bold flavours of Taormina

Osteria Rosso Di Vino, Taormina

Red snapper cooked the Sicilian way - with potatoes, tomatoes and capers

Mixed berry tiramisu

Sicilian almond paste sweets - they look so cute! 

Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto - No. 1 on Tripadvisor for Taormina and although a bit difficult to find, definitely worth the trip for the ultra creamy cannoli, the owners are so friendly and will invite you to enjoy the cannoli on the red seats outside (as above), also came back and brought a kilo of the other types of desserts they offer, miss their desserts already...

Historic Taormina

The Duomo - dated back to the 13th century where a local wedding ceremony took place at this particular moment 

Lemons and oranges - widely produced and the flavours are beautiful, must be all the sunshine it gets all year round 

Street views of Taormina town centre 

Giardini della Villa Comunale

Florence Trevelyan - designer of Giardini della Villa Comunale

Beautiful view of the bay from Giardini della Villa Comunale

Teatro Greco - Il Volo performing at the Ancient Greek theatre, the theatre originally started its life in the 3rd Century BC, it's amazing to think that this theatre were hosting performances of works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. Originally quite small, it was enlarged by the Romans to accommodate their own particular brand of theatrical extravaganza. During daytime, the views from the theatre are spectacular, taking in a (usually) smoking Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos down below, source here). It was an amazing performance by Il Volo, a very talented classical pop group at the start of their careers!

mediterranean dream

A beautiful mediterranean dream in Mazzaro Bay, Sicily - the sapphire blue, crystal clear waters

'compare the meerkats'

If you're not in England and you're confused of the title, then watch this and many more funny meerkat videos and you'll understand - a bit of an internet / TV advertising sensation 

Smart and cute meerkats, Woburn Safari Park

Taipei delights

Taipei metro pass - taking us around a wonderful journey full of amazing food around Taipei 

'Ma La' Spicy Hotpot - can't remember the exact restaurant, but a must try in Taipei, with similar restaurants dotted around the city, people typically come out late in the evening around 10pm for an evening snack

Din Tai Fung - Taipei's famous 'Xiao Long Bao' and steamed dumpling restaurant, again, another must visit restaurant in Taipei, the Truffle and Pork filled Xiao Long Bao is simply genius and amazing! 

Now, what makes food in Taipei different to traditional Chinese or Cantonese food, is the innovation and perfect combination of traditional Chinese cooking methods and main ingredients with more western / French flavours - the Truffle and Pork Xiao Long Bao is the perfect demonstration of this. 

And continuing this innovative trend, taking modern twists to traditional methods - Ding Xian 101 offered not only amazing food, also stunning views on the 86 floor of Taipei 101 (once the tallest building in Asia, but of course, overtaken by a building in Dubai now) 

Ding Xian 101, 86 Floor - the lunch time set menu is great value and you can also try lots of different things!

 Ding Xian 101 - Sashimi selection

 Ding Xian 101 - Eel and Foie Gras Terrine Salad

 Ding Xian 101 - Stewed Abalone with Chinese Yam

 Ding Xian 101 - Steamed Scallop with Kelp Noodles

 Ding Xian 101 - Chinese Steamed Fish 

 Ding Xian 101 - 'Fo Tiao Qiang', Taiwanese soup with Taro, Pork Sparerib and Abalone