1582 by TNT Magazine

June 2014 Issue 1582 tntmagazine.com

WIN!

A TRIP FOR TWO TO MOROCCO!

IT’S ABOUT TO KICK OFF WIMBLEDON WINNER

Our guide to the FIFA World Cup

Enjoy the tennis action the English way (hello strawberries & cream)

E R I P M E T A C E TH

l at a time a iv t s fe e n o over the UK e k a t to t e s s ssie export Awesome Au

+ BARCELONA BENDER EDINBURGH FRINGE SOUTH AFRICA SURF MAGICAL MOROCCO

ISSUE 1582/ 1578/ £1.95

9 772051 605008

48 52

THIS MONTH LONDON DIARY 6 YOUR LONDON

LONDON INSIDER

FOOD 14 DRINK 15 A TASTE OF HOME 28 CHATROOM

TRAVEL REVIEW

DIARY 38 TOP 5: WORLD CUP CITIES 40 UK TRIP: BRIGHTON

EURO TRIP: SWEDEN 50 WEEKENDER

TRAVEL TIPS 70 HOTSHOTS 72 LATE DEALS 74

ON THE COVER THE CAT EMPIRE

SPORT

Awesome Aussies take over the UK

ROUND-UP 78

IT’S ABOUT TO KICK OFF

FOCUS: DOUG BOLLINGER 82

Our guide to the FIFA World Cup

BARCELONA BENDER

We join Stoke Travel for a boozy weekend

LIFESTYLE STUFF

SHOPPING 87 HEALTH: TRAVERAPY 89

EDINBURGH FRINGE

Get ready to laugh your kilt off...

MAGICAL MOROCCO

Yo yo have a wicked cup of Morocco

CAREERS: TEACHING

SOUTH AFRICA SURF

LIVING: SHIPPING

Spot wildlife and catch the waves in SA

DESPERATELY SEEKING 98 CLASSIFIEDS 93 4

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WIMBLEDON WINNER

Catch the tennis action the English way

EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar Online Editor Vicky Anscombe TNT Australia Editorial Ian Armitage Contributors Michael Gadd l Emily Ray l Nina Bertok l Charlotte Lennon l Stephanie Palmer Rachael Getzels l Danny Hilton l Tom Coote Heather Richardson EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 0203 011 1066 To contact the various editorial departments via email please use the following email addresses: entertainment@tntmagazine.com lifestyle@tntmagazine.com sport@tntmagazine.com travel@tntmagazine.com

FROM THE EDITOR

SALES/MARKETING/EVENTS Sales manager Jaqui Ward EMAIL jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com Sales Executive Matt Syder PHONE 0207 989 0491 EMAIL matt.syder@tntmagazine.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Head of design and production Lisa Ferron PHONE 01225 284107 EMAIL lisa.ferron@tntmagazine.com

Phones had a cord. TV only had three channels. The Beatles dominated the charts. Most of us weren’t even yet a twinkle in our father’s eye. Yes, 1966 seems a millennium ago, and yet England still clings to that year as it was the last time they won the World Cup. Bless ’em.

SUBSCRIPTIONS / DISTRIBUTION Manager Caroline Penn PHONE 01603 559 004 EMAIL caroline.penn@tntmagazine.com

They’ll be cheering again this year – fruitlessly no doubt – but it’s fun to join them or at least point and laugh as England strike out once more. Not that Australia have a lot to boast about, mind you. Either way, football fever will sweep the streets of London from June 12 to July 13, so to find out who to watch and where, turn to our special six-page guide on page 20.

ACCOUNTS Emma Overton EMAIL emma.overton@tntmagazine.com Credit controller Abby Nightingale EMAIL abby.nightingale@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD Directors Kevin Ellis, Ken Hurst Stuart Bidgood PUBLISHER Startrack Media Limited DISTRIBUTION Emblem Direct Ltd PRINTED BY Wyndeham Peterborough Limited NEWS AAP PICTURES Getty Images, TNT Images, Thinkstock TNT Magazine , 114 Coppergate House, 16 Brune Street, London E1 7NJ tntmagazine.com

If you’d rather kick yourself in the balls than watch a bunch of men kick a ball, then this month is a good time to escape England, as there will be talk of little else. You could check out this year’s City of Culture, Umea, in Sweden (p50), escape to magical Morocco (p58), or chill on the beach and find adventure in the waters of South Africa (p62). We also recommend you join the Stoke Travel crew in Barcelona (p42), but be warned, in Spain football fever will also be at epidemic proportions. If music’s your thing, we have stellar news for you as Aussie festival favourites, The Cat Empire, are playing gigs at both the Somerset House Summer Series in July and BoomTown Fair in August. Turn to page 16 for our interview with Felix Riebl, the lead vocalist and percussionist, where he gets us pumped up in anticipation of their electric performances. Warning: despite being called The Cat Empire and Felix having the same name as a popular cat food brand, they are not actually a band of cats. If this is what you were hoping for you may perhaps prefer a visit to the Cat Emporium, where tea and cake comes with a side of real-life pussy(cat). See page 14 for our review.

WHERE TO GET TNT

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Have yourself a purrfect month (sorry),

caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com

Antipodean gigs

Amazing Azores

Middle Eastern epic

TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests. There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

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THIS MONTH’S TOP PICKS SOHOCREATE FESTIVAL

BLITZ PARTY June 7

June 4-6 Creative people talking about what they do and why – that’s this new festival in a nutshell. Aptly it’s in Soho, where something like one in five of all London’s creative jobs (we’re talking film, fashion, TV...) are based.

This very special party marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings. Promising a night of 1940’s glamour, the underground venue (Vaults in Waterloo) will be turned into a wartime air-raid shelter, complete with swing dance hall and live music.

9.30am-5.30pm & 9.30am-6pm Various venues Oxford Circus or Leicester Sq sohocreate.co.uk

Doors open at 8pm The Vaults, Leake St, SE1 7NN Waterloo theblitzparty.com

£25

£20+

THIS MONTH’S MUST-DO GUMBALL 3000 June 8 Gumball 3000 (that famous celebrity-clad road trip) is 15 this year (almost legal!). It will cross two continents and 3,000 miles in seven days with more than 120 of the world’s most exclusive cars. On June 8, Gumballers arrive in London and will take over Regent Street, hosting a huge free festival before the rally rolls in. FREE

Start your engines... Gumball’s in town

Regent Street, W1B 5TD gumball3000.com

Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL

TROOPING THE COLOUR PARADE

NORTH VS SOUTH ROLLER DERBY

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE

June 11-25

June 14

Van Morrison, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick... it’s you’re mum and dad’s dream of a line up (and secretly ours too), and they’re all playing as part of this year’s Hampton Court Palace Festival. Unique line-up in a beautiful setting.

If there is one thing Brits do better than anyone else, it is pomp and pageantry, and you won’t find anything quite like Trooping the Colour anywhere else. It’s where the furry-hatted red-suited bunch parade in honour of the monarch’s official birthday (Happy B’day Liz old gal). Worth watching.

If you’ve travelled around the UK you’ll have noticed the ‘friendly’ rivalry between those here and t’up North. You can find out who is best in this full-on roller derby. Not your thing? We should mention it’s a female-only sport. If that swayed you, shame on you!

Seems like everything is happening on June 14 doesn’t it? This is too. This has a serious side and doubles as a protest against car culture, but we just can’t help thinking about those saddles going in places they really shouldn’t be... ouch and eww in equal measure.

Doors open at 2.30pm Newham Leisure Centre, E13 8SD Canning Town londonrockinrollers.co.uk

2pm-5.30pm Hyde Park, W2 2UH Knightsbridge wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org

£35+

From 5pm Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU Hampton Court (railway) hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

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FREE

10.30am Horse Guards Parade, SW1A 2AX Charing Cross

£15

FREE

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CAMDEN CRAWL June 20 & 21 Running across various venues, Camden Crawl (now simply named CC14) flits between electronic and indie, acoustic and hip-hop. Loads of acts have been announced for its various stages – it’s almost too much to take in, packed with new names and the odd established ones. Prepare to fall in love with Camden all over again... £32+

Times vary Several venues Camden Town thecamdencrawl.com

WIMBLEDON TENNIS

FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

June 23-July 6

June 28 & 29

The All England Club is quite possibly the most popular joint in town during June and July, with the world’s best tennis players slugging it out for glory. It is one of the few remaining sporting events where you can get tickets on the day. See page 80 to find out more.

The Holi-inspired Festival of Colours will definitely give you a goodtime vibe. Live bands, DJs, a booze licence, oh, and the chance to pelt your mates and complete strangers with coloured powder. This event really doesn’t need much selling – it sells itself.

Daily Church Road, SW19 5AE Southfields wimbledon.com

12pm onwards Olympic Park, E20 2ST Stratford holifestival.com/uk/en

Photos: Getty, Facebook

£38+

£29+

DON’T MISS YOUR MOMENT Tickets £25 - £75

Fine dining available Book now at ascot.co.uk

LONDONSOUND LONDONSCENE

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Skylight: Bill’s trying to figure out what Carey’s sat in...

Summer Salon: Classical meets comtemporary

COMEDY NIGHTS

EXHIBITIONS

THEATRE

FRANK SKINNER: MAN IN A SUIT JUNE 7 / 7PM & 9.15PM / £20 Following a complete sell-out London run, Frank Skinner returns for one night and two more shows.

ELEVEN UNTIL JUNE 12 / 11AM-6.30PM The Tramshed is of course a restaurant, but did you know there’s a gallery under it? Well there is and this exhibition is well worth a look.

HOBSON’S CHOICE UNTIL JUL 12 / £25+ Strictly favourite Mark Benton appears as a bombastic Lancashire boot-shop owner in Harold Brighouse’s 1915 comedy set to ’60s music.

Leicester Square Theatre

Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery

Open Air Theatre

6 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BX

11 Eccleston St, SW1W 9LX

Inner Circle, Regents Park, NW1 4NR

Charing Cross

Old Street

Baker Street

leicestersquaretheatre.com

DOUG SEGAL: I CAN MAKE YOU A MENTALIST JUNE 13 / 7PM / £15 Anything on Friday the 13th that promises to make you a ‘mentalist’ should probably be avoided – well, apart from this. Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BX Charing Cross

elevenfineart.com

SUMMER SALON UNTIL JUNE 28 / 11AM-7PM See works from both established and exciting upcoming artists. Both classical and contemporary pieces. Leyden Gallery 9/9a Leyden Street, E1 7LE Aldgate

leydengallery.com

leicestersquaretheatre.com

openairtheatre.org

HOTEL UNTIL AUG 2 / £12-20 The National’s bright red temporary extension hosts Polly ‘That Face’ Stenham’s new play – a topical thriller set on an isolated desert island where nothing is quite as it seems. The Shed, National Theatre South Bank, Belvedere Road, SE1 9PX Waterloo

nationaltheatre.org.uk

UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL TIL JUL 13 / VARIOUS TIMES & PRICES Could fill this whole page with what’s on but don’t have the space, sorry. Check the website.

ABSTRACT AMERICA TODAY UNTIL SEPT 28 / FREE This exhibition showcases a vibrant new generation of artists from the US, and is absolutely free.

SKYLIGHT UNTIL AUG 23 / £15-62.50 Carey Mulligan makes her West End debut opposite Bill Nighy.

The Southbank

Saatchi Gallery

Wyndham’s Theatre

Jubilee Gardens, SE1 8XX

Duke Of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, SW3 4RY

Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA

Waterloo

Sloane Sq

Leicester Sq

underbelly.co.uk

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saatchigallery.com

skylightwestend.com

Photos: Getty, Benjamin McMahon and supplied

Roar: Jurassic 5 are returning to London this month

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CLUB NIGHTS

GIGS

FABRIC LIVE JUNE 6 / 11PM-7AM / £13+ Metalheadz celebrate the release of Lenzman’s Looking At The Stars album in Room One with the Dutch producer’s appearance flanked by a promising back-to-back set from label boss, Goldie, and Exit boss, dBridge, and sets from Breakage and Ant TC1.

ARCADE FIRE JUNE 6 & 7 / 7PM / £32.50+ The world-conquering Montreal indie rockers will play two London shows in support of their new album Reflektor which was released last year and welcomed as “a dark disco classic” (The Times) and “an art rock epic” (The Telegraph).

Fabric

Earl’s Court

77A Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ

Warwick Road, SW5 9TA

Farringdon

Earl’s Court

fabriclondon.com

WATCH THIS

arcadefire.com

A-head of the rest: Arcade Fire’s Reflektor album topped the UK charts

GODZILLA

St Vincent: aka singer/songwriter Annie Clark

MELTDOWN DJ HARVEY JUNE 19 / 7PM / £17.50 Legendary DJ mixing classics with fresh house and a bit of disco. London Wonderground Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX Waterloo

londonwonderground.co.uk

FIELD DAY JUNE 7 & 8 / £38.50+ Large-scale village fete with headliners Pixies and Metronomy joined by the likes of The Horrors, Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry & Rocket Numbernine, Warpaint, SBTRKT, Simian Mobile Disco and much more. It’s a kick ass line-up! Victoria Park

MINISTRY OF SOUND SESSIONS: SIGMA JUNE 21 / 6.30PM / £18 Featuring Sigma, Krafty Kuts, Herve, Blaise and much more. Ministry of Sound 103 Gaunt St, SE1 6DP Elephant

ministryofsound.com/club

Grove Road, London E3 Mile End

fielddayfestivals.com

EL BORN JUNE 19 / £5 The London-based alt rock duo recently completed their debut album and this is bound to be a rocking gig. Camden Barfly

KITSUNE CLUB NIGHT SUMMER PARTY JUNE 21 / 10PM-4AM / £12 A special ‘hot-as-hell’ night which the promoters say features “a mouth-watering line up designed to work up that seasonal sweat.” There’ll be the likes of Maxxi Soundsystem and Kitsune’s international resident Jerry Bouthier.

JURASSIC 5 TOUR JUNE 20 & 21 / £35.75+ The original line-up of cult hip-hop collective Jurassic 5 are touring the UK, cool right? They’ll be at the Brixton Academy for two nights.

Village Underground

O2 Academy Brixton

49 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AN Chalk Farm

facebook.com/elbornband

54 Holywell Lane Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ

211 Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL

Shoreditch

Brixton

kitsune.fr

If you haven’t been to see Godzilla yet, why? The world’s most famous reptilian monster has been reborn and it is an epic action adventure, as he (he is a he, we think) rises from the depths to restore balance as humanity stands defenceless against giant radioactive monsters (or M.U.T.Os). We’ve always had a soft spot for Godzilla, and the good news is that this film isn’t anything like the 1998 reboot, which was pretty crap. Its opening credits are epic, recounting Godzilla sightings during and immediately after WWII. That’s followed by action, action, tension, action and more tension as you wait with baited breath for the first glimpse of the blue firebreathing beast (early on it is only fleetingly and then, BOOM). This is an epic monster movie, as giants that feed on nuclear energy go on the rampage in search of food (and sex) and battle it out – God help the people and buildings that get in the way. Director Gareth Edwards has done a great job. He’s upheld the Godzilla legacy and created a new version that is, well, terrific. Don’t expect great acting. This is a massive spectacle with plenty of mayhem and destruction. Without spoiling it, can Godzilla save the day or will a good old-fashioned A-bomb do the trick? Oh, and poor San Fran.

jurassic5.com

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READER’S PIC OF THE MONTH

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ASK THE BOGANS

Got a problem? No worries, mate – the lads from Bogan Bingo are here...

Thanks to Mike Fenton, who sent us this picture of a man napping on a bench underneath some cherry blossoms. “I was wandering through St James’s Park in front of Buckingham Palace and noticed this guy sleeping,” says Mike. “I wondered whether he was napping or homeless; London’s an unforgiving place if you don’t have some digs organised before arrival.” Let’s hope he was just catching 50 winks – and that no one stole his suitcase.

STATUS UPDATE What’s been happening on Twitter and Facebook this month... We asked you what separates a traveller and a tourist, and we loved your replies. Sophie Spencer kicked off the discussion with a succinct ‘Suitcase or backpack!’ and Michael Gill pointed out that a tourist goes abroad with every intention of coming home – a traveller might never come back. John Needham was in favour of ripping up itineraries, the little hooligan, and Carly Skye Hubbard nailed it for us. “Hostels, living off noodles, rice or pasta for days, washing with baby wipes, trying all the culinary delights even if it means days on the loo, free WiFi, being somewhere – not just seeing somewhere – and meeting some truly wonderful people,” she wrote. Jonathon Morrison, we also liked your terse comments about escalators. Want to have your say or see your photo in print? Email the online editor at vicky.anscombe@tntmagazine.com

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Dear Phil, Man the fuck up and stop watching so much Oprah. Ever think that maybe the problem is you being so bloody needy? He’s in the early and highly sexual (yet temporary) phase of a new relationship. We advise YOU to go do something manly this weekend and stop being such a winging little sissy. Shovel a barrow of sand, get down the pub and swear at the footy, get lost and ask absolutely no one for directions – just something to boost the testosterone levels. You know the saying bros before hoes? Sometimes it’s hoes and sometimes it’s bros – and right now it’s a bit more ho than bro. He’ll be back, just give it time.

Got a problem? Need some advice? No fear. Submit your questions to info@boganbingo.co.uk and the boys will do everything they can to solve it. No worries! Don’t miss Bogan Bingo every Thursday night from 8pm at The Slug at Fulham. There’s more than £400 worth of prizes up for grabs each week from Travel Talk. boganbingo.co.uk

Photos: Supplied. Words: Vicky Anscombe

Want TNT delivered to your inbox five days a week? Of course you do! Visit tntmagazine.com to sign up and you can opt to receive any, or all, of the below: Monday: News & Sport – what’s happening in the world, plus all the big sports results and stories. Tuesday: Jobs – whether you’re jobless and on the hunt, or just hate the place you’re at now, check out these job vacancies and TNT’s career advice. Wednesday: Travel – We round-up the last-minute deals and travel news, as well as giving you an in-depth guide to our destination of the week. Thursday: London Living – If you’ve just arrived or you’re planning your exit, this is your e-newsletter. Friday: Entertainment – It’s the weekend! Woop! We tell you how to fill it, as well as the week ahead.

Dear Bogans, My mate Gavin has been really involved with a new bird and I feel our friendship has taken a back seat to her. Please advise. Phil, Battersea

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TRYTHIS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Life drawing class Ever since Leonardo DiCaprio sat down to draw a very naked Kate Winslet in the epic film that is Titanic, life drawing has seemed just a little bit sexy. There’s no denying that Leo made the art of drawing incredibly attractive – so much so, that I’ve often thought of trying a life drawing class in the vain hope I might bump into Leo’s double and re-create that famous scene. Sadly, this has never happened and, while enthusiastic, I can barely draw a stick person let alone a real one with all their bits out. But when my date suggested we try a life drawing class with London Drawing, I thought that, miraculously, my moment had come and suddenly all my hitherto non-existent creative juices would flow out of me at once. Obviously this didn’t happen, but artist and drawing tutor Mel Leung managed to pull some sort of talent out of me and I went home feeling just a tiny bit proud of my attempts at drawing the male physique. Now when Leo knocks on my door, I’ll be ready. The class we chose was a drop-in one at the Library Space in Battersea, which provided a quirky setting for an already quite quirky evening activity. Although life drawing is an unusual environment for a date (in my case it felt a bit odd drawing another naked man while trying to hold

a conversation about sensible things such as work and hobbies), the tutors at London Drawing are so enthusiastic and friendly that you almost forget you’re in a room full of fully clothed strangers all staring at one naked person. Having had a beer beforehand, the atmosphere in the room felt very relaxed and made it much easier to chat to my date. With very little experience at drawing a naked person, both of us felt comfortable enough to tease each other’s attempts. I can quite safely say that I am never going to be an artist, but for one night only I did something I’d never dreamed of actually doing and the end results are (in my opinion) quite framable. By Sarah Aston £11. See site for upcoming classes. Londondrawing.com

MYLONDON When I want to chill out I... switch off my phone, put some music on and close my eyes. The most interesting person I’ve met is... this is a hard question to answer. I have met a lot of different people since moving to London eight years ago, and each of them has had an interesting story to tell. I couldn’t choose just one.

on Walton Street [Chelsea]. They have great organic food and a nice chilled atmosphere. My perfect weekend would be... A sunny weekend that involved a walk in Hyde Park in the morning, a late lunch with friends, and a great conversation over a glass of red wine in the evening. What I love most about London is… the energy of the city. You live, breathe and work with such a great and positive energy all around you. Five words that sum up London are... Cosmopolitan, vibe, culture, dreams, opportunities. mooshfruit.com

b-soho.co.uk

projectclublondon.com

My favourite place for a drink is... most definitely Sketch [restaurant on Conduit Street]. The ambiance and the soft lights are unbeatable! For when you’re hungover in London... You can’t beat Moosh [in Fulham]. It serves the best juices for any hangover! My favourite spot in London is… Brinkley’s on Hollywood Road [Little Chelsea]. It is such a cool little spot. I also really like Zefi

LUCA MAGGIORA LIFESTYLE ENTREPRENEUR @ MOOSH, B-SOHO & PROJECT TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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BITE SIZE IT’S IN YOUR DNA What do you get if you cross a scientist with a mixologist? A barman at new XXXXX Clapham Xxxxxxxx nightspot, DNA London. Wearing lab aprons and goggles, the crazy cocktail makers will mix you up [web] an experimental tipple from a menu designed XXXXXby celebrated mixologist Billy Tran (from The Experimental Xxxxxxxx Cocktail Club in Paris). Open Fridays and Saturdays, the club is based in an [web] old Freemason’s club house and has the largest Funktion 1 sound system in XXXXX London. XxxxxxxxScience just got cool. dna-london.co.uk [web]

DON’T LOSE YOUR RELIGION If you enjoy a night out at The Church, then you should also enjoy a ‘blessed hour’ £5 cocktail at Communion Bar, a new spot in Camberwell. With stained glass windows, tapas from Angels and Gypsies restaurant below, and a cocktail list to die for, it really is heavenly. communionbar.com

LADY DINAH’S CAT EMPORIUM Cafe

It’s the Asian phenomenon that faced a passionate Crowdfunding campaign to bring it to the streets of Shoreditch (where else?). Grown men flock to the windows to catch a glimpse of a kitten snuggled up on the blankets, while the inside is packed to the rafters with guests desperate to win the attention of one of the 11 adorable rescue cats. Before going in, we were given a few ground rules: leave sleeping cats alone, don’t feed them your human food, and don’t attempt to steal one. Upon entering we found the upstairs to be a refined affair with more formal tables and chairs, but the downstairs was our preferred area thanks to its cosy jumble of mismatched furniture, old trunks and wooden cabinets making you feel as if you’re in your gran’s front room – well, if she was a crazy cat lady who invited hoards of strangers round for tea. THE GRUB You can opt for individual slices of cake, such as red velvet, carrot or elderflower, but we would definitely recommend the cream tea, all served on floral china plates. The apple and cinnamon scones crumbled into our mouths with just a few gulps, topped with a dollop of cream and jam to help them slide down. Light meals are also up for grabs, including vegetable calzone, salads and savoury tarts, while gluten-free lavender, rosewater and chocolate macaroons can also be tucked into. BEHIND THE BAR Choose from an assortment of coffees and teas, from the traditional English breakfast to the interestingly flavoured popcorn, rooibos and marzipan teas. Cold drinks such as Coke, Sprite and orange juice also available. BILL PLEASE Entry to the cafe is £5, while cakes are from £2.40; cream tea £5.75 per person; salads £5; light meals from £7. VERDICT This delightfully barmy café is a whisker above other East London eateries. By Emily Ray THE SCENE

Photos: Supplied

A GOOD RIBBING Forget kitschy red booths and juke boxes, The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch is truly bringing the best of American culture to London. The newly opened diner and bourbon bar has live blues, soul and funk music every night, which will help drown out the groans and finger-licking slurps of diners tucking into sticky ribs and hearty burgers, all washed down with a whiskey sour or two. With brunches, swing nights and rib nights, you’ll be rock and rolling your way back for more every day of the week. theblueskitchen.com

152-154 Bethnal Green Road

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Shoreditch High Street Station

ladydinahs.com

LiFestYLeMONEY LONDONDRINKS

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cash saVers TAMESIS DOCK

how You spEnd iT

Floating pub

Dreams come brew keiSha herBert, 24 We all know that JoB Market researcher There’s just something a bit ‘wanker banker’ about going for a drink on pounding headache from FroM Leeds a too boat. Images of suited men guffawing over cigars and whiskey while much cheap bubbly LiveSreclining Bethnalon Green white padded leather corner seating springs to mind. Which is why Tamesis Dock is the night before. Well sothis brilliant, as it is 100%of not like that. It is a boat, yes, but it is an old 1930s Dutch year your dream How do you budget? barge withup a wooden open-air deck and a two-level below deck area with quirkyexpenses and waking hangover-free After monthly can become a reality withand a super-cool hanging egg chair. It’s adding a bit best to my savings, knick knacks lining the walls probably 50% offhere, a stellar bottle try to set myself not to sit though, during high tide when the boat does rock Isomewhat, but a weekly of only champagne. Usually It can be this lasts around 30 minutes, after which is settles back on thespending river bed.amount. It’s £29.75, when some weeks a costing great spot for anHeidsieck after-work drink in the summer months, and andifficult even better Blueto Top is out £15for a pop at occasion. I hired the inside area for my are busier than others, but place rent a special big 3-0 and Asda. Or you can opt for a I always try to go with the it went down ridiculously well. A quirky venue with a view across the Thames to bottle of ‘I heart Prosecco’ cheapest options. Westminster and Budgens, Big Ben, but without a banker wanker in sight. Perfect. for £9.99 from BEHIND THE BAR Rhythm It’s beer selection is full of character, with Brewdog, Do Yakima Red any tips for Tesco.com, & you have Meantime and Blue Moon all vying for your tastebuds. Elsewhere there are classicin London? Booze or Londis. saving money THE SCENE

cocktails, a short but sweet wine list and, of course, Pimms. I try to take my own lunch into work but I don’t always the ‘sea air’ from going to your head with spring Theburgers origins and of the manage that. A Taste Card rolls, baguettes on the menu. The giant nachos are awesome. term ‘Boxing BILL PLEASE Beers Day’ fromare £4, wine from £4.50, cocktails from £7. Mains from £5. undecided, but we all VERDICT It’s cool, it’s quirky, it floats our boat. By Caroline Garnar

Fighting chance THE a GRUB Filler food helps prevent

Photos: supplied and Getty. Words: Rachael Getzels

know it’s due to the punches that are thrown Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP Vauxhall as eager shoppers try to get the best deals on the first day of major nationwide sales. Oxford Street will be prime territory with up to 70% off all high street brands. Get ready to rumble. snap it up Do some celeb stalking at super-star hangout Gilgamesh in Camden. The famous restaurant is offering 50% off its £55 set menu through December. Just try not to tussle with the professional outside, 3 OF THEpaps BEST waiting for a star spot. See lastminute.com

FOOTIE FANCIES

is really good for getting discounts at restaurants. Last big blow-out? I went to a second-hand clothes fair last month. Instead of leaving with a few cheap bargains, I ended up spending a lot more money than I imagined! I spent the last week of that month on a very small budget. What non-essential items do you spend money on? Each month I get something new to refresh my wardrobe. And if there’s a special occasion, that’s another excuse to hit the shops.

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❚ Basketball team Chicago Sky never have a problem finding someone to sing the national anthem given IT’S A MIRACLE that former Destiny’s Child Head to new Barzinho bar member, Michelle Williams, inowns Archer Streetof forthe a taste a share club. of The Miracle Redeemer, a ❚modern on Brazil’s Formertake basketball star Magic Johnson part Caipirinha. It’s so was good, theof a £1.2billion deal toitbuy the barman who created won a bankrupt Dodgers. That’s trip to BrazilLA and tickets to a a hefty price for Jealous, a team with World Cup game. us? no money. Sounds like he archerstreet.co.uk may have missed a trick.

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Felix, bottom left, with the rest of The Cat Empire crew

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CELEBINTERVIEW

The Cats that got the cream On a high from celebrating their 1,000th gig with more than 10,000 people, The Cat Empire are ready to make the UK party INTERVIEW NINA BERTOK

Talk about a pleasant surprise and one hell of a way to celebrate a major milestone. When Australia’s favourite festival band, The Cat Empire, recently performed their 1,000th show at Melbourne’s Federation Square, more than 10,000 people showed up to rise to the special occasion. This made for one of the most fun and memorable experiences frontman Felix Riebl and his travelling crew of musos have ever had. That was back in March of this year, and now, come July and August, The Cat Empire are set to make a return to England for what Reibl describes as the “centre point” of the band’s upcoming European tour. “It was a great way for us to start the year,” says the singer of the Federation Square milestone show. “We’d had a very relaxing three or four months at the start of 2014 where we just did a couple of gigs, including the Falls Festival, and then we had our 1,000th show, which was just amazing. It was a free outdoor concert in Melbourne and the turn out was incredible. It was such a surprise to us. We learnt that something like 10,000 people actually turned up and it was a really great range in terms of ages. Some of them had been with us for the last 10 years, so it was a real mixture of older people, adults and kids – a really amazing cross-section of the city for this big event.” Never one to normally get worked up or make a big deal out of milestones, Riebl claims that in this case, it was near impossible to retain his composure. Witnessing a sea of people approaching the stage almost out of nowhere was nothing short of goose-bump inducing, according to the singer. “We weren’t sure what kind of show it would be in general. I don’t tend to really think much of celebrating milestones or anything like that, I don’t plan things like that. It’s just usually a spontaneous thing when I happen to have a good night. I really wasn’t expecting very much from this event, to be honest. “At first I had a peek out to the stage and I saw there were some people out the front, but then about 15 minutes before we walked onto the stage and began to play, literally a sea of people arrived out of the blue and we were faced with this complete surprise! I believe that’s the best way to deal with milestones – to be genuinely surprised by them, to let the whole process happen naturally and to just go with

Our fans have that “ dancing spirit ” the flow. I think that’s basically the way that most good things happen anyway.” And while Riebl admits The Cat Empire’s 1,000th show at Federation Square was one of the band’s biggest highlights so far, he adds that touring Europe – and especially the UK – just may come in at a close second when it comes to the best things to happen for his band in 2014. Partly it is to do with the group’s loyal fan base, which extends all the way to London, and partly it is due to the majestic venues The Cat Empire is set to perform in over July and August, according to the singer. “We’ll be touring for about six weeks in early July and mid-August,” Riebl explains. “Our fan base is amazing and very passionate in Europe – many of them travel from place to place just to see us. I consider The Cat Empire to be a pretty international band in terms of our identity, so I can see why our music would appeal to people around the world. ››

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The Light, Riebl says of the band’s sixth full-length record that The Cat Empire have done a bit of a 360 – and long-time fans will have no trouble spotting where. “Our debut album [self-titled, 2003] had a travelling, adventurous spirit about it and, since we did that in Cuba, it had that raw sound to it. Then the few albums in between that, we explored a more melancholy sound, which was maybe a little more removed and touched on a few emotional places. With this album, I think there is still a reference to the melancholy aspect somewhat, but there is much more of a return to something more festive again, reminiscent of the first album. You can’t be too sad with your music and you don’t want to take it too seriously because, at the end of the day, you want people to sing and dance to it. Besides, music is meant to be experienced and not scrutinised too closely. Everyone in this band has evolved as a person and has experienced a range of emotional dips and rises, but in the end we’ve finished up at this place that is exciting again, and that’s what we want to express.” And what better way to do so than within beautiful European mansions that have been transformed into music venues? “I think venues such as Somerset House will add a special sense of magic and wonder to the entire experience – it’s an exceptional place that we are very curious about. We don’t come by places like that every day, so I can guarantee these shows will be something entirely different for us too.” So what’s next for the Cats? “Once the tour is over, we’ll be getting involved in some collaborations with other people. The Cat Empire started off with so many different musicians and performers – one of our first ever tours was at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on any given night some of the most amazing performers and musicians and even acrobats would just jump on stage and that’s how we operated! The band was always very good at adapting to different things, so we are planning on playing with more people and getting back into that. Although I can’t really name any names just yet, I can say that I hope people stay tuned and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for when we announce more details.” ❚ Catch The Cat Empire on July 13 as part of the Somerset House series ( somersethouse.org.uk) and also at BoomTown Fair (August 7-10, boomtownfair.co.uk). To win tickets to BoomTown, visit tntmagazine.com/competitions

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The two UK shows are something that I am particularly looking forward to – any chance we get to go there is something that I am thrilled to take on. The Somerset House show is the one that I am extremely looking forward to because I’ve been looking up some of the venue’s pictures and it looks quite magical, actually. The BoomTown Fair, which we will be taking part in, looks equally as eccentric and I think that one should be really chilled out. I think both of the shows and the sort of atmosphere they seem to have about them should be terrific for a band like us.” Virtually impossible to categorise due to their melting pot of sounds and influences, The Cat Empire are best described as a festival band who are akin to a travelling troupe of musical showies. A strong festive spirit has always defined the band at its core, and the effect this has had on their audiences over the last decade has cemented The Cat Empire’s reputation as one of the ‘must-see’ live bands to ever come out of Australia. “There is definitely a festive spirit in the band and that probably translates really went into the festival setting,” offers Riebl. “I think when you take all of our influences and the music we like, and when you fuse them together, you embrace all those contrasts and you end up with something that is entirely unique. If you express that festive attitude as well, then it really does begin to feel like you’re putting on a small, private festival of your own night after night. If you think about it, festivals are made up of contrasts that are slammed against each other – often you’ll get bands that are of very different genres billed one after another – and that’s what makes that special dynamic and theatrical space. To have a bunch of musicians who can improvise quite a lot on stage and fans who want to hear something a little bit different, then that’s where that spirit of The Cat Empire is at its most alive. Our fans have one very important thing in common – they have that dancing spirit. They want to move their bodies and they want to take in that powerful energy that only music can bring.” As in a live setting, so on record, as far as The Cat Empire are concerned. Peculiarly, Riebl and his band of ever-rotating musicians have always managed to translate the festive energy of their performances into the recording sessions; something that only a few artists could ever hope to achieve to perfection. Touring on the back of their 2013 album Steal

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GAME ON Watch this country come to life as ultimate football fever hits. It’s FIFA World Cup time... WORDS IAN ARMITAGE

When the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 12, it’s not just the competition on the pitch we have to look forward to – it’s the month-long party that comes with it. Bars will be opening late, there will be house parties galore and there may well be the odd street party, depending on England’s progression. If you are lucky enough to be going out to Brazil, the party capital of the world, then you are in for a real treat. The World Cup rolls around every four years and everybody gets excited about it. Even those who don’t watch footie. Add Brazil into the equation and it gets that much more exciting. Unsurprisingly, the hosts are huge favourites heading into the tournament, while the likes of world champs Spain, Germany and Argentina will also fancy their chances. One thing worth remembering is that all four World Cups held in South America have produced winners from the continent – 1930 (Uruguay), 1950 (Brazil), 1962 (Chile) and 1978 (Argentina) – suggesting the European nations have little chance of success. The group of death, the one that gives the managers nightmares, has been accepted as Group B - the Socceroo’s group. They’ll line up against the Netherlands, Chile and Spain. Group D (Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy) is equally grey-inducing though, as is Group G (Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA). One of the storylines to look for is how the brilliant Lionel Messi will do after a disappointing first World Cup outing in South Africa four years ago and a disappointing season with Barcelona – well, by his own standards anyway; with 41 goals in 44 games, if it was anybody else you’d be raving about 2013/14. The miniature maestro has won everything with his club – six La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and two World Club cups – and is regarded as one of the best players to have ever played the game. But to be the absolute best, he’ll have to win a World Cup, matching a feat achieved by both the great Maradona and Pele, the two names that always pop up when discussing the ‘best player ever’.

At 26 years old, this summer could define Messi, but can he match the performances of El Diego at Mexico ’86? With the likes of Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain alongside him, he might not need to. Whatever happens on the pitch, you don’t need to be a huge football fan to get into the swing of things. Read on for the inside story of your country’s chances, ones to watch and the best pubs, bars and clubs in London to watch them in...

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Who’ll win the World Cup? That’s the age-old question isn’t it? Of course there are the holders Spain, World Cup wizards Germany and the favourites Brazil, but it could be one of several sides – France, Holland, Italy, Argentina, and dare we say, ahem, England. What is for sure is that we’ll enjoy seeing who comes out on top... Australia PEDIGREE: Australia have only played at three World Cup finals (1974, 2006 and 2010) and crashed out at the group stages twice – not much to write home about – but a World Cup is always better with them involved, least not because of the fantastic support they get and the effort they put in on the field. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: Easy sounds harsh but it was – the opposition Australia faced in qualifying for the World Cup is hardly worth a mention. They finished the Asian qualifying campaign second in Group B behind Japan but in front of Jordan, Oman and Iraq; not world beaters. HOW THEY’LL FARE: Do the Aussies have a chance? In a group with Chile, Spain and Netherlands? No. But this is football. Anything can happen. Ah who are we trying to kid? Sorry TNT lovers, Australia have no chance. NONE. Zilch. Nada. They’ll probably finish bottom of their group. Ah well, we’re sure we’ll get over it. STAR MAN: Tim Cahill. We hope the old dog will pull out a few tricks. He’ll need to. Paddypower odds: 500/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) ››

Ca hil

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In association with England PEDIGREE: Inventors of the game and too pig-headed to take part in early World Cups believing it was beneath them, we’re talking about England, and one shining moment on home soil in 1966 looms large over a nation with a proud footballing heritage and ‘the best’ domestic league in the world. Quarter finals in the last three tournaments show where England will likely finish. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: Anyone would think that qualifying from a European group is easy – it isn’t – but England were one of several sides that did so without losing a game. That said, they toiled through their group with one more point than secondplaced Ukraine. HOW THEY’LL FARE: The problem with England is always the same: trying to fit square pegs in round holes. The golden generation has been and gone and Roy Hodgson has to be brave and ambitious to lead them to glory. And here’s the ‘but’ – mundane tactics (sorry Roy). England is blessed with some good players and a lot of pace but, with the conservative Hodgson in charge, you fear the players will never be allowed to express themselves. Another predictable summer; they’ll go out at the group stages. STAR MAN: Wayne Rooney, although has never scored a World Cup goal. That will have to change if England stands any chance. Paddypower odds: 28/1 (prices subject to fluctuation)

R oo n ey

Brazil PEDIGREE: Brazil is the World Cup. They’re the only country to have played in every edition and have won more than any other nation (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), but in recent tournaments they have failed to deliver. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: As hosts they qualified automatically. HOW THEY’LL FARE: Make no mistake, Brazil has to win this, and they expect to. STAR MAN: Some have been critical of the current squad, believing the quality we’ve seen at previous World Cups just isn’t there. Neymar is undoubtedly the star man and when he plays well, his teammates do too. They thrashed Spain in the Confederations Cup proving that, while they might not be a vintage year, they are potential world beaters. Paddypower odds: 3/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) Germany PEDIGREE: Germans. They love the World Cup don’t they? And it loves them back, having won it three times in total – a feat eclipsed by just Brazil (five) and Italy (four). The artist formerly known as West Germany has played in 18 World Cups, reaching seven finals and 12 semi-finals. Pretty good, huh? ROUTE TO BRAZIL: The Germans went the whole qualifying campaign unbeaten with an impressive nine wins from 10, one draw, 28 points from a possible 30 and scoring 36 goals. HOW THEY’LL FARE: The Germans are strong and have a squad that oozes class. In players such as Arsenal’s Mesut Özi, World Cup veteran Bastian Schweinsteiger, and talents such 22

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as Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos, they have a depth to their midfield that even Spain are envious of. They should reach the semi-finals. They could even win it. STAR MAN: Philipp Lahm. The Bayern man is as steady as they come and can always be relied upon. Paddypower odds: 11/2 (prices subject to fluctuation) Belgium PEDIGREE: They’ve been out in the World Cup wilderness for some years now, but they’re back and Belgium have a good history in the tournament having qualified for six straight World Cup Finals between 1982 and 2002 – famously being denied a perfectly good goal from now manager Marc Wilmots in the round of 16 that saw them crash out against eventual winners Brazil. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: They’re most people’s dark horses and reached the finals undefeated in qualifying. In 10 games they conceded just four goals, seeing off the likes of Croatia and Serbia – not easy. HOW THEY’LL FARE: No other country can boast anywhere near as much young talent (especially since Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj, one of the hottest properties in European football, finally decided he was Belgian – being Brussels born). They can call on the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku. Amazing right? The catch? A lack of experience. None of the players, as talented as they are, have played at a World Cup before. They’ll probably reach the quarter finals. STAR MAN: Has to be Chelsea’s Hazard (although Jose Mourinho might disagree). There isn’t much he can’t do with a football and he is undoubtedly the one Belgian that can unlock any defence. He has had a brilliant season despite Chelsea falling short on all fronts. Paddypower odds: 20/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) France PEDIGREE: Prior to hosting the World Cup in 1998, France had a reputation as nearly men, regularly coming up short. Then came Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Bixente Lizarazu, David Trezegue, Lillian Thuram et al, and France took the world by storm. That is until Zizu took them to the final in 2006, was sent off for that head butt, and subsequently retired. Since then it has been pretty embarrassing, especially in South Africa where they finished bottom of Group A with just a point as Nicolas Anelka was sent home after verbally abusing coach Raymond Domenec. His teammates, including captain Patrice Evra, went on strike, prompting a government inquiry (who said it’s just a game?).

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ROUTE TO BRAZIL: They needed a playoff to get on the plane to Brazil after finishing second in their group behind Spain, which was always likely from the moment the groups were drawn to be fair. They beat Ukraine 3-0 at home after losing the first leg 2-0 to secure passage to their 10th major tournament in a row. HOW THEY’LL FARE: Coach Didier Deschamps lifted the cup as a player in ’98. An accomplished coach, he’ll need consistent performances from his stars if Les Blue are going to do anything in Brazil, but you just feel they’ll fall apart if things aren’t going well. Group stage exit seems likely. STAR MAN: Franck Ribery is the undoubted star of the show. He has terrorised the best defenses in Europe for a decade and is currently the world’s third best player if you use the Ballon d’Or as a barometer. Paddypower odds: 22/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) Italy

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PEDIGREE: Italy are World Cup big dogs having won it four times, most recently in 2006, and they’ve been semi-finalists in six of the last 11 World Cups. That belies a team that is massively unpredictable - crashing out at the group stage in appalling fashion last time out. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: It was a routine qualification from a group in which there was only ever one winner. HOW THEY’LL FARE: Italy have moved on from the players that won in 2006 – although amazingly some survive (notably Buffon in goal) – and have been bringing in young talent like Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne, who both starred in the European Under-21 Championship in 2013. They’re happy to try to cancel out teams and have quality in attack to counter. They finished as runners-up in Euro 2012 to Spain, so can’t be overlooked. STAR MAN: Andrea Pirlo. His beard is a thing of beauty, just like his passing and free kicks. A fine player. Paddypower odds: 25/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) Spain PEDIGREE: Spain are defending champions and have a golden generation of players – need we say more? Yes, actually. Other than recent successes – wins at Euro 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup win – they have had spectacular failures when it comes to world domination. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: In a group where just France represented a challenge, they qualified without losing: 24

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winning six and drawing two. The worry would be that in those eight games they only scored 14 – that’s 1.75 goals per game (Germany’s was 3.6 and Holland’s 3.4). HOW THEY’LL FARE: They have a very real chance of joining Brazil and Italy as consecutive winners. They love possession football and are the masters of it, with a midfield most can only dream about. But possession doesn’t win games – goals do, as Brazil proved when they thrashed them in the final of the Confederations Cup. STAR MAN: If they are to win it they’ll need Diego Costa – who at time of press is an injury doubt – to bag lots of goals. Paddypower odds: 13/2 (prices subject to fluctuation) Holland PEDIGREE: The best team never to win a World Cup and the masters of attacking football, Holland’s interchanging total football has completely transformed the modern game. They lost the final in 2010 to Spain, although their negative tactics put a dampener on the whole affair. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal infamously oversaw the failed Dutch qualification for the 2002 World Cup but in his second stint he has brought back the width and high pressing the Dutch are known for and it saw them qualify with ease. HOW THEY’LL FARE: Some teams don’t come together in time for a World Cup and Holland probably fall into this category. It is a very young side playing alongside the diminishing old guard. They should reach the quarter finals. STAR MAN: Robin Van Persie. An absolute ninja in front of goal, when he isn’t injured. Paddypower odds: 30/1 (prices subject to fluctuation) Argentina PEDIGREE: Argentina have won the World Cup twice (1978 and 1984) and have finished runners up twice (1930 and 1990), and one thing is always certain when they’re at a World Cup: there will be fireworks. Take 1994 as an example and one Diego Maradona. His infamous wild-eyed goal celebration after scoring in the opening match against Greece is a footballing image that haunts many. The iconic number 10 was banished from the World Cup days later after failing a drugs test. Shocker. ROUTE TO BRAZIL: With Brazil excluded from qualifying, Argentina finished at the top of the pile of the CONMEBOL qualifying stage,

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which is still impressive even minus their main rivals. HOW THEY’LL FARE: They have the potential to go all the way and what better way to upset your neighbours and old foes than winning a tournament they are desperate to win? And why can’t they? Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel di Maria are just a few reasons why the world should fear the Albiceleste. STAR MAN: Leo Messi. He is arguably the best footballer of this generation and indeed of any generation. He has the skill of Maradona and the goals of Pele. At just 26 he has achieved pretty much everything – everything but a winning a World Cup. Paddypower odds: 9/2 (prices subject to fluctuation) Best of the rest... After years of World Cup failure, Ivory Coast qualified in 2006, 2010 and again this year. The pace and power they have in their side, despite the advancing years of many of its stars, mean they’re more than a match for anyone. Their key man is Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, who’ll go into the World Cup finals with relatively fresh legs after recovering from a series of niggling injuries picked up as the English Premier League season drew to a close. Uruguay is another team with dark horse potential – EPL superstar Luis Suarez (if he makes it) and PSG’s Edinson Cavani mean that you overlook the country of just 3.3 million at your peril. Paddypower odds: 125/1 & 30/1 (prices subject to fluctuation)

TNT TIPPING WINNERS: Brazil will be crowned champions on July 13, 2014. It’ll be their sixth World Cup crown, but the team they’ll beat will make the win even sweeter – archnemesis Argentina. SECOND PLACE: Argentina. The “Gauchos” will fall just short because of their leaky defence. THIRD PLACE: Spain. Spain boasts incredible midfield talent and will pass most sides off the pitch. The trouble is, as Guardiola’s Bayern provided in this season’s Champions League, possession doesn’t win games. Goals do. FOURTH PLACE: Germany. The Germans are always good at World Cups but they’ll run out of steam by the time they reach the semi-finals.

! N IO T C A E H T H C T A W O WHERE T Soak up the atmosphere in a great British boozer, a slick sports bar, or a sun-dappled pub garden. Just make sure you’ve got a good view of the TV and a beer in your hand, and you’re sorted.

VIBE BAR @ Old Truman Brewery 91-95 Brick Lane, E1 6QL Aldgate East 0207 247 3479 vibebar.co.uk What’s happening Free entry for all games, but arrive early. They’re showing games across four areas, including the beautiful courtyard, which has an outdoor screen. Get off your arse because... This bar has great energy – we’re talking live music and DJs – and during the World Cup there will also be street food. If that’s not reason enough, this lively and enthusiastic spot sells kick-ass cocktails. It’s a brilliant place to hang out in the summer. Pints from £4.60.

HOOTANANNY BRIXTON 95 Effra Rd, SW2 1DF Brixton 0207 737 7273 hootanannybrixton.co.uk What’s happening Free entry for all games up until 10pm, so arrive early for the late kick-offs. They’re showing games on three TVs and have a big beer garden that traps all the sun, perfect for half-time beer drinking.

Get off your arse because... From 10pm onwards Hootananny offers some of the best live music in

London and all football fans are invited to stay and join in the shenanigans. It’s the perfect place to celebrate any wins.

BAR KICK 43 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL Farringdon and Angel 0207 739 8700 cafekick.co.uk What’s happening This bar is a bigger sister to Clerkenwell’s Cafe Kick and is famous for its table football, but that’s all coming out to make room for the main event: the football on the screens. And screens they are – six 80-inch TVs. We’ll take two please sir.

Get off your arse because... The manager, Lee Jones, is an awesome guy, very friendly and he knows a bloke called Ian the Korean who is now a European. You’ll get great service,

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a fantastic atmosphere and, during Happy Hour, you’ll be able to get a bottle of Sagres for just £2.

CLAPHAM GRAND 21-25 St John’s Hill, Clapham Junction, SW11 1TT Clapham Junction 0207 7223 6523 claphamgrand.com / worldcupinlondon.com What’s happening There are screens throughout the venue and private boxes for hire – most packages get you a free beer and some offer free burgers. Get off your arse because... They have a massive 40m2 screen. Yes, 40m2! That’s an impressive 24 feet by 15 feet for you imperial people, and makes it the largest sports screen in the UK, apparently. It sits along with six 50-inch plasma screens, all of which are strategically positioned so you don’t miss a thing.

THE FALTERING FULLBACK 19 Perth Road, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB Finsbury Park 0207 272 5834 thefullback.co.uk What’s happening Specialising in

England and Group D matches, this is a charming, well-loved Irish pub. It’s one of London’s best options when it comes to watching port because of its great-value Thai food, ideal for lining your stomach pre-match. Get off your arse because... This ivy-covered watering hole, which is actually more like four pubs in one, is hidden away in the back streets of Finsbury Park. Games are shown in its front bar, a horseshoe-shaped affair stocked with draught and bottled beers, and the back bar, which is more of the same but a bit more relaxed.

FAMOUS THREE KINGS 171-173 North End Road, W14 9NL West Kensington 0207 7603 6071 F3k-london.co.uk What’s happening The Famous Three Kings, or F3K, is guaranteed to have a great atmosphere and is hugely popular with London’s sports fans. You should also expect reasonable prices, meaning you can drown your sorrows if your team loses or have ‘one more’ if they win. Get off your arse because... If you’re

Branches across London Various 0208 735 0270 Belushis.com What’s happening Belushi’s bars are a popular hangout for sports fans, showing pretty much every event, but the World Cup will be extra special with a guaranteed electric atmosphere and lots (and lots) of drinking. Get off your arse because... Belushi’s has branches scattered across London and beyond – London Bridge, Hammersmith, Greenwich, Covent Garden and Shepherd’s Bush – and each one is rigged with its own particular personality. The food they serve up is awesome and the bar staff have a habit of encouraging drinkers to get on the Jaegerbombs. Nuff said.

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one of those unlucky people who always ends up stood behind the tallest person in the place then you should head here. It’s split into three levels, has three big screens, 13 Plasmas and two 3D TV’s. In all it can show 14 different games with six different commentary areas, so you can leave the stilts at home.

Embassie +44 (0) 151 707 10 89 embassie.com

1 Falkner Square Toxteth Liverpool

4 SCREENS: 2 LARGE INDOOR SCREENS / 1 LED SCREEN / 1 BIG OUTDOORS SCREEN SHOWING SELECTED GAMES COURTYARD: INTERNATIONAL FOOD STALLS/ OUTSIDE SEATING / BAR / MUSIC AND MORE VIBE BAR & PAVILION OLD TRUMAN BREWERY 91 - 95 BRICK LANE, E1 6QL WWW.VIBEBAR.CO.UK / INFO@VIBEBAR.CO.UK / 0207 247 3479

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lay ns that p rge scree • Three la ig matches ue ALL the b st live music ven be e th d te o •V n garden in Londo rful beer nd colou a eekend e w e rg a th L • open on lls ta y and s a d d o ri • Fo y on F at midda ng the week • Opens ri 5pm du Saturday,

www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk - 95 Effra Road, Brixton

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Aug 21-24 Katowice, Poland

TNT AND FESTICKET GIVE AWAY TWO TICKETS TO TAURON NOWA MUZYKA TNT and Festicket have teamed up to offer you two tickets to the amazing festival Tauron Nowa Muzyka, taking place August 21-24. It’s hard to believe that one of Europe’s most forward-thinking musical endeavours is found in a setting that only echoes of the past. However, that’s exactly what Poland’s award-winning Tauron Nowa Muzyka festival does, with organisers digging out the most creative and innovative electronica stars and showcasing them at the unusual surroundings of Dolina Trzech Stawow in Katowice. It makes for an interesting paradox, where the likes of Autechre, Flying Lotus

and Bonobo can play among the striped smokestacks and wide-windowed coal halls of Katowice. With outdoor stages, performances in the church pews and a litany of avantgarde art installations, this is an event that’s evolved from a team of passionate music lovers giving dance, electronica, jazz and nu-jazz a Polish platform, into a festival that attracts artists and audiences from around the world. Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions festicket.com/festival/tauronnowa-muzyka-2014/

PREVIOUS WINNERS TICKETS TO SEE MEOW MEOW Mark Cavanagh LEE STAFFORD HAIRCUT & GOODIES Lorraine Anderson PAIR OF TICKETS TO WICKERMAN FESTIVAL Naomi Buchan

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A taste of home From food born and bred in the Southern hemisphere to brands that make us want to cry for our mother, we sniff out London’s Antipodean eats WORDS RACHAEL GETZELS

Have you been pining for a proper Aussie coffee? Dreaming of a chicken parmy? Wondering why you should have curry on a plate when you can have it from a scooped-out loaf of bread? Us too. But thankfully London has its fair share of Antipodeans eats, and each year more and more of our favourite chains are sharing their goods with the Brits. Let’s just hope they don’t take ‘pie floater’ the wrong way and do something er, unappetising to say the least.

Australia MISS CHU The ‘queen of rice paper rolls’ has finally arrived in London so all you Aussies out there can rest easy. The Laos born chef made a name for herself with her meticulously crafted fresh and fast Vietnamese dishes. The chain is something of an institution in Australia so the news of its arrival here has been met with open arms. She’s even brought her delivery bikes (adorned with the words ‘you ling, we bling’) to East London, so anyone who’s missing the authentic flavours of this well-loved chain can get a little taste of it for lunch. A great alternative to Pret we think. Even better? Miss Chu is offering TNT readers free mini Hanoi vegetarian spring rolls when you make an order over £10 online or via the MissChu app. Simply quote TNT when ordering. misschu.com.au BAROSSA And on the seventh day, God made the flat white… it’s true. Well it’s not, but this Aussie-original seems pretty heaven-sent to us. It only reached Britain’s shores a few years ago but it’s taking the country by storm, and one sniff of the freshly brewed coffee will take you back home to Oz in no time. Coffee is good in Australia and the baristas really know how to brew. The same is true at Barossa where mostly Aussie staff prepare the cuppas. They also prepare a fine chicken parmy that will rival any you’ve had back home.

master of Sydney”. And we concur, they’re pretty darn good; creamy and feathery light at the same time. There’s also a full Australian breakfast on the menu, so you’ll be sinking deep into your chair in ecstasy in no time. grangerandco.com

South Africa BUNNYCHOW Londoners love a good street food stall. Once the realm of the humble baked potato, hot chestnuts and fresh seafood, we can now get a taste of the world on our doorstep, served piping hot from a friendly van-based vendor. South Africa’s Bunnychow thrived as a travelling van, and so opened as a pop-up in Shoreditch’s Boxpark. This traditional food, which you’re probably missing if you’re from anywhere close to Durban, is made up of hollowed out bread filled with curry. Flavours such as meatballs smothered in monkeygland sauce or chicken and squash in South Asian sauce are just a spoonful away. bunnychow.com JUNGLE BRAII Here’s where to go for your braii fix. Yes, you may not be feasting on the grilled meat out in the veldt but this is the closest you’re going to come to in London and it’s pretty darn good. The menu has crowd-pleasing meat dishes such as boerewors and sosatie and they’re all topped with the restaurant’s ‘special sauces’, which they say are secret but we think you’ll recognise them if you know a thing or two about South African barbecuing. junglebraii.com ››

barossafulham.com

GRANGER & CO Roll up for your Aussie breakfast! This is the place to fight off that morning hangover. It’s not a greasy spoon mind you; it’s run by celebrity chef Bill Granger, but he knows how to whip up some mean hotcakes (or sweetcorn fritters). The Times once said he made “the best eggs in the world” and the New York Times have labelled him, “the egg

Granger & Co

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STEERS Rejoice! South Africa’s leading burger joint has arrived in Clapham Junction. We don’t need to tell you what’s on offer – you know it by heart. We’re just here to get your glands going as you salivate at the thought of a flame-grilled hunk of beef, smothered with cheese, pickles, sweet mustard and ketchup. And that paprika salt on the chips? Well that’s something the Brits haven’t come close to mastering. Drool on Durbanites, drool on. steers.uk.com

New Zealand MANUKA KITCHEN Two best mates

from New Zealand run this restaurant, with one picking the wine to perfectly complement the menu designed by the other. There’s great fresh food on offer here, which is prepared with that Kiwi emphasis on purity and using the best possible ingredients. Chef Tyler Martin says he believes that Kiwi food hasn’t found its identity yet but he wants to be part of that change. It’s not about the nostalgic dishes here but about supporting a pro-team from the homeland who want to bring a Kiwi flair for fresh to London. Go on, do your part Kiwis. You won’t regret it. manukakitchen.com

CHU-ING THE FAT Born in Laos in 1970, Nga Chu (aka MissChu) and her family escaped the Pathet Laos Regime in 1975. They spent four years in a Thai refugee camp before the Australian government made them one of the first Vietnamese/Laotian refugees to settle in Down Under. Now a successful restaurateur and household name in Oz, we talk to Nga about branching out into London Town…

XXXXXX

ASK THE EXPERTS BILL GRANGER, CELEBRITY CHEF, XXXXXGRANGER & CO “I’m Xxxxxxxx excited about MissChu recently opening in Aldgate East. Australian food to me is all about freshness, [web] quality produce, passion and energy, and Nga’s Vietnamese tuck shops in XXXXX Sydney and Melbourne reflect that Xxxxxxxx beautifully. Also, to experience great artisan [web]coffee of the kind Australians expect, I love the Taylor Street coffee shops owned by three Aussies who XXXXX have helped transform the London Xxxxxxxx coffee scene in the last few years. It’s[web] such a relief that we’ve moved on from the days when the only gastronomic reference to Australia in London was Walkabout.”

Why did you decide to open up in London? The honest answer is that I wanted to rival Pret a Manger. It’s clear that Londoners understand the culture of fast food and I think that the sheer size of the population presented a sure bet that the MissChu concept would work and enhance the current offering available in the city. How did your background influence your cooking? I was born in Luang Prahbang, and growing up there was all about growing your own vegetables and making your own food – processed and tin foods didn’t exist. I grew up with chickens running around on the road and elephants on the street. Fruits such as mangoes and guavas grew on the side of the road. It’s a real culture of living off the land. Going to the supermarket to buy vegetables was a foreign concept. I therefore was surrounded by food and didn’t need a formal education to learn how to cook – although now I’ve done an HACCP course in order to understand how to feed people en-mass in Australia.

What do you like about London? London for me is about old buildings and grandeur. I love dining at older institutions such as Scott’s in Mayfair because that is different and exotic compared to what Australia can offer.

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“There’s not specifically a lot of Kiwi food in London. I like to buy everything locally but I still make things that we eat in New Zealand. Lots of the varieties of fish caught in England we eat in New Zealand so I use those ingredients. You can get food from home at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s – Vogel’s bread, from a personal comfort point of view, is something I’m glad I can find here.”

EDEN GIBBS, 24, BARISTA AT BORASSA “Breakfast and lunches in England and Australia are similar, but I think the variety here is much better. You can get meat pies here, which are very Australian, but they’re just as good in England. You can also get Vegemite here, which is another favourite food of Australians. I think because of globalisation it’s easier to find the food that you miss.”

Photos: supplied. Granger & Co image Mikkel Vang

What can you bring to the London food scene? For me, I can bring fresher and healthier offerings. Growing up in Australia meant I was fortunate enough to access a gamut of fruits and vegetables found in South-East Asia as well as those found in the Mediterranean. The Vietnamese, Italian and French food in Sydney and Melbourne is very much on par with what’s found in Vietnam and in Europe, if not better in quality. This, I believe, is what Australian chefs, such as myself and Bill Granger for example, have done and will continue to do in London.

TYLER MARTIN, CHEF, MANUKA KITCHEN

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WIN TICKETS TO BILBAO BBK LIVE TNT and Bilbao BBK Live Festival have teamed up to give three lucky readers a pair of tickets to Bilbao BBK Live Festival. Boasting an incredible line-up that includes the likes of The Black Keys, Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand, Phoenix, MGMT, White Lies, Jack Johnson, and Bastille to name just a few, Bilbao BBK Live has established itself as the next stop to Pamps!

make the most of your time in Bilbao; a modern city famous for its architecture, museums and gastronomy, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from some of the best waves in Europe! Enter at

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The late start of bands and the festival’s proximity to the city and beach also allows you to PREVIOUS WINNERS MEAL FOR FOUR AT BERLUSKONI’S: Dale Askew PAIR OF TICKETS ON BREAK THE BARRIER: Emily Fordham PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE PREMIERE OF PLASTIC: Angie Pickering

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DJ Tom Loud Aussie DJ Tom Loud is about to take London and Edinburgh on another time-travelling journey with Hot Dub Time Machine. Hold on tight... INTERVIEW IAN ARMITAGE Tom, you’re originally from Sydney and now have a cult following around the world, but what is Hot Dub Time Machine exactly? I wanted to make a party that was different to a normal dance party. Something with a story, structure, great production, and all kinds of music. Somewhere you can feel comfortable singing along to Bon Jovi, Beyonce and The Beatles, and dance until you’re sweaty. And Hot Dub was born... People are taken on an immersive dance party experience that is somehow familiar but completely original.

Get ready for a musical time-travel adventure

How do you prepare for a gig? Do you wing it, or is it planned in detail? About 60% of the show is locked in and gets played every night. You can’t do a history of pop music without playing certain songs. So around that framework I pick and choose from my library depending on the age of the crowd and how I’m feeling. And because each song I play has to have a visual component, just getting a new song into the set is very involved, so there’s a constant list of work that I need to do every day on the show.

Photo: Facebook/Patrick Stevenson

Is it challenging to put it all together? It took me about three months to get the 60 years of music into a perfect, chronologically correct visual DJ set. I did heaps of research on pop music and tried to make sure I played as many iconic songs as possible. I started off with a list of about 200 songs that I put in chronological order, then picked out which songs would mix well together and create a flow. But my golden rule is to only play songs that I really love and enjoy dancing to. Have you ever played a song and it completely bombed? I used to get quite a thrill from playing more obscure songs and looking around the room to see if anyone got it – there is generally someone who recognises it. It’s fun to throw in a curve ball every now and then! People have really jumped on board with the whole concept haven’t they? Yes! It’s an amazing thing to be making a living from this. It’s not something I expected 32

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to happen in my mid-30s, but being a DJ is great fun! The gigs just seem to be getting bigger and better. Who knows where it will end up...

I love Scotland in general. I’ve travelled all over it, and played anywhere that will have me. It’s a beautiful place and the people have been very welcoming to me.

Talking of bigger and better, you’re returning to London’s Wonderground in July. Looking forward to it? Yes – I love playing in that Spiegeltent. I’ve performed in these a huge amount of times, all around the world, and it truly is a unique experience to get to party in such an amazing and different space. There’s something about being a Spiegeltent that makes for a special night out, so these London gigs are going to be really special.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever done? My final gig in Edinburgh last year was pretty great. I broke my foot the previous night, leaping over a speaker to ‘Fatman Scoop’. I spent the night in the hospital, then turned up on stage in hospital scrubs and on crutches. I had all my Australian festival friends on stage to dance and help me through the show. It was epic.

You’re doing Edinburgh Fringe again this year too? This will be my third Edinburgh Fringe, and each year it gets bigger and better. So I’m pumped for this year. People raved about your shows. Is Edinburgh a place you like to perform?

After a gig finishes, what do you like to do? Drink Jagermeister, talk shit at a bar. Go home, play Starcraft. Wake up, repeat. DJ Tom Loud will perform at London Wonderground from July 3 to 19 before moving on to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which runs from August 1 to 25. Tickets for both are on sale now. hotdubtimemachine.com

Fresh, young and versatile, Front Cover’s high standard guarantees every audience a night to remember. A huge hit on the UK circuit, this Sydneyborn, London-based duo has years of experience in putting on unforgettable shows.

“The best duo in the UK” (Not that I have seen every duo...I am just guessing there can’t be anyone better!!!)

Gifted lead guitarist and charismatic front man Andy Walton is joined by the fabulous Sam Hetherington on vocals and keys. These are musicians who truly love what they do, interpret every song with their own unique flavour, and know how to play an audience - resulting in a fun night for all involved! Check out the links below for upcoming dates: frontcovermusic.com twitter.com/frontcoveruk facebook.com/frontcovermusic

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’S GREAT SUMMER LINE UP

PAMPLONA 2014

HURRY FOR LAST FEW SEATS – THE FIESTA OPENS ON JULY 6. ✔ Pamplona’s CLOSEST CAMP – Ezcaba ✔ Music, dancing, sangria, top facilities at our party camp ✔ Shuttles, breakfasts, t-shirts, exclusive parties & excursions ✔ 5, 6 or 7 day coach tours from FROM £279 ✔ Accom packages from ONLY £40 per night ✔ Fiesta closing specials now on sale. ✔ Airport Transfer Options

Accom from only £40!

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JOIN PP AT THE LARGEST FOOD FIGHT IN THE WORLD! ✔ Excellent 3 or 4* hotels in top Valencia location ✔ The best quality and best value tours around ✔ Great buffet breakfasts ✔ Welcome party and entry to the official after party! ✔ Transfer to tomato fight Bunol ✔ Fully escorted by experienced crew

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OKTOBERFEST 2014 COACH?CAM P?HOTEL?FLIGHT?

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We are the largest UK operator to Mun ich and cover the entire festival 20 Sept to 5 Oct. ✔ Coach tours from £249 ✔ Accom only camping from just £40 ✔ Hotel packages from £249

Join the BEERFEST EXPERTS at Munic famous Thalkirchen camp - coach touh’s and accommodation places filling fasrs t.

info@pptravel.com • 020 7930 9999

pptravel.com

(1991-2014): 23 year’s of great party tours!!

SAIL THE MED? SURF THE ATLANTIC? CLIMB MONT BLANC? SKI THE ALPS? The ultimate all-inclusive, action sports trips to world-class resorts for adventure travellers on a budget. From Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, extreme sports capital of the world to Lacanau, stage host in the surfing world championships, locations and prices are unbeatable. Learn, improve and push your limits with expert instruction for all levels included in the all-inclusive package.

1 WEEK PACKAGES, PRICE EXAMPLES: • DOWN HILL MOUNTAIN BIKING – £491 • SURFING – £353 • ROCK CLIMBING – £427 • SKI & SNOWBOARD – £464 • CATAMARAN SAILING – £397

Winter & Summer – every week – full details on: www.action-outdoors.co.uk

All included in the price! ACCOMMODATION ALL MEALS EQUIPMENT HIRE INSTRUCTION OR GUIDING LIFT PASS

CHARITY DRIVE (LITERALLY)

Photos: Supplied

Take an epic five-day road trip from France to Portugal, all in the name of charity, at this year’s Sucata Run. Grab your mates, buy an old banger, don your best musicthemed fancy dress and get fundraising for the August 21-25 event, with all money raised going to London’s Air Ambulance. sucatarallies.com

INSIDE

WE’RE STOKED... /42

COLOUR ME HAPPY /58

SURF’S UP /62

Not only did we enjoy a weekend in Barcelona, but we did it with the Stoke Travel team. Warning: they’re a bit mental.

Vibrant Morocco is alive with colour, sound and the smell of spices. Get ready to have your senses blown.

The best places to surf, sunbathe and swim with sharks in South Africa. Get your bathers and go...

TRAVELREVIEW WORLDREVIEW Ionian Islands, Greece

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If you love a good view, check out new online community VueVoyage, which sorts destinations by pinning shots of beautiful vistas to a virtual map. Click on the view you like to find out where in the world it was taken. This gorgeous shot was snapped from the Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Like what you see? Then get booking! vuevoyage.com

AMAZING GREECE GREECE If your year is lacking in adventure holidays sort it out by seeing Greece by boat and bike this summer. Cruise along the western coast of Greece by yacht and explore the sunny Ionian islands on two wheels. This Greek odyssey from UTracks costs £930 for eight days, and will transport you back in time to the stunning Corfu, Cephalonia and Ithaca. It’s not all travelling on this trip though: there’s still plenty of time for swimming, visiting historical sites and tasting traditional Greek food. Opa! utracks.com

GLAMP IT UP UK Somewhere between five-star resorts and ramshackle, damp tents, glamping was created. Why not make the most of this tidy trend and head for the beautiful British countryside? The five-star Waveney River Centre is offering a unique way to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Norfolk Broads: in glamping pods. For £40 a night, these ‘Escape Pods’ are the perfect way to soak in the sights of the Norfolk Broads in an environmentally friendly and low maintenance way. You won’t be stripped back to basics completely though, as the escape pods keep the camping glam by providing guests with a TV, sheeps wool insulation and stunning views of the Waveney river. waveneyrivercentre.co.uk 36

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STEP BACK IN TIME

UNDER THE SEA

FRANCE

USA

Have you fallen out with the city of love due to your hate of hoards of holiday-makers and more tourists than you care to count? Then why not take a chance on the South of France and visit some of the more mysterieux cities and sites the country has to offer? Turn back time on this new walking holiday by Sherpa Expeditions. Visit 13th century castles in Southern France, the famous picturesque French countryside and history medieval towns built amongst rocky promontories. This tour will have you walking down winding, cobbled roads into a whole other century. sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk

Head to sunny Florida this summer to get a clear view of the deep blue, without getting your feet wet. This new tour from Key Largo offers trips in glass-bottomed boats for an unforgettable deep-sea view. The Largo Looker vessel features a huge viewing glass floor so guests can enjoy the only living coral reef in the United States, which parallels the Florida Keys. Passengers have plenty of room to view the area’s tropical fish, coral formations and marine life up close and in comfort. Tours cost £38 a trip, and there won’t be a wet suit in sight, which is a bonus. largolooker.com

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MAD WORLD SNAKE JOINS FRIENDS FOR DINNER AUSTRALIA When Pravina de Beer organised a meal for her friends at her Northern Territory home, she probably imagined that the worst thing she’d have to deal with was an undercooked starter. However, the host and her 25 guests were interrupted as they were eating by a greedy python that had decided to wolf down an entire kangaroo outside. Speaking to NT News, Ms de Beer explained that this wasn’t the first time a python had given her grief. “There are a lot of kangaroos around here, and snakes too,” she said. “Last year, I had a baby goat and a snake ate it under my home.” Well we suppose it’s one form of dinner party entertainment.

[Caption] Sail away: Croatia

CRUISING CROATIA CROATIA Croatia is the place to be this year, with just about every festival in the world taking place in this Eastern European gem. See what all the fuss is about by taking an eight-day cruise from Makarska to Hvar. For £409, this eight-day tour cruises some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe as well as getting in to the heart of Croatia for land-lubbers to roam around and explore. Take a cable car ride up to Srd Mountain overlooking Dubrovnik, visit architectural and cultural treasures and make the most of Croatia’s exciting nightlife with clubs, bars, restaurants and entertainment continuing long into the night. expatexplore.com

GET FIT BY THE FYNE

Photos: Thinkstock and Getty. Words: Charlotte Lennon

UK It’s time to get your downward dog on at this relaxing yoga retreat in picturesque Scotland. EcoYoga takes place among the spectacular scenery and sloping hills of Argyll and Bute. Alongside yoga, you can find your inner peace gardening, berry picking, in the massage chair or in the waterfall gorge bath on this eco-friendly holiday. Makes a change to partying the night away, and you’ll look and feel better for it. This retreat costs £252 for two nights. ecoyoga.org

[Caption]

Catch the final stages of Le Tour de France in Paris

CYCLING? C’EST BON FRANCE Be in the thick of the action by heading to Paris for the last leg of Le Tour de France. Book a city break to Paris this July and enjoy the festivities of the final stage of the 3,500km Tour with traveljunction.com. The new online travel agent has rooms available at Hotel Duret priced from just £135 per night from July 25-28. Centrally located, and a short walk away from the Arc de Triomphe and iconic Eiffel Tower, you won’t be far from the action. Explore the city on the Friday and Saturday, before joining the crowds on the Sunday and celebrating the winner of the coveted yellow jersey and 101st Le Tour. traveljunction.com

TOKYO RESTAURANT OFFERS DISCOUNT TO BALD DINERS JAPAN Otasuke in Tokyo is officially offering a ‘balding discount’ to folically challenged diners. Anyone who enters the restaurant – which features a ‘Be bald, be proud’ sign, can get the discount by displaying their ‘baldness’ to a server. The more bald customers in a group, the greater the discount the party receives. Get over there baldies!

THE NEIGHBOUR FROM HELL USA A woman from northeast Florida had her neighbour’s home demolished after a long-running feud. According to an arrest report, Ana Maria Moreta-Folch of St Augustine told a heavy equipment operator that she owned the trailer and wanted it and its septic tank destroyed. The act of revenge landed MoretaFolch in hot water, however, as she was charged with criminal mischief and released on US$10,000 bail. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

TRAVELDIARY

ASK THE EXPERT

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Barmy xxxx Björk is set to play at the Berlin Festival

XXX THE WORLD CUP ESCAPE Susannah Taplin from goeuro.com xxx. suggests three of the best ways to escape xx: xxx the football frenzy during the FIFA World Cup... Go on a trekking expedition in the Scottish Highlands: Really got to get away from it all? Head to the Highlands. You can enjoy a full day’s rambling without stumbling upon another soul, and after hiking to the top of a mountain range and looking out across a landscape of cascading waterfalls and endless sweeping moorlands, the 5pm Belgium vs Algeria game is going to be the last thing on your mind. Do a digital detox: If you’re sick of seeing comments on the footie on Facebook, you can disconnect with a digital detox weekend. Check in at Westin Dublin to be totally off the grid, replacing your phone and laptop with a walking route map, a board game, tree planting kit and in-room massage. Go to Scandinavia and celebrate Midsummer: During summer solstice (June 20-21) join locals for a long weekend of bonfires, saunas and champagne breakfasts – not a bad alternative to fighting for a seat in a smoky, over-crowded pub. And the best part? None of the Scandinavian countries qualified, so chances are they’re probably about as fussed about keeping track as you are.

BERLIN FESTIVAL Berlin, Germany This all-weekend event allows revelers to party for 48 hours. Filled with huge acts, art installations, colour and craziness, this years Berlin 5-7 Festival guarantees a melting pot of creativity true to the city. Artists including Bombay Bicycle Club, Jessie Ware and Björk will ensure this will be an unforgettable party. SEP

WHY GO: With 20,000 festival-goers taking Berlin by storm, an amazing line-up of hiphop, house and electronic acts and 48 hours of non-stop partying, this has got to be the perfect way to say goodbye to summer. WHAT ELSE? As this event takes place during Berlin Music Week, festival-goers

THREE FRIDAY NIGHTS

Sussex, UK JUNE

Back for its fourth year,

6,13,20 Three Friday Nights will be

lighting up the south of England, as some of the best DJs – including Alex Zane, Naught Boy and Chase & Status, deliver energetic sets. goodwood.co.uk

Novalja, Croatia

Rick Ross headlines this huge hip-hop festival. 23-25 Legendary rappers such as DMX, Pusha T, Redman and Method Man will be taking to the stage, treating revellers to an unforgettable (pimp) walk down hip-hop memory lane. 2014.fresh-island.org JULY

Escape the footie in the Scottish Highlands xxxx

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berlinfestival.de/en

ISLE OF MTV MALTA Flotiana, Malta

Head to the stunning Mediterranean island of 25 Malta for this party in the sun. Past performers have included Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and Pharrell, so expect to see a host of huge superstars. To find out what else to do while you’re there see our Malta travel article at tntmagazine.com. JUNE

isleofmtv.com/en/

OFF FESTIVAL

Katowice, Poland

Get funky at this three-day celebration. There’s 1-3 something for everyone with afro-beat, electronic, funk, punk, rap and more. This is a Polish party not to be missed! off-festival.pl AUG

Photos: supplied and Thinkstock. Words: Charlotte Lennon

EW YORKER FRESH N ISLAND FESTIVAL

can double up on the experience by visiting the ‘First We Take Berlin’ showcase festival for free, taking place in venues all over Kreuzberg on September 4 & 5. Also check out the East Side Gallery on the Berlin Wall. HOW MUCH: £60

TOPFIVE

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TOP 5

WORLD CUP CITIES

As football fans make their way to support their favourite team in Brazil, they’ll naturally be keen to learn a bit more about the cities that will play host to matches. But why just them? It isn’t like the rest of us don’t ever want to go to Brazil is it? So we thought why not write a travel guide, telling you guys a bit more about five of the best World Cup cities and rank them in order of the travel experiences they offer? Football fan or travel fan, there is something here for you... 40 00

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RIO DE JANEIRO If you want an iconic Brazilian experience you simply have to head to Rio de Janeiro, famous, of course, for its carnival. The image of extravagantly dressed dancers gyrating their way through the streets is synonymous with this city as the place comes alive for three days leading up to Ash Wednesday. The official parade culminates in a competition at the specially constructed 30,000-seater Sambódromo, but there

are plenty of smaller parades and parties going on across the city, so wherever you are you can get into the groove. If you aren’t going during carnival, a whistlestop tour of Rio should definitely include a day beach-hopping on Copacabana (if ever a strip of sand and surf summed up a nation, it’s here) and Ipanema. In the evening take a boat cruise out into Guanabara bay to watch the sun set and the city lights twinkling to life. Spend your second day scaling the heights – catch the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf mountain in the morning, and the funicular to the top of Corcorvado, in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer statue, in the evening. The icon of Rio, this huge statue towers over the city, arms spread as though embracing it in all its chaotic, exuberant splendour. The view from the top of Corcorvado is a postcard-perfect spectacle of the city strung along sandy bays backed with deep green forests. Just try to pick a clear day otherwise you’ll barely see your own hand, yet alone the view. You have been warned. riodejaneiro.com

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SALVADOR

MANAUS

Salvador was Brazil’s first capital – the jewel in Portugal’s New World colony – and it’s rich in history, with fantastic colonial architecture. This stretch of Atlantic coast is lined with beaches, but if there is one thing Salvador is famous for, it’s partying. Every February it puts on the biggest street party in the world (yep, even bigger than Rio’s), with more than two million people dancing in the streets for a whole week during its famous carnival. salvadorcentral.com

You can’t come all the way to Manaus without going to its famous Teatro Amazonas opera house or getting deep inside the mysteries of the Amazon. The city is full of grand buildings, a flashback to the glory days of Brazil’s rubber boom, but is a laid-back hub located at the meeting of two rivers – an extraordinary natural phenomenon where dark waters of Rio Negro meet the light-brown waters of Solimões and run side by side without mixing for 6km.

Photos: Getty and Thinkstock Words: Ian Armitage

WORLD CUP CITIES

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SÃO PAULO

NATAL

São Paulo, famous for its sambas, is a sprawling city, home to some 22 million people. It has fantastic restaurants and bars, where the lime Caipirinhas and Cachaças from the state of Minas Gerais flow like water. São Paulo is not coastal, but beautiful beaches are just an hour’s drive away, with clear, crisp waters and fabulous waves. Check out the isolated beach of Praia Preta or the paradisal Pipa, an ex-hippie village, where you can watch the dolphins offshore.

Perched on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, Natal is surrounded by Dune State Park, where you can ride in a buggy over 30ft sand dunes. There are two areas: Via Costeira, a long strip with hotels and resorts on the beachfront, and the popular Ponta Negra beach, which ends with the most famous dune at the city of Morro do Careca, where you can walk around the narrow streets and take in the markets and fairs. Natal is also famous for forró, a hugely popular music and dance style.

sao-paulo.com

TOPFIVE MY EXPERIENCE

DAVE WALBY ON SÃO PAULO WHY DID YOU GO THERE?

We passed through São Paulo on the way to Rio Carnival for a few days, then I returned after Rio to stay with a friend for a week. WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

It happened to be Freshers Week at the University of São Paulo. Students have right of reign, and can basically do whatever they want. We stayed at Vila Madalena Hostel, a very bohemian place run by a lovely, knowledgeable, flamboyant Brazilian guy. (It had the best breakfast). Also, try the Japanese food – one of the largest Japanese community outside Japan live here. WHAT WAS THE BEST BIT?

My friend took me to a free party on Sunday afternoon called Casa Fora Do Eixo, in a graffiti-laden building, with cheap beers, hip-hopheavy DJs and live bands. Essentially you will have a great time in this city if you can meet a local and have them show you their favourite bits!

natal-brazil.com

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r u o T Our sorrowful eyes peer out from between the cracks at the landscape beyond. Desperate shifts are made as we attempt to find some form of comfortable position. Pathetic bleats escape our mouths as we press our noses up against the glass to see the people roaming free around us. But we are not lambs heading for the slaughter house. No. We are travellers who made the mistake of signing up to a ‘group tour’. And at least lambs don’t have to put up with some bell-end with a microphone (which is surplus to requirements as you can already hear their voice in your nightmares) who is there to tell you when to look left, look right, get off the bus, get on the bus, eat, drink and shit. But times are a-changing. Companies are cottoning on to the fact that part of the joy of travelling is to pick and choose

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de f

what you are doing and when. Travel reps are burning their clipboards and microphones and replacing them with a can of beer and a laid-back attitude. The ‘group tour’ is augmenting into something freer, more relaxed, and a hell of a lot more fun. One of the spearheads of this movement is Stoke Travel. Founder Toby Paramor, an Aussie as laid-back as they come, is all about just letting people do whatever the hell they want, but Stoke Travel will be there with events for you to join, accommodation if you need it, a ready-made group of mates, and lots and lots of beer. I recently headed over to Barcelona for a Stoke Weekender, which includes sightseeing, Stoke activities, free club entries and two nights’ accommodation for €130 (or €140 June-Sep). Wanting to discover if Stoke Travel’s walk is as

EXPERIENCETRAVEL

There’s a travel revolution in full swing and Stoke Travel is on the front line WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

force The famous Park Guell

good as their talk, it was a good start, as Toby greeted me at 4pm looking like he’d just rolled out of bed and clutching a plastic bag of tinnies, ready to get started again. As my visit was in April, the clubbing season was yet to really kick off, so instead we headed over to the Barcelona Beer Festival held in the Maritime Museum (March/April time every year, barcelonabeerfestival. com). Some 300 beers flowed into punters’ glasses, from light, frothy, fizzy lagers to coffee-like dark and bitter ales. With only one glass each, you have no choice but to finish your half if you want to try another one, which basically guarantees you’re going to get rotten. Finishing off with a nightcap at Stoke’s own Stoke Bar (Banys Nous 8, 08002 Barcelona, Spain), I could already see (in double

vision) where this trip was heading... Funnily enough, I didn’t make the 11am bike tour of the city, which of course was no biggie to them, and luckily the Stoke boat party didn’t get started until 2pm. With my hangover shaken, I could get straight back on it – well, with five free drinks included in the price (€45) and €1 drinks thereafter, it’d be rude not to. With a barbecue, DJ, the crazy Stoke crew and other revellers, the views over the bays of Barcelona were awesome, but came a solid second to the goings on aboard... The next day was a more sober affair, as it was time for some sightseeing. My sensible side told me I couldn’t spend a whole weekend in Barcelona without seeing Gaudi’s famous masterpieces, and for once I listened to it, and it was right. Just off Las Ramblas, the main artery of Barcelona, Gaudi’s Casa Batllo house is perched on the end of a row of pretty but undistinguished buildings, making you feel as if you are standing on the edge of a magical portal, looking into a fairytale land where the houses are made with the iridescent scales and smooth bones of giant fish. You can pay €21.50 to enter, but I decided instead to hop on the metro to see his other, even more impressive, building, La Sagrada Familia. I had vague, dream-like memories of seeing this place some 10 years ago and remembered an exterior that looked almost like dripping candle wax, so I was confused when I saw a smooth, modernlooking facade. But when I decided to wonder around and take pictures from a few angles, the exterior I remembered appeared – a decaying, gothic version of the other side. Commissioned in 1883, Gaudi spent most of his life working on La Sagrada, and died before it was completed. It is still covered in scaffolding to maintain and complete this incredible structure, ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Another excellent option is the Generator Barcelona. Seriously stylish, it’s got a great location between two Metro stops and a 15-minute stroll from the beach. The staff are super friendly and will add to your stay in the city by being helpful, efficient and super fun. generatorhostels.com

Sant Jordi Rock Palace

Generator Barcelona

Sant Jordi Rock Palace

Generator Barcelona

La Sagrada Familia which admittedly does hinder its beauty somewhat. For €19.30 you can enter the church and climb the stairs of one of the towers, offering panoramic views across Barcelona. For a view with a less arduous climb, head for Park Guell, also designed by the very busy Gaudi. A gentle slope will take you up to a viewing platform with stunning views across the city, punctuated by Gaudi’s gingerbread house-esque buildings and reptile-style murals. You can easily lose a few hours here, which I did before catching my flight home. In one weekend in Barcelona I’d managed to see the sights, meet the crazy Stoke crew, get regularly inebriated and party on a boat. So is Stoke Travel’s walk as good as their talk? Yep. And it’s usually pissed.

Join the fun

Where to stay It always feels a bit like you’re rolling the dice when you book into a hostel, but award-winning Sant Jordi Hostels has it nailed. There are a few around town, but we stayed in the Sant Jordi Rock Palace. It’s clean, bright and has a cool design with neon lighting, Pyrex fixtures and rock music posters. Every night something’s going on, like a barbecue around the rooftop pool, a pub crawl or an all-you-can-eat paella night, so you can get to know your roommates well. It’s also in the centre of town so Las Ramblas and the Gothic area are a short walk away, along with all their shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Oh, and the place next door does amazing slices of pizza. Beds from €14.90 per night santjordihostels.com 44

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For great tapas, I recommend Cafe Costadoro for lunch. Just around the block from La Sagrada Familia, this cosy spot is tucked between some pretty ropey looking spots, and so offers a pleasant surprise with its friendly staff, trattoriaesque interior and delicious tapas. At lunch you can enjoy two tapas plates and a glass of wine or beer for just €12. For dinner, head for the bustling Mercat Santa Catarina close to the Gothic Quarter, which sells tapas with an international twist – think light-as-air beef Carpaccio, tender calamari and fresh sushi. For post-dinner drinks, the Stoke Bar is of course a good option, or tucked away in the winding lanes of the Gothic Quarter is Sidreria Socarrena. Order a few bottles of the home-brewed cider (the sidreria) and pour it from a height to get some air into it before drinking it as quickly as possible before it settles again. Deliciously accompanied by crispbread and soft blue cheese, finish off with a ‘dessert’ of leche de pantara, or panther milk. This sweet, milky concoction sprinkled with cinnamon is the perfect nightcap. The big clubs include KER, beach club CDLC, Razzmatazz, El Row and Macarena, plus there are epic pool parties at L’Atlantida and club nights in a castle at La Terazza. Be sure to hit up Stoke for a club pass and a guaranteed gang of fun people to party with.

The Mighty Stoke Tour Roll up roll up for Stoke’s Rolling Circus, a mammoth tour of Europe, which heads through Barcelona among other party cities. See the sights, get pissed at the parties and sleep it all off while you’re making your way to the next destination – yep, this bus has beds baby. Being Stoke, it’s a laid-back affair, and so if your liver’s packed up halfway round or you’ve fallen in lust with a sexy Spaniard, you can hop off whenever you want – no biggie as you pay per day (€60 which includes transport, breakfast, accommodation and tour guides). Even better? Your tour could be completely free: if you spend some time flyering and luring the punters to the special Stoke events, you can earn your keep for that day. Sweet. stoketravel.com

Photos: Thinkstock and Stoke Travel

If you are heading to Barcelona for a particular event or festival, Stoke Travel organises special offers and packages for Sitges Carnival (Feb/Mar), San Juan (Jun 23-24), Sonar Festival (June 12-14) and more. If you’re there to simply see the sights and soak up some culture, you can join Stoke for bike tours of the city (daily, 11am, €22), or strap on an electric motor (to the bike, not yourself) to head up to Montjuic (Tue, Thu, Sat, €28), learn how to make tapas and paella at a cooking class (Sun, or private group bookings, €23), and get tongue twisted at a ‘Spanish oral survival’ class (Thu & Sat or private group bookings, €20). To get wet, you can take a kayaking and snorkelling trip to Catalunya (Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun, €55), get VIP entry to Barcelona’s waterpark (Fridays, June-Sep, €30), or join one of the boat parties by day (Sat & Sun, €45) or by night (Thu & Sat, €35). To simply get wasted, pay €15 for a club pass, getting you free and discounted entries into all the clubs with Stoke Travel, and join ‘Stoke’s adult play time’ with beer pong, Twister, Jenga and more (Mon & Thu, free). See stoketravel.com for more details and to book.

Where to eat, drink and be merry

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Brighton

ENGLAND

Caption

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UKTRIP

The future’s Brighton Finger-licking fish and chips, vibrant vintage shops and a nightlife cheekier than a Carry On film. Kiss me quick, Brighton WORDS RACHAEL GETZELS

Brighton is a classic British seaside resort on the surface with vintage beach-side rides, greasy fish and chips and brightly lit arcades. The cobbled streets are quaint and nostalgic, as are the old-fashioned hobby shops – but there’s something far more salacious bubbling beneath. Perhaps it’s the 19th-century Royal Pavilion-turned Mughal-style love nest that anchors the city, or maybe it’s the sailors’ whispers from the sea. Either way, the city has an air of old-style smut, with velvet-lined sex shops stuffed down alleyways and pubs delightfully decorated with Victorian erotica. There are secrets a-plenty to uncover here, but tread carefully: over the years, many a heart has been broken along the windswept coast line and many a night has been made in the cavernous depths of the raucous clubs. Things to do There is nothing more iconic of Brighton than the garishly lit fairground and pier. Stretching into the grey ocean, this slice of British history harks back to a more simple time when an ice cream and a go on the slot machines was all you needed to keep the kids quiet. In the summer it’s a star tourist attraction, but in the bleak winter the retro feel is haunting as the creaking rides blink on and off against the stormy sky and rainwater slowly drips from the roof of the buzzing – but perennially empty – arcade. Outside of London, Brighton is perhaps the best city in the country for vintage browsing. Here the flea-market finds are more obscure (some may say garish) and better priced, and the collections are so vast, you can lose hours sifting through boxes. There are also records galore, which for a serious collector will be, quite literally, music to

their ears. The offerings are diverse and, if you dig deep, you’ll bag yourself a serious deal or pocket a rare gem. Along the vintage drags of North Laine, you’ll find Wax Factor (thewaxfactor.com) and Across the Tracks (acrossthetracksrecords.com), which are veritable treasure troves, but it’s what you discover in between, discarded on antique shop floors, that will really rock your world. Where to stay Brighton has fewer hotels than you would think for such a popular weekend destination, but it’s jammed full of small family-run guest houses that are a mix of charm, nostalgia or, sometimes, downright decay. Do your research before you go so you’re not in for a surprise. If a quiet weekend is what you’re after, steer clear of anywhere that rents out rooms in bulk. These are generally popular hen or stag night destinations and should be avoided – unless a 4am wake-up call from a 10 liquored-up boozehounds in Yeti costumes, singing some form of slurred tune sounds ideal. A trendy choice in Brighton right now is the boutique My Hotel, with its atmospheric mood lighting and curved walls helping to maintain Zen. Each room is individually designed, but all are united by an Austin Powers-esque 60’s vibe, complete with rounded bed frames and zig-zag wall patterns that are, well, groovy baby. There’s also a stylish Indian restaurant that serves modern twists on the classics, as well as an ever-lively coffee shop that will keep you deliciously caffeinated up to your ears. Rooms at the award-winning hotel start at £90 a night (Myhotel.com). The B&B’s in Brighton remain largely family run, which is refreshing and means each one is truly unique. The boutiqueOne Broad Street is 30 seconds from the beach, TNTMAGAZINE.COM

My Hotel, Brighton

and many of its rooms face the sea front (£60-120, onebroadstreet.com). In a similar vain is 19 Brighton (nineteenbrighton.com) and the funky Snooze guesthouse (snoozebrighton.com). Again, the list here is long and quirky so do some digging to find the perfect fit for you. Where to eat and drink Fish and chips are the name of the game in Brighton, so roll up your sleeves and dig into a delicious newspaperwrapped cone of fried, salty goodness. It’s practically a requirement that you douse the offerings in vinegar (it’s got to be malt – don’t ask questions) and use a wooden pick. All along the pier there are places to choose from and each stand offers a better deal than the last, so follow the crowds. If it’s too much choice, head to Bardsley’s of Baker Street. Established in 1926, they claim to be the original and, though they’re not the cheapest, they don’t scrimp on seasoning or sauce. They even do a half portion of chips if you’re trying to be healthy, but who are you kidding? If you’re looking for something more classy (what’s more classy than licking salt off the tip of your nose and wiping your greasy hands on a plastic table cloth, we’d like to know?) then head to The Coal Shed (coalshed-restaurant.co.uk) for some sizzling strips of juicy meat, or the upmarket Restaurant at Drakes, for some modern European fare (therestaurantatdrakes.com). The Lion and the Lobster (lionandlobster.com) is an exceptionally good gastro pub, with some great local ales to boot. As you wander the streets, you’ll also find no end of trendy burger joints, Mexican eateries and Japanese cafes. There are hundreds of old-fashioned boozers in Brighton, all with their own charm and flavour. For ale aficionados, get sampling at the Evening Star (darkstarpubs.co.uk) or get hot under the collar at the outrageously camp Regency Tavern (shepherneame.com.uk/pubs/brighton/regency-tavern). But with more than 900 places to drink in the city, we’re just getting you started. 48

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Where to party The scene of many a hen-do gone mad, Brighton’s late-night establishments are thriving. Here, up-and-coming bands test out their wares before moving on to the more discerning crowds of London, and well-known stars return for sell-out gigs, pumped full of affectionate nostalgia for the place that gave them a head-start. The website brightonnoise.com has a really thorough list of upcoming club nights, and is worth a hefty peruse before you go. Thebrightonsource.com also does a good job listing nights out. The Office (gintime.com), which is a wood-beamed bar offering more than 25 types of gin, is a great place to get started before hitting the streets and their drinks are truly out of this world, with everything from saffroninfused gin to dandelion martinis. Riki Tik (drinkinbrighton. co.uk/riki-tik), with its Jamaican dance hall trills and tropical vibe, is also a popular choice that will have you jiving into the wee hours. Venues such as Concorde (concorde2. co.uk) and The Brighton Dome (brightondome. org) have big live-music schedules. But again, these are mere beginnings, as there are hundreds of clubs to choose from. The city centre is packed full of indie strongholds, best found by looking at posters in pubs during the day and asking around. There are also many country-wide chains such as Oceania (oceanaclubs.com) for those of the hen and stag do persuasion.

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The fairytale-esque Old Town in Stockholm

Beyond Anzac: Explore the pretty coastline of Gallipoli while you’re there Beyond Anzac: Explore the pretty coastline of Gallipoli while you’re there

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Turning Torso, Malmo Xxxx

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Pretty Gothenburg

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Kungsparken windmill, Malmo

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Taking Stockholm There’s more to Sweden than its capital. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still worth a visit, but here’s where else to go while you’re there... WORDS DANNY HILTON

Sweden has a lot more to it than pickled herring and blonde girls with pigtails. Here, TNT offers tips on the hipster cities of the south and west, the swanky, fairytale capital that is Stockholm, and the wonders that lie ahead if you’re brave enough to venture even further north...

Umeå This year’s European Capital of Culture, Umeå is 6.5 hours north on the fast train from Stockholm, just shy of the Arctic Circle. It’s a city of huge contrasts with close to 24 hours of daylight in summer to enjoy the 150km of nearby beaches, and harsh, dark winters, punctuated by the magic of the Northern Lights. There’s a huge outdoor art gallery in the form of the Umedalens Skulptur Park that’s well worth a visit. While you’re there, tuck into some reindeer at the Le Garage Bistro (don’t worry, we won’t tell Santa). The city is bursting with cultural events this year, with music, art, drama, creative installations, dance and film. Highlights include the midsummer celebrations on the weekend of June 20-22, where you can help make the midsummer pole (a decorative, flower-bestooned central pole, similar to a maypole), or sit back and watch while enjoying some ‘fika’ (coffee and cake). Later in the summer (August 29-Sep 7) there’s the Contemporary Circus Festival, mixing elements of music hall, street performance and contemporary circus arts. WHERE TO PARTY Schlagerklubben and Cover Club form one of Sweden’s largest night clubs, with the best in Europop and dance. It has more video screens than any other club in Europe, so you’ll be in for an audio-visual experience beyond compare, which is what you look for in a good night out, we’re sure ( schlagerklubben.nu). WHERE TO STAY There are some beautiful summer houses in the area – some of them are available for renting on sites such as airbnb.co.uk, so check these out before booking a standard hotel, of which there are a fair number.

Gothenburg The closest Swedish city to the UK, Gothenburg clings to the west coast. You could easily call it the Shoreditch of Sweden, with an abundance of trendy bars, clubs and music festivals to pick from throughout the year. Perhaps its biggest charm, though, is the archipelago it’s

based on – it doesn’t take long to be surrounded by serene islands, beaches and fishing villages. Take one of the regular ferries to the island of Styrsö, and enjoy some fresh seafood on this tranquil, car-free island.

“

Gothenburg is the Shoreditch of Sweden

”

WHERE TO PARTY Start your partying at Pustervik ( pustervik.nu), one of the city’s most popular live music venues with a varied programme of performances from local and international acts. Nefertiti (nefertiti.se) is a jazz club that turns clubbier as the night goes on, with the smooth, cool vibe of New York or Soho and even smoother drinks. If cocktails are your thing, head to Norda Bar at the Hotel Post ( nordabargrill.se/en) and look out for DosaIvanov, Sweden’s Best Bartender 2014, working his magic. WHERE TO STAY Stay at the Pensionat Styrsö Skaret ( pensionatskaret.se) for a unique slice of island life, or at the central Hotel Royal ( hotel-royal.com), the oldest hotel in the city, and one with tons of history and charm.

Malmö This is a great place to start your European adventure with a bit of Swedish flare, with Copenhagen on the other side of the (admittedly very long) Øresund Bridge. The whole region is closely interconnected, so taking the train over to Denmark could be a fun way of combining two countries and cities in one weekend. But before you leave, Malmo has plenty to offer, from the leafy groves of the large Kungsparken (with an especially cute windmill), to the even cuter LillaTorg (Little Square), and cuter-still tiny museum of Ebba’s House, which focuses on life in Sweden in the 1930s. WHERE TO PARTY If you’re a meat-lover, head to Bastard ( bastardrestaurant.com) for a dastardly good feast. They’ve got a great selection of local and niche craft beers too. WHERE TO STAY Hotel Master Johan ( masterjohan.se) is right on the Little Square, with comfortable rooms that have a distinctive country house charm and an epic breakfast ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Umedalen’s Skulptur Park, Umea

Ice Hotel ch-ch-check-in that feels like you’re dining at a friend’s place. There was even a yellow duckie in our bathroom.

Jukkasjärvi This tiny northern village is the home of the world-famous Ice Hotel ( icehotel.com), the first hotel of its kind built entirely of (as the name suggests) ice. Each year, giant blocks of ice are taken from the nearby Torne River to be crafted by a team of artists into the walls, pillars, floors and even the beds and chairs of this mesmerising project. The hotel is entirely different every year, opening from December to April, before it starts to melt as the sun returns in spring. Before this point, the structure remains below freezing, at around −5°C (23°F). But don’t worry too much – if you choose to stay here, you’ll be given plenty of layers, along with a pile of furs to help keep yourself warm. You can even get married here, at the in-house Ice Chapel. Although, be warned, you might get cold feet (boom boom tish). WHERE TO PARTY When you’re up this far north you should swap disco lights for the Northern Lights. There’s also dog sledding and snowmobiling if you’re feeling adventurous. Don’t forget your thermals, and make sure you have a few vodkas before bed. To keep you warm, obviously. WHERE TO STAY If you’d love to check out the Ice Hotel but don’t fancy sleeping there, there’s warm accommodation close-by. The Arctic Hotel Chalet has all the mod cons, two bed-rooms and a living room where everyone can get snug.

Stockholm Admittedly, no trip to Sweden would be complete without some time exploring Stockholm, particularly the fairytale 52

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Dog sledding, Jukkasjarvi buildings of the Old Town (Gamla Stan). Sweden has stayed neutral for more than 400 years, so the war damage many other European cities have suffered has been utterly avoided. In this part of town especially you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Allow yourself to get lost down the winding alleyways and cobbled streets to find cute cafes and shops away from the main tourist thoroughfares. Built on a number of small interconnected islands, spend some time watching the boats sail under one of the picturesque bridges. Make sure you take in the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum. WHERE TO PARTY Sturecompagniet (Sturegatan 4) is a super-trendy bar and club with an impressive atrium, superb lighting and big pink sofas. Alcohol is famously pricey in Sweden, so make sure you’ve had a few shots of your duty free in the hotel before you set off. WHERE TO STAY Stay at the HTL Kungsgatan ( htlhotels. com/hotels/kungsgatan) for a boutique hotel with nonboutique prices. The rooms may be on the smaller side, but they’re perfectly formed with cute, quirky features and a great central location. ❚

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FESTIVALGUIDE

EDINBURGH FRINGE

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WHEN? AUGUST 1-25, 2014

FESTIVAL GUIDE

THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE It’s August 1. The population of Edinburgh has swelled to three times its usual size, and the whole of the Scottish capital is buzzing with artistic anticipation. It’s the worldfamous Edinburgh Festival Fringe and performers, audiences and artistes are ready and waiting for curtains-up. Throughout the three-week extravaganza, some treats are a daily occurrence, some run for just a few days and some shine as a one-off. Daily shows include 30-minute comedy quips, silly sing-songs and animations for little ‘uns, and hard-hitting drama to get guests in to a soul-seeking mood. Come 11am, this little city is already alive with a festival spirit as theatres open doors and street performers get into their grooves. The Royal Mile is lined with off-duty actors handing out fliers with unbridled enthusiasm, while the Half-Price Hut dishes out discounted tickets to a jolly orderly queue; for all the cosmopolitan atmosphere, we are still in the UK, after all. Venues are scattered around the city centre and beyond with many just 54 00

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minutes away from each other. The culture-hungry scurry from stand-up in an underground cocktail bar to an improvised musical in the Merchant’s Hall. Or some stroll the historic streets searching for freebies and watching whatever catches the eye. Aussie acts are heading over in their droves, including TNT interviewees Axis of Awesome (see next month’s issue) and Brendan Burns (see May’s mag), so you can find a slice of home in Scotland. After dark, the comedy gets just a little bit naughtier, theatre gets ghostly and revellers kick up their heels at Ceilidh dances. Most evenings see the iconic Edinburgh Castle swathed in the sounds of bagpipes at the Military Tattoo. A thousand pipers, drummers and dancers put on a display of traditional tunes and contemporary movement, culminating in a blast of fireworks from the castle ramparts. It’s a quintessentially Scottish end to the day, and just the inspiration you’ll need to do it all again tomorrow. edfringe.com

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HOW DID IT BEGIN? Back in 1947’s post-war Britain, the Edinburgh International Festival was born in a bid to celebrate diverse European culture. And, y’know, to cheer everyone up a bit. Alongside this, a bunch of theatre troupes turned up uninvited and performed on the streets and in unlicensed venues, and nobody went to much effort to stop them. The next year a whole load more followed suit and the Fringe gathered momentum and morphed in to the all-encompassing song and dance that we see today. Now it’s a bit more official, with tickets and a society, but there is still an event for every inclination and budget. Performances remain uncensored which can, at times, bring the organisers out in a rash.

GET IN THE SPIRIT There’s no obligation to wear tartan – although kilts are obviously encouraged. Characters come dressed in all kinds of costumes, Scots or not,

EDINBURGH FRINGE

WHAT ELSE? Edinburgh is immersed in a festival fever that is tricky to avoid, but there are still bits and bobs to do outside of theatre-land. It is home to loads of museums and art galleries, or you could take a day off to explore the castle before the troupes of pipers descend. Day trips whisk explorers away from the bustle and off to the highlands and lochs that inspire Scottish creativity. Some even traipse around the distilleries sampling a dram at every stop-off. If you’ve got a sunny afternoon to spare, take a hike up to Arthur’s Seat for sweeping views to the castle, the city and the Firth of Forth beyond.

WHAT TO EXPECT The Fringe is ridiculously popular with locals and tourists alike, so accommodation can get quite pricey. Hostels will be buzzing and especially sociable, or groups can look for selfcatering apartments to share. For the same reason, there can be quite a lot of queuing involved, whether it’s for tickets, drinks or just a cash point. Also some of the more popular shows are likely to sell out, particularly those with

5 Star City Centre

SMART CITY EDINBURGH

Words: Stephanie Palmer. Photos: © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Getty and supplied.

celebrity names attached. That said, the atmosphere is electric and spirits are high, so just relax and enjoy it. In bonny Scotland the weather is predictably unpredictable, even in August. A well-prepared festival-goer will have sunnies, sandals, wellies and a raincoat at the ready at all times.

and you can join them without anyone batting an eye. For a real taste of Scotland, many of the restaurants serve a menu of local grub. Get stuck in to black pudding and haggis with a Michelin star attached. Whiskey bars run tasting evenings, but most of the city’s bartenders will be able to talk you through their tipples, and pubs on every other corner serve a range of locally brewed beers. Be aware that some bars don’t allow fancy dressers in. Also remember that there is no better hangover cure than a deep-fried Mars bar.

CHECKING IN

Hostel 0131 516 4710

OVERVIEW A modern remodel of the classic backpackers’ hostel, Smart City is just off the Royal Mile and a super-contemporary party spot in the heart of the festival action. There’s in-house entertainment in the bar, with pool tables and pub quizzes. Practicalities are covered too, with a secure charging point for electronics and a full Scottish breakfast for bleary-eyed mornings. WOW FACTOR Here’s the piece de resistance: come festival season, the hostel’s very own Bar 50 becomes a dedicated comedy venue, meaning that guests can get a laugh-aday without even putting their shoes on. On-site gigs include James Cook exploring the intricacies of boardgaming and an examination of the line between eccentric and mentally ill. ROOMS There’s everything from 12-bed dorms to private doubles, enough loos to go around, and basic but supermodern facilities. The hostel has been known to get a bit loud, especially when everyone’s partying, but, hey, if you can’t beat ’em join ’em. BILL PLEASE Beds from £32pn, private rooms from £119.

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Moroccan magic From bustling streets to silver screen-worthy landscapes, Morocco is a country that offers culture, beauty, and a bloody good time WORDS TOM COOTE

Best for: Beaches AGADIR A popular winter sun destination with cheap flights from the UK, Agadir is known for its long crescent beach and attractive Atlantic Ocean Boulevard. The beach-side coffee shops, restaurants and luxury hotels are little different to what you would expect to find in any beach resort in Europe, but most independent travellers opt to stay further inland in the better-value hotels to be found around Noveau Talborjit. From there, you can negotiate a cheap taxi fare up to the ruins of the old Kasbah, overlooking the port and the northwest of the town, before making your way down the snaking hillside paths towards the beach. If you need to travel out to the bus station to sort out ongoing tickets, then it is worth stopping off at the expansive Souq al-Had to wander around the atmospheric market for a while. You might even pick up a bargain. 58

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What else? As you wander along the beach-side promenade, you will inevitably be approached by a series of young men, opening up large photo books full of exotic nearby locations in the hope of flogging you various excursions. Your immediate response might be to avoid them like the plague, but it might well make sense to use Agadir as a base for side trips to SoussMassa National Park, Aourir and Tamraght (Banana Village), and further on into the High Atlas foothills to Paradise Valley. Best for: Movie magic OUARZAZATE Other than the Taoukirt Kasbah – a UNESCOrestored citadel – there isn’t much to see in the actual city of Ouarzazate (pronounced ‘war-zazat’). Its the adventure sports and desert tours that really attract travellers, plus its close

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proximity to many memorable movie locations. The Atlas Film Corporation Studios (studiosatlas.com) offer good-value tours around the sets and props used in such films as Gladiator, Sahara, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy and Alexander the Great. There is a regular bus that takes visitors the 5km from the city to Atlas Studios, but many visitors choose to combine a visit to the film studios with a tour to the spectacular Aït Benhaddou kasbah, around 32km out of Ouarzazate. You may well recognise the famously scenic hillside city from Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. If not, after visiting Aït Benhaddou, you will forever be spotting it in any number of ‘swords and sandals’ epics. What else? A number of companies offer horse, camel, quad bike and motorbike tours out into the surrounding stony desert. Many visitors also use Ouarzazate as a base for organising trips further afield to the Saharan sand dunes. Best for: Maze-like medinas

Images: Thinkstock and Getty

FÉS In many Moroccan cities, the French colonial authorities established, well-ordered ‘new cities’ a few kilometres out

from their chaotic traditional hearts. And, while many of the best hotels and restaurants are to be found in Fés el-Jdid (the new city), the most interesting part of Fés for tourists is to be found in the old walled medina of Fés el-Bali. Most visitors to the old city start off at the main entrance of Bab Bou Jeloud before descending into the wonderfully atmospheric market via either the Talaa Kebira (big slope) or Talaa Seghira (little slope). If you don’t already have a guide, at this stage you will almost certainly be inundated with offers. It’s difficult not to become a little defensive in Morocco when you are constantly being approached by touts, hawkers and ‘guides’, but it is worth considering hooking up with a decent official guide as they will lead you to places that you might otherwise only stumble upon via serendipity. Buried deep within the dark tangle of narrow alleyways lies

A GUIDE TO MOROCCO such attractions as the Kairaouine Mosque, the Bou Inania and Al-Attairne Medressas (theological colleges), and the pungent leather tanneries. What else? If you fancy getting a serious scrub and pummeling while having buckets of soapy water poured over your head by fat, hairy men with their dangly bits flapping around (or the female equivalent), then you might like to make a visit to one of the old city’s numerous hammams. You come out feeling fresh as a daisy, if a little dazed. Best for: Rare architectural gems MEKNÉS Although Morocco’s third imperial city is only about an hour by train from Fés, it receives surprisingly few visitors. Moulay Ismail made Meknés the capital of the Alawite Dynasty in 1672, and set about securing the city with around 25km of monumental walls and grand gateways, while developing an extensive (but never completed) palace complex. The most impressive of the city gates is Bab elMansour, leading on to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and Place Lalla Aouda, the parade ground where the Sultan used to inspect his famous Black Guard, made up from slaves

he imported from sub-Saharan Africa. A short walk further on lie the remains of the architecturally impressive granaries and stables of Heri es-Souani, once used to look after around 12,000 of the Sultan’s horses. What else? A good day trip from Meknés is to the Roman ruins at Volubilis. Having annexed the city from the Carthaginians around AD40, the Romans abandoned the city to troublesome Berber tribes in AD208. It remained inhabited, however, until well into the 18th century, when what hadn’t been plundered by Moulay Ismail to build Meknés was brought down by an earthquake. Best for: Vibrant street life MARRAKESH The biggest and most popular tourist city in all of Morocco is undoubtedly Marrakesh. It is also the most TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Tangine and mint tea anyone?

FOODS TO TRY

Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh expensive, but still good value compared to many European cities, especially considering its huge array of attractions. You could walk around for days and still find new things to do and places to explore. Surrounded by the medina’s 16km of walls, some of the best-known landmarks include the 70m-tall minaret The Koutoubia, the Ali ben Youssef Mosque and Medressa, Musée de Marakesh, the elaborate Palais de la Bahia, the now ruined Palais el-Badi, and the recently renovated Dar el-Bacha Palace, which now houses the Museum of Islamic Arts. The real centre of the medina, however, is to be found at Djemma el-Fna. As darkness descends, the square really starts to come alive with snake charmers, magicians, musicians, dancers and traditional storytellers (some excellent translations of this dying art form can be found in Richard Hamilton’s The Last Storytellers). What else? Moroccan cookery courses are becoming increasingly popular with those wishing to break up the sightseeing and learn some new skills. Some of the most popular courses are run by Souk Cuisine (soukcuisine.com) and Faim d’Epices (faimdepices.com). 60

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One of the most popular places to sample a wide range of Moroccan street food is the busy square of Djemma el-Fna in Marrakesh. It may seem expensive when compared to other less-touristic regions of Morocco, but what you are really paying for is the location and the atmosphere. Tagines - named after the earthenware pots that they are slow cooked in - are a kind of Moroccan stew that is often delicious. The most popular varieties include lamb or chicken, but there are also vegetarian options. Couscous is a traditional Berber dish of semolina, which is cooked by steaming. In the West it is usually just used as an accompaniment, but in Morocco, when mixed with a variety of vegetables or meats, it often forms the centre of a main meal. Snails make for a popular snack or starter. Yep, it’s not just the French who dine on these slimy suckers. You can buy a cone of garlic-flavoured escargot, using tooth picks to gouge them out of their shells while sitting up on stools at a number of dedicated snail bars around Djemma el-Fna. Desserts are often sticky and incredibly sweet to Western tastes. Sample a variety of pastries, cakes and honey-drenched biscuits from the dozens of NORTH AFRICA street stalls in any Moroccan city.

Morocco

GETTING THERE & AROUND EasyJet offers cheap flights Fes to Marrakesh, Agadir and Rabat Casablanca, and Ryan Air also MOROCCO flies to Marrakesh, Fés and MARRAKESH Rabat. If you are intending to visit for more than a few days, it is worth considering flying into one city and out of another. Another option is to take the ferry from Algeciras in southern Spain to Tangier at the north of Morocco.

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Saffa’s up From killer waves to killer whales, South Africa’s beaches offer a plethora of adventures and a chance to dive into the wild side WORDS HEATHER RICHARDSON

With 3,000 miles of coastline, South Africa suffers no shortage of incredible beaches. Whether you’re hoping to witness a 40-ton humpback whale breaching, surf world-class waves or simply work on that tan, there is a beach in South Africa to suit every purpose. South Africans will be at pains to remind you that these are some of the best shores in the world, and there’s strong evidence to back this claim: some of the biggest pro-surfing competitions are held here, Hermanus is the best land-based whale watching site in the world, and great white shark breaching tours are unique to the Western Cape. Cape Town is South Africa’s most popular city, and rightfully so. Located on the southwest coast, the city serves as a perfect base for surfing, cage diving with great white sharks, visiting the tiny, brilliantly named Jackass penguins, and simply admiring the views of iconic Table Mountain while soaking up the sunshine. Further east along the coast is where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. This area is arguably the best place in the world for spotting whales, often without ever having to leave the shore (a big relief for anyone prone to seasickness). The Whale Coast, as it’s often termed, is also where you can spot the Marine Big Five – the ocean’s answer to the famous safari Big Five – consisting of sharks, seals, penguins, dolphins and, of course, whales. Hermanus is the most popular launch-pad for sea-based adventures. The scenic Garden Route stretches around the Western Cape coast and is home to Plettenberg Bay, one of the most popular staycation spots for South Africans. It’s a great place for swimming, long walks along the clean beaches, sailing and kayaking. Just east of Plettenberg, crossing into the Eastern Cape province, is the site of the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour, which puts this area high on the list for surfers keen to tackle the waves in this world-class surfing spot. Follow the Eastern Cape coast and you’ll reach the KwaZulu-Natal coast in between Durban and the Mozambique border. This is an amazing environment for divers: Sodwana Bay is commonly cited as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. If you’re visiting between November and

Wilderness Beach on the Garden Route January, you can also watch the loggerhead and leatherback turtles laying their eggs on these north-eastern beaches. Whether you’re travelling to South Africa for the sunshine, the wildlife, or the surf, we’ve got your ideal beach right here: Best for… surfing JEFFREY’S BAY, EASTERN CAPE Named as the second-greatest surfing destination in the world, Jeffrey’s Bay (‘J-Bay’ if you want to sound like a local) is the surfing Mecca of South Africa. Every July, the Billabong Pro ASP World Tour is held in this bay on Supertubes Beach, which is famed for its ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

right-hand point break. The waves in Jeffrey’s Bay can reach between 10 and 12 feet, they’re very fast, and the swell is best in the winter months (from May to July). It’s going to be chilly at that time of year, but it’s worth it, especially because the surf isn’t as crowded as other world-class breaks, and you’ll have a lot more space than if you were to visit in the summer. Learn how to conquer the waves with Surf-Jbay (surf-jbay. co.za), who offer lessons for everyone from beginners to advanced surfers. They can also arrange your transfers and they’ll make sure you’re out of the water before sunset, around which time it’s the domain of South Africa’s famous white sharks. Get to J-Bay by flying into Port Elizabeth (one hour, 40 minutes from Johannesburg) and then driving down the N2 highway for about an hour (48 miles). WHERE TO STAY Cristal Cove Backpackers (cristalcove.co.za) is right on the beach and close to the main strip. It’s clean, chilled and modern, with plenty of tours offered, too. WHERE TO EAT Aside from the surf, J-Bay is widely known for its calamari, which you can sample at friendly Hey Jude, on the beachfront Drommedaris Street. WHERE TO PARTY J-Bay is a laidback surfer town, so don’t expect the nightlife to be particularly crazy. Bag a window seat and enjoy a few leisurely evening drinks at the Moroccan Lounge bar, on the corner of Da Gamma and Good Hope Street. Clifton Beaches and the 12 Apostles

Sodwana Bay, diving with sand tiger shark and golden trevally

Southern right whale breaching 64

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Best for… sun worshipping CLIFTON BEACH, CAPE TOWN Swanky Clifton Beach is just 10 minutes outside Cape Town and it’s a favourite haunt of city-based sun-seekers during the summer (October to February). This is the slightly quieter version of Camps Bay, perhaps Cape Town’s most popular beach, which is located just around the corner. These pristine white sandy coves have views of the 12 Apostles and are protected from the wind, so it’s a great spot for settling down to top up your tan, while admiring some of Cape Town’s most beautiful residents parading around the beach in their smalls. There are four coves at Clifton: Fourth Beach has more of a family vibe, so if you’re single and looking to mingle, stick to the first three and in particular, Second Beach, which has a younger crowd. If you’re planning to swim, bear in mind that the water here is the ice-cold Atlantic variety, so don’t expect a warm welcome. However, for landlubbers – or those with a thick skin – Clifton is ideal, and as there are vendors with a constant supply of cold water and ice lollies, you can quite happily spend the entire day prostrate. However long you spend here, don’t leave before sunset, as Clifton witnesses some dazzling sinking suns. Sadly, booze is prohibited on the beach, which is something to consider if you’re bringing an evening picnic, as many of the locals do. To get to Clifton, take the Hout Bay bus, which runs from the Civic Centre via Sea Point. It’s not a great idea to drive during the summer, as finding a place to park will be next to impossible. WHERE TO STAY From Atlantic Point Backpackers (atlanticpoint.co.za), by the V&A Waterfront, it’s just a 25-minute journey by public transport to Clifton Beach. This hostel is newly built, has friendly staff, and a great location; it’s also good for socialising.

Pictures: Getty, Thinkstock

Camps Bay

WHERE TO EAT Take a break from the beach with lunch or dinner at Marika’s, a little Greek restaurant in Camps Bay, on Upper Buitenkant Street. This rooftop joint has views of Table Mountain and is a refreshing alternative to the super-sleek restaurants and bars that are so prevalent in this affluent area. WHERE TO PARTY When the sun has gone down, brush off the sand and head to The Assembly, in District Six. This cool club is based in an old warehouse and is one of the best places to catch live music in Cape Town, serving up all kinds of alternative beats from local and international DJs. Best for… diving SODWANA BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL Bordered by verdant forest and white sand, Sodwana Bay is one of the best diving sites in the world and a must-visit for keen divers. On the KwaZulu-Natal coast, Sodwana Bay’s coral reefs (some of the most southerly on earth) are surrounded by caves, pinnacles and walls that create whirlpools scooping up yellow, dory and blue-banded snapper, potato bass and soldier fish. Whales (humpback, southern right and minke) frequent these shores from June to November and you can swim with the enormous whale sharks year-round; these gentle giants – the world’s biggest fish – are actually best seen with a mask and snorkel rather than diving gear, as they tend to swim very close to the surface. You might also encounter manta rays, sharks, dolphins and turtles. Try to avoid visiting during the summer holidays (December to January) when it gets very busy. The weather’s good year round, so you won’t be uncomfortable diving in the winter months, when temperatures average out at around the low 20s. The best visibility is in May.

Sodwana Bay is a four-hour drive north from Durban on the N2, or you can fly to Richard’s Bay airport and pick up a shuttle. If you’re staying at Coral Divers (recommended below), they can organise all your dives. If you’re not certified or would like to progress to the next level, Coral Divers is also a PADI centre. WHERE TO STAY Coral Divers (coraldivers.co.za) is a camp site with a variety of tents and cabins, plus catering and selfcatering options for all budgets. Be aware that there isn’t much privacy for those staying in the tents. Aside from diving, there are also plenty of other tours to do with Coral Divers, including quad bike riding and buffalo tracking. WHERE TO EAT Most people self-cater in Sodwana, but the Lighthouse Restaurant on Main Road is a welcome place to get a good, hearty meal after a day of diving. They serve

£130*

£3

* Prices correct at time of printing and based on the exchange rate of £1: R17

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delicious gourmet pizzas and a variety of cocktails. WHERE TO PARTY Sodwana isn’t quite the rave capital of South Africa, with it being in the middle of a national park. There’s a sports bar at Maak ‘n Jol, but that’s about as hedonistic as it’s going to get. Best for… shark cage diving GANSBAAI, WESTERN CAPE Just outside Cape Town, the Western Cape bays are famed worldwide for their great white sharks. These sleek hunters assemble in this area to feast upon the thousands of fur seals that live here. This is also one of the only places in the world that it’s possible to see the sharks breaching; this hunting technique sees the huge sharks launch themselves clean out of the water as they surprise their prey from beneath. Many operators offer a combined cage diving and breaching tour. Gansbaai is a popular base from which cage diving tours depart, just a couple of hours outside Cape Town. It’s going to be an early start, because the great white sharks are at their most active first thing in the morning. After a briefing, you’ll head out on the boat for your first encounter with these amazing creatures, which are initially attracted to the boat by the smell of chum. For God’s sake, don’t forget your seasickness medication. The cruises in False Bay are notorious for causing bad bouts of motion sickness, due to the size of the boats, the smell of the mushed up chum, and the choppy water. Seeing these sharks within an arm’s reach is an unforgettable experience and definitely worth braving the bitterly cold water. You don’t need to be a certified diver to get in the cages, which are attached to the side of the boat and sit just below the water’s surface. The best time to go is between February and September – the South African winter – although the white sharks are prevalent year-round. Shark Cage Diving KZN (sharkcagedivingkzn.com) has great respect for the natural underwater world and ensures there is no disruption to the

Shark Cage Diving with KZN

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sharks’ natural habitat. It also guarantees you will see sharks or they will give you your money back. WHERE TO STAY Gansbaai Backpackers (gansbaybackpackers. com) has a great location right in the centre of town, and also benefits from awesome ocean views and a beer garden. They can arrange cage diving tours. WHERE TO EAT Steady your stomach back on dry land with a visit to Coffee on the Rocks, where you can take in the view from its brilliant terrace that overlooks the bay. They’re open until 5pm, so you can have a leisurely lunch with plenty of time to get back to Cape Town if you’re not staying overnight. WHERE TO PARTY After your cage diving experience (don’t go out drinking the night before your tour: trust me), you can grab a few sundowner cocktails to sip on Oppidek’s harbourfront terrace, or have some beers at Seaview Sports Bar, which is located in the town centre. If you’re hankering for a full-on night out, your best bet is to head back to Cape Town. Best for… whale watching GROTTO BEACH, WESTERN CAPE Southern right whales visit South African shores between July and November, and the pretty seaside town of Hermanus – just two hours from Cape Town – is probably the best place in the world for watching these massive mammals without even having to step foot on a boat. Landlubbers can see whales playing in the water right from Grotto Beach, which also boasts spotless white sand and great facilities. If you fancy a longer walk, the seven-mile coastal cliff trail around Hermanus affords spectacular views of Walker Bay and an easy way to spot a breaching whale or two. If you want to get enviably up close and personal to the whales, you can board a boat with a tour operator such as Southern Right Charters, which is highly regarded for its ecocredentials (southernrightcharters.co.za). The curious whales will often swim right up to the boats, affording passengers an amazing vantage point.

If you’re visiting at the end of September or the beginning of October, there is a huge three-day Whale Festival held yearly, with activities, music, food, and a lively atmosphere. WHERE TO STAY Hermanus Backpackers (hermanusbackpackers. co.za) on Flower Street is a really friendly hostel just outside Hermanus. It has loads of information about the tours you can do around this wildlife-rich area. WHERE TO EAT Take advantage of the great coastal views this town offers and enjoy a fresh, healthy brunch on the rooftop of Just Pure, on the corner of Marine Driver and Park Lane, which overlooks the bay. The eggs Benedict is delicious. WHERE TO PARTY Shimmi, in Village Square, combines cocktails with incredible views across Walker Bay. Best for… penguin spotting BOULDERS BEACH, CAPE TOWN With its clean, soft sand and clear, calm water, Boulders Beach is not only a lovely beach, but also the place to see the tiny Jackass penguins that live around these shores – sonamed, not because of their lousy temperament, but because their cry resembles that of a donkey’s ‘heehaw’. This breeding colony of African penguins, numbering around 3,000, tend to potter around the rocks when they’re not in the water, but they are also free to come and go from the beach as they please, which is why you’ll often find one or two wandering around the car park. Although they are wonderfully cute, when you get close enough to smell them, you’ll probably be glad of a little distance! Boulders is also a great beach from which to swim. The water of False Bay is much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean, so you can happily join the penguins in the sea, where you’ll find them calmly observing swimmers or torpedoing past them, mocking our comparative inelegance in the water. In Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach is just over a mile away from Simon’s Town on Cape Peninsula, and most Cape Peninsula tours stop at Boulders. There’s a small charge to get into the national park, which goes towards protecting the colony. WHERE TO STAY The laid-back Cape Town Backpackers (capetownbackpackers.com) has a great central location, close to Long Street. They also offer tours around Cape Peninsula, which stop at Boulders Beach. WHERE TO EAT Have fish and chips for lunch at the charming Lighthouse Café on St George’s Street in Simon’s Town, just over a mile from Boulders Beach. WHERE TO PARTY Back in Cape Town after your tour, head to Fiction DJ Bar & Lounge on Long Street. The dance floor is always packed, and there’s a great wraparound terrace if you need a breather. Best for… turtle tracking KOSI BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL On the northeast coast near the Mozambique border, Kosi Bay is one of the only places in South Africa where you can watch leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, followed by the hatchlings then breaking free of their nests and crawling down the beach to the ocean a couple of months later. Turtle egg-laying season is from November until January. After dark, you and your guide will head out to search for

A Jackass penguin at Boulders Beach turtles on the beach. Female turtles are very cautious upon exiting the surf, so if you spot one, you’ll have to sit in the dark until she is safely in the her nesting site, after which she falls into a sort of trance while laying her eggs. At this point very low lighting can be used, but photos aren’t allowed because the flash could scare her. If you’re visiting later in the season (December to March), you’ll be able to watch hundreds of tiny hatchlings flipflopping down the beach, all guided by the sparkle of the water. It’s estimated that only four of every 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, so this is a crucial stage in the turtles’ lives. Twenty years later, the survivors return to the exact same spot to lay their own eggs; nobody knows how their navigational skills are so accurate. During the day, you’ll be treated to the region’s stunning white beaches and warm waters that you might have all to yourself due to the remoteness of the location. Snorkelling and diving are great in this area, too. Always use an official operator to observe the turtles, such as Kosi Bay Lodge (see the accommodation section below). Get to Kosi Bay by flying into Richard’s Bay, taking the N2 North from Durban, or the N12 from Johannesburg. From Durban, the drive normally takes about six hours. WHERE TO STAY Kosi Bay Lodge (kosibaylodge.co.za) offers turtle tours and either catered or self-catered options in their lodges and chalets. WHERE TO EAT Most people will be self-catering in Kosi Bay; there’s a Superspar in eManguzi and a daily market in the town for fresh fruit and vegetables. Kosi Bay Lodge offers full-board accommodation, so you can also dine at their Umdoni restaurant. WHERE TO PARTY Reward yourself with a beer at the lodge after a night camped out on the beach spotting turtles. Kosi Bay Lodge’s Nhlange Pub is good for a few sundowners. ❚ TNTMAGAZINE.COM

48HOURS

NAPLES QUAYS SALFORD

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YOUR WEEKEND IN

SALFORD QUAYS, GREATER MANCHESTER

Millennium Bridge Lowry Centre Cruising on the canals

Salford Quays, accessible from central Manchester by a quick tram ride, has seen extensive regeneration work over the last 30 years. Ever since the closure of the dockyards back in the 1980s, the area has shaken off its industrial background and emerged as a tourist destination in its own right, with glossy TV studios, art venues and a deluge of quirky bars. With its rocking nightlife and cultural hot spots, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to forego the more obvious Manchester city break and embrace the spectacular square mile of Salford Quays.

DAY ONE MORNING Start your weekend off by getting your bearings with a ride through the historic waterways of Salford. Manchester Cruises (manchestercruises. com) run 45-minute excursions out from the North Bay and along the Manchester Ship canal, drifting under the Lowry and Trafford Bridges and past the recently relocated Coronation Street set. Afterwards, drop into 68 00

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Craftbrew (craftbrew-uk.com) for a nibble on some tapas or artisan deli boards, guzzled down by a leaf tea or illy coffee. Stride back into the swanky piazza of MediaCityUK for a 90-minute tour of the BBC studiosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mancunian outpost. Prime-time favourites including Match of the Day, BBC Breakfast and Mastermind are all filmed in the glossy building, with the tour taking guests behind the scenes of all the TV and radio studios. AFTERNOON Close to the arrival point of the boat is The Lowry arts venue (thelowry.com), which is home to both an art gallery and theatre. Paintings by 20th-century Mancunian artist L.S. Lowry form a permanent free exhibition at the centre, with his famous artwork depicting matchstick figures against industrial backdrops. Throughout the year, other film and photographic exhibitions are also dotted around the venue to liven things up a bit. On your way out, grab a

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an extensive collection of wines calling out to diners from a gigantic glass cabinet. After tipping back a cocktail or two, move on to the rustic-looking DOCKyard (thedockyardmediacity. co.uk), popular with media types from the BBC studios next door. The interior is in keeping with the industrial heritage of the region, with ingenious metal swing seats and a bar made out of reclaimed driftwood from the old dockyards. A jukebox and pinball game sits in the corner, while bartenders serve up the company’s own range of ales, as well as wines and Flying Dog beer. Afterwards, head straight for Lime bar (limeuk.com), which stocks an audacious list of champagne, vodka and rum-based cocktails to get you pumping.

48HOURS Religious experience: Sacre Coeur

Hallowed grounds

DOCKyard

Words: Emily Ray. Photos: Thinkstock and supplied

DAY TWO

coffee from the Tower Coffee Shop by the main doors of the Lowry, and take a stroll on to the Old Trafford stadium (manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx) via Sir Matt Busby Way, named after one of the club’s most iconic managers. Yes, it’s a cliché, but why pass up the opportunity to snuggle into the home dressing room and tunnel, and get a feel for what it’s like in the manager’s seat in the dugout? While you may not see some of the club’s top players, the stadium is adorned with statues of key figures from yesteryear, including Sir Alex Ferguson and George Best. All kinds of football paraphernalia, such as kits and novelty figure heads, is also available in the club’s Megastore – all 17,000 square feet of it. EVENING For your first night, it’s time to try out some of the bars in the city. But, before then, line your stomach with a fine-dine meal at Damson Restaurant (damsonrestaurant.co.uk), which offers a high-end three-course set menu, plus

MORNING After a night of drinking and Northern shenanigans, take some time to recover with a heavy dose of caffeine before heading out to the Imperial War Museum North (iwm.org.uk). The aluminium building, designed across three shards to look like a globe torn apart by the effects of war, sits on the bank of the Manchester Ship Canal. Various exhibitions aim to focus on the experience of war since 1914, with a 360° Big Picture Show livening up the main space throughout the day. Those with a head for heights can also climb the jagged splinter of the Air Shard, which offers unrivalled views across the Quays and, on a clear day, out to the industrial skyline of Manchester. If you’re feeling a bit peckish after your cultural morning, slink into the WaterShard café inside the museum for a quick bite to eat. AFTERNOON Back by the futuristic Lowry Footbridge is the Lowry Outlet Mall (lowryoutlet. co.uk), which has more than 80 stores brimming with bargains. Here you’ll find high street names including Gap, Krisp and Pussycat London, each with up to 70% off. If the weather’s playing ball, take on a self-guided walking tour of iconic sculptures around the area (thelowryusq.com) to get a taste of the rich industrial heritage. Statues of interest include the ‘Factory Girls’ sculpture by David Appleyard, which represents women workers of

Metropolitan Vickers, and another one titled ‘Where the Wild Things Were’, which highlights the connections between Manchester Ship Canal and the rest of the world. EVENING For your last evening, go out in style with a show at the Lowry Theatre. The venue pulls in top names and glitzy productions year round from the worlds of comedy, drama and dance. Enjoy a hearty and tasty pre-show dinner at the Lowry restaurant. Afterwards, all that’s left for you to do is to head back to your hotel to pack, ready for the onward journey. Salford Quays may only be one square mile, but this means you can saunter home safe in the knowledge you’ve explored every foot and inch of Manchester’s waterfront destination in just 48 hours. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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For a perfect proposal: The Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest

YOU ASKED FOR IT... LAURA LINDSAY FROM LONELY PLANET

Hello Laura. My girlfriend and I have been together for a few years now and I’ve decided to pop the question(!) in 2014. I’ve been thinking of proposing in a European capital or big city. Where to do it?! I’m getting a bit nervous and excited. Hope to read your answer in the next issue or so because I need to start planning. Thanks, Charlie

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BACK TO BASICS If you’re going travelling don’t over pack. Leave your straighteners and heels at home – travelling is the time to realise how little we actually need in life. You’ll feel stupid if you go out preened anyway. Shove on your flipflops, chuck your hair in a bun and go out and have a good time. This also means you won’t have to lug around half your wardrobe on your back. Lucy, Islington WIN

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A What an exciting question Charlie! There are so many fantastic options throughout Europe that I have made a few useful suggestions to help narrow down your choices. Firstly, don’t pick a cliché; it’s far more exciting for your girlfriend to have a truly unique proposal than to be one of the many people proposed to in Paris or Rome. Secondly, whenever I’ve seen a very public proposal, the bride-to-be often looks embarrassed by all of the onlookers. Therefore, you should choose somewhere where you can find a quiet spot to ensure that it’s a special moment for just the two of you. I would recommend, if you have your heart set on getting down on one knee at

a famous spot, consider a view of it rather than being at the location itself, as this will be far less crowded. Finally, choose your time of day carefully. A sunrise or sunset can make the location even more magical and these times of day are usually less busy too. I would also recommend considering her interests and hobbies, for example if she loves art, a proposal in an art gallery will mean so much more. I recently visited Budapest’s Fisherman’s Bastion and thought that the Disney-esque architecture with stunning views of the Danube would make an incredible spot for a proposal. The view is breathtaking and the bastion has lots of towers in which to find a secluded spot away from other tourists. Visit at sunset for a stunning (and less crowded) experience. There is also a bar at the end of the bastion to celebrate with a glass or two of bubbles afterwards! Alternatively, you could visit Sintra, a beautiful UNESCO-protected town nestled in the hills close to Lisbon. The town’s Moorish castle has ramparts with great views of Sintra and many secluded spots for that special moment. Let us know how it goes!

COMPUTER SAYS NO I hate it when I go travelling and see people spending hours in internet cafes. If you want to know what your friends are up to back home, go home. Your travelling time is precious so make the most of it and go out and see things other than a computer screen. Of course you’ll be expected to stay in touch with those at home, but simply allot one to two hours each week to shoot out your emails. Rick, Wimbledon

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WINNER LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA Heather Lauer, USA TELL US MORE I was spring skiing at an Alpine resort with Toby the dog. It was a beautiful day for a splash through the slush. What we like about it: What’s not to like about a photo that combines the craziness of skiing in bikinis with walking with your dog? Enough said.

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CENTARA GRAND ISLAND RESORT MALDIVES Clare Wilson, Sydney TELL US MORE I love the picture because at that moment in time I had nothing to do except look at the stunning view (a far cry from my usual life). What we like about it: We want to beeeee theeeere! Also, we like the clean horizontal lines contrasting with the vertical ones distorted by the water.

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Stay in Malta from £273pp

DEAL OF THE MONTH DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Three nights bed & breakfast accommodation staying at the 3-star Villa Lanterna in Dubrovnik from £189pp. The Villa Lanterna is in a stunning location pp directly on the pebble beach in the sunny bay of Stikovica. Situated 5km from historic Dubrovnik and only a 10-minute bus ride from the city, guests can enjoy sun and sea by day and music, dance, theatre and romantic restaurants by night, and experience the warm Croatian hospitality. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departing June 15th. icelolly.com

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< £250 MARRAKECH, MOROCCO Four nights B&B accommodation staying at the 4-star Red Hotel, from £161.47pp. Facilities at the hotel include a nightclub, bowling alley and games room. The spa includes a sauna, hammam, steam room, massage and relaxation therapies. Includes return flights from London Stansted departing June 16th. holidays.easyjet.com

BARCELONA, SPAIN Two nights at the 3-star HCC Covadonga on a room-only basis from £176.50pp. The hotel is situated on Avenida Diagonal, in front of the Plaza Francesc Macia in the heart of the city’s business and shopping centre. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs June 16th. holidays.easyjet.com

SANTORINI, GREECE Seven nights self catering at the 3-star Sandy Villa Studios in Perissa on the beautiful island of Santorini from £244pp. Close to town centre, beach and mountains, Sandy Villa Studios has a lovely, big communal pool. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs June 17th. icelolly.com

£250-500 PUERTO RICO, GRAN CANARIA Thirteen nights at the 3-star Palmeramar Apartments from £451pp staying on a bed & breakfast basis. Situated around 1.5km from the magnificent Amadores Beach and just over 1km from the resort centre. It’s also home to Aquasur, the biggest water park in the Canary Islands. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departing June 16th. onthebeach.co.uk.

CIRKEWWA, MALTA Five nights staying at the 4-star Paradise Bay Hotel on a B&B basis from £273pp. Dip into one of the three outdoor swimming pools or enjoy other recreational amenities including an outdoor tennis court or the sauna. Includes return flights from London Stansted. lowcostholidays.com

FLORIDA, USA Ten nights room-only at the 3-star Champions World Resort in Kissimmee, Florida from £491pp. The hotel offers free scheduled transportation to the Disney theme parks. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs June 25th. icelolly.com

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> £500 COSTA RICA Nine days travelling in a loop from San Jose includes two guided kayaking sessions through the canals around Tortuguero, a guided hike through the jungle, a boat tour of Tortuguero National Park and kayaking and stand-up paddling in Lake Arenal. Includes eight nights’ stay and some meals. From £599pp. Does not include return flights. Departs San Jose June 11th or July 5th. statravel.co.uk DOHA, QATAR Ten nights room-only accommodation at the 5-star Wyndham Grand Regency in Doha from £790pp. The Wyndham Grand combines location with luxury making this one of the most comfortable 5-star hotels in Doha. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs June 15th. travelrepublic.co.uk LIMA TO CUZCO, PERU Fourteen nights travelling from Lima to Cuzco from £790. Includes a stay in the Ccaccaccollo community and a 4-day Inca Trail hike with a guide. Will include some meals, all accommodation and overnight bus. Does not include return flights. Departs Lima June 22nd. gadventures.co.uk

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TOUR SEARCH For the last 30 years TNT Magazine has brought travel advice and news to a growing audience of travellers. 18 to 35 year olds from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have been using TNT as their guide to living and working in the UK. With a growing audience comes growing demand and over quarter of a million users are now demanding travel offers and information for tours across the globe from their base in the UK. Here at TNT we have listened to the demands of our readers and we’re excited to launch TNT Tours. Whether you’re looking for a weekend in Dublin, a group tour across North Africa, or a ten day epic adventure in South America, the TNT Tour Search facility is here to meet your travel wishes. With tours being added on a daily basis and reviews to give you peace of mind, TNT Tours will become your primary destination when looking to travel anywhere around the globe and you know the process will be as good as you can get anywhere else, if not better. Oh! and you don’t have to be Australian.

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SPORT NEWS | FEATURES | GAMES TO WATCH | VIEWPOINT IMAGE OF THE MONTH

BON VOYAGE FOR MITCHELL AND GITEAU Drew Mitchell (left) and Matt Giteau (right) put the nail in the coffin of any hopes for a Wallabies return with their move to Toulon in France, but it must have been worth it when they lifted the Heineken Cup trophy after beating Saracens in the final in Cardiff. The Aussie centre-wing connection produced a moment of genius for the opening try and Jonny Wilkinson did the rest in the 23-6 win for the biggest prize in club rugby.

Photos: Getty

INSIDE

SOCCER-WHOS? /78

WIN-BLEDON /80

HE’S GOT BOTTLE /82

We take a look at the young players you’ve probably never heard of representing Australia in this year’s World Cup.

The home of one of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments is on your doorstep – here’s how to make the most of it.

We chat to Aussie fast bowler Doug Bollinger about readying himself for when his next Test chance comes with Kent.

SPORTROUND-UP

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Curtis Good

SOCCER-WHOS OR YOUNG GUNS? FOOTBALL

Low expectations is an understatement for the Socceroos as they embark on a third consecutive World Cup finals in Brazil. Drawing the finalists from four years ago – Spain and the Netherlands – in their group doesn’t help, and neither does being the ‘worst’ team there, based 59th in the FIFA rankings. But with zero pressure comes maximum freedom, and having negotiated Asia in qualifying, the Aussies have earned their place in the final 32. With just four players in the squad you could call veterans – Luke Wilkshire, Tim Cahill, Mile Jedinak and Matt McKay – Ange Postecoglou’s picked a host of emerging talent who even seasoned Australian fans would struggle to recognise in a line-up. Meet some of the youngsters whose names we’ll be hearing plenty more of in the future. CURTIS GOOD It was no coincidence the Aussies lost the plot at the back against Ecuador when he went off injured. Clearly a talent when signed by Newcastle United, this affable 21-year-old on loan at Dundee debuted in that friendly against Ecuador in London and will be a key figure for years to come. BAILEY WRIGHT If this guy, 21, cracks the line-up in Brazil it’ll be a great story. Rejected by all of the A-League clubs, which makes up the majority of the squad, Bailey’s attracted attention while playing for lowly League One’s Preston North End after moving to England in 2009. JOSH BRILLANTE Cracking name. That awesome fact aside, this Newcastle Jet is a speedster 78

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FC Utrecht winger Tommy Oar, 22, will be one of the first Socceroos picked to take on Chile in Brazil. He was blooded at the Brisbane Roar by now national coach Postecoglou and played all but two games as a key cog for his Dutch club, which is more than can be said about many of his teammates. Will be on show for scouts from bigger leagues.

XXX

and versatile – he can play centrally in midfield and a right-back. He got his call-up in the East Asian Cup against China and is an outsider as a mighty handy tool for Ange. ADAM TAGGART Another Jet, the credentials of this 20-year-old striker extend to the only thing that matters – goals. He snagged the Golden Boot in the A-League this year, scoring 16 times, and also got Young Footballer of the Year. One of 10 players in the squad under 22, he could be a handful if he makes the cut. MATTHEW LECKIE This powerful frontman, who just signed with ambitious German secondtier side Ingolstadt, is the epitome of the regeneration the boss was talking about, and when all 11 on the park are called on to do the hard work in Brazil, he should be among them.

UNDER THE PUMP There aren’t many head coaches headed to Brazil with an eye on the next tournament in Russia, but that’s what Ange Postecoglou is doing. Australia has the longest odds out of any country to win their group and a slim shot at getting into the second round ahead of Spain and Netherlands, or even their best chance of points opening opponents Chile. A good show with patronising words such as ‘brave’ and ‘tough’ in place of ‘humiliating’ will give Ange the chance to have a second bite at the World Cup cherry.

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HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

PREVIEW

Lewis Hamilton

Mismatch: Richie McCaw’s All Blacks host England

ENGLAND TAKE THEIR LAMBS TO BE SLAUGHTERED IN NEW ZEALAND DOWN UNDER INTERNATIONALS RUGBY

England’s tour of New Zealand is being referred to as a ‘tour de farce’ with Stuart Lancaster’s side for the first Test missing an entire starting 15’s-worth from Premiership final sides Saracens and Northampton. Add to that a hefty injury toll, with at least eight players in doubt, and those wearing the red rose will be well under strength when they take on the world’s best from June 7, with other Tests on June 14 and 21 – a tour match against the Crusaders will be played on June 17. Lancaster has said there are no excuses

though, as the tour simply means he gets to blood a few extra faces ahead of the 2015 World Cup in England. Australia is in a similar situation, but with a less esteemed opposition in France, who they host for the first time since 2009. Ewen McKenzie’s side will miss fly-half Quade Cooper and includes four debutants in his forward pack. Maybe the best contest of the southern hemisphere tours will be Wales in South Africa, also on June 14 and 21. Not just because of the potential for these sides to be evenly matched, but because it’ll be shown on BBC.

Photos: Getty

LET’S GET TRIVIAL | Scott’s numbers game With Tiger Woods out of action through injury, Adam Scott became the No.1 golfer in the world rankings by sitting on his butt last month. He’s the first Aussie to hold the place since Greg Norman in the ’90s, but with five guys within one ranking point of each other at the top we can expect it to chop and change for a bit. It’s much the same as 1997, when numero uno Norman was overtaken by Tiger Woods, who was replaced a week later by Ernie Els, before Norman took it back and lost it again to Woods. Scott, the first Aussie No 1 since Norman, is among the favourites for the US Open this month – June 12-15 – which, with bigger tournaments worth more ranking points, will go a big way to deciding who really is golf’s top dog.

Until 8 Tennis: French Open 2 Test crick: England v Sri Lanka, Lord’s 5 RL Chall Cup: Widnes v Keighley 6 T20 Blast: Surrey v Essex, Kia Oval 6 RL Chall Cup: Leeds v Leigh 6-8 F1: Canadian Grand Prix 7 RL Chall Cup: Wigan v Castleford 7 Foot friendly: England v Honduras 7 Rugby: Wallabies v France 7 Rugby: New Zealand v England 8 RL Chall Cup: Bradford v War’ton 12-15 Golf: US Open 12 Super League: Leeds v Hudd’field 13 World Cup: Chile v Australia 13 T20 Blast: Surrey v Sussex, Kia Oval 14 World Cup: England v Italy 14 Rugby: Wallabies v France 17-21 Racing: Royal Ascot 17 Rugby: Crusaders v England 18 World Cup: Australia v Netherlands 18 Rug League: State of Origin 2 18 T20 Blast: Middlesex v Somerset, Oval 19 World Cup: Uruguay v England 20-22 F1: Austrian Grand Prix 20 Test crick: England v Sri Lanka 21 Rugby: Wallabies v France 21 Rugby: New Zealand v England 21 Rugby: South Africa v Wales 22 LV=CC: Surrey v Leicest. Oval 23 World Cup: Australia v Spain 23-Jul 6 Tennis: Wimbledon 24 World Cup: Costa Rica v England 26 T20 Blast: Middlesex v Glouc, Lord’s 27 T20 Blast: Surrey v Hampshire, Oval 27 Super League: Wigan v St Helens 28 LV=CC: Surrey v Hampshire, Oval 28 Rugby: South Africa v Scotland 28 Super Rug: Waratahs v Brumbies 29 LV= CC: Middlesex v Northants, Lord’s July 2 T20 Blast: Surrey v Kent, Oval July 4-6 F1: British Grand Prix TNTMAGAZINE.COM

How to get into the most prestigious tournament in tennis and what to do when you’re there

Relief: Andy Murray reacts as he claims the Wimbledon 2013 title The only thing more British than Wimbledon is Andy Murray when he’s winning – when losing, of course, he is Scottish. And after Murray broke the host nation hoodoo last year with his epic final victory over Novak Djokovic – a much more pleasing spectacle than his tears on losing at the same stage in 2012 – there will be an even more festive atmosphere than usual for the 2014 Championships. Here is all you need to know about hitting up SW19 for a taste of something special between June 23 and July 6.

Why it’s special The Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – yep, that’s the full name – is the oldest and probably the most prestigious of the Grand Slams, mostly due to its refusal to let go of the traditions that set it apart. Bowing to the Royal Box (though it’s no longer mandatory), players in only white, a bare minimum of garish branding, strawberries and cream; there’s an air of clichéd Englishness that is truly unique. It’s also the richest of the Slams, with £25million dished out to the players after a 10% increase on last year’s pool. The male and female champions will get a cool £1.76million cheque – no wonder they care so much!

Camping party The traditions extend to ticket sales, which are a series of events in their own right. Fans camp out in their hundreds in a bid to snag some of the best tickets. If loaded, you can get tickets early, but unless you have some sort of corporate 80

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tie-in you’ll have had to go through the championship’s official public ballot. The days leading up to the tournament see Wimbledon Park turn into a ‘tent village’, with campers vying for 500 Centre Court tickets that go up for grabs every morning. Overnight the impromptu village becomes a park party, with disposable barbies getting a good workout.

The queue For all its grandeur, Wimbledon is famed for its efforts to keep regular folk – most of us – within reach of a ticket. While the show court tickets are snapped up early, joining the queue with the sparrows can usually land you a ticket to the grounds and all of outside courts. In all honesty, while perhaps not as comfortable, this is a whole lot more fun. You can pick and choose who you watch and, in the first week, it’s a better chance to see the top seeds in action. Checking out the practice courts and hanging out in front of the big screen on Aorangi Terrace – better known as Henman Hill or Murray Mound after last year – is all part of it. Be prepared for a wait though – getting there before 6am can see you into the grounds by about 11am.

You can take booze Just like Lord’s, All England allows punters to bring in their own booze and food – limited of course to one bottle of wine or two 500ml cans of beer per person. They can only be consumed in bars and authorised areas. You can’t drink alcohol in the stands, and don’t act like a moron or you’ll

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

Guide to Wimbledon

Favourite: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic

Chill: Henman Hill is now known as Murray Mound

Fired up: Serena Williams will be pumped for this year’s tournament have the good stuff taken off you. By all means take some sandwiches and snacks along – as with all sporting events food it isn’t cheap – but the options here are well above average. Save some space for strawbs and cream too – the premium fruit is picked the day before in Kent and hulled on site. Also take an umbrella, blanket and rain jacket – remember, this is England.

“

There is an air of clichéd Englishness

round of 16 last year by Sabine Lisiki – it’s hard to imagine she’ll allow it again. The world No.1 is almost unbackable as favourite to take the 2014 tournament after last year’s winner, France’s Marion Bartolli, retired from the game. With victory, Wimbledon will become her favourite Slam (she’s won it, the Australian and US majors five times each). Wimbledon will be broadcast on BBC and Sky Sports, with up to 10 live streams available via Wimbledon.com

”

Best of the blokes Parochialism probably gives Murray second favouritism for this year’s tournament after he became the first Brit to win it in more than 70 years in 2013. But the man he beat, Novak Djokovic – the bookie’s fave – could be tough to triumph over again after impressive form on his return from a wrist injury. Rafael Nadal has been up and down of late but should never be discounted, as with seven-time winner Roger Federer.

Pity the women You have to feel for the women in the draw this year – Serena Williams was seriously miffed at being downed in the TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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‘I’ll be ready’ Aussie fast bowler Doug Bollinger is making sure he is primed for when his next Test chance comes with Kent

Photos: Getty

WORDS MICHAEL GADD

Spitfire: Doug Bollinger is delivering his best for Kent Doug Bollinger may hate his nickname but ‘Doug the Rug’ is part of the furniture for Australian cricket. It may surprise many, though, that despite the high regard in which the big left-arm quick is held, he’s played just 12 Tests for his country. A member of the squad for the 5-0 Ashes whitewash Down Under, Bollinger could only watch from the boundary as Michael Clarke’s preferred 11 went unchanged throughout the series. But Dougie remains well and truly in the sights of the Aussie selectors. He was the immediate inclusion for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh when Ashes destroyer Mitchell Johnson fell victim to an infected toe and was ruled out of the tournament, and was one of the top performers in a disappointing campaign. Bollinger’s aim now is to be in the right nick at the right time when there’s next a sniff of an opportunity to play again in the creams and Baggy Green. That fine tuning is happening at the 82

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“

If I keep playing well and stay fit, you never know what can happen picturesque St Lawrence Ground in Kent. “You never know, hopefully I’m still considered for all that,” says the modest New South Welshman whose last fivedayer was the ill-fated innings and 71run Ashes flogging in Adelaide in 2010. “Hopefully being here and playing as much county cricket as I can before I go home or to Champions League can give me a bit of a leap for next year. “It’s hard to pin-point what you’ve got to do and how you’ve got to perform to be picked, it’s just one of those things you can’t look into. If I get a chance I get a chance, but let me get through this summer and summer back home and give me a call this time next year.” If we’re being blunt, one thing that

”

would boost his chances to add to his 50 Test wickets would be Johnson not being available. Selectors ahead of the Ashes made a massive call in picking Johnson over Bollinger, with the mental and physical frailty of the former’s previous Test escapades fresh in the mind. Doug would have been the safe choice, a more reliable option than the erratic slinging of his tattooed fellow leftie. But 37 wickets and the Player of the Series award validated their call. “It’s just what happens,” says Bollinger. “Mitch picked himself up in a amazing way [from previous disappointments]. And what he did in the Ashes was fantastic, just good

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Happy days: Michael Clarke and Bollinger share a laugh while on duty for NSW to watch. I was there for the Tests and it was impressive. Also, a lot of people forget Ryan Harris was bowling really fast and swinging it so...” Add to that the third quick Peter Siddle charging in for long spells and spinner Nathan Lyon tying down his end, allowing Clarke to use Johnson in snappy, brutal bursts – not to mention the team winning – it was a tough circle to infiltrate. Still, even with his 37 scalps in five matches against England mending his stats from previous disasters, Johnson’s average, strike rate and economy rate still trail Bollinger’s. Barring injury, both 32-yearolds will be in the touring parties for the triangular ODI series against South Africa and Zimbabwe in Harare in August and October’s T20, ODI and Test series against Pakistan in the UAE. Bollinger is certain a stint in England, with its variety of conditions and challenges across all formats, is the place to prove himself. And he’s convinced his best is yet to come. “The ball’s coming out really well,” he says. “I’m

Contest: Doug gives advice to Mitchell Johnson (top) and in action for Australia’s T20 side

really enjoying bowling here and having to adapt to different conditions; I think it’s a great challenge. “If I keep playing cricket well and stay fit for the whole summer, you never know what can happen. “That’s as simple as I want to keep it... if I have too many things in front of me I’ll go stupid.” Bollinger’s already picked up two five-wicket hauls in his first five games for the Spitfires, and he feels like he’s constantly improving. “I’d like the sun to be out a bit more, but it’s a whole new experience, and it’s taking me out of my comfort zone a bit and I’m really enjoying it. “Trying to dominate here is going to be another notch in my belt. I’m getting wickets here. I feel like I’m bowling well, I’m fit, and that’s all that matters mate.” Looking further into the future, Kent host Australia at St Lawrence on June 25, 2015, for the first tour match of the next Ashes campaign. Time will tell whose side Doug will be on. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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WIN A FREE LIFESCORE ASSESSMENT AT THIRTYSEVENDEGREES HEALTH CLUB We’re offering three lucky readers the chance to discover your unique LifeScore at 37° Health Club. Make 2014 the year you maximize your performance and set yourself real and achievable goals with the launch of LifeScore at thirtysevendegrees clubs. This unique, scientific body test will give you a clear understanding of your physical and biomechanical make-up to ensure that you get the most out of your exercise regime and enhance your wellbeing. In just 45 minutes, a trained LifeScore consultant will use the latest technology to take you through a

series of tests that will help build a picture of your general health and wellbeing to generate a LifeScore that is unique to you. Tests include body fat and body mass measurement, posture, gait, flexibility and strength analysis, diet and hydration assessment as well as an in-depth analysis of your activity levels and lifestyle habits. Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions

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LIFESTYLE CAREERS | MONEY | LIVING | HEALTH & BEAUTY IMAGE OF THE MONTH

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LIFE IS A CABARET Trust The London Cabaret Club to keep commuters smiling during the Tube strike last month. Not only did these pink ladies entertain bus riders on their way to work with singing, dancing and acrobatics, but commuters got their trip for free.

INSIDE

SOUL TRAVEL /88

TEACH ’EM A LESSON /90

SHIP YOUR SHIT /94

Travelling to new places, meeting new people and trying new things does so much more than fill your photo albums.

Do you have a way of explaining things so even a drunk person could understand? Maybe have a crack at teaching...

If you’re moving home, here’s how to make sure your stuff gets there in one piece. Even your collection of shot glasses.

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£75.00 KEEP YOUR GADGETS POWERED ON THE GO A roll-up solar-powered charger? Nice one Bear Grylls. bushnell.eu/uk

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LIFESTYLEHEALTH

CLASS OF THE MONTH

Diving into the unknown does you wonders

INSANITY WORKOUT This class is not for the faint of heart – or weak of body! The Insanity Workout programme is gaining notoriety worldwide, both for its dramatic weight-loss results and for its terrifying intensity. The rumours are true; this workout really lives up to its insane name. Instructor Tanya keeps the class on their toes (and just about every other body part) throughout this high-energy, high-intensity class. The Insanity Workout uses max interval training, keeping you going for three to five minutes of hard exercise and only allowing for very brief breathing breaks before throwing you right back into it. It’s the same technique used by Olympian athletes to maximise speed and strength. This class has a wide range of ages and sizes, both men and women puffing and panting away. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who is really serious about getting into shape and isn’t afraid to break a sweat – the saying ‘no pain, no gain’ isn’t taken lightly here. By Charlotte Lennon Check out the timetable online. Reebok Sports Club, Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5ER. reebokclub.co.uk

Traverapy Dear Oxford Dictionary, we would like to propose the above portmanteau. It is to be used when travel has therapeutic effects. Makes sense, right? Yours sincerely, TNT Magazine Yes, travel is about seeing the world, getting drunk and getting laid. But it can also be a much deeper experience than that. Award-winning travel journalist Sarah Tucker has published the A to Zen of Travel, a book on how and why specific journeys rid people of emotional baggage. Inspired, we look at the her top recommendations to help work on your soul as well as your liver...

Travel to heal the soul If you’ve recently been through a tough time, travelling enables you to focus on the physical: where are you going? How are you going to get there? Are you going to be hot or cold in your new surroundings? Will your hostel be comfortable? And so on. By shifting your focus to the physical, your mind can begin to still and heal itself. Also, by discovering new places, meeting new people, and seeing awe-inspiring sights, you will begin to see how insignificant your problems are in comparison. Where to go: The South Pole. This is the ultimate in experiential travel, and you will have no choice but to focus on the physical. Loads of ice, blistering cold wind, mammals that may or may not appear, ruddy-faced hardened Russian sailors who will tell you the weather can turn at a blink, birds that 88

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swoop by the boats that look small but are in fact of prehistoric size, and terrain that has defeated many. The landscape is so melodramatic you will take in everything: sound, sight, smell and touch. If this does cause you to have a teary moment (which it does for many) try not to cry when you are out on deck as your tears will freeze.

Travel to ignite passion If you feel like you’re losing your lust for life, travel can re-ignite your passions, both metaphorically and literally... so leave your inhibitions at the airport, but play safe kids. Where to go: If Rome is the tease and Paris the foreplay, Buenos Aires is the sex. It’s sophisticated, earthy, intelligent, passionate, emotional, hot, unexpected and rebellious. They dance tango in the street – the men and women sticking to each other like glue – the steak is like none other anywhere else in the world, making a vegan want to turn red blooded, and the red wine makes that hot one-night stand even hotter (well, as long as you don’t drink too much of it, of course).

Travel to be inspired Visiting a country with a culture completely different from the one in which you were born and raised is a great way to discover

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LIFESTYLEBEAUTY LIFESTYLEHEALTH Beat the fear at the Grand Canyon

HAIR TODAY

Words: Sarah Tucker, adapted by Caroline Garnar. Images:: Thinkstock and Supplied

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new sources of inspiration. You will be forced to look at the way you live – the good and the bad – and be simply fascinated at how different cultures can have such varied pasts, present experiences, and futures... Where to go: China has so much going on at such a vast scale and phenomenal pace, it’s completely motivating. Tiananmen Square is fascinating even without the tanks. The Great Wall is indeed great, and old China still exists – the houtongs in Beijing and the French concession in Shanghai. Beijing’s District 798 (which sounds like something out of Soylent Green) is wonderful – what Covent Garden would like to be. A creative hub in the heart of a city with a population of 20 million. China also has phenomenal history. The Forbidden City, with its 8,700-plus rooms, 24 Emperors and 3,700 concubines leaves you awestruck. The Chinese love their power, know how to use it, how to get it and learn fast. Being among it feels akin to watching a flower bloom on time-lapse. Fascinating.

Travel to feel less alone You can be lonely in a crowd, if it’s the wrong crowd. Lonely with your partner, if it’s the wrong partner. If you feel alone, go on your journey by yourself. You are never alone, not really. We are a composite of our

experiences; we gain better sense of self and worth when travelling than standing still. Where to go: The Yukon is one of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. The scenery is jaw-droppingly spectacular, and in a place where there are more bears than there are people, you will ironically never feel alone.

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Travel to beat the fear If you are struggling to jump into the unknown – perhaps a change of career, starting or ending a relationship, moving country (again) – travel can help you see that anything’s possible and give you the balls and determination to make it happen. Where to go: Journeys to take when feeling the fear are those that are ‘bigger’ than you. Travel to the Grand Canyon and you confront something bigger than yourself – including your fear. The Canyon swallows up all thought like some emotional vacuum. It is simply too vast and overwhelmingly beautiful to take in. Neither word nor image can do justice to something that simply defies definition. The place is full of people staring into the deep, wrinkled distance: men and women lost in the moment, looking for the meaning of life. Or just the meaning of theirs. There’s no room for fear here. Anything feels possible.

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Teach for the stars We believe that children are our future – or at least Whitney Houston did – so help make our future bright WORDS STEPHANIE PALMER It’s a fairly obvious idiom, but children really are the future, and someone’s got to show them how to do long division and use apostrophes appropriately. Maybe you’re passionate about the correct use of a subjunctive, maybe you’ve simply spotted an opportunity for travel, or maybe you are just great with little whippersnappers. Either way, there are plenty of ways to get a foot on the education ladder.

Teaching assistant These guys hold the classroom together. They’re a second pair of eyes, ears and hands that are invaluable in a rowdy classroom, helping keep kids in check while teachers are busy teaching. Much more prevalent in primary schools,TAs are flexible and level-headed, and can handle any tasks or finger-paints flung their way. Teachers rely on their TAs, and a good working relationship totally revamps the class dynamic. You get all the perks of working with kids without the pressures of teaching... but without the pay-packet either. 90

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Qualifications and experience: Employers generally base their decisions on personality and skills rather than qualifications. Any experience working with children is obviously a bonus, and it always helps to show that you’re reliable, a team player and cool in a crisis. Pay and hours: TAs are often on parttime or term-time contracts, so they’re not paid during the holidays. Salaries are determined by the school, but usually start around £12,000.

Primary school teacher If you’re going in to primary teaching, it’s important to have genuine passion for what you’re doing because Government guidelines, OFSTED and SATs for six-yearolds might start to grate if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. That said, it’s always rewarding to impart knowledge and watch the little ‘uns blossom… probably. Extra-curricular activities include marking, planning, training and meetings, but then you can put your feet up for that famously long summer holiday.

Qualifications and experience: You’ll need an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification on top, or a specialist BEd degree. Most people go for a full-time PGCE, but there are also paid on-the-job training programmes out there. Pay and hours: Teachers average about a 40-hour week, including all the bits and bobs outside the classroom. But be prepared for extra hours in the runup to inspections or exams. There are regulated pay bands starting at about £22k, or just over £27k for London.

Secondary school teacher Among other things, this job requires communication and buckets of patience with an age-group not exactly renowned for these skills. Aside from the teenagers, the main difference from primary is that you’ll specialise in a subject and stick to it, whether it’s the essential maths and English or something arty like drama. You’ll also be bombarded with hundreds of kids rather than just one class, so learning

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the names of your little cherubs is that bit harder. While all the outside-hours stuff still applies, there’s the added satisfaction (or pressure) of getting them through their all-important GCSEs and even A-Levels. Qualifications and experience: Basically the same deal as primary school, but PGCE courses vary depending on the age group. Pay and hours: Official hours are 9am to 4pm-ish, but in reality teachers will find themselves attending parent meetings and marking in front of the telly until midnight. But again, there’s that summer holiday…

Teaching English abroad For jet-setting and earning some pennies to boot, teaching English abroad opens windows to hundreds of countries and gets travellers off the beaten trail. You can teach children in poor communities, or adults in city evening schools. Just don’t imagine it’ll be a doss, because classroom madness is

even madder when there’s a language barrier involved. There are tons of good agencies to find work, but also plenty of sham ones, so do some internet stalking and scour the reviews before you set foot on a plane. Qualifications and experience: Most employers will want a TEFL qualification, which you can earn in a four-week intensive course or through part-time, evening or even online study. The most reputable ones will involve a lot of coursework and teaching practice. Weekend courses are available, and probably legit, but if it’s a career move, then it’s usually best to go for the more comprehensive (and expensive) option. Pay and hours: This could take you to any corner of any country, so it’s tricky to pin down average hours or salary. But, while an Indonesian countryside school will pay less than a Berlin college, it’s all relative, and you can expect to live comfortably in your country of choice.

ON THE JOB Simon Lee, MD Assistant at James White Drinks, 23 What do you do day-to-day? No two days are the same. I get to manage projects, along with Lawrence’s (Mallinson, the MD of James White) diary and collecting his dry cleaning! What’s the most rewarding part? I don’t think there’s another job I could be doing that mixes organising events with helping develop a new sports drink in the same day. And the most challenging? Trying to predict what my boss’s needs are, even before he knows himself! jameswhite.co.uk

WHERE TO LOOK Redbox Teachers: This lovely lot offer day-to-day, long-term and permanent teaching positions in London primary schools, with a focus on expats. They’ll be at the TNT Travel Show on November 1 so be sure to check them out. redboxteachers.com Protocol education: This site offers job vacancies from all over the country, plus blogs and education news. It also has a nifty app for job hunting on-the-go. protocol-education.com TeachFirst: For learning on the job and getting paid while you’re at it. They’re after graduates with a 2:1 or better to work with disadvantaged kids. Educational and charitable. Win win. teachfirst.org.uk

Photos: Thinkstock.

TEFL Jobs Centre: The official TEFL Jobs Centre online shows teaching opportunities on an inspiring world map. tefl.org.uk/tefl-jobs-centre TeachAway: These guys help qualified teachers find positions overseas. International schools want Englishspeaking teachers everywhere from Dubai to South Korea. Sign up and get packing. teachaway.com

Red Box are a highly rated professional primary teacher recruitment agency looking to recruit teachers and teaching assistants to work in London. Your pay rate is outstanding, your schools are supportive & your working holiday is a rewarding experience. Email us at info@redboxteachers.com or call 01932 247000

We will be at the T NT Travel Show on 1st November, so come and see us!” TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Looking for work? Harvest workers, experienced milkers, fencers, tractor drivers and all farm staff.

www.clarendonhomecare.com

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER required for immediate start. Full time position available within a long established sports & leisure business based near SW London &operating in the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada & South Africa. Your principal role will involve expanding the business into new territories. We’re looking for the right person to join the management team with one of the best corporate cultures imaginable. Travel the world, balance indoor and outdoor work, have fun and build an amazing career! The successful candidate must have an excellent command of English – both written &spoken, a full driving licence. The role encompasses marketing, facilitating international expansion, managing customer experience, cost management, market research and more. Salary £28k-£32k p/a. MARKETING ASSISTANT required to join outdoor events company. Key responsibilities include providing support to the marketing team for all advertising, promotions & PR projects. The role is based in SW London, although you may be required to travel within the UK or abroad. The successful applicant must possess a ‘can-do’ attitude & have excellent written & verbal communication skills. Full time position with some weekend work required. UK driving licence preferred. Immediate start. £22-24k p/a, depending on experience. For more details and to apply for an interview, please submit your CV to info@pbrecruitment.com

Back in South Africa Extraordinary success awaits! Does your genius lie in positively influencing people on a blue-chip level? Lives are changing back home in SA - and not only could yours be one of them but you could be instrumental in changing others! Join the exciting world of recruitment and be trained by an award-winning company. Allow us to grow you into a Team Leader position while you show the world you are a master relationship builder and negotiator. We want you if you have a background in sales working to target, have run your own small business or in some way had to determine your own income. Your never-give-up attitude and ability to cold call and source business will impress. Salary: Lucrative Basic + Uncapped Commission Email: joan.hefer@dppg.net Hurry now - there’s business to be conquered, own income to be determined, overseas incentive trips to be won and lives to be changed.

D.A.V Professional Placement Group 92

www.dav.co.za +27 11 217 0000

Professional Chef de Parties required for Event Catering companies within Central London. £9.00-12.50p/h. Weekly pay, flexible hours, 7 days p/w. CV, Qual, Passport, Hyg Cert ess.

Tel: 0208 946 6342 or 0208 944 1609 Email: Claire@claireschefs.com (Agy)

Clarendon Home Care is a long established, family run care provider with clients in Kingston, Epsom, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Woking and the surrounding Surrey. WE REQUIRE PEOPLE WHO: • Can live in the service users home seven days a week. • Have a minimum of 12 months experience. At Clarendon Home Care we are interested in applications from candidates who are committed to providing a high standard of quality home care. We require people who are reliable, flexible and caring and who can demonstrate unquestionable honesty. We offer: • Twenty eight days paid holiday per year • An additional financial benefits package • Opportunities for career progression with the company Most importantly, you must share our passion to support people and have good verbal, written and time management skills. All positions are subject to references and Criminal Record Bureau check. Please apply at www.clarendonhomecare.com/clarendonhomecare/job_form.php CLARENDON HOME CARE IS REGULATED BY THE CARE QUALITY COMMISSION AND IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HOME CARE ASSOCIATION.

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CLASSIFIEDS ACCOMMODATION

Leyland SDM is the local DIY store of choice with 17 stores on some of Central London’s most prestigious roads. We are currently seeking customer focussed individuals to help us expand our retail business. If this sounds like you then we would love to have you on board. FULL TIME WAREHOUSE ASSISTANT Location: Central London area Salary: Competitive salary offered to successful candidates THE ROLE • Must have proven background in a warehouse environment. • Must have current drivers licence – 7.5 tonne would be desirable • English language is essential – both oral and written. • Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers, store management and senior management. • Must be able to work autonomously and as part of a team. • 48 hour working week. • Any other duties required by management. Please apply via the online application process or email current cv and covering letter to emily@leylandsdm.co.uk.

FULL TIME EXPERIENCED RETAIL STORE MANAGERS Location and salary as above THE ROLE • Overseeing operational requirements in store • Ensure statutory requirements – health & safety, and other legal requirements are being met • Organise regular feedback and performance reviews for staff • Ensure sales targets are met effectively • Liaise with area manager regarding product offers and merchandising to maximise sales potential in store. Please apply via the online application process or email current cv and covering letter to sandra@leylandsdm.co.uk.

PARAGON SUMMER LETS

Contemporary short-term lets Centrally located 24hr security WiFi Single rooms with en-suite

FULL TIME EXPERIENCED RETAIL SALES ASSISTANTS Location and salary as above THE ROLE • • • • •

Maintaining highest standards of customer service delivery. EPOS & till operation. Stock handling & merchandising. Maintaining high standards of store presentation and cleanliness. Any other duties required by management.

Please apply via the online application process or email current cv and covering letter to sandra@leylandsdm.co.uk.

Please apply via the online application process on

www.leylandsdm.co.uk

To book a room email paragonsummerlets@nhhg.org.uk or call 020 8560 1561 www.paragonlets.com Paragon Lets, Brentford, London, TW8 9QW

ADULT SERVICES

CHAT OR DATE 0871 550 0919

per min

18+. Helpdesk 0844 944 0844. Live calls recorded. 0871 = 10p per min. Network extras apply. Bill payers permission. SP: 4D.

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LIFESTYLELIVING GO ON A HEALTH KICK .00

£24

Grow your own herbs... with the help of Herby Herdy. herdy.co.uk

@tntmagazine

Shape up and ship out Make shipping your stuff plain sailing

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You arrived with little more than a backpack, and now it’s time to leave you realise you’ve accumulated boxes of things you didn’t know you couldn’t live without. Sound familiar? If so, don’t worry, you can keep all your ‘I Heart London’ mugs and Union Jack bedspreads (just us?), as you can ship them back to your homeland with ease. Rates for shipping start at around £100 for one 30kg carton, and it takes from four to 12 weeks. However, it’s important to note that international shipping is not a product in a box – it’s very difficult to compare prices and services as you would with a TV or a car. It is important to budget for potential extra costs. You should factor in insurance, which usually costs 5% of the value of your goods. Also, as ‘the shipper’ you hold legal responsibility for the goods and are liable for extra charges such as inspections, extra storage time, and you may even have to pay out if there is a strike, causing diversions to your shipment. Seems unfair but ’tis be true. Still, it’s got to be cheaper, and somewhat more logical, than making 10 flights to Oz and back with a 30kg suitcase each time. Airfreight is, of course, quicker, but will cost quite a lot more. What to ship

Remember your five a day... With this cherry bin. thegiftoasis.com

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Bear in mind that you won’t have access to the stuff you ship for up to 12 weeks, so don’t pack all your underwear, for example. Soft furnishings, electrical goods, clothes and sentimental knick-knacks are good examples of what you could ship. It can be nerve-

wracking to be ship something particularly valuable, so if you can fit it in your luggage, do it for peace of mind (although don’t forget to get decent travel insurance!). Be prepared Arrange the pick-up date with the company and give yourself plenty of time to get organised as you will need to complete some forms, supply passport and visa copies (if applicable) and pack. The shipping company will provide you with sturdy boxes of various sizes for your things, so arrange the free delivery (usually with a £50 deposit) of these in plenty of time before your departure date. You can pack yourself as they also provide you with bubble wrap and tape. Make sure none of your cartons weigh more than 30kg. Tip: It’s better to over-order cartons as they will charge to deliver more, whereas they will collect any empty ones for free. On the day of the pick-up you will need to pay the remaining balance in full to the driver. At the other end You can usually track your shipment online, or you can contact the company for updates. Once it has arrived you will be contacted and you may need to head to customs to fill out documentation for the arrival of your goods. Be prepared to pay extra fees, such as for examination by the quarantine authority if your baggage is selected. Once this is all sorted you can take your baggage yourself, or arrange for doorstep delivery.

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LIFESTYLELIVING

Choosing your shipping company If you used a company to ship your stuff here and you were happy with their service, use them again. If not, ask around. Plenty of your Antipodean mates will have shipped stuff before, particularly the ones who have already headed back south, so ask who they used and if they recommend them. Remember, shipping is not a cheap business, so you should be suspicious if a company’s prices seem unusually cheap – they may well be scammers. The best thing to do is pick three reputable and recommended shipping companies, ask for quotes, and go with the one that seems to offer the best service and value for money (although remember the quote is unlikely to be the total cost). Be sure that the company seems professional. Are they sending you important documentation? Are they easy to contact? Google their name for testimonials and potential scams. Be sure to read through the documents. If a company offers you a door-to-door service but lists ‘doorstep delivery’ under the ‘not included in the price’ section, you know you have an unethical company on your hands. Here’s a list of companies we can vouch for:

DO THE SMUGGLE STRUGGLE Some people can’t ship their stuff because, well, it’s illegal. So instead they try to smuggle it, and in the weirdest places. Here are some of the strangest smuggle struggle stories... Australian customs found live pigeons wrapped in newspaper and taped to a man’s calves. We doubt he was in the magic circle.

Anglo Pacific (anglopacific.co.uk); PSS (pssremovals.com); Britannia (britannia-shipping.co.uk); John Mason (johnmason.com); Simpsons (simpsons-uk.com); 1st Move International (shipit.co.uk).

How far can £400 ﬂy you this summer? Come in for a consulation & hygiene session for £43 and win a flight ticket voucher worth £400!

A Panamanian woman was found with drugs stuffed into her... wait for it... breast implants. She must have been a ‘C’ cup.

Photos: Thinkstock.Words: Caroline Garnar

Two monkeys, two leopard cubs, seven birds of paradise and 50 orchids were found in the luggage, backpacks and trousers of two men who were aiming to set up a wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica. Potentially in an attempt to recreate Snakes on a Plane (because it wasn’t bad enough the first time), a woman tried to smuggle 75 live snakes in her bra. Mr Potato Head enjoyed his flight as a passenger had stuffed his head with 230g of ecstasy. Two women tried to pass off their dead relative as ‘asleep’ by sitting him in a wheelchair to try to avoid repatriation costs.

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FREEPHONE 0800 085 0355 Anglo Pacific International Plc, 5/9 Willen Field Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 7BQ Email: baggage@anglopacific.co.uk Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 6.00pm Sat 9am-1pm

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DESPERATELYSEEKING

@tntmagazine

Are you desperately seeking someone or something? Email caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com with your message

SAY WHAT?! Thank you for bringing me a jacket, darling, but that’s not mine. Is that angry man its owner?

i’ve attached sticky tape and lemons to the bedroom door to repel the kittens.

Let’s screw: I see you, sexy carpenter man! Let’s not waste another moment. Julia from the 45 bus (Farringdon – Elephant) Like father, like son: Jeremy, I’m sorry that I said I fancied your dad. I don’t. Much. Alex x Swan song: Peter, I’m so glad I saved you from that fierce swan! He was being most unreasonable. Can I take you out for a pint and see your battle scars? Eddie

Go go loco: Kylie! Why won’t you respond to my letters?! Jason It’s him up north: I met you at a party in Gospel Oak, you live in Colindale, you were wearing orange and I think I love you. I was the woman with the limp. Ann The sweet smell of success: You were being attacked by bees on Hampstead Heath and you blamed your perfume. The bees liked it – and I did too. Greg from

THINGS THE QUEEN SHOULD DO BEFORE SHE DIES if iT’s cold, she’ll sit under her hairdryer for hours.

i’m not averse to eating a whole packet of pitta bread, emmental and hummus on the way home from the supermarket on the bus.

we need to measure the shed! why haven’t you measured the shed? you haven’t even bought the wood!

please stop trying to drive the dlr. you don’t even know what those buttons are for, do you? No.

Head to Brazil to watch England’s World Cup games. She should at least know the words to ‘The National Anthem’

Successful English Gentleman would like to meet an attractive lady for romantic adventures. Robert 07821 741756

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Photos: Getty

High Wycombe (I had a wet hand). Brie-lieve in love: You are the only woman I’ve ever seen who can eat a slice of brie without looking foolish. You were on the District Line on Sunday, May 19, wearing a stained anorak. Please meet me. Smitten kitten: Clare, while you were away, I got a cat. Bite me! Hold me closer, Peter Pincer: You did a dance like a crab; it was most seductive. I think your name is Pete and you were at a party in Highgate. Posh Claudia x Northern whine: Hey, Irish girl who gets the train

from Clapham North – you have the most irritating voice I’ve ever heard. And all that gold jewellery is SO awful. With love, the man you always attempt to talk to about your boring life. I wanna pecs you up: Caitlyn, I see you struggling in the gym every day looking sad. I’ll be your workout buddy, if you like? Glenn from Brentwood x High society: I had a gathering at the beginning of May and someone left a script at my house. It has no name, and from what I can make out, it’s about rich people killing themselves. Please come and remove it from my place if you can. Mixtape madness: My mate set up a mixtape swap group, and you sent me one with Pulp, Kenickie and Blur on it; I never got your address to return the favour! Please get in touch. and thanks so much! Sam from Tooting Broadway Tie me up: I’m looking for someone who is interested in foreplay using just office wear. No flat shoes, please. I’m based in Sutton. Regards, Jeremy Break a leg: Annie, we’re so proud of you for bagging that job in Portugal, but we’ll miss you so much. Lots of love from the staff at McDonalds in Peckham. Puppet plan: Alan, this weird plan that you have to make puppets out of glass will never take off. Please stop talking about it in staff meetings. James (your boss). Paper trail: Will the person continually stealing paper from our printer kindly STOP? We’ve set up a camera! We’ll catch you next time! Lucy and Curtis from Editorial. Sweaty Betty: You’ve got the most adorable pug that you jog with every morning around Hilly Fields. I’m the man with the coffee and the wonky smile. Please can I take you out? Blinded by love: Abby, I knew you were the girl for me when you sorted out my tangled blinds. Let’s go and grab a spag bol and get drunk. Your friend Pandora x

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