5x Vegan Hotspots in Como, Italy

May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Food & Cafes, Where to go

When you think of Italy you think of passion, pasta, the movie Eat Pray Love, espresso’s and of course gelato, lots and lots of gelato. You might think that it’s hard being vegan in Italy. But let me tell you, although I might get an occasional look from an old italian lady when I ask for soya milk in my coffee, it’s actually not hard at all. I fell in love with Como a long time ago and have discovered lots of amazing places over time where you can enjoy some amazing vegan food. These are a few of the hot spots that you have to check out when you next visit this beautiful town.

Ice cream

Let’s start with my obsession first, ice cream! My favorite spot for ice cream is hidden in one of the tiny streets on the lake called ‘Vanilla Bio’.

‘Vanilla Bio’ is a small shop in which they only sell organic and vegan ice cream. All flavours are freshly homemade and absolutely delicious. It fulfills all your Italian gelato dreams and you won’t even feel guilty afterwards! Imagine a crispy cone with their best flavours, Coconut and Chocolate. So creamy, so flavourful and as they are based with coconut milk they don’t taste like a sorbet but actually like full creamy ice cream.

Pizza

There are many great spots to find a delicious pizza in Como, after all its Italy. However, it’s usually at the less beautiful places that you can find the best authentic food. One of those places which also happens to be my favorite spot is called ‘Pizzeria Da Benito’.

‘Pizzeria Da Benito’ has the best vegan Neapolitan pizza. I always order the Marinara which is an ultimate classic. The pizza has a crispy crust, as you take a bite you can hear the crust break and white flower dust remains on your fingers. The tomato sauce is so rich, you can taste the freshness of each ingredient. And even though there is lots of sauce the bread remains crispy. It has the perfect balance of textures and flavours. For me this is THE spot for the ultimate pizza.

Coffee

Como is beautiful and within it’s cosy streets you will find lots of amazing cafes. However, these are a few of my favourites. ‘Posta’ is a cafe which belongs to the hotel ‘Pasta Design Hotel‘ which is located in one of the main squares. It has a lovely terrace where you will overlook the square so you can sit down, enjoy the most amazing coffee and do some people watching.

My second favourite spot is called ‘Loft’. If you want to enjoy a coffee with a view then this is THE place to go to. It has the most beautiful view overlooking the houses with the mountains in the background on one side and with a view over the church on the other. You can hear the church bells in the background as you sit in the sun enjoying the Italian lifestyle.
If you are looking for a very Italian type of cafe then you have to visit ‘Pane e Tulipani’. This cafe sells the most amazing espresso as well as beautiful flowers – it’s both a cafe and flower shop. It’s hidden in one of the small streets where you can sit outside on the terrace and watch people go by as you enjoy your espresso in the sun.

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras

The four best places for yoga in Bali

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Where to go

If the rustling sound of palm trees, the crushing sound of waves or the chirping sound of birds doesn’t calm you down, maybe it’s time to put yourself in the cobra position! We all know that yoga can help a great deal with releasing stress and improve both your mental and physical health.

These are the four best spots in Canggu where I go to for my daily yoga routines and that will always get me back on my feet!

The Practise

The Practise is a beautiful studio that has the most calming atmosphere. You will practise yoga in a stunning roof studio which overlooks the zen garden as well as green rice fields. Finish your yoga lesson and relax in a comfortable chair with a complimentary ginger tea in your hands while you overlook the zen garden. It’s truly a place where you will find to have your head in the clouds and where you are able to just sit and relax or meditate.

Samadi

Samadi is a yoga and wellness centre where the sense of calmness and a relaxing vibe hangs in the air. They offer yoga classes everyday and there is also an organic cafe on site. On sundays you can stroll around Samadi’s market after your relaxing yoga lesson and find yourself in a true Bali atmosphere.

Serenity Eco House

Serenity is one of Bali’s most eco friendly guesthouses. This retreat gives you endless options as to different types of yoga lessons, a beautiful swimming pool, places to relax, healing Balinese massages and they even have an onsite warung (restaurant) that serves delicious healthy food. The yoga lessons I usually choose to take here are Aerial yoga and Fly high yoga. As Serenity is a guesthouse everyone that walks around is very zen and down to earth, which really creates the most calming atmosphere.

Desa Seni

Desa Seni is an art village that offers daily yoga classes. When walking into this retreat you will find yourself in a little piece of Bali paradise. A path through palm trees and vegetable gardens will lead you to a beautiful yoga spot. This definitely is the most stunning place of all. They also offer a holistic spa and an organic restaurant in which they serve all kinds of green goodness.

Visiting any of these places is an amazing experience and I’m sure you will fall in love with Bali just as much as I did!

Namaste! 🙏🏼

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras

Getting lost in Bali’s Tegalalang Rice Terraces

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Where to go

When wondering through Bali its not hard to get lost in all its rice fields and terraces but there is one in particular that is a must to get lost in. The Tegalalang Rice terraces will leave you breathless from the moment you set eye upon it. As I walked down the hill more and more depth seemed to appear through the palms. The landscape is stunning and you can have the most amazing hike up the rice terraces.

The higher you get the more stunning the view becomes. From endless rice terraces and palm trees to getting lost in the jungle, you will absolute love the whole experience.

Tip:

When walking through the terraces you may get stopped a few times by locals claiming that you need to pay to continue walking through the fields. However this is not true, you don’t have to pay anything – they are just trying to get some money. The only time you will have to make a donation is at the first stop after about 5 min into your walk. Here you will find a barrier and someone asking you to pay a donation.

Also, the landscape is beautiful but very rocky and muddy at some points so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes.

How to find it

You can visit the Tegalalang rice terraces every day from 7am until 7pm and the address is Jalan Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali. On a good day its only about a 15 min bike or car ride from Ubud centre (depending on traffic).

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q – who never leaves my side!

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras I love to use

The ultimate snack in Bangkok

February 12, 2018July 11, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Food & Cafes, Where to go

When I visited Bangkok I found that I fell in love with all the street food at the street markets. So many colours, exotic fruit and dishes I had never even seen before were laid out for you to try. The streets are buzzing with excitement and a strong energy fills the air. But there is one thing that will always catch my eye as well as my nose as its sweet smell lingers me in.

‘Mango sticky rice’ is a dish made of sweet sticky rice topped with freshly cut mango and sweet coconut milk drizzled on top. When freshly made the sticky rice is still slightly warm and sticks to your spoon as you scoop it out. The fresh mango combined with the warm rice creates a delicious spoonful full of flavour and textures. Its my ultimate favourite snack that you can wake me up for anytime!

That reminds me, when in Bangkok I love to get some ‘mango sticky rice’ for breakfast. I mean whats a better way to wake up than with this delight!

Where to go

Bangkok is known for this delicious treat so its no wonder that you will find it in lots of places such as markets or even in supermarkets. However, I find that the best spots to get it freshly made is on street markets. There are lots of street markets scattered around Bangkok but some are more special than others. Wang Lang market and Pratunam market are both the best spots to have a wonder around and get overloaded by ‘mango sticky rice’ stands.

So there you go, the ultimate snack you will fall in love with in Bangkok! Enjoy!

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q – who never leaves my side!

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras I love to use

Sunday market at Samadi, Bali

January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Food & Cafes, Where to go

Its a sunny Sunday, the perfect day to be strolling around a market getting your fresh fruit and veggies! One of my favourite markets in Bali is the organic Sunday market at Samadi. The most beautiful and fresh fruit creates a rainbow of colours. The smell of sweet summer hangs in the air and you’ll see fruit that you never even know excited.

From exotic fruit and vegetables to bags full of nuts and fresh bread. This is the perfect place to stock up on some healthy deliciousness for the coming days! Here they only sell organic locally produced food by the farmers in the area.

I love going to this on Sundays as it has the perfect Sunday kind of atmosphere. Samadi is also a yoga and wellness centre – this explains the calmness and relaxing vibe that hangs in the air. They offer yoga classes everyday and there is also an organic cafe on site. Stroll around the food stands, try on some dresses and do some jewellery shopping and then have a healthy bite to eat. To me that sounds like the perfect Sunday morning!

Samadi‘s market is on every Sunday from 9am until 14.00pm. Have some delicious breakfast or lunch or enjoy a stroll around the food, clothing and jewellery stands.

This is one of my favourite places that I’m sure you will love just as much as I do! Enjoy!

Samadi is located on Jalan Padang Linjong 39, Echo Beach, Canggu Bali.

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q – who never leaves my side!

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras

Yoga, meditation and relaxation at the beautiful Udara resort, Bali

January 25, 2018January 26, 2018 by Brittsworld, posted in Daily Blogs, Where to go

I recently stayed in Udara Bali resort which is a place hidden in-between the beautiful rice fields and a few meters away from the sea. Udara Bali is a healing yoga resort offering a wellness and detox lifestyle. I love going to this place for a weekend to completely zone out and get physically and mentally recharged. Its architecture will get you speechless from the moment you walk in!

Where is Udara Bali resort

I love the open space that this resort has, giving you lots of breathing space and a sense of calmness. Its located in a very quiet area called Seseh which is walking distance from Echo beach in Canggu. Before visiting Udara Bali I never even knew off this beach! This spot is a lot less touristy compared to any beach near Canggu and you are surrounded by palm trees and huge rocks which create a real Bali vibe!

What can you do at Udara Bali resort

As you are only a few meters away from the sea you can hear its waves in the background while laying in your bed. Everything gives a sense of calmness and balance. Even the architecture is in harmony. The architecture is beautiful and typically Balinese with its straw roofs, bamboo, wooden rooms and green plants. It all creates a cosy and tropical atmosphere!

The resort has different levels which are all open and have the most incredible view. On the top floor you have a great panoramic view over the sea, on this level they also practise yoga and meditation. Imagine that, you open your eyes after meditation and you set your eyes on a view over the sea and the palm trees – its dreamy. They hold different types of yoga classed such as Kundalini Meditation and Hatha Yoga. If you are interest then click here for their monthly schedule!

My favourite thing about this place is taking a swim in their swimming pool! This pool is beautifully taken care of into its last detail. Different artists made the art sculptures that surround the pool. The architecture holds hidden meanings, secret monkeys hiding in-between trees and caves surrounded by sculptures. This has to be one of the most magical pools I have ever been in!

The pool has three different types and temperatures of water. And when climbing down the rocks a sauna, steam room and meditation room are all hidden in-between the sculptures hidden inside the cave.

What can you eat at Udara Bali resort

As Udara Bali resort offers a detox lifestyle you could expect the food to be healthy and tasty. However, little did I know that I would fall in love with the chef! The food they serve is fresh, clean and full of vibrant flavours!

My favourite smoothies are both the ‘Pina Collada’ and the ‘Super green’. The ‘Pina colada’ (40k Idr/2.20 pounds) consists of pineapple, ginger, dates, coconut milk and cinnamon. Its sweet, tangy and smooth all at the same time. Perfect for an afternoon delight. The ‘Super green’ (40k Idr/2.20 pounds) consists of apple, cucumber, spinach, celery and lime. This juice is perfect for a detox or to get a little health boost in the morning. Its extremely fresh but still has a sweet flavour taking away a little of the overly green taste making it absolutely delicious.

When looking at the food menu you notice that there are options for vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians. My favourite lunch dish and dinner dishes is the ‘Mexican quinoa wrap’ (54k Idr/ 2.90 pounds) and the ‘summer roll’ (54k Idr/2.90 pounds). The ‘Mexican quinoa wrap’ is made with black beans, quinoa, corn, guacamole, capsicum, lime and coconut yoghurt. This dish is filled with flavours, its comforting but the coconut yoghurt gives it a fresh kick. Leaving you feeling full and satisfied but still feeling like you have eaten clean and healthy food. Its perfect, crunchy, delicious, fresh, creamy and flavours dance in your mouth.

The ‘summer rolls’ is a much more fresher dish with crunchy rainbow vegetables, coriander, quinoa and peanut sauce. This dish tasted raw, fresh and delicious. Dip the rolls into the crunchy creamy peanut sauce and you have yourself a mouth full of delicious goodness.

You can enjoy their great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner as they have a restaurant open at all time. There is also a bar located next to the swimming pool in which you can enjoy your snack at anytime! Just dip yourself into the water, swim over to the bar and enjoy your ‘Pina Colada’ while your still in the water hanging on the bar. I mean, what more do you want!

I woke up from the sound of the sea, opened my curtain and looked over the beautiful architecture and swimming pool and instantly felt at ease. Nevermind a morning shower when you can dip yourself into a freezing cold bath just outside. I highly recommend you to visit this stunning place for a romantic weekend or a mental and physical detox holiday on this beautiful island.

If you would like to find out more or want to visit Udara Bali resort go to www.udara-bali.com. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it just as much as I did!

All images shot with my beautiful Leica Q – who never leaves my side!

Click here for more info about the Leica Q and other cameras