learn about the origin of the cocoa beans. Did you know cocoa beans consist of cocoa butter and cocoa mass? And that for making white chocolate only cocoa butter, powdered milk and sugar are used? Read more »
At Organic restaurant A Table in Namur 90% of the food is organic. It’s the only restaurant in the capital of Wallonia that we could find that serves pure food. The wine is 100% organic and they serve lots of seasonal veggies like delicious sweet pumpkins. The fish is sustainable and when a dish is 100% organic, it’s mentioned on the chalkboard. I can recommend the vegetarian ‘pot au feu’, which is very colourful and tasty, and the lovely lentils with soy cream. A Table has a pleasant and cosy atmosphere. Read more »
Yummie! The Kashmir region in the North West of India is known for its milder, less spicy dishes. The same goes for the food at La Vallée du Cachemire in Profondeville, near Namur. Don’t you just love the Indian kitchen? Famous for its extremely tasty vegetarian dishes that contain lots and lots of healthy veggies. Read more »
Two different restaurant formulas under one roof: La Brasserie des Thermes and Restaurant La Luna. The brasserie serves simple honest meals like an omelet, the restaurant is for the more formal plate service. They serve regional cuisine and traditional Belgian food like shrimp croquettes and a lovely soup, stuffed chock-full with tasty fish.
Read more »
Famous for its thermal springs, the first Thermes de Spa was built in 1868, where it provided relaxation to visitors for almost 140 years. Ten years ago it was relocated to its current location, on top of the hill. It now has stunning views of the city and is surrounded by nature. The indoor and outdoor pools are filled with warm natural mineral water from the Clementine spring and the thermes also offer hammams and saunas.
Read more »
Chef’s special: Sauteed scampi with red curry, coco milk, Chinese vegetables and coriander. Because it’s december there is a lot of game, like wild boar, deer and hare, on the menu in almost all of the restaurants we visit in the Belgian Ardennes. The same goes for the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel, but in Brasserie Les Saisons de Spa they have marked the vegetarian dishes, healthy choices and the regional products on the menu. We think that is a good sign.
