For the Fine Dining in the UK - 2026 page this year I'm not making any predictions...that way I can't be wrong!

I visited Barcelona at the start of September 2025 with my mum and Chanaé, my daughter. When we were planning the trip the challenge was to try and see new things, as well as check up on some places we'd seen before.

We were right next to a frosted window with views into the kitchen, where we could watch the food being crafted on the other side of the glass. I love a chef’s table experience, and this ticked that box, just with a sheet of glass separating us from the action - all the views, but no cooking smell... winner winner.

When pulling together my Budapest packing list, I wrote down what I'm going to be getting up to; how much walking, the different types of activities I'll be doing, what the weather may throw at me, and even consider getting stuck for an extra night. That way I'm not just looking through my wardrobe thinking, I like that, I'll take it - but making it more specific, space saving for a small cabin bag allowance, and planning mix & match outfits.

'C is for culture, Gill’s bucket list part three' is a look at the next 4 places on my bucket list - Cyprus, Corfu, Cambodia and Croatia

Food is always a massive part of choosing a holiday destination and we really made the most of eating our way around Argentina. We both expected (and enjoyed) lots of steak and red wine; but the overall quality, huge portion sizes, and the value for money of the food was very appreciated!

I’m a failed backpacker. Although I shouldn’t be in the least bit surprised! I've seen my packing lists and clothes laid out before me before! But… I am absolutely gutted. One day...

From an early age potential quirks of a destination became something that we’d talk about prior to even thinking about booking. The girls always gave feedback as to whether they’d be comfortable and were happy to explore the destination further. This, of course, continues while actually away – ‘do you want to do this trip because it means…?’ Keeping on top of any potential issues helps to ensure a fun and safe time all round.

2025 has been a great year for food; with some incredible restaurants visited both at home and overseas. We ate at a total of 19 Michelin guide listed restaurants in the year; we ate at some for pleasure that didn’t end up being reviewed… it can’t be work all the time!

Our trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai was everything that you’d expect from that region of the world. The buildings were incredible, everything was spotlessly clean and the service was impeccable… the fine dining options were pretty decent too!

Gill has wanted to go to Amsterdam since she was a little girl; but she can’t really put her finger on “why”. We managed to tick off most of the main sights in around 34 hours. What we didn’t quite manage to do was eat all of the food that she mentioned in her bucket list. But there is plenty more of the Netherlands to discover in the future when we can try to sample them.

One of my favourite things about Boa Vista is the deserted beaches. You can walk for hours and barely see another person. There are usually people immediately outside the hotels but once you pass them it’s just you and the crashing waves. Bliss!

We hit the jackpot with Restaurant 212! I booked for us to sit at the chef’s counter as it adds an amazing extra dimension to the experience and this was certainly the case here.

Gill took the lead on the first foreign holiday of the year as a way of starting the festivities early and it did not disappoint. We had an amazing, action packed adventure in Norway at Sweden at the start of the year.

Gill and I decided to make the most of a child free Christmas and get some sun. We could have gone anywhere in the world and after much deliberation decided on the island of Cayo Coco, Cub

Gill and I took the girls to Reykjavik, Iceland in February 2015 for a minibreak. We had all wanted to visit Iceland for ages so we grabbed the chance and went for it.

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