Here's how to... keep in the loop, circle, whatever

Google+ kinda feels like the social media platform no one needed nor wanted, but we're being forced to use if we want the powers that be to take us seriously. We're not going to debate endlessly about it, We're just going to get on board. Resentfully. Apparently the profile's been viewed over 609,000 times so it's giving the people what they want. Again, resentfully.

So here are a few ways to keep up to date with what's going on.

Twitter

Google+

Instagram

Pinterest

Leave your blogs/socials in the comments below and we'll be sure to check them out.

Interested? Read on...

Would you go clubbing with your parents?

They say music was better 'back in my day'. Although I was a little young for it at the time, the 90s were the pinnacle of rave weekends and house music. But with most clubbers of the decade now being parents (and in their forties) a new travel trend has started to emerge: Retro Ravers.

This year has seen a increase of older couples booking party weekends in clubbing hotspots such as Ibiza, Magaluf, and Ayia Napa, in an effort to recapture their youth and the glory days of good music and carefree partying. After all, a mortgage and children doesn't have to mean giving up clubbing.

Jason from Broadway Travel, who conducted the survey, says while the older generation are heading over to party islands, they're certainly not slumming it with most spending big on luxury hotels and the VIP experience. "Many of the top clubs charge over €60 just for entry with drinks costing upwards of €10 each which can be costly for youngsters but is more affordable for the older generation."

So that begs the question: would you go clubbing abroad with your parents?

Marie from South London says she would, and does, but never abroad.

"I don't see the problem," she says. "Half the time I'm there with my mates and half the time with my mum. It's just a little different each time, with friends it's all about who can pull the hottest guy and a girls' night out. With mum, it's purely about having fun, a dance, and a laugh."

When asked if it causes her any embarrassment, she said it doesn't but her friends have had a bit to say about it. "My friends couldn't imagine doing the same and think it's weird. But my mum is one of my closest friends. She's been there for me through a recent break up, through every problem and good time, so why wouldn't I want to have fun with her? I think we'd die if we were stuck with afternoon teas or coffee. I know it's a cliché, but she's young at heart."

So would Marie go on a clubbing holiday with her mum? "No chance! It's one thing clubbing in the city, but I'd never go to party with her abroad. It'd be a little too much like Sun, Sex and Suspicious parents!"

Interested? Read on...

Being a temporary football fan for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The World Cup looms. Whichever camp you sit in - whether you're a die hard [insert country of choice here] fan or couldn't care less about any of it, it can't be ignored. With Brazil hosting this year's events, the logo looking like a man giving himself a genuine facepalm, and teams from all over the world vying for a spot of glory, Lindsay, PR person and general fan of sun-lounging, explains how every two years she becomes a die-hard footie fan.

I’m not going to pretend I know a thing about football. Never will you find me glued to Match of the Day, or attempting add any value to a conversation on goal analysis, tactics, team selection and all that jazz.

My understanding of the beautiful game is at best limited. However, every two years something strange happens. Every two years there’s a big tournament - a World Cup or UEFA Euro competition. And every two years I become a short-term fan of watching a ball being kicked about.

Something about England playing stirs my inner patriotism and I will gladly sit, sometimes on the edge of my seat, and watch a game. Sometimes I might even shout at a big screen in a crowded pub. Once I even proudly displayed and diligently updated a free World Cup wall-chart.

I’m aware that diehard football fans often find us footie bandwagon-jumpers quite annoying, but I really don’t care. With Brazil 2014 only days away, starting on the 12th June and not ending for a month, I’m once again gearing up to becoming a temporary sports fan. Once it’s over I promise I’ll return to my everyday life and leave you loyal fans to it.

For the length of time England remain in the competition, however, I’ll allow myself to get swept up in the euphoria, maybe even exchange some basic level football banter with friends and colleagues. Who knows, I might buy myself a t-shirt decorated with the flag of St George, but I draw the line at draping my car in red and white.

I can pinpoint the time at which my closet football appreciation began. Euro ‘96. Of all the competitions, this is the one which truly stands out. The summer of ’96, the year football came home, was magic.

Whether it was because all of the games were being played on home turf, or something to do with the fact I was enjoying a never-ending university summer break, thinking back to those days always brings a smile to my face and sometimes a nostalgic tear to my eye.

I’ll never forget the cider-powered celebrations after England beat Scotland and Holland, and the shared misery and doom that followed our booting out by Germany.

I’m a temporary football fan and proud – I’ll catch up with you again in France for Euro 2016.

World Cup Facts

In 1920, British teams refused to participate in the World Cup as they didn't want to play against countries they'd been at war with. The boycott lasted thirty years before they were persuaded back.

India withdrew from the 1950 World Cup because they preferred to play barefoot.

In 1966, the cup was stolen before the tournament began. It was discovered in a ditch in South London by a dog called Pickles.

Turkey scored the quickest goal in history after just 11 seconds.

The 2014 World Cup will be the 20th tournament held since it started.

Interested? Read on...

For fans of RHS' Chelsea Flower Show: 5 of the Best Gardens Abroad

With Chelsea Flower Show in full swing, we've put together five gardens located everywhere from the shores of Italy to right across the pond. We think they're great, perfect for any budding (geddit?) flower enthusiast to get their fill of nature's beauty. Sunshine, sprawling lawns and flowers guaranteed.

Villa Lante | Central Italy

The estate, formed of two almost identical houses and acres of land, are the work of a cardinal who loved nothing more than outdoor living and eating in the warm Italian sunshine. The land surrounding this Italina estate features expansive gardens, waterfalls and caves as well as the typical fountains you'd expect.

Where to stay: Try The Duke Hotel. Secret Escapes are currently offering flights, afternoon tea and tickets to the Vittoriano Museum from £232.

The Majorelle Garden | Morocco

Love fashion? Head over to Africa and wander about in Yves Saint Laurent's garden. This twelve-acre botanical garden has roots (pun definitely intended) back to the 1920s, when Marrakesh was still associated with France. More than 15 bird species call it home, and with a gorgeous Art Deco design and Laurent's personal collection of African textiles,

Where to stay: Riad Cocoon, which has been called a 'haven of peace', and has a score of 95% on TripAdvisor.



Giardino di Ninfa | Lazio, Italy

These romantic gardens have been a well-kept secret for years, and grow from the remains of a town ransacked and pillaged during a battle in the middle ages. The inhabitants were then struck with malaria and the town abandoned, leaving nothing but ruins until residents of a nearby town decided to create beauty in the dust. The gardens have strict opening times, but are well worth the visit.

Where to stay: Il Fogliano is a chic and extremely stylish hotel right next to the sea and a short drive away from the gardens.



Dumbarton Oaks | Washington, U.S.A

In 1921, wealthy couple Robert and Mildred Bliss hired a landscape gardener to start work on their farmland, transforming it into a stylish garden. Thirty years later it was still a work in progress but open to the public, and is now governed by the National Parks Service. Not many people think of visiting a garden in Washington DC, but visitors describe it as 'a great place to wander'.

Where to stay: The Omni Shoreham Hotel offers fuss-free rooms from £160.

Göteborgs Botaniska Trädgård | Sweden

Along with the finest collections of wild-collected Japanese plants in Northern Europe, Gothenburg's Botanical Gardens' greenhouses are home to about 4,000 plant species, including 1,500 orchids. These strawling gardens, which cover hundred of acres, have won a coveted place in the Michelin Green Guide as being one of the leading gardens of Europe.

Where to stay: Gothia Towers have rooms from £99 per night, and are well placed for a trip to the gardens. Plus, they're stunning. And they have bridges connecting each tower.

Interested? Read on...

Wanderlust and Envy: The £750,000 drinking holiday

Who doesn't love a good cocktail? But while most of us prefer to only be down a few quid (and a little bit of dignity) after a night on the booze, this holiday could well send most of the population into outright bankruptcy. Costing £750,000, it's bound to leave most people with a massive Ouch, as well as a wicked hangover.

The 40-day tour, starting in London and visiting everywhere from Monaco to Dubai, sees travellers sample some of the most exclusive drinks on the planet ranging from just a mere thousand pounds, to prices that could outright buy a house.

The cheapest drink on the tour, a £50 Singapore Sling served in the bar where it was first created (pictured), is a massive contrast to the most expensive; a Scottish Highlands whisky costing a huge £100,000, Penfolds Ampoule red wine costing £110,000,which are both trumped by Armand de Brignac 'Dynastie', the most expensive champagne in the world, costing £330,000.

The trip isn't just about sampling the most expensive and rarest drinks. Punters stay in the finest hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, fly business all the way, and are on guests list to some of the most exclusive bars. As one would expect when shelling out almost a million pounds for a month's worth of travel.

A spokesman from holidaysplease, who curated the trip, Byron Warmington says: “This is the first time that anyone has been able to bring together so many incredible experiences into one trip. Many people quote once in a lifetime holidays, but we think this genuinely is.” It certainly beats a watered-down cocktail from an all-inc trip to Benidorm, doesn't it.

And while most of us will never be able to afford even a sip of the delicacies on offer, here's a list of what's on offer. Well, this is Wanderlust and Envy, after all.

COCKTAIL

Winston Cocktail, pictured, which contains a shot of 1858 Croizet cognac worth £99000 a bottle.
£16,400

RUM

Legacy by Angostura, the world's most expensive rum.
£8,000

BEER

Vieille Bon Secours, one of the world's most expensive beers.
£1,400

WHISKY

Dalmore Trinitas, the world's most expensive whisky, aged 64 years, only three ever made.
£100,000

CHAMPAGNE

Armand de Brignac 'Dynastie', the world's most expensive champagne collection, direct from Flavio Briatore's Billionaires Club.
£330,000

RED WINE

Penfolds Ampoule, an expertly made red wine, only 12 ever made, contains ultra-rare 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon.
£110,000

TEQUILA

Jose Cuervo 250 Aniversario Tequila, one of the world's most expensive Tequilas.
£400

MARTINI

Diamond Bader & Garrin, which includes a diamond from in-house jeweller Bader & Garrin.
£12,000

Interested? Read on...

Dog spas and Pet Menus: Luxury dog friendly hotels in UK

It's no secret I'm a cat lady. I make no apologies for how my life will turn out; surrounded by cats I call my children and who will have a better standard of general living than I do. I'll avoid going on holiday because I can't trust anyone to give each cat the level of care and devotion each one needs. I may even go a little Egyptian. Ok, a LOT Egyptian.

But then I met a dog. A crazy hound who runs and runs and has more energy than twenty toddlers high on Vimto at Peppa Pig Land or whatever it's called.

And it got me thinking. Dogs are far more portable, and far more obedient (generally). While Manbearpig. my cat, would sooner die than show a flicker of recognition at his own name EVEN THOUGH HE'S TRAINED TO RESPOND TO IT, dogs are so loyal, so happy and willing to please their leader. And this makes them perfect to bring along on holiday.

I'm heading up to Cumbria with my fiancé next weekend to see his parents and we've planned a day in the Lakes with Dexter, a gorgeous little-even-though-he-thinks-he's-bigger-than-all-dogs Miniature Schnauzer for a good ol' chase the birds avoid all puddles run around.

So here are a few dog-friendly country retreats and secluded hotels, perfect for bringing Rover along with you.



The Raithwaite Estate | Whitby | North Yorkshire

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside. If you're craving fish and chips and fun in the sand, the C19th estate in North Yorkshire is only a stumble from the beach and Whitby's charms. If you're a dog owner, 28 rooms in The Keep are especially designed for Man's Best Friend, having access to acres of open space, woodlands and gardens. If you fancy a solo stroll the hotel has a dog lodge where they're kept happy and content until you return.

There's even a Dog Spa, where pooches get pampered with treatments and snapped into line with obedience classes. You can't say they haven't thought of everything here.

Double rooms at the hotel start from £130 per night room only.



Luton Hoo Hotel | Luton | Bedfordshire

The mansion that stands in thousands of acres of parkland has roots dating back to the 1400s. Now though, the former stately home, which has been featured in films such as War Horse, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Eyes Wide Shut, and The Secret Garden, provides a luxury retreat for owners and their pets.

Guests staying in the ground floor Parkland and Flower Garden rooms have immediate access to the grounds, and for £30 for night the hotel can organise a doggy meal, a bed, a bowl and treats. If your pooch is more gourmet than Pedigree Chum the hotel's chef will whip up a dog's dinner using the best ingredients which will then be hand delivered ready for feeding time.

Rooms start from £180 on a bed and breakfast basis.



The Arch | London

If you thought the capital would miss out on dog-friendly palaces, you were wrong. For those planning a quick jaunt into the city, bring your dog along to enjoy the sights and sounds (and bark at a sassy urban fox). The Arch, a five star pooch paradise in Marylebone (we call it Marley-bone which when you think about the very nature of this feature is an AMAZING pun, but say it however you want) has everything your dog will need. Dog bed? Check. Dog treats? Check? Dog toys? Check? Dog fur and body wash? Double check. As above, there's a Pet Menu and you can even take your dog to dinner in the Martini Library.

Prices start from £250 for room only.



The Traddock | Settle | North Yorkshire

We're back in the dales for this one. If you and your pooch are a fan of a good walkies, then The Traddock hotel is perfect. Whether it's a fifteen minute stroll by the river or a day's hike throughout the mountains, dogs are welcome to join. There are a few house rules (dogs must be well behaved, not jump on the beds, and stay away from the dining rooms for obvious reasons) but aside from that, they're welcome to join their owners in every activity.

Double rooms start from £105 for bed and breakfast.



Winster Hall  | Winster | Peak District

A Grade II listed manor with oodles of history behind it, this holiday home even has a parapet. A PARAPET. Unlike the other hotels we've mentioned, the whole building is for hire and sleeps 16. Pets are welcome to roam the grounds and join in with whatever activities you have planned. The four poster bed and lavish dining rooms would suit a group of friends, or perhaps a family bearing sizing resemblance to the Von Trapp clan. The point is, the house and all that surrounds it is yours (and your dog's) to enjoy.

So there you have it, our round up of dog-friendly hotels in the UK, and even a house to hire if that takes your fancy. You'll never feel bad about kennels again...

Interested? Read on...

Edinburgh Adventure | Review: Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor

Following on from our Edinburgh Adventure series, after a glorious night in the absolutely stunning Glasshouse Hotel, we packed our bags and moved over to the West End of Edinburgh to the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, located a short jog away from Haymarket station.

When we reached the street the hotel is based on, we were slightly confused. There were two signs for the hotel. One in front of us on the right, and the other a good walk away on the left. It was 50/50, and we decided after a long walk to just go to the closest set of door. Fortunately we chose well, as both our room and reception was located within this side of the building. 

Check in

Check in was pretty simple and standard. A friendly girl took the name, sorted out a key-card and asked if we wanted a newspaper or wake up call. She also booked us in the restaurant for that evening. We declined both and booked in at 7, and were then pointed in the direction of the room - past the lobby, just before the restaurant and up one floor in the lift. No one offered to take our bags so we carried them ourselves.

As the hotel was once a series of old town houses, there are odd steps here and there, as well as wonky walls and creaky floorboards in the hall. It's quite charming.

The room

As you can see below, the room looked stunning. We had the luxury of a corner room with a lovely double bed, a large seating area and the telly and coffee-making station all the way over to the left. Our first impressions were really good. High ceilings dominated the room, the windows had their old shutter features, and the character of the town houses had been retained, which is always a plus for this history fan.

The bathroom was dated, a shame really when you consider this is a Hilton, well renowned for their luxury. But the bathroom was clean and the range of toiletries on offer was the best I've seen, with beaded facial scrubs and gorgeous body polishes.

On closer inspection, things were a bit tatty around the edges. The net curtains were ripped and grubby. The bed had suspicious looking stains on the sheets. And on the very last day, after double checking we'd left nothing behind, we were surprised to find there was a half-full bottle of Sprite under the bed, which was alarming.

With a few tweaks, and more attention to detail, this would be a gorgeous little stop off for exploring the city.

Saying that, we had a good sleep on a comfy bed, and woke up refreshed in the morning.

The meal and breakfast

The room we had booked had a meal and breakfast included, which added up to an extra £50 - not too shabby really. When we got downstairs for dinner were were greeted by a super polite waitress and shown to a table in the middle of the restaurant. It was fairly empty, with only four or five other diners dotted around.

We were handed the special amended room menu, before being informed no drinks were included in the package. Tap water it was for us then. For a Hilton, we thought this was pretty stingy and would have even been satisfied with a glass of cheap red. We had a two course meal, with a choice of three starters, mains and desserts. The food itself was presented beautifully, and we loved the free potato cheese appetiser, but being totally honest, it wasn't anything spectacular to write home about.

If you're staying at the hotel for business, definitely book in the restaurant. It's quick, simple and easy. But if you're in Edinburgh for pleasure, I'd suggest only spending on a room rate and forgetting about the meal all together. There are so many places nearby which offer more traditional cuisine, and you're only a short taxi ride away from the more upmarket restaurants, if that takes your fancy.

Breakfast was a standard buffet but it looked like there was lots of choice. And this is where it trumped the Glasshouse's offering. We peeked our heads in, but after a manic weekend spent exploring we decided it was back to bed and gave breakfast a miss.

Overall

When you think of a Hilton hotel, you think of something a little bit special. And in some ways, this hotel has it - the service was great and the rooms (on the surface) look gorgeous. But when it boils down to it and you look a bit closer, it's not what you'd expect when you hear 'Hilton', so definitely go in with no expectations of luxury. If the bathrooms were refurbished and the little tatty edges were smoothed over, then it would be definitely worth a stay, and with room rates starting from £85 (Sun, compact double) it's not massively expensive. Wifi is charged at £15 per day which we think is extortionate, so if you're planning on using a laptop check your mobile carrier as you may be able to tether cheaper for the month.

What we liked

Location
It's a stumble from the station and buses to the airport, a taxi ride from all the main sights and sounds, and if you love walking, then then it's great base to explore.

Breakfast
It's great to start the day right, and we were impressed with what was on offer.

Room sizes
Does what it says on the tin. Ask for a corner room if you can, they're light and airy and some look over the green.

Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel | Grosvenor Street, Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH12 5EF | 0131 226 6001

Interested? Read on...