1583 by TNT Magazine

July 2014 Issue 1583 tntmagazine.com

WIN

AN IPAD MINI & BEATS HEADPHONES!

MAKE NEW MATES C’MON COMM’ON

Five ways to find friends

Bring on the golds. It’s Games time

E M O S E W A F O S I AX

s cut into 12 a z iz p t a e d n ck London a o r to y d a e r e ar These three

+ AUSSIE MUSIC IN ENGLAND AMAZING AZORES OBSCURE FESTIVALS MIDDLE EASTERN MAGIC

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EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar Online Editor Vicky Anscombe TNT Australia Editorial Ian Armitage Contributors Michael Gadd l Stephanie Palmer l Kristen Batey l Matilda Edwards l Danny Hilton l Erica Crompton l Rachael Getzels l Chelsea Moore l Heidi Fuller-Love 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 SUBSCRIPTIONS / DISTRIBUTION Manager Caroline Penn PHONE 01603 559 004 EMAIL caroline.penn@tntmagazine.com

We have Kylie. We have Hugh Jackman. And we did have Rolf Harris until his didgeridoo got him into trouble (why Rolf, why?). But it’s been a while since any Aussie talent made a big splash in the world. We’ve got high hopes, though, for the bands and solo artists in our feature ‘Songs from the South’ (p26). From names you already know to up-and-comers, this awesome bunch of Antipodeans are making their way to London over the next few months, so make sure you catch one of their intimate gigs before things get crazy.

ACCOUNTS Emma Overton EMAIL emma.overton@tntmagazine.com Credit controller Abby Nightingale EMAIL abby.nightingale@tntmagazine.com

Talking of crazy, our cover stars, Axis of Awesome, are a few slices short of a pizza, and this is why we love them. I had a chat with the tuneful trio about their upcoming gigs at Edinburgh Festival and London in September, their YouTube fame and putting the world to rights one pizzeria at a time (p20).

STARTRACK MEDIA LTD Directors Kevin Ellis, Ken Hurst Stuart Bidgood

It’s a proud moment for Australia in sport too. The Socceroos are wagging their underdog tails after their impressive performance in the World Cup, despite bowing out in group stages. This month the limelight shifts to the Commonwealth Games where we have serious golden-coloured hopes in swimming, cycling, hurdles, shot put, netball and rugby sevens. See our ones to watch on page 80 and an interview with golden boy of swimming Christian Sprenger on page 82.

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

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COVER PRICE: £1.95 where sold

If you’re off to watch the Games, make sure you take in Glasgow while you’re there. See our guide to what’s in and around the city on page 46. Other spots covered this month are the stunning Azores (p42), buzzing Amsterdam (p50), foodie France (p58) and our top spots across the Middle East (p62). If the travel bug is nibbling at your heels, get ready for it to consume you entirely and fly you away. Enjoy the ride!

SEE tntmagazine.com/findtnt for pick-up points or tntmagazine.com/emag to read TNT online

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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 LONDON DIARY 8 YOUR LONDON

LONDON INSIDER

FOOD 14

DRINK 15 CHATROOM

TRAVEL REVIEW

DIARY 36 UK TRIP: GLASGOW

EURO TRIP: AMSTERDAM 50 FESTIVAL: DAY OF THE DEAD 54 GUIDE TO: FRANCE 58 WEEKENDER: ATHENS

TRAVEL TIPS 70 HOTSHOTS 72

ON THE COVER

LATE DEALS 74 MAKE NEWS MATES SPORT

Five ways to find friends

ROUND-UP 78

AXIS OF AWESOME

CHRISTIAN SPRENGER 82

16 20

The comedy band are ready to rock

AUSSIE MUSIC IN ENGLAND 26 Check out these singers from the South

LIFESTYLE STUFF

SHOPPING 87 HEALTH: QUICK FIXES 88 CAREER: CREW JOBS

MONEY

LIVING: FLAT-SHARING

DESPERATELY SEEKING 98 CLASSIFIEDS 97 4

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OBSCURE FESTIVALS

From egg throwing to toe wrestling

AMAZING AZORES

We uncover the New Zealand of Europe

MIDDLE EASTERN MAGIC

Discover this place of cultural contrasts

C’MON COMM’ON Get ready for gold. It’s Games time

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MYLONDON

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DAVE BERRY

DJ/ OCTOBER HOUSE CO-FOUNDER

live

What baffles me about London is the never-ending queue snaking around the corner outside Madame Tussauds. It’s the Eighth Wonder of the World. When I want to chill out, I head to Brompton Cemetery. I’m not a 14-yearold Goth, it’s just a beautiful place to walk through or sit and read in.

travel

The most interesting person I’ve met in London is … too many to mention. If you live in London and haven’t been in an interesting situation with an interesting person, you’re wasting valuable time. My favourite place for a drink is the Sporting Page in Chelsea. It became my second home and office during a recent messy time in my life. The staff have some major dirt on me, I’m sure. And that’s why I always buy them a drink when I pop in.

Like to hear more?

My perfect weekend? Friday and Saturday have to be full of new sights, sounds and drinking buddies, and Sunday must be a mixture of Indian food and FIFA. A visit to my three-month-old niece, Alice, serves as food for the soul.

www.ipgvip.com www.facebook.com/ipgrecruitment

TNTMAGAZINE.COM FINAL 1516 My London.indd 12

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Photos: Ken McKay

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The last naughty thing I did? I got caught out – through photographic evidence – touching Lisa Snowdon’s bum while we posed for photos on a red carpet. There was a camera behind us. Sneaky so and so’s.

october-house.co.uk Hear Dave Berry on Capital Breakfast

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Come & meet us for a drink & a chat. If you like what you see – BINGO! Immediate start. Full training provided. Live-in positions available too! To book a place at one of our information sessions, call:

The biggest faux pas I’ve made was when live on MTV, making a small error involving Prince Harry and a member of his family. It was a horrible mix-up.

Five words that sum up London ... One hell of a town!

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What gets me up in the morning? Two alarms set on my phone – the first labelled ‘It’s the Capital Breakfast show’, the second: ‘Get up knob head!’ Then a standard alarm clock. And if they all fail, my lovely cab driver Kenny hammers on the front door. I haven’t needed to trouble him yet.

earn

For when you’re hungover in London chow down on the half chicken, half rack of ribs with beans and slaw combo meal at The Big Easy on the King’s Road. Wash it down with a cold beer and you’ll feel fresh out of the packet.

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Looking for fun work, great workmates, freedom to travel (whenever you want) & the money to do it all with?

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THIS MONTH’S TOP PICKS WIMBLEDON TENNIS

WIRELESS FESTIVAL

Ends July 6

July 4-6

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

Iggy Azalea, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Drake, Rudimental, Bruno Mars, Outkast, Basement Jaxx... it is an eye-popping line-up of hiphop and R’n’B royalty and you’d be mental to miss out.

£38+

1pm-10pm daily Church Road, SW19 5AE Southfields wimbledon.com

£75+

Door open at 1.30pm Seven Sisters Rd, N4 2NQ Finsbury Park or Manor House wirelessfestival.co.uk

THIS MONTH’S MUST-DO LOVEBOX FESTIVAL July 18-19 Catering for cool kids, hipsters and party monsters, a slimmed-down Lovebox (it’s two days instead of three) is back and will take over Victoria Park giving you the chance to see the likes of MIA, Nas, Chase & Status, Katy B, and much, much more. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain, then it will be a wet Lovebox. Hmmm... £99

Open up that Lovebox and dive in

Grove Road, E9 7DE

Mile End

loveboxfestival.com

NO SWEAT SPORTS DAY

LEGENDS RUGBY FESTIVAL

THE 2014 WORLD CUP FINAL

PHEROMONE PARTY

July 12

July 13

July 15

The Queen of Hoxton’s sports day offers a host of specially created alternative games (and, more importantly, less strenuous) such as fatty wrestling, exotic fruit bowling and shot pud. The rooftop bar will also be serving frozen cocktails if you do start working up a sweat.

The Legends Rugby Festival is a mix of rugby (featuring a fantastic line-up of ex-International rugby players from top Premiership clubs), celebrity guests and music – including covers band Me & Mr Brown and mash-up favourites JellyHammer. Sweet.

Looking for love? Bring along your nose and happy hunting peeps... this is the pheromone party. It’s based on science and stuff so it’s gotta work, right? All you need to do is sniff a T-shirt worn by your potential match and the pheromones will do the rest. Mmm...

12.30pm-5pm 1 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX Liverpool Street/Old Street queenofhoxton.com

9am-11.30pm Barham Rd, Copse Hill, SW20 0ET Wimbledon legendsrugby.co.uk

Okay so the Socceroos crashed out, South Africa didn’t even qualify and England embarrassed themselves again, but this is the World Cup final, the biggest match in football, so get yourself to a pub and watch it (our crystal ball is broken so we can’t tell you who’ll be playing. Sorry).

£35

£20

FREE

Kick off is at 8pm The pub/the sofa fifa.com/worldcup

£8

7.30pm-11pm 30 Broadway Market, E8 4QZ Bethnal Green pheromoneparty2.eventbrite.co.uk

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India’s summer tour of England kicks off this month and is heading to the home of cricket, Lord’s, for the second of five Tests. India last toured England in 2011 when they were defeated four-nil... we have a suspicious feeling it will be very different this time. £60+

RIANA

BOK

July 17-21

JUANITA

ENGLAND VS INDIA SECOND TEST

THEUNS

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Gates open at 11am St John’s Wood Rd, NW8 8QN St John’s Wood lords.org

CARNABY STREET EAT FESTIVAL

LONDON GOES SOUTH AFRICAN

July 20

Aug 1-2

Carnaby has never had a food festival before, believe it or not. But it can tick that off the list from this very month. Street Eat will see 30 of the area’s best bars, restaurants and cafes – and celebrity guest Hardeep Singh Kohli – in attendance, and you can get taster dishes for £5.

Definitely one for all our Saffa readers (and their friends!). Theuns Jordaan will perform his homegrown hits at the Hammersmith Apollo, joined on stage by other legendary South African singers such as Juanita du Plessis, Riana Nel and Bok van Blerk (great name). Be there.

11am-6pm Carnaby Street, W1F 9PS Oxford Circus & Piccadilly Circus carnaby.co.uk

Gates open at 7pm 45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9DZ Hammersmith londongoessa.com

Photos: Getty

FREE

£39+

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT

www.ticketmaster.co.uk www.eventimapollo.com

www.londongoessa.com

LONDONSOUND LONDONSCENE

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I’ve got Golden Age Problems but my tat ain’t one...

COMEDY NIGHTS

EXHIBITIONS

THEATRE

CHORTLE PRESENTS FAST FRINGE JUL 6 / 7.30PM / £15 A hugely entertaining way to sample the best of the Edinburgh Fringe, before – or without – travelling to Scotland.

GOLDEN AGE PROBLEMS ENDS JUL 16 / WEDS-SUN / FREE Fed up with big corporations and major broadcasters? So are these artists who are eating boundaries and washing them down with a cup of hot, steaming rules.

FATHERS AND SONS ENDS JUL 26 / £7.50-£35 Lyndsey Turner’s beautifully designed revival of Brian Friel’s version of Turgenev’s novel is sad, funny, and immaculately cast.

Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BX Charing Cross

leicestersquaretheatre.com

Auto Italia

Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX

Unit 2, 3 York Way, N1C 4AE S Bermondsey

VITAMIN JUL 7-12 / 9PM / £10+ Dancer-priest-accordionist-caterpillar man is back. Yep, Vitamin returns with heightened madness, and some brand new scenes. Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE Leicester Square

sohotheatre.com

Covent Garden

donmarwarehouse.com

autoitaliasoutheast.org

MALEVICH JUL 16-OCT 26 / £14.50 A major retrospective of Ukrainian-Russian painter Kazimir Malevich. His art is weird but colourful and pretty darn cool. Tate Modern

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY ENDS AUG 16 / £32.50-£35 Gerard Alessandrini’s award-winning 1982 parody of popular Broadway and West End shows... and it’s has been updated. Menier Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street, SE1 1RU

Bankside, SE1 9TG Southwark

Donmar Warehouse

Ldn Bridge

menierchocolatefactory.com

tate.org.uk

BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL JUL 11-19 / TIMES VARY / £8+ Featuring a cavalcade of big names and fresh comedic talent, expect plenty of laughs (and a possible side-splitting or two).

MAX WEBER: AN AMERICAN CUBIST IN PARIS AND LONDON 1905-15 ENDS OCT / OPEN 6 DAYS / FREE He introduced cubism to New York. Go see.

DAYTONA UNTIL AUG 23 / £17-£55 Maureen Lipman reprises her role as a Jewish New Yorker with a long-buried secret in Oliver Cotton’s touching three-hander.

The Bedford

Ben Uri Gallery & Museum

Theatre Royal Haymarket

77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD

Boundary Road, NW8 0RH

Haymarket, SW1Y 4HT

Balham

Sloane Sq

Piccadilly

balhamcomedyfestival.com

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saatchigallery.com

trh.co.uk

Photos: Getty, Facebook, Donmar Warehouse, Auto Italia and supplied

Great cast: Joshua James as Arkady and Seth Numrich as Bazarov in ‘Fathers and Sons’

One slim shady: See Eminem live

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CLUB NIGHTS

GIGS

NOTSOSILENT ROOFTOP PARTY JUL 6 / FROM 1.30PM / £10 US house maestro Maurice Fulton is in the house! Well, on top of it actually (well, it’s actually a hotel, but you get the point, yeah?). Here’s hoping the sun will be blazing. Come on British summer, come on!

SUMMER SERIES AT SOMERSET HOUSE JUL 10-20 / 7.30PM / PRICES VARY Top live music in a beautiful setting. Headliners this year include The Cat Empire (July 13), Bastille (July 15), Franz Ferdinand (July 16), Chvrches (July 17) and Sam Smith (July 18). We can’t wait.

South Place Hotel 3, South Place, EC2M 2AF

WATCH THIS

Somerset House

Moorgate

Strand, WC2R 1LA

notsosilent.rsn-tickets.com

Earl’s Court

somersethouse.org.uk

Purrfect: The Cat Empire are among several headliners at Summer Series

THE BEATLES ARE BACK St Vincent: aka singer/songwriter Annie Clark

TWIST & SHOUT JUL 9 (& EVERY OTHER WEDS) / FREE ENTRY BEFORE 11pm/£2 AFTER Love a few ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s classics? You’ll be pleased to hear Twist & Shout is back. Proud Camden Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH Chalk Farm

proudcamden.com

EMINEM JUL 11-12 / £38.50+ People have been excited about this one for months – and now it’s here. Eminem tickets went pretty fast but there’s plenty of resale sites out there. Happy hunting... Wembley Stadium Wembley, HA9 0WS Wembley Park

LOVEBOX ‘AFTER DARK’ PARTIES JUL 18-20 / 6.30PM / £18 Series of After Dark Parties across East London featuring Modeselektor, The Gaslamp Killer, Visionquest and many more. It’s apparently for ‘those who like it longer’... oo-er. Oval Space, Village Underground and more loveboxfestival.com

wembleystadium.com

PEARL JAM JUL 11 / £72.75 The story behind Pearl Jam hit ‘Jeremy’, according to singer Eddie Vedder, is that he knew someone in school that did just about everything in the song – he didn’t take his life but he did shoot up a classroom. His name was Brian. Doesn’t have the same ring to it.

I LOVE THE ’80S VS I LOVE THE ’90S ENDS JUL 20 / £5 Both are powerful decades but which is best? There’s only one way to find out and it starts with ‘F’. No, not fight. Fancy dress. And loads of cheese, rock, pop, disco and indie (just so you know, we’re rooting for the ’80s).

Milton Keynes Bowl

Jazz Cafe

Hammersmith Apollo

Parkway, NW1 7PG jazzcafe.co.uk

Camden Town

Watling St, Milton Keynes, MK5 8AA Fenny Stratford station

pearljam.com

JACK JOHNSON JUL 20 & 21 / £43.25 Unfortunate chin. Cracking musician. 45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9DZ Hammersmith

eventimapollo.com

The year is 1964 and Beatlemania is in full swing. The biggest band on the planet are about to make their big screen debut at London’s Pavilion Theatre (they were the original 1D and make Biebs look bush league). The film was A Hard Day’s Night and it was 50 years ago – most of our parents were just nippers, if they were even born. Anyhow, we all know the Fab Four and most of us have seen A Hard Day’s Night. It’s a classic. To observe the anniversary, it has been remastered and re-released – and the soundtrack, which ranked number four on Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 greatest soundtracks of all time, has been freshened up by GIles Martin, who’s father George produced the original. The comedy musical was filmed at the height of Beatlemania and follows John, Paul, Ringo and George as they travel from Liverpool to London for a TV appearance, tackling the hurdles of hysterical fans, Ringo’s disappearance and Paul McCartney’s trouble-prone grandad, among others. Watch A Hard Day’s Night at BFI Southbank from July 4, with a special preview and talk with director Richard Lester on July 3. TNTMAGAZINE.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...

Check out this gorgeous little dog enjoying a stroll around Victoria Park! His name’s JD, he’s owned by the fabulously named Alice Oven, and he likes nothing more than a roll in the sunshine. “He’s loveable – but very cheeky!” Alice says. “I can always count on him to run up to strangers.”

STATUS UPDATE What’s been happening on Twitter and Facebook this month... After reading an article about noisy kids on planes, we took to Facebook to ask you lot if you had any advice on how to deal with the little horrors – sorry, darlings. Laura Richards suggested interacting with a potentially irritating child before it became annoying, which is sound advice, and mum Kelly Berwick shared some of her tips for flying with children. She recommends taking snacks, providing entertainment and teaching them to sleep in ‘difficult places’ – replace their bed with a cupboard perhaps? However, we were not prepared for the wrath of Claire Biddle, who stood up for children everywhere. “Jeez, you’d think none of us had been kids before! I say, let’s consider how to deal with intolerant adults!” Sorry Claire! Want to have your say or see your photo in print? Email the online editor at vicky.anscombe@tntmagazine.com

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Megan, Acton Town Dear Megan, We’ve all been there. You have three options. A: Come clean and tell Heston Poomenthal his cooking sucks. B: Get really drunk every time he cooks. C: Just dump him. B might trigger some alarm bells and C may result in you having to cook for yourself, so we say go for A, Kate. There might be some tears, some angry accusations or even an attempted overdose on bolognaise as he remembers every ‘mmm’ and ‘ahhh’ that you so convincingly faked, but at least you’re giving your relationship the opportunity to move into a more honest phase. 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 boyfriend fancies himself as a great cook. The thing is, he’s not. He’s terrible. In the six months we’ve been together I’ve been enduring his culinary crap with a smile for fear of hurting his feelings. This week he’ll be making his ‘speciality’ (spaghetti bolognaise) and I just don’t think I can stomach it anymore. Literally. HELP ME!

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Cecil’s in 1930’s Shanghai You finish your look with a slick of red lipstick just as the doorbell goes. You open the door to see your date in a dapper suit standing with the door open to a shiny black convertible Buick Y Job. You speed off into the night, arriving at Cecil’s, a basement cocktail bar tucked away in the backstreets of London Bridge. Arm in arm, you follow the hostess down the candlelit steps into a den of music, dancing and laughter. Cecil himself is on the stage with a live band and he steps down to welcome you and dance with one or two of the lucky ladies. You take a seat at your table and order a heady cocktail from the waitress, before taking to the dancefloor with your date, who twists and turns you before holding you close and gazing into your eyes... Good date right? Sure as hell beats a warm beer in a stickyfloored pub. While I can’t guarantee the Buick pick-up – or the hot date – I can tell you that the latter part can come true if you head for a date at Cecil’s on a Saturday night, when the basement bar transforms itself into 1930’s Shanghai. Chinese lanterns eminate a warm red glow, waitresses are dressed in cheongsams and piping hot noodles are served from the kitchen. Everyone makes a real effort with their outfits: bow ties, top hats and Spats mingle with lace, feathers, high waistlines and low hemlines.

The lovely Cecil and his band get everyone dancing with ‘New York, New York’ and ‘Can’t Take my Eyes off of You’. Not 1930s, admittedly, but still undeniable classics. The cocktails are potent and delicious, the staff above-andbeyond friendly and the atmosphere seriously special. And come 11.30pm, you’ll be glad it’s 2014 as Cecil retires for the night but is replaced by a DJ until 2am. The 1930’s were great, but this way we get the best of both worlds. Recommended. By Caroline Garnar £15. Cecil’s, 8 Holyrood St, SE1 2EL uff-tea.com/cecilslondon.com

OURLONDON When we want to chill out we... walk along the canal, buy something nice on the way home, cook a hearty meal and enjoy a bottle of red. The most interesting person we’ve met in London is... Fleur Emery, a woman of many titles: entrepreneur, design enthusiast, mentor. Relentless advocate for small creative businesses. Our favourite place for a drink is... Gordon’s Wine Bar, near Embankment, and Nola in Shoreditch. When you’re hungover in London you can’t beat... Currywurst and fries from Herman ze German. It works every time! We know its sleazy as it’s our business but we just love it!

Head, Saturday breakfast on Malteby Street Market, dinner at Roka Restaurant, sleep late Sunday, cook a fry up, get some air and spend the rest of the day on the sofa. What we love most about London is... the variety of choices in everything from cheap to super expensive. Restaurants, bars, events, markets, fashion... there is something to find for everyone. Five words that sum up London are... vibrant, creative, inspiring, multicultural, friendly. Herman Ze German was born out of Azadeh and Florian’s huge passion for food. After starting a small business in Brighton the business grew into touring festivals, and now their two flagship restaurants in London. Each wurst is made from traditional German recipes, using free-range meat sourced from family-run, quality butchers in Germany’s Black Forest. herman-ze-german.co.uk

Our favourite spot in London is... Columbia Road and the flower market on Sundays. Our perfect weekend would be... Friday evening drinks in the Scolts

FLORIAN FREY & AZADEH FALAKSHAHI HERMAN ZE GERMAN FOUNDERS TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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BITE SIZE

XXXXXX

FOURTH OF JULY FEASTING We may not be American, but we still want to gorge on a 12-course meal of XXXXX goodies Xxxxxxxxsuch as pork ribs, deviled eggs, bacon-fat-fried chicken, apple cobbler, and Mississippi mud pie, so that’s [web] exactly what we’ll be doing on Friday July 4 at Farr’s School of Dancing. N.B. XXXXX We may need more persuading with Xxxxxxxx the Rocky Mountain oysters, which are actually [web] bull’s testicles. Eek. farrsschoolofdancing.com

XXXXX LET’S XxxxxxxxDO BRUNCH Another American tradition, you can’t beat a lazy weekend brunch. As [web] Eastway at Andaz puts it, it’s perfect for ‘the healthy, the hipster and the hungover’. Why the hipster? Because it’s in East London of course. And the New York-style brasserie has just launched its brunch menu complete with gluten-free treats, fresh juices, bubbling mimosas and an interactive DIY Bloody Mary bar. london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com

PORKY’S American

Porky’s is already a firm favourite in Camden, and now it’s found a second home in Bankside, London Bridge. The big space has been decked out in Porky’s style, with exposed brick walls lined with framed American posters, hanging light bulbs and shiny industrial pipes running a maze across the ceiling. The best bit? The Johnny Cash and co soundtrack. Awesome. THE GRUB All hail the mighty pig. From the name, to the bulb-lit outline of a hog, to, of course, the menu, Porky’s is like a shrine to this humble animal, giving it a glorious send off before it finds its resting place in our bellies. The pork ribs and slow-cooked (for more than 16 hours in fact) pulled pork are ‘the main act’ of the menu, which is inspired by the founders’ travels around the US, in particular the Memphis barbecue. So it was here we got stuck in, naturally. The pulled pork is soft and smokey, accompanied by a toasted burger bun and pickles. It’s great paired with coleslaw and sweet potato fries and drizzled with chilli sauce. The ribs are tomatoey and sticky: be prepared to make a mess. Other items worth busting your belt for are the mac and cheese side and the cheese corn hush puppies starter. Probably delirious from our delicious pile of food, we ordered a dessert too. We got about halfway through our shared pecan pie and admitted defeat. Thankfully, though, the friendly staff let us take our leftovers home in a doggy bag and it was even better for breakfast. BEHIND THE BAR It is very tempting to wash your pork down with a light and fizzy American beer, and indeed you should, but you should have at least one cocktail as, here, they are delicious. The Southern Sour is a melange of sweet and sour flavours softened by a light and fluffy egg white foam, while the iced tea is a boozy concoction topped off with Earl Grey and ginger beer. BILL PLEASE Starters from £3.95, mains around £9, desserts from £4.50. Lager from £4, wine from £4.50, cocktails from £7.50. VERDICT Porky’s serves up stick-to-your ribs grub, great cocktails and a warm atmosphere. That’s all (you need) folks. CG THE SCENE

Brunch at Eastway

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MEXICAN MAYHEM The bunch behind Wahaca have recently returned from a trip around South and Central America and have decided to bring the two together in a beautiful merging of culinary styles and flavours. Hurrah! Think chilli beef burgers and burritos with slow-cooked pork, refried beans and red slaw. Opening at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane on July 24, the food can all be washed down with locally sourced craft beers. Yum. dfmexico.co.uk

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Dreams come brew keiSha herBert, 24 We all know that JoB Market researcher Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved ‘hidden spaces’: basement dens, attics, pounding headache from FroM Leeds secret cubbycheap holes...bubbly so when I discovered Belushi’s in Covent Garden hadBethnal a hidden too much LiveS Green bar upstairs I was eager to check it out. Sure enough, with only a handful of the night before. Well tables and a small bar, it’s holes, this year your dream ofcute, it’s cosy and, unlike my childhood cubby How do you budget? this one serves alcohol. The interior is inspired by its speciality: cider. One wall is expenses and waking up hangover-free After monthly can become a bit my savings, plastered with aanreality imagewith of a sunny orchard, while apple crates areadding recycled fortothe 50% off a and stellar bottle I try to you set myself a weekly lampshades to line the walls; the look and smell of the wood makes feel of champagne. spending amount. It can be you really could beUsually in a tree house in the countryside. costing £29.75, Heidsieck difficult when some weeks BEHIND THE BAR Tree House only serves cider, but it does so 100 ways. We popped by Blue Top is £15 a pop at are busier than others, but for a taster session and enjoyed the Prosecco-like fizz of Montano from Italy, the Asda. Or you can opt for a I always try to go with the sweet taste but dry finish of Thatcher’s Somerset Rose, and the proper flat and bottle of ‘I heart Prosecco’ cheapest options. dry Snuffler and Thatcher’s Heritage from Somerset. The stock is ever forciders £9.99offrom Budgens, changing andRhythm global. Tree such the any tips for Tesco.com, & House serves creative cider cocktails too,Do youashave Thunder Quake – cider with cherry, brandy and cognac – and the Baked Apple, Booze or Londis. saving money in London? THE SCENE

which is simply cider shaken with cinnamon Schnapps. Mmm, alcoholic pie... I try to take my own lunch work and cider-battered fish and chipsinto keep yourbut I don’t always The origins of the manage that. A Taste Card stomach as happy as your deliciously woozy-feeling head. term ‘Boxing BILL PLEASE Pints Day’ fromare £3.90, bottles £4.50, taster tray £5, cocktails £7.50. undecided, but we all VERDICT Love cider, love Tree House Cider Bar. Simple as that.

Fighting chance THE a GRUB Cheese and meat boards

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.

how ThEY spEnd iT

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

SUN TERRACES

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Spend it like Beckham

You know when you buy a fancy new toy and don’t know where to keep it? David Beckham faced this conundrum when he bought a Miami football team for £16 million but couldn’t find a stadium for them. So he’s building one...

❚ At least Beckham has earned his ridiculous fortune honestly – his old team, Manchester United, NUMBER 90? NO.1 COUNTRY GARDEN are the most valuable sports You can’t beat a canal-side Ifclub you need a break the in the world, from clocking terrace. Even better, Number office, Boisdale has created a in at £1.4 billion. 90 in Hackney Wick is serving pretty English Garden in the up Brazilian-style cocktails heart of Canary Theway ❚ Nothing can Wharf. get in the of business for J-Lo and exfor the World Cup, a popterrace surrounds its brand husband Marc Anthony. up barbecue grilling locally new juice bar, which serves The divorced pair still co-own sourced delicacies, plus live DJs the great-for-you 5aDay with the Miami playing through the night. apple, carrot,Dolphins. beetroot,Looks kale like a sports team is for life, and celery. boisdale.co.uk 90mainyard.co.uk Beckham the big spender not just for Christmas.

Do more Spend less

❚ Basketball team Chicago Sky never have a problem finding someone to sing the national anthem given BLOOMING GOOD that former Destiny’s Child The Montague on the member, Michelle Williams, Gardens Bloomsbury has owns ain share of the club. this delightful herb garden already, and now it hasstar also ❚ Former basketball Magic Johnson was part of opened a barbecue terrace, a £1.2billion to buy and during thedeal World Cup the it bankrupt Dodgers. That’s will serve upLA burgers, beers, a hefty price for a team with and Caipirinhas. Score. no money. Sounds like he montaguehotel.com may have missed a trick.

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Photos: supplied. Words: Caroline Garnar

Photos: supplied and Getty. Words: Rachael Getzels

know it’s due to the punches that are thrown 9, Russell Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5HZ 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.

Roaming the streets of London on your lonesome? Laughing at your own jokes? Falling on your face when you look for someone to lean on? Get some mates, pronto WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

Moving to London can be a lonely experience. Especially when you see the grumpy lot on the Tube...and the street... and the office... But there are nice people out there who are looking for like-minded types to hit the town with. Here, we’ve rounded up a few ideas to help get you started on your quest for friends *thrusts sword in the air as wind blows hair in heroic fashion*. If all else fails, at least you have us (although we do have more than 50,000 other friends so don’t get too big headed). Best for... active types RABBLE What? A bunch of people get together in parks across London and play fitness games. From dodgeball to Hunger Games-themed action, you feel like a big kid again tearing around outside playing tag, ‘shooting’ each other and getting muddy. Who will you meet? People who like staying in shape but not by staring at themselves while they pump iron at the gym. They’re also likely to live in your area, and the age group averages around 18-30. The best bit: It’s a hell of a lot of fun, plus the games are a great ice breaker. The organisers, Charlotte and Rosemary, make it their mission to ensure everybody meets and learns each other’s names, and you’ll have plenty to talk about at the pub afterwards, particularly when the ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Dick of the Day’ awards are given out. The worst bit: If you’re overly competitive, you may make a few enemies in the opposing team. Conversely, if you’re utter shit and out of shape, your team may not want to buy you a drink at end of play. Where: Rabble currently meets at Clapham Common, Hampstead Heath and Finsbury Park. How much? £10 per session. jointherabble.co.uk Best for... singles SMEETERS What? Three girl mates and three guy mates are set up on a group blind date. A few days before the ‘big date’ you are sent the location and the name of the ‘leader’ of the other group. You get a free round of drinks to get you started and then it’s up to you where and how the night ends up... Who will you meet? You register via Facebook so the team at Smeeters get a good idea of who you are, what you look like, and your interests, so they will set you up with a group they think you will hit it off with. They also ask the leaders of each group a few questions such as what age group you are looking for and if their race or religion is important to you. The best bit: If none of you hit it off romantically you may well have made a new group of mates. Even if the other group aren’t 16

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Photos:Thinkstock, Rabble and Grub Club: Basement Galley

Rabble offers fun, fitness and friends up to much in the personality-stakes you’ve got your buddies with you so you’re bound to have a good night either way. The worst bit: Two or even all three of you could fancy the same person – let’s face it, rarely are three friends all stonecold hotties. We suggest implementing a rule where you’re not allowed to say who you like and just let the night take its natural course to avoid any fisticuffs/hair tearing! Where: Smeeters take into account where you all live, but it’s likely you’ll meet in a bar in central London. How much? £15 per person. smeeters.com Best for... foodies GRUB CLUB What? Grub Club brings talented chefs to unusual locations – from secret gardens to abandoned Tube carriages to museums – and they cook up a storm for a small group of people sat communal-style so they can chat over dinner and get to know each other. Who will you meet? These events attract people from

all walks of life, and so you should have some seriously interesting dinner table chat. You already know you’ve got one thing in common: a love of good food. So you can chat to them about what other restaurant recommendations they may have, or even start up a dinner club of your own where you go round each other’s houses Come Dine With Me-style. The best bit: You get to eat amazing food in locations you wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to see. The worst bit: You may find your common ground with fellow diners doesn’t extend beyond food, so you could struggle to evolve a friendship outside of the ‘let’s meet and eat’ circle. Where: Across London. How much? From £8 per person for a meal. grubclub.com Best for... new arrivals INTERNATIONS What? A cross between Linked-In and Facebook, InterNations is an online community for expats across the world. You can connect with fellow London expats, hold discussion forums, and pick up tips on practical stuff such as visas, tax, driving, accommodation and so on. Who will you meet? The average member is a thirty-something professional. The site is great for maintaining and making new business contacts, so if your work has one foot back home, or you want to work with fellow Antipodeans, this is a great place to look. InterNations holds regular meet-ups too so you can network face to face rather than just in virtual land. The best bit: It’s like having a mate who’s already moved here and can tell you what you need to do, how and when. They might even help you further your career. Bonus. The worst bit: It’s more about making useful connections than building friendships, so expect professional networking opportunities rather than piss-ups down the pub. Where: InterNation reaches expats in more than 350 cities around the world, with 68,000 in the UK, and 45,000 of those are in London. How much? It’s free to join. internations.org Best for... guaranteed merriment

Make mates you can be daft with

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DIY SOCIAL What? Basically, have yourself a party. Make the most of the nice weather and hold a big social picnic in the park. Invite two friends and then they have to invite two friends you don’t know and so on until you get your desired number (don’t make it too big – maybe go for a maximum

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Meet new friends in unusual locations with Grub Club number of 30, which means stopping invites after the fourth round of people). Get people to bring food and booze (you can work out a system like the first lot get desserts, second lot sides etc), and bring along a few things to play with – like a football and Frisbee. You could also create some ice breaker games, such as getting everyone to email you something quirky about themselves and then the others have to guess who it’s about. Who will you meet? This is the cracker. The people who come will be mates of mates, and so you’re more likely to have things in common and get on. Everyone should be of a similar age group and situation – i.e. willing to meet new people and have a laugh. The best bit: You can tailor the invite list to suit your needs. Single? Everyone has to invite one member of each sex and they must be single. If you’re a man’s man or girl’s girl, then keep it guys or girls only; if you love football, make it a football fans only party and use the chance to watch a game together... and so on. The worst bit: It’ll take quite a bit of organising and you’re bound to get annoying bail outs. Where: Wherever the hell you want! We reckon a park on a hot summer’s day is the best way to go. How much? Free, baby (well, other than food and drink etc).

TAKE IT FROM MEET TO MATE So you’ve found the balls to go to an event to meet new people. Now you need to actually talk to them, exchange details and instigate a second meet-up. Bye bye balls. Life coach and relationship expert Sloan Sheridan-Williams (sloansw.com) gives her tips on how to ensure you keep hold of them. OPENERS Position yourself close to the person and smile. If you are meeting people through a club you can let them know this is your first time and ask them if they have any recommendations for the more popular events. Good follow-up questions find out what the other person likes and if you have any shared interests. Try asking what their plans are for the weekend, where they went for their last holiday, what their favourite movie is etc. If you are new in town, ask for advice on local places to try out. Everyone likes to feel useful and valued so asking a question where your potential new friend can answer helpfully is a good ice breaker. If they suggest somewhere that is of interest to you and the timing is right you could even suggest going together to sample the food, see the art gallery, enjoy the event etc… SWAPPING DETAILS Mobile phone numbers are always the best place to start when exchanging details as you want to be wary about giving out too much personal information during a first meeting. Keep your address details and street name private until you know the person much better. It is also acceptable to casually say ‘I’ll connect with you on Facebook’, or if you both come from a business environment, to swap business cards. Only give one form of contact; any more appears desperate. INSTIGATING A SECOND MEET-UP If the first meet-up has been easy and relaxed then it is appropriate to discuss a second meet-up before going your separate ways. Otherwise a casual mention of meeting up again and suggested dates/ times is a good approach followed by a text message a day or so later to confirm. Good friendships need good foundations and therefore, just like with any relationship, don’t overcrowd your new friend. Take things slowly and allow your friendship to develop naturally at a normal pace. Continuing the friendship Good friendships are based on trust, loyalty, integrity and honesty. If this is what you are looking for in a friendship then you need to make sure that you are offering the same. If you are looking for something more casual like a gym buddy or acquaintance, then make sure your counterpart is on the same page. If you decide to continue the friendship then start suggesting to do things in groups of mutual friends and gently up the contact at a natural pace. Perhaps check in to see how your new friend is doing with their day or create a regular meet up to go running, see a film or a coffee to catch up. There is no right or wrong way to continue the friendship; the most important thing is that both sides are obtaining value from continuing the friendship, be it support, companionship or someone to explore new things with.

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‘We’re ready to explode all over London’ See those hot studs to the left and below? That’s Axis of Awesome. And they’re about to rock your world... INTERVIEW CAROLINE GARNAR

Three human beings (their words not mine) decided to make music. They made the lyrics to this music funny. Axis of Awesome was born. And that’s basically it. (Well, unless you believe that Simon Cowell discovered them, but we wouldn’t give him that much credit.) The Aussie trio have continued writing and playing musical comedy for eight years now, and have done pretty well by it. (Admittedly not as well as Flight of the Conchords, or Tim Minchin... but they’re still doing alright.) We could go so far as calling them YouTube sensations, because, well, they are. Their ‘Four Chords’ video, in which they play a medley of successful songs that all have the same four chords, is one of the highest-rated YouTube comedy videos of all time. Game of Thrones fans may recognise them from their ‘Rage of Thrones’ music video (they read the fucking books! Twice!), and teamed with the likes of ‘Do They Know it’s Pizza?’, where the three lament pizza parlours who insist on cutting their pies into eight (‘cut your pizzas into 12, it’s divisible by four and three’, they point out), their videos have amassed more than 90 million hits. Next month they are returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in September they’re embarking on their biggest UK tour to date, with a night at Leicester Square Theatre on September 13. We had ourselves a sit-down with band members Jordan, Lee and Benny to talk about stuff and things, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Read on to do the same for yourself... For anyone who hasn’t heard of you – curses to them – how would you describe yourselves? B: We are three human beings who sing the funniest songs in the world at audiences, who enjoy them. Naturally – and how about as individuals? J: I’m the lead singer of the band, and I’m pretty much the

Left to right: Lee, Jordan and Benny best at all things in the world, including Tetris, but also at being in a band. L: Some people say that I am the dumb one of the band. It’s not true, because I make sure I get my recommended daily intake of methylated spirits – I once drank a glow stick. Take that medical science. B: I guess people would say that I’m the downtrodden one of the band. J: The short one. B: Sure, that’s another way to put it. I’m the one who writes all the music for the band so I’m kind of the star behind the scenes, but on the stage I am the butt of all the jokes. J: He also spends time in mines, mining gold and keeping it away from dragons. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

CELEBINTERVIEW Benny you’re classically trained... what made you go down this route? B: It kind of happened organically. I’d always been interested in musical comedy – I grew up listening to people like Tom Lehrer. I played music for improvised comedy at uni, then everything kind of snowballed and here we are now... So how did you guys meet? L: We actually auditioned separately for the X-Factor but Simon Cowell said we weren’t any good on our own but he suggested we should form a band together. J: That was a master stroke. L: Yeah, he actually owns all of us individually. Lee, could you already play guitar? L: Well... to say that would imply that I can currently play guitar. Err, I’m the guitar owner. Benny will tell me the chords and notes to play and I will say “I can’t play that”, and then I pretend to play, and that’s the compromise we agreed on. Would you say the comedy comes before the music then? L: Not necessarily. Jordan and I have a comedy background but Benny has a musical background, so we complement each other really well in that sense. We try really hard to make songs that the people will enjoy the music of, as well as the comedy. So what are you up to at the minute? J: We’re filming a new web series called ‘Axis all Areas’. It’s a series of music videos, but we’re also shooting scripted behind-the-scenes content to go along with it, so there’s a bit of a Spinal Tap element to it. And then you’ll be flying to the UK for your tour... are you just in and out of London or will you have time to explore? L: We have a day off either before or after our gig and we’re hoping to do some filming in the YouTube studios there. We filmed the first part of our web series in the YouTube space in LA, which is the former Howard Hughes helicopter factory. It’s been made into a bunch of awesome studios that YouTube creators can use for a certain amount of days per month – depending on your subscriber level – and we’re a little bit addicted to it. We want to use the other ones all over the world for our YouTube channel. We’re also playing in a place called Ormskirk – it’s really exciting to visit places that you’ve never heard of before. B: Yeah, it’s much more of a thrill to play somewhere that has a funny name, because if you say you’re playing in New York people are like, “Yeah whatever, everyone goes there”. No one goes to Ormskirk, so that’s the achievement. L: The inhabitants of Ormskirk probably don’t have as much entertainment as New Yorkers so they’ll get very excited. B: Yeah they won’t have any judge of quality, so we should really thrill them. You travel the world a lot together – do you ever get on each other’s nerves? L: We do spend an unnatural amount of time together, so yes sometimes things get a little tense. We find travelling in different parts of the plane tends to relieve that tension, so 22

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CELEBINTERVIEW Jordan will take the business class, I sit in economy, and we put Benny in an overhead locker. Do you write your songs together? For example, for the lyrics to ‘Do They Know it’s Pizza?’ – was that inspired while fighting over the last two slices? B: Yeah, as a group of three we are eternally frustrated by pizzas cut into eight because it just makes meetings and having dinner together very difficult, and we felt like that was an issue that needed to be addressed as it keeps getting overlooked in the world. L: Some fans will often send us pictures of themselves with pizzas cut into 12. J: Another thing the fans do is, in ‘Rage of Thrones’ we sing about having a signed copy of ‘A Feast for Crows’, so fans bring copies of the book for us to sign them – so take that George RR Martin, we’re signing your books man. Do you know if any of the Game of Thrones cast saw the ‘Rage of Thrones’ video? J: Not sure about the cast but a comedian friend interviewed George RR Martin and showed him the clip. I believe his response was “Cool”. You’re best known for your song ‘Four Chords’. Would you ever release a serious ‘four chord’ song to try to make some genuine hardcore cash. J: Yes. We did ‘Wrecking Ball’ and got Miley Cyrus to sing it. That went well. Did you direct the video too? J: Yeah we just snuck her onto a construction site and let her go crazy. That’s been very successful for us and we’ve funded many a drug addiction through that. B: I’ve got a gambling hobby, too. L: Don’t worry Benny. Keep working on it and soon it will be a crippling addiction. You’re bringing your ‘Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas’ show to this year’s Edinburgh festival. Are you excited? Nervous? Mildly indifferent? B: Very excited, and a little jet lagged is how we’ll feel. We usually premiere a show in Edinburgh, but this year Melbourne and Sydney were the first to see this show, so we’ve tested it on them and now we bring only the cream to Edinburgh. It’s a great show with a bunch of swell new songs in heaps of different styles, everything from Johnny Cash to Macklemore, as well as a handful of your favourite Axis hits from the internet. And what can London expect? L: There’ll be some of that and some older material. We haven’t been to London for a couple of years now. J: Yeah we’ve got two or three years of comedy backed up, so we’re ready to explode all over London.

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See Axis of Awesome at Leicester Square Theatre on September 13 (leicestersquaretheatre.com) and at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, August 1-25 (edfringe.com)

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Songs from the South Like a flock of nightingales, Antipodean musicians are heading North for the summer, and we can’t wait to hear their birdsong WORDS MATILDA EDWARDS

Boy & Bear are playing the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on November 14 [Caption] 26

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Summer in Europe tends to be synonymous with the word ‘festival’. Indeed, with hundreds popping up around the continent, there’s something for everyone. What you might have missed, though, is the amount of Australian musicians who’ll be hanging out in the UK this summer. Contrary to popular belief, Australian music stretches far beyond the realms of Kylie Minogue and John Farnham these days – the talent coming out of Down Under recently is insane. We’re already seeing sold-out shows from the likes of The Cat Empire, Tame Impala and The Temper Trap. There are plenty more where they came from too, and luckily enough, lots of them doing gigs in and around London over the coming months. Whether at festivals or headline shows, we’ve compiled a list of the best bands and solo artists who are making the trek to the UK to get you dancing like a crazy person, or at least nodding your head to the beat. Plus, if you catch the up-and-comers now, you can brag about seeing them first once they’re all global superstars. Brucy bonus.

ANGUS & JULIA STONE When: July 23 Wilton’s Music Hall, E1 8JB Tube: Tower Hill; £28 Look up Australian indie-folk and you’ll be greeted with this brothersister duo. Best known for their hit ‘Big Jet Plane’, they’re about to release a Rick Rubin-produced album that’s going to be HUGE. Super chilled and a gorgeous live act. THE CAT EMPIRE When: July 13 Somerset House, WC2R 1LA Tube: Temple; £28.50 Though their music almost transcends genres, The Cat Empire are one of Australia’s best jazz/ska bands, and they’re one of the most fun, vibrant and dynamic live acts ever. A must see.

RÜFÜS are playing Scala on October 1

STU LARSEN When: July 14

St Pancras Old Church, NW1 1UL Tube: St Pancras or Mornington Crescent; £11.50 Probably best known as a regular support for Passenger, Aussie Stu Larsen is a nomadic guitar genius guaranteed to swoon you into oblivion with his voice. TAME IMPALA When: July 14 The Institute, Birmingham £20.35 Not in London but well worth the journey, you’ve probably heard of Tame Impala as the ‘pet band’ of Arctic Monkeys, who just love these guys – and for good reason. Having supported the Monkeys on shows around the world, the Perth psychedelic rockers are now doing their own tour. HILLTOP HOODS (WITH SUPPORT FROM ILLY) When: July 17 Koko, NW1 7JE. Tube: Mornington Crescent; £18.15 Two of the biggest Aussie hiphop acts around; both incredibly unique acts with a real gift for lyrics and creative narratives. Plus, they guarantee a non-stop, high-energy live show.

THE BASICS When: July 23 Shacklewell Arms, E8 2EB Overground: Dalston Kingsland £12.65 You’ve undoubtedly heard of Gotye, right? Well, the mastermind behind 2011’s megahit ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ has a band, too – he’s the drummer and they make poprock every bit as catchy as Gotye’s solo work. Expect big things! DEEZ NUTS When: August 13 Borderline, W1D 4JB. Tube: Tottenham Court Road; £13.50 Fancy something a bit more hardcore? Melbourne outfit Deez Nuts do a fascinating mix between hardcore and metal-rap. Having recently held support slots for huge Australian and international hardcore acts, these up-and-comers are a group to watch. DZ DEATHRAYS When: August 18 Shacklewell Arms, E8 2EB Overground: Dalston Kingsland; £7.70 Brisbane thrash-pop duo DZ Deathrays have been causing huge waves recently; having just released their second album Black Rat, the boys are on top form and doing a ›› marathon run of 18 shows around TNTMAGAZINE.COM

5 MINUTES WITH...

XXXXXX XXXXX Xxxxxxxx [web]

Vance Joy is playing O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on October 2

the UK – then supporting Band of Skulls on their UK tour. Talk about a busy summer! KATE MILLER-HEIDKE When: September 11 Scala, N1 9NL. Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras; £15.40 This girl is an underrated gem. Having recently released her fourth album O Vertigo, the quirky songstress has one of the most unique but enchanting voices ever, and live sets are rarely anything but flawless. She’s finally heading off on a four-date UK tour to wow Northern hemisphere audiences. IGGY AZALEA When: September 17 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, W12 8TT Tube: Shepherd’s Bush; from £16.50 Does this girl even need an introduction? Arguably Australia’s biggest export this year, the girl behind the song ‘Fancy’ has apparently conquered the world in a matter of weeks.

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Xxxxxxxx [web]

BOY & BEAR’S GUITARIST KILLIAN XXXXX GAVIN Why Xxxxxxxx the name Boy & Bear? Truth be told we had no name for several months; [web]when it came to releasing our first song, [lead singer] Dave took to the internet to help find what none of us could. He found a silly old band name generator and voila! Boy & Bear... I really need to come up with a better story! Describe the band in five words: Childish, ambitious, obsessive, anxious and excitable. Best UK food or drink that you can’t get in Australia? Pints in a pub over a Sunday roast on every street corner. Having spent a while here earlier this year,

ST VINCENT When: October 25 Roundhouse, NW1 8EH Tube: Chalk Farm; £22.50 Annie Clark – or St Vincent as she’s known – has had a huge year so far. Releasing a self-titled album to rapturous critical acclaim, performing alongside Lorde and Joan Jett at the Nirvana tribute event, and now a tour that will see her jetting across the UK, US and Europe all summer. She’s quirky, gorgeous and supremely talented – especially live.

what are you most looking forward to about coming back to Europe? Outside of having a great time playing shows in some amazing countries, definitely the continental diet. Cured meats, freshly baked bread and plenty of wine. In the past year you’ve released your second album, done UK, Europe and America tours and two Australia tours with another one coming – what’s next for Boy & Bear? Sleep? Yeah… I wish. Not exactly sure what that feels like right now, but there is a light at the end of a very long – but fun and exciting – tunnel. When we reach that light, perhaps we will start working on a third record. Has all the travelling you’ve been doing

BOY & BEAR When: November 14 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, W12 8TT. Tube: Shepherd’s Bush £16.36 One of Australia’s best-loved folkrock bands and easily up there with the top live acts, Boy & Bear are the whole package. On stage they are brilliantly witty, with lyrical perfection and a sound as tight as their recordings. Be warned; their slow songs are tear-jerkers!

recently influenced the way you go about making music, or your sound, or anything? It’s impossible for touring to not influence you; everything is always changing both you and the way you approach music. You’re playing music every night and you start to notice more of the intrinsic differences in phrasing and groove. Or the conversations you have while you’re travelling with the people you meet; perhaps you discover some new music that gives you a different kind of perspective to work from. It’s always changing I guess.

Photos: supplied

RÜFÜS When: October 1 Scala, N1 9NL. Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras; £11.25 Undoubtedly the new heroes of dance-pop in Australia, Sydney trio RÜFÜS shot to fame last year with their incredible debut album. Before hibernating to write a follow-up, they’re heading off to play a huge run of shows and festivals. Their sets are electric, feelgood, and theatrical without being alienating; we promise you’ll have the night of your life with these guys. True superstars.

VANCE JOY When: October 2 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, W12 8TT. Tube: Shepherd’s Bush £16.95 If you haven’t heard Vance Joy’s summer anthem ‘Riptide’ yet, have you been living under a rock? Melbourne boy Vance (real name James) has produced an EP to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder, and we’re hearing talks of an album soon too. Plus he has a charming grin and a ukulele – what more could you want?

XXXXX

AY th D N SU st 10 u Aug 12.00 £3 A PINT AND @ 5 0P ORE OFF 1PM

BEF

Bowled Over The sun’s come out so it’s time, once again, for a barbie, some tunes and a roll on the lawn

Lawn bowls tournament Grab a bunch of mates and head down for an afternoon of barefoot bowls – The event starts at 12:00 and competitors must be signed in before 1:30 4 people to a team, £5 per person. Book in advance.

Bodean’s BBQ

For the rib-licious experience, we smoke it low, cook it slow: 2-4pm

DJ live entertainment Live music and DJ entertainment ‘til late

‘Rock ‘n’ Bowl’ - come as your favourite Rock Star and win a prize for the best dressed! Tickets

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Front Cover We love this Aussie duo, so much so that we got them to entertain you lot at our Anzac Day party, remember? We had a chat with them before we got too drunk... INTERVIEW VICKY ANSCOMBE

So, who the hell are Front Cover? We’re glad you asked. Guitarist, vocalist and charismatic front-man Andy Walton has oodles of session and television experience (you might remember him leading the house band on renowned long-running Aussie TV show The Footy Show) and, along with the fabulous Sam Hetherington who provides topclass sexy vocals and keyboards, they form the cover band Front Cover (see what they did there?). The pair used to front The Vipers – one of Australia’s top covers acts – before relocating to the UK in 2009. We’re happy to have them. So guys, what’s your favourite song to get people dancing? A: It sort of depends on the gig. If it’s a massive room full of Antipodeans – especially Aussies – there’s nothing quite like dropping ‘You’re The Voice’ and watching everyone go nuts. If it’s a smaller, more intimate gig we like to play something with a good groove that has solo sections. It makes us feel good on the inside; like All Bran for cover musos: cleansing.

Photo: Facebook

Have you ever had any disasters at gigs – or any songs that didn’t go down well? A: We’ve been doing this a while now, so the song choices are pretty tight. However, we do like to start playing a bit of ‘Careless Whisper’ sometimes just to watch people’s reactions. Turns out there’s a sexy sax man in all of us. You’ve travelled all over the world to play gigs. Where’s your favourite place and why? A: It’s been a massive few years. We’ve been all over the UK – Newquay to Edinburgh, Dover to Ambleside and everywhere in between. I think if you come over to the UK you need to check out London for sure, but getting out into the country to see the rest of England, Wales and Scotland too is an absolute must. We played a venue in the Cotswolds next to a little stream and a wood and it was seriously a legit Tolkien moment. Sexy sax Tolkien, with Frodo on Alto. S: As far as abroad gigs go, I think the most interesting and memorable show we’ve played was at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan to an 30

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audience of about 3,000. To be there under lights smashing out tunes for those guys was amazing – to be able to help them forget, just for one night, how far they were from home. What do you miss about Australia, and how often do you get to go home? A: Well, because the weather is so good here... nothing. Except for maybe parents, family, friends, the bush, distances measured in kilometres, Vegemite being easy to find in the shop, Smiths crisps, Tim Tams, Snakes Alive, Coopers Draught, sandy beaches, barbies, Holdens, bikinis – oh yeah, and sunshine. Other than that, the UK totally rocks. S: Because flights are so expensive we really only go home for family stuff like weddings etc. But it is always a pleasure to hit those shores – everything just slows down a little. You’re a couple playing and living together – does it ever get a bit fractious, or is it great to spend every waking moment with your other half? A: Every moment is a joyous pleasure. S: He jokes, but it’s pretty amazing to be able

to share all of these experiences with your other half. We’re best mates at the end of the day so it’s always a good laugh! And we also have a huge musical respect for each other so making music together is always a joy. A: What she said. What’s your favourite part of London, and why? A: Camden – we love it. It’s changed even over the time we’ve been here, but still retains an edge and freedom without pretentiousness that’s just so great to be in. You’ll see a guy in a suit followed by a guy in a space suit and nobody cares – just do your thing man. The lock is just beautiful in the summer, like a Tom Waits song – gritty pretty. Gentrification in urban areas is all the rage now, but hopefully it won’t push out the people that make a place like that so vibrant. There are some great gigs there as well. We’ve played our own tunes at Proud Camden a few times. See Front Cover at the Big Easy (bigeasy. co.uk) on July 1, 6, 8, 27 and 29. Want them to play at your party? Course you do. Visit frontcovermusic.com

THE GREAT CONTIKI CHALLENGE! Saturday June 7 saw the second ever Great Contiki Challenge take place in the capital. Budding adventurers turned up in their droves to Russell Square Gardens to take part in this city-wide scavenger hunt and experience a fun-filled day with #noregrets! The sun was a welcome addition in the afternoon as teams set off to scour the streets of London in search of secret locations and quirky sights, unravelling clues and enjoying muchneeded refreshments along the way. Teams were challenged to make every second count before reaching the final destination at Ping in Earls Court, where they gathered to replenish with pizzas and cocktails before the ÂŁ1,000 prize winners were announced and team tactics were discussed for next yearâ&#x20AC;Ś roll on #TGCC15! Photos by: Simona Dalla Valle

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WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Er, how fun does this look? Tignes in France may be the must-visit ski resort, but come summer it is just as much of a playground. The Tignes Le Lac becomes the centrepiece with this airbag water jump, a huge waterslide, water zorbing, sailing and canoing. We want a go! alpineantics.com

Photos: Supplied

INSIDE

OBSCURE FESTIVALS /38

JE T’AZORES /42

MIDDLE EAST MAGIC /62

Have you always been proud of your eggthrowing talents but had no one to share them with? Well, dear friend, now you do...

The stunning Azores islands of Portugal are magical, unpredictable and a hell of a lot of fun. We think we’re in love...

From the brand-new skyscrapers of Dubai to the centuries-old caves of Petra, the Middle East is a fascinating place of contrasts.

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Hard nut: Steve Howard

BOOTGLAMP IT UP BLACKPOOL, UK

Heading on holiday? Kick start your bikini body with this powerful fiveday Bootglamp at the De Vere Village Urban Resort in Blackpool. Soldier through Steven Howard’s rigorous military-style outdoor training, combined with a strict diet, and watch those pounds melt away. Even better, after your exercise you will be rewarded with a daily pampering session in Viva Urban Spa including massages, manicures and facials. Howard reckons this ‘carrot and stick’ system works wonders, and we’re not about to argue with him. He’s tough. Report for duty and gain confidence on the beach this summer at Bootglamp Blackpool, running July 28-August 1 at £399 per person with two sharing. gocommandofitness.co.uk

GO HOPPING MAD

IT’S NOT TOO LATE! There are still tickets left for the NewYorker Fresh Island Festival! The three-day hip-hop festival is taking place in Croatia July 23-25, with Rick Ross, DMX, Pusha T, Redman and Method Man headlining. You could be there – on this very boat! (probably.) Get your tickets now at 2014.fresh-island.org

FINLAND

Escape city life and head to the Turku archipelago in southwest Finland to find more than 20,000 incredible islands sprinkled across the ocean. Hop from island to island (not all 20,000, that would be silly) on an unforgettable cycling jaunt with Sherpa Expeditions. Begin your tour in the historic city of Turku, collect your bicycle and explore its ancient cathedrals and riverside trails. Stay in the charming waterfront village of Naantali and roam the main islands in a circular route by taking the frequent local ferries. Experience scenic harbour villages, nourishing cuisine and fresh Finnish air on this incredible selfguided seven-day tour at £840 per person. Island hopping across the gentle Finnish 34

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terrain has never been more convenient, and the ferries are free! sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk/tours/cycling

GO WILD KENT, UK

Take a luxurious safari break in the ‘garden of England’ at the new Port Lympne Mansion Hotel, an elegant sixbedroom beauty in the heart of a wild animal park in Kent. Immerse yourself in days gone by in this Edwardian mansion, which once entertained the likes of Lawrence of Arabia, Winston Churchill and Prince Edward. Located within the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, awake in luxurious surroundings to the sounds of exotic

wildlife and look out on stunning views stretching out to the English Channel. Prices begin at £212 per night and include breakfast as well as free entrance to the Port Lympne Animal Park and Howletts Wild Animal Park where you can see tigers, elephants, giraffes and more. aspinallfoundation.org/short-breaks/ mansion-hotel

FOLLOW THE LIGHT ICELAND

The Northern Lights are amazing. But trekking out every night in the cold to try to see them is a pain in the proverbial. Not any more... You can quite literally follow the lights by staying in a modified 10-room super Jeep.

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Northern lights above Iceland

MAD WORLD

COW PLAYS MATCH MAKER

NORTHERN IRELAND [Caption]

Er, cool. With all the comfort of a modern hotel, including wireless internet and delicious fresh food, this portable palace will be your unique home during your six-day tour with Tatra Photography, meaning you will also learn how to snap the lights like a pro along the way. The six-day tour visits Goddafoss, Lake Myva and the stunning Jokulsarlon Lagoon, enabling you to revel in this force of nature among Iceland’s most striking landscapes – and thanks to Tatra’s master class in Aurora photography, you will have some awe-inspiring pictures to remember it by. tatraphotographyworkshop.com

WIGWAM BAM

Words: Kristen Batey. Photos: Thinkstock and Getty

SHERWOOD FOREST, UK Camp out at Clumber Park in the heart of Robin Hood’s realm, trading in your tent for a cosy wooden ‘wigwam’ so you can sleep soundly in the midst of the Sherwood Forest. There are an endless number of activities for outdoor aficionados to take part in such as bird watching, a four-mile stroll around the picturesque serpentine lake, and a number of cycling routes. Get active or just lay back and let nature soak in. Sleep up to five in your snug and sturdy wooden wigwam with built-in beds, avoiding the hassle of setting up a tent. We think Robin would approve. nationaltrust.org.uk/Clumberpark

Never forget: Take a commemorative cycle trip

FINDING HISTORY FLANDERS FIELDS, BELGIUM

Honour those who were lost in the First World War during this commemorative self-guided cycling tour of Flanders Fields in Belgium. 2014 marks 100 years since the war broke out, so take time to reflect and pay your respects on a poignant year in history. Take a trip to the Flanders Field Museum in Ypres and listen to the buglers play the ‘Last Post’ at the Menenpoort. An ideal terrain for cycling, pedal along the flat green landscape of Belgium, taking in its scenic canals and sand dunes of the North Sea coastline. Visit the numerous memorials, battlefields and war trenches dotted across Flanders on this moving sixday tour priced at £631. freedomtreks.co.uk

Katrina Donaldson never thought that a prize-winning cow would play a significant part in finding the love of her life. Newlyweds Steven O’Kane, a farmer, and Katrina Donaldson, a livestock buyer, have Gorgeous the British Blue heifer to thank after meeting each other at a livestock show in Yorkshire. Katrina fell head over heels for Gorgeous and was allowed to purchase her on one condition, a date with the cow’s owner. Steven explained,“Katrina went through with the pretense on the first date, but then she fell in love with me.” The matchmaking cow was even present as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. Udderly lovely!

MAN AWAKES TO SOVIET MISSILE RUSSIA

A Siberian traffic policeman was expecting just another regular day. Instead he awoke to find a large Soviet rocket engine floating through his back yard. After heavy flooding in the southern Siberian village of Malougrenevo, the redundant missile had broken through heavy fencing from a neighbouring property, collecting two dogs along the way, now nick-named Belka and Strelka after two canines sent into space in 1960. The item was once used to carry fuel for missiles, however the police assured the item was in no way harmful at present. The owner Tatyana Zhdanova now plans to auction the rocket as an antique. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Head for Green Man in Wales

XXX Inspired by the Tour de France? UK Manager of Sherpa Exhibitions (sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk) shares xxx. the top self-guided cycle tours on your doorstep. Yellow jerseys at the ready… xx: xxx Cotswolds: Taking advantage of Roman roads and pub lunches, this tour explores the rolling hills of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are different route options depending on how your legs are holding up, but each swings by villages of Cotswold stone, a historical landmark or two and babbling brooks to boot. The tour is £590 per person, and begins and ends in historic Cheltenham. Cornwall: From Padstow to Lizard Point via Land’s End, this nine-day trip wheels around Britain’s most southerly spots, complete with olde worlde smuggling villages and plenty of sea air on the clifftops. Daily rides aren’t the longest, but there are a few hefty hills involved, and it can get a bit blustery too. A new addition this year, the nine-day tour rings in at £695 per person including accommodation and a caddy to ship your baggage around. Lochs and Bens: Okay, so it’s a little hilly, but this tour takes in the majesty of the Scottish Highlands on two wheels. Cycle paths and country lanes meander about lochs, waterfalls and Highland villages, while castles and monuments are dominated by a mountainous backdrop. From £485 per person, the trip includes a stop-off in Killin for water sports and lochside lazing. Sigh.

GREEN MAN Wales Amid the mystical mountains of South Wales, Green Man blends rural majesty with music, comedy and a sprinkling of magic. Ten festival 14-17 areas include Einstein’s Garden – where science, nature and comedy combine – and Fortune Falls, where a mini-waterfall babbles through an interactive art gallery to the tune of funk-pop DJs. AUGUST

WHERE: Brecon Beacons, Wales WHY GO: While Beirut, Daughter and First Aid Kit make for mellow grooves, Mercury Rev and The Waterboys get dancing feet all akimbo. If that’s not enough to get you going, Josh Widdicombe is on hand to provide a few laughs. WHAT ELSE? There’s plenty to explore on

ISLE OF DREAMS Basel, Switzerland

isle-of-dreams.com/

SZIGET Budapest, Hungary Blink 182 and Deadmau5 to the stage alongside 11-18 take Jake Bugg, Placebo and Crystal Fighters. This mega-eclectic lineup is crammed on to a River Danube island and surrounded by theatre and circus as well as the peaceful baths of Budapest. bilbaobbklive.com

greenman.net

CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL Chicago, Illinois

Velvety bass riffs find their way home and 28-31 ivories are well and truly tinkled at Chicago’s summer jazz extravaganza. First formed in 1974 as a tribute to Duke Ellington, the festival celebrates its roots with a heritage tent, while also promoting up-an-coming musicians and local community projects. Smooth. AUGUST

chicagojazzfestival.com

VERONA OPERA FESTIVAL Verona, Italy

AUGUST

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JUL-SEP

Celebrating its 101st 1-30 birthday, this opera programme fills more than two months with wistful warbling and dramatic Italian tales all in the ancient, atmospheric city amphitheatre. arena.it

Photos: Thinkstock, Luke Taylor and Polly Thomas. Words: Stephanie Palmer

The hills are alive with the pump of electronic beats as 8-10 Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold and Calvin Harris come out to play in culture-hub Basel. Dance halls are scattered around this mountainous little city, while the open-air main stage takes over the central stadium. If Basel isn’t for you, check out sister festivals in Istanbul and Israel. AUGUST

the festival site, but for a bit of peace and quiet try the three-hour stroll to the top of Crickhowell’s Table Mountain, where the views are as breath-taking as the hike. HOW MUCH: £159 for the full weekend including camping. Take some spare pocket money for local cider and a cheeky massage.

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Terms and conditions apply. All trips subject to availability. Information was correct at time of printing and special offers may no longer be available. Discounts are off the base trip price only and do not apply to food funds and local payments. Please contact a Topdeck reservations consultant to find out whether or not these special offers are still available. Normal cancellation conditions apply. Topdeck reserves the right to withdraw these offer at any time. Visit www.topdeck.travel/tnt

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SWANTON, LINCOLNSHIRE JUNE 29

and even life and limb in the name of some of the craziest competitive stakes out there. And, as the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, so here are our top five obscure UK festivals for you to check out and get stuck in!

WORLD EGG THROWING CHAMPIONSHIP

Eccentric Britain: home to the weird and wonderful events where people get an actual prize for whoever can win at toe wrestling, eat the most stinging nettles or snorkel through a bog. These outlandish festivals are putting this great country on the map, clearing up the Brits’ false reputation as a reserved nation, and showing the world that they will risk pride, honour, 38 00

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In this egg-citing event (come on, we had to), competitors from far and wide flock to Swaton, the “birthplace of egg throwing”, to battle it out in Russian egg roulette, egg trebuchet, target throwing and more. The proud tradition of chucking eggs around is said to date back to 1322 when the newly appointed Parish Abbott would give an egg to peasants attending church services. When the River Eau flooded, monks would hurl the eggs over the river to the waiting crowd. Risky. It’s been played in the village ever since and is now officiated by the

World Egg Throwing Federation, who take it so seriously that they have been championing to turn it into an official sport – something which, sadly, was rejected by Sport England back in 2011. Challenges include the egg trebuchet challenge, where players hurtle eggs at each other from a catapult, and egg target throwing, which not only encourages players to take aim at a human target, but even awards extra points for hitting certain areas, like the groin. In Russian egg roulette, competitors take turns smashing six eggs on their foreheads. Five are hard boiled, but one is raw and so the loser literally ends up with egg on their face. Along with bragging rights, winners take away chocolate egg awards. It’s estimated that 300-400 eggs are used in the festival every year, but what to do with the leftovers? Why, pelt them at one unlucky individual chosen to run and dodge them like bullets of course! swatonvintageday.com

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SWATON, LINCOLNSHIRE, JUNE 29

MARSHWOOD, DORSET, JUNE 7

WORLD BOG SNORKELLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WORLD STINGING NETTLE EATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Britain’s filthiest race takes place in its smallest, but not sanest, town of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales, and consists of a mad dash through 120 yards of peat bog to see who can swim it the quickest. No recognised strokes are allowed and swimmers can only lift their heads for orientation. The mad idea began as expected – in the pub. Bog Snorkelling founder, Gordon Green, cooked it up with some boozer regulars in 1976.

In this mouth-stinging competition, contestants gather at Dorset’s Bottle Inn Pub to see who can devour the most raw stinging nettles in an hour. Beer is in full supply to help swig down the spiky beasts. It started as a bet in 1986 when a local farmer boasted that he would eat his giant-monster-nettles raw if anyone could produce longer weeds. He was forced to eat his own words, and nettles.

green-events.co.uk

4 CASTLETOWN, ISLE OF MAN, AUGUST 16

bottle-inn.net

5 ASHBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE, MAY 26

WORLD TIN BATH CHAMPIONSHIPS

WORLD TOE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rub a dub dub, racing in a tub. Every year Castletown in the Isle of Man polishes off its old tin baths, throws them into the Middle Harbour and paddles frantically across 400m for a taste of victory. The first person to reach the finish line – or cover the furthest distance without sinking ship – wins. Luckily, Isle of Man Search and Rescue is on hand to prevent recreations of The Titanic.

This competition will literally knock your socks off. Players face-off at a ‘toedium’, lock toes and wrestle until they knock their opponent’s foot over or pin their digits in a toe-down. The game was born in a Wetton pub (surprise surprise) in 1974 when four drinkers whined about how rubbish the English were at sport and decided to invent a new one. And don’t worry, stinky cheese feet are verboten thanks to a rigorous toe inspection.

castletown.org.im/tinbaths

TOPFIVE MY EXPERIENCE

STINGING NETTLE CHAMP OF 2014, PHIL THORNE HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE STINGING NETTLE CHAMP?

I made up my mind that I wanted to do it and I’m a pretty determined chap. I didn’t practice or anything, but I knew that I was going to win. I feel quite proud of myself really. WAS IT PAINFUL?

It stings around the lips, but not inside your mouth. You don’t notice it when you’re doing it. It’s only when you have a drink afterwards that it tingles. It’s not overly painful. It’s not like eating wasps. Guess I’ll try to eat them next! WHAT’S YOUR TRICK TO EATING SO MUCH?

I just went for it! I was eating fistfuls of leaves and it gets quite difficult to swallow, so I was drinking cider to wash it all down. WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?

It’s iron-y. I compare it to spinach, with a bit of backbite. WERE THERE ANY STRANGE SIDE EFFECTS?

With the high fibre content, it was like having colonic irrigation the next day!

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A bridge over Lagoa das Sete Cidades

Gardens at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

A SIGHT FOR AZORE EYES Lagao Do Fogo

Editor Caroline enjoys the Azores

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Gorgeous, adventurous and unpredictable: make a date with the Azores before everyone else does WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

I have a confession to make: I had never heard of the Azores. But as soon as I was told that they’re the ‘New Zealand of Europe’ I was on a plane. And, unlike the 25 hours it would take to get to NZ, I was on a near-empty flight for a mere four hours before we landed on an island of mountains cloaked in green, geezers spewing steam, bubbling hot springs and glistening lakes. Why was the flight near empty? I guess many others haven’t heard of this part of Portugal either...yet. An archipelago huddled together in the Atlantic Ocean a two-hour flight away from the mainland, it’s deliciously unspoilt. The only hints at tourism are the hospitable locals and the abundance of activities to keep us busy. We spend our three days on São Miguel, although you can hop between the nine islands – each with its own distinct character – via local flights or ferries. São Miguel is the largest and most regularly visited. It’s clear the locals take great pride in their land and have worked with Mother

Nature to make it just perfect: the lush natural forests are well maintained, while the roads are dotted with palm trees and symmetrical flower beds. First up we meet our local guide, Tiago (you can request a tour guide through visitazores.com), who’s English is great and his personality even better, particularly his penchant for karaoke (after barely an arm twist he succumbed and proceeded to sing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – ‘Bohemain Rhapsody’! It’s six minutes long!). Our first outing is to canoe on Furnas Lake in Terra Nostra Park. Taking a minute to soak up the stunning scenery, we set off with confidence, only to repeatedly paddle round in circles. We’re in pairs and so I 100% blame this on my rowing partner, particularly as when she gets into Tiago’s canoe I manage to go straight... most of the time. Racing back to shore, we just manage to skip a downpour – the weather on the Azores is seemingly even more unpredictable than England’s, with four seasons coming

and going in one day. Heading back for the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, we take a welcome dip in its hot-spring pool – the first of many of varying shapes and sizes. This one feels like we have stepped back in time: the natural stone pool carved into the ground, the statues looking over us in various graceful poses, and a gorgeous white summer house at the top of a flight of stone steps where I half expect Darcy to sweep down and carry me off into the sunset. Instead, I am accosted by a large group of tourists who had paid to simply come and look at the pool. They choose the precise moment I hop out for my towel as the time to stampede out, and so I jump back in with a squeal, much to their amusement. Where’s Darcy when you need him? After a delicious dinner at the hotel (served by a waiter who has a brilliant resemblance to James Corden), Tiago takes us to Caldeira de Furnace, an area of steaming geezers and bubbling pools of boiling water. At night, the natural wonder takes on a particularly eerie atmosphere. With visions of witches casting spells and sacrificial rituals conjuring up in my mind, it doesn’t help when Tiago points out a drum-like sound coming from inside one of the caves and tells us it’s the banging of a mad man who was swept into the cave and is still trying to escape. Whether it was that story or tasting some of the iron-filled water, I have some weird dreams that night. The next day we join Picos de Aventura (picosdeaventura.com) for a whale watching trip. Although, unfortunately we don’t actually spot any whales, much to the surprise of the skippers who say they’d spotted whales for 30 consecutive days beforehand – great. We do see plenty of the common dolphin, however, and despite its name rubbing salt in the wound somewhat, we are still happy to see these plentiful fellows dancing around in the water, jumping up to say hello and showing off their smooth swimming skills close enough to the surface for us to watch them in awe. Despite wearing a top-to-toe, rather fetching blue rain coat, the sea water frequently decides to give me a fresh slap in the face, much to the amusement ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Indoor and outdoor pools at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

of my fellow passengers, and so it is with relief that our next scheduled stop is to take another dip in a hot spring. This time the pool is like something out of a Timotei ad, complete with lush forest, waterfalls and trickling streams. Stripping off and sinking into the 25° water of Caldeira Velha, the sea-slapping feels a million miles away. For our last day we have rock climbing and abseiling to look forward to. However, unfortunately the rain scuppers our plans, and we have to make do with just looking at the rock we would have climbed. If I’m totally honest, I am glad it is too wet for us – it is mighty steep with far-apart ‘nobbly bits’ for us to grab on to. For a keen climber, this would be awesome, but I am happy to stay at the bottom. And guess what we do instead? Yep, take another warm dip. It’s in the pool of the São Nicolau Restaurant – a great lunch spot. This time it’s a plain rectangle of water and concrete, seemingly plucked from a David Hockney painting. The sun comes out for our afternoon bike ride, which is around Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake nestled in the crater of a volcano. The super-stunning scenery is only occasionally thwarted by the attempt to get up the steepest hill of all time (probably) and cycling over a long stretch of cobbles, which makes me feel as if I have been amorous with Iron Man. So in my three days I have canoed in circles, been seaslapped, was dragged into singing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to a bar of strangers, not seen a whale, had crazy dreams and a somewhat painful bike ride, and yet this is the best kind of trip: unpredictable, full of adventure and stories, and all in a take-your-breath-away backdrop. I may not have heard of the Azores before, but I won’t be forgetting them in a hurry. 44

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visitazores.com WHERE TO STAY The art-deco Terra Nostra Garden Hotel takes you back to 1935, when it first opened, but the recent renovation means you get all the creature comforts of 2014. Big rooms, a superb restaurant, a wellness spa and the aforementioned hot spring pool plucked from the pages of Pride and Prejudice, it’s a romantic spot, and ideal for exploring the nearby Terra Nostra Park. Double room B&B from €145 bensaudehotels.com Hotel do Colegio is nestled among the skinny streets of the main part of town. Housed in an old music college, music paraphernalia abounds and the lobby and restaurant are impressive with grey stone floors, white walls and arched ceilings. It’s the perfect base for getting around, with plenty of bars and restaurants on its doorstep. Double room B&B from €105 hoteldocolegio.arteh-hotels.com WHERE TO EAT The food in the Azores is given a local twist thanks to its unique cooking method. Chunks of meat and vegetables are put in a hole in the ground, covered and left to cook in the natural volcanic heat for hours. For a true taste of this, head over to The Terra Nosta Garden’s restaurant across the road from the hotel. It’s not exactly gourmet, but it’s worth a try. It’s also worth taking the time to try the local tea and liquors by stopping off at the respective factories on the island. Take in the neat tea plantations of the Porto Formoso Tea Factory before checking out the machinery used to make the leaves into what you and I have in our cups on a daily basis. Finish off with a free and fresh cup of green or black tea. For our other favourite drink, the Mulher de Capote (cloaked woman) liquor factory is a worthy stop, if only to sample its unique-flavoured shots, from rice pudding to passion fruit – the latter of which I bought a bottle of thanks to it being completely delicious with a few slices of pineapple, and its €12 price tag. For dinner, you can’t beat the local cheese platter, hearty soup and succulent steak and chips at Alcides (Ponta Delgada, +351 296 629884), which has a lovely red-tiled and mural interior and locals huddled around the tables. For an upmarket meal with beautiful views over the port, Convés (Ponta Delgada, +351 296 098 546) offers freshly caught seafood with a salad bar and gorgeous local wine to accompany it.

GETTING THERE & AROUND SATA International offers return flights every Saturday between London Gatwick and Sao Miguel, with prices starting from £339 return. Weekday flights are also available, flying from London Heathrow via Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, so it’s a great idea to combine your visit with a weekend in Lisbon too. SATA International also offers the most comprehensive inter-island connections throughout the Azores archipelago, with prices starting from £46pp one-way. A return flight from Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, to Terceira starts from £119pp. For more information or to book, visit sata.pt

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Photos: Thinkstock, Mr Philip Halewood and City Sightseeing Glasgow, citizenM Hotel, Grasshopper Hotel.

Glasgow

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Game on, Glasgow The Commonwealth Games are heading for Glasgow, and you should be too. On your marks, get set, go... WORDS ERICA CROMPTON

There’s something changing about people’s perceptions of Glasgow. That shift from beer cans to beauty and culture can be traced back to 1990 when the former industrial giant was awarded the title of European City of Culture. The granting of this status reflected the now welcoming and warm nature of this creative, historical hub. This summer the shift in Glasgow’s fortunes continues at, quite literally, a running pace when speed guru Mo Farah descends on the city along with other uber-athletes. From July 23 to August 3, Glasgow will gain global recognition as it hosts the 20th Commonwealth Games. According to Glasgow 2014, a fifth of people attending the Games have never been to the host city, while more than half of ticket-holders admit to knowing little to nothing about Glasgow. But many spectators have decided to combine attending the Games with a longer trip to Scotland, so once you’ve had your fix of sport, head out into this great city for an altogether different experience… Things to do See all of Glasgow on a City Sightseeing bus tour and let a savvy guide show you the humour and personality Glaswegians have to offer while you’re at it. Check out one of two Universities or visit the Botanic Gardens. There’s also

the Riverside Museum and Glasgow Cathedral, with all of the city in between, while a good part of the tour runs along the River Clyde too. While a complete tour lasts one hour and 50 minutes, you can hop and on off as you wish and make a weekend of it (tickets last for two consecutive days). A ticket costs £12 or save £1 by booking online. citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk Where to eat THE UNIVERSITY CAFÉ Try Scotland’s famous fried Mars bars at a Glaswegian chippy or local greasy spoon café. A great find is the University Café, which also serves up traditional Scottish meat pie and legendary ice cream. The décor here is quaint and retro and prices start from £11 for a full meal (87 Byres Road, 0141 339 5217). ROCK LOBSTER Rock Lobster Seafood Bar and Grill offers quality local ingredients and Italian heritage in the heart of Glasgow. Splash out on a lush half lobster with thermidor sauce, fries and salad from £25, or try a Scottish oyster from as little as £2. rocklobsterglasgow.co.uk THE BANANA LEAF The Banana Leaf café offers southernIndian cuisines at southern-Indian prices. There are some things you simply must savour in life and the £1.49 banana soup special is one of those memorable dishes that really TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Bar (not so) Soba

Spoil yourself at Grasshoppers

CitizenM is worth a try. For your main you can sample a refreshing chicken coconut fry prepared with coconut milk, onion, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and green chilli. This succulent main originating from Kerala will set you back just £6. bananaleaf-glasgow.co.uk

Cheeky cocktail at Bar Soba?

CitizenM

Where to drink BAR SOBA Tucked away down a tiny side street, Bar Soba is as cool as bars come. It serves Pan-Asian street food alongside inventive cocktails and Japanese beers. The excellent staff are young, enthusiastic and attentive and certainly a draw to drinking here. Sit back and make yourself comfy in the chic interiors – and if your aesthetic tastes still aren’t satisfied, there’s The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture next door, to feast your eyes on instead. barsoba.co.uk KOKOMO Drop it like it’s hot on one of KOKOMO’s R’n’B and hip-hop nights. This swanky and modern venue is the place to party alongside Glasgow’s beautiful people. Open every night with offers of free entry, drinks promos and DJ sets, KOKOMO also has a VIP room where you may spot a celebrity or local football player. kokomoglasgow.com

Where to stay EURO HOSTEL GLASGOW Overlooking the River Clyde in Glasgow’s city centre, Euro Hostel offers all you really need with clean dorm rooms and a choice of private rooms. There’s also a decent bar where you can start off the night, and all for around a tenner a night. euro-hostels.co.uk/glasgow GRASSHOPPERS GLASGOW Ease into affordable luxury at Grasshoppers Glasgow, a hotel with a penthouse floor of 30 individual bedrooms. Wood-panelled walls, Caledonian oak floors and furniture have been made for Grasshoppers by a specialist joiner and are set along a backdrop of handmade wallpapers. The location is perfect for those of you using public transport, as it sits in the heart of Glasgow city centre, right next to Central Station. grasshoppersglasgow.com CITIZENM GLASGOW Lounge around under coloured lighting and recline on a luxury bed at citizenM Glasgow, which is located 400m from Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. Modern rooms feature free wi-fi and there’s also a designer lobby and 24-hour canteen, serving everything from sushi to salad. citizenm.com/destinations/glasgow (Ad)venture beyond Glasgow...

Explore Scotland’s countryside with HAGGiS

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We love a city break as much as the next person, but when you’re in Scotland, you simply have to explore its stunning countryside; it’s ripe for adventure and ‘breathe in that fresh air’ moments. Hike, bike, canoe and sea kayak through Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Fort William with HAGGiS Adventures on their ‘Explore the West Highland Way’ six-day tour. With a pick-up from Glasgow every Saturday from July to September, the trip costs £595. HAGGiSAdventures.com

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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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’Dam baby Sex shops, great bars and crazy museums; the grass really is greener in Holland’s Amsterdam... mainly because it’s legal WORDS RACHAEL GETZELS

Everyone knows what Amsterdam is famous for, but there’s much more to this idyllic city than fine herb and nights of red-lit pleasure. Delicate bridges and waterways weave in and out of old brick and glass buildings, and outdoor cafes line every road. There are hen and stag dos a-plenty, and hitting the main drag in Old Centre to party hard is definitely part of the experience, as is strolling through the infamous Red Light District where purring women push themselves up against windows beckoning in paying customers. When you’re looking to chill out, visit the mesmerising Van Gogh Museum or kick back with a spliff. Yes, it’s legal here – and all part of the, er, cultural experience.

What to do You can’t talk about Amsterdam without mentioning the weed cafes, or ‘coffee shops’, as they call them. Even if you’re not a smoker, have a peruse of the menus that read like restaurant offerings, and marvel at all the dozens of weird and wonderful flavours (you could also try some in a hash cake). Spui Square in the Old Centre has the highest concentration of coffee shops. Lounging in the numerous green spaces is just a way of life here. If you’re looking to exert yourself (and we mean this in the loosest sense of the word) then go for a bike ride through the ambling passageways that lead through old markets. There are numerous rental places as cycling is the main mode of transport here, but be mindful of the trams. You should also head for the district of Jordaan. It’s completely charming, crammed with mysterious bric-a-brac stalls, and top-notch galleries. Alternatively, a brilliantly booze-fuelled way to see the city is by signing up for a ‘Beer Bike’ tour with Damtours (damtours.nl), where you pedal around the city while sat at a mobile bar drinking beer. Genius, no? In the Museum Quarter, you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum, as well as Rijksmuseum, which houses works by Dutch masters Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Anne Frank museum, which has preserved the actual space where she and her family hid and were eventually discovered during World War Two, is a dramatic and moving testament to her and many others’ bravery (annefrank.org). There are also some quirky museums, such as the Tattoo Museum and a dedicated hemp and sex museum (what else?). Mind the bright pink plastic phallus on the way out.

“

Mind the bright pink plastic phallus

”

Where to eat Amsterdam is packed full of bars and restaurants, with everything from a mini Chinatown to entire rows of Argentine eateries. They’re buzzing at all hours, as lads on tour soak up their hangovers – or line their stomach in preparation for the next. Also, Amsterdam is a snack-lover’s paradise thanks to the ‘munchies’ everyone inevitably gets. On every corner you can get your mitts on greasy pizza, chocolate-smothered waffles or traditional fried balls of beef and breadcrumbs, called bitterballen. Outdoor stand Vleminckx on Vooetboogstraat offers what may be the best chips you’ve ever had, and we recommend going native by eating them with mayo (vleminckxdesausmeester.nl). At Burger Bar, good-quality patties are loaded high with delicious sauces and toppings that will have you coming back for more (burger-bar.nl). If you want something more classy, head out of town by taxi to REM Eiland. Don’t panic when they drop you off in the middle of an industrial wasteland, they have the right spot. Housed in an old oil rig with sky-high 360-degree views of the water, the restaurant serves up modern European fare and good wine. The prices won’t break the bank, but dress up a bit for the occasion. Arriving here means that you’re in the know (remeiland.com).

Where to party Where not to party is the question. There are 1,200 bars in Amsterdam, so you’ll never have problems finding some froth. Dam Square and the Red Light District in the Old Centre is where it all begins, and you can’t walk more than a step without stumbling into a watering hole, whether you like it or not. Simply follow the good vibes rather than a shopping list of bars. For a relaxed experience, head to Café de Dokter, which is one of the smallest and oldest bars in Amsterdam. Twenty Third Bar in the arty neighbourhood of Pjip is a classy affair, worth a visit for it’s spectacular view of the city from the (you guessed it) 23rd floor. ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Kinderdijk’s windmills Cutting-edge house and electric music permeates the clubs here. Club Trouw, located in an old newspaper printing press, is a cavernous, multi-floored venue where the beats go on all night, and well in to the day (trauwamsterdam.nl). Bitterzoet offers a break from non-stop techno with its soulful vibes and intimate bar (bitterzoet.com).

Where to stay Hostels abound in the Old Centre and they’re all buzzing. Especially recommended is St Christopher’s at the Winston, which is bang in the middle of the action (st-christophers. co.uk). The big hostel has kinky wall art by local artists and a good-time vibe in the bar, with three drinks for the price of two every night. They also have a 24-hour desk and lockers, which is useful if you’re travelling with a group and have some early arrivals. The Flying Pig hostels, with two city locations, are also vibrant places to stay, and they have the added bonus of a kitchen for guests (flyingpig.nl). Rooms aren’t that cheap in Amsterdam, and if you want a private expect to pay upwards of £30 a night. More upmarket is the chic Citizen M (citizenM.com), with locations near the airport, and also in the centre of town. This trendy boutique hotel chain has designer lounges, funky furniture and blue-lit walkin showers in every room. Prices start at £68.

Beyond Amsterdam… If the city all becomes a bit much, there are some relaxing and interesting day trips to be had beyond the trams and coffee shops. Let’s start with windmills; they are the cultural 52

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Beach houses in Zandvoort icon of Holland after all. In the Unesco World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, which is about an hour outside of Amsterdam, you’ll find 19 of these beautiesin a row, and you can enjoy views from the riverbanks with a picnic or take a canal tour (kinderdijk.com). Zandvoort, which is a 30-minute train ride out of Amsterdam, is Holland’s version of Brighton. This seaside resort town is packed full of lively open-air bars, and the long stretches of coastline mean there’s plenty to explore. Trains run until 4am. Go to ns.nl for tickets.

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FESTIVALGUIDE

DAY OF THE DEAD

WHEN? OCTOBER 31 to NOVEMBER 2

FESTIVAL GUIDE

DAY DAY OFKING’S THE DEAD I stepped from my airport taxi into an undulating sea of revellers clutching sugar skulls, pan de muerto sweet buns and cheery wreaths of marigolds. Met by a grinning skeleton with a purple feather boa, he handed me a tumbler of smoky agave liquor mescal. At the time, I’ll admit, it was quite a shock, but five years on, having explored much of what French poet André Breton once called “the surrealist country par excellence”, it seems to me that Mexico’s (now Unesco-listed) Day of the Dead is an ideal introduction to what this country is all about: the showmanship and the rowdy fun; the tear-jerkingly morbid sitting side-byside with the cheerfully ordinary; but also that backdrop of tradition, which is the centuries-old spinal chord on which the Mexican lifestyle is so firmly pinned. These gatherings of families and friends to make ofrendas (offerings) of food, drink and flowers on the graves of their loved ones are done to attract their souls to return to earth. Far from morbid, it is often a lively – even humorous – festival led by La Catrina, 54 00

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the chic female skeleton depicted in iconic Mexican artist Diego Riviera’s mural, ‘Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park’. Not only are there comparsas (carnival-style processions), folk dances and Day of the Dead altars in museums and public spaces, the markets are bright with the orange Mexican marigold used to decorate tombs, and there are street parties, funfairs and festivals countrywide. Macabre, mad and magical, you can expect a riot of colour, loud music, dancing and fiesta during this threeday holiday when shops and stores close down and Mexicans from all over the country gather in their cemeteries, not to mope over the loss of the living, but to celebrate with their dead.

Words: Heidi Fuller-Love. Photos: Getty, Facebook

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DAYOKTOBERFEST OF THE DEAD

XXXXXX FESTIVALGUIDE TOP FIVE

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

WHAT TO EXPECT

First celebrated by the Aztecs, who believed that once a year the dead returned to earth from Mictalan (their version of the underworld), Mexicans still offer food and drink like their Aztec forebears, in the hope of attracting the souls of their loved ones back to earth. When the Spanish conquered Mexico in the 16th century, they Christianised the Aztec festival and moved the date to coincide with Catholic All Saints Day in November. Today, Mexico’s Day of the Dead, which combines Catholic symbols with Aztec traditions, begins with All Hallows’ Eve when children create special altars for the angelitos (dead children spirits), followed by All Saints’ Day, when adult spirits are invited to return. This deaththemed fiesta climaxes on All Souls’ Day, when families head for the cemetery to decorate the tombs of their relatives.

From Oaxaca to Cabo san Lucas, there are all kinds of Day of the Dead customs in Mexico. Oaxaca is renowned for its graveyard tours; in Guanajuato you can visit the fascinatingly gruesome Museo de las Momias (Mummy Museum); in the Mayan town of Pomuch families exhume the bones of their dead; while the candlelit flower-covered canoes of Lake Pátzcuaro are legendary. Perhaps the easiest festival to access, though, is in Mexico City itself, where you’ll find stunning altars and deaththemed exhibitions in public spaces such as the Diego Rivera Museum. The city’s Zocalo main square becomes the focus of six days of celebrations, ranging from re-enactments of Aztec games to live music, theatre and lucha libre wrestling matches.

GET IN THE SPIRIT

WHAT ELSE?

If you really want to get into the spirit of this wacky funeral fiesta, grab yourself a skeleton costume and a sugar skull, and head out into the streets to have fun. Stop off at the plaza Garibaldi for a foaming glass of fermented agave pulque (the onetime sacred Aztec drink that looks like creamy milk and tastes like sour fruit), then buy a couple of pan de muerto sugar buns decorated with pastry ‘bones’ to eat at the graveside. You can expect to dance in the cemeteries, but also in university campuses or among fellow revellers during this time of massive street parties. The most popular tunes that you’ll hear all over town are ‘Lindo y Querido’ and ‘El Rey’, so make sure you learn some of those rumba-style Mariachi dances before you go.

With 10,000km of gorgeous coastline, you’re spoilt for choice when seeking bath-warm seas and silky sands here in Mexico, but if you want to soak up some culture along with sultry sunshine, hop on a plane to Cancun where you’ll find a lively party scene and the new Wonder of the World, Chichen Itza, close by. Mexico has more Unesco-designated world heritage sites than any other country in the Americas. Head for Santiago de Tequila and follow The Tequila Route through desert-like landscape to discover hacienda distilleries, opal mines and gourmet eateries. Make a pit stop at El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary, home to 20 rare species, including the critically endangered gray whale, and don’t miss Xochimilco, known as the Mexican Venice.

WHERE TO STAY With all those funeral festivities out in the streets, you’ll be out dancing until dawn so don’t bother splurging on a hotel bed space during Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival. At the heart of the centro historico old town and close to all of the city’s main attractions, Downtown Beds is a fun-and-friendly hostel, which is also an easy hop from many of the festival’s main events. WOW FACTOR

Situated in a superbly renovated 17th-century palace, this swish hostel has a Jacuzzi, pool and garden roof terrace, and you can even borrow one of their vintage bicycles to crank your way around town. ROOMS

This recently renovated hostel’s clean but fairly sparse rooms can sleep two, four or eight people. BILL PLEASE

From £24 a night. downtownbeds.com

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French fancy They say the French live life with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’... but we have a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with Paris, wine and lots of cheese WORDS HEIDI FULLER-LOVE

Split into 95 départements and boasting some 37,000 villages, The Hexagon, as the French have nicknamed their country because of its six-sided shape, is packed with sites, activities and food for every taste and budget. Only got a short amount of time? We tell you where to go and why... Best for romance PARIS The sultry, sexy city that inspired Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is the perfect place for lovers. Whether you dine by candlelight as you glide along the Seine river; hold hands as you stroll through the hip-and-happening Latin quarter, or lock eyes as you sip a cocktail at the top of the Eiffel Tower, romance is never far away. But love can’t survive an empty stomach, so when you need to feed the flame pick up a snack at Bastille, the city’s best food market, or splurge on some creative cuisine at the achingly atmospheric, 58

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celebrity-loved gourmet restaurant Le Grand Vefour. If you want to burn off some calories while sticking close to your date, hire a tandem from Paris Velo Sympa and do a tour of the city’s sights. Now it’s time to check out some of the Latin Quarter’s sizzling nightlife, so pick up some hip rags in Indie boutiques near Chatelet where Parisian rock royalty love to shop, then dance until dawn at Les Bains Douches, just one of the city’s glitterati-packed clubs where celebs from Jagger to DiCaprio come to let off steam. What else? Once you’ve checked out Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile, pretended to be a millionaire along the glittering Champs Elysees and ‘done’ the art-packed Musee d’Orsay, sashay over to the newly renovated St Martin canal area where you can paddle around on the water, browse designer stores or catch a gig in one of the trendy cafes.

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AA GUIDE GUIDE TOTO MOROCCO FRANCE

Best for activities THE ALPS With those amazing snow-capped peaks, mountain chalets, icy rivers to kayak down, lakes to swim in, paths to hike, tracks to bike along and countless crags to climb, the French Alps is an ideal destination for adrenalin freaks. Europe’s highest summit and home to the winter Olympics, Mont Blanc towers above some of the world’s most famous ski resorts. After snowboarding in Tignes and skiing in Les Arcs, enjoy a raft of après-ski activities in the lively, student-packed town of Grenoble. If the cold stuff isn’t for you, head for La Clusaz where you can hike the spectacular Via Ferrata – the alpine route once used by partisans to carry munitions, or try white water rafting in the Giffre River, which fumes and foams its way through the narrow Tines gorge. Europe’s highest town, Briançon, is a great destination for cyclists seeking a challenge. A Unesco world heritage site since 2008, this high-flung town, conceived by engineering wizard Vauban, is an amazing labyrinth of 17th- and 18th-century forts and star-shaped fortifications where you can wander a while before whizzing through breathtaking scenery to the panoramic Col Du Lautaret. If you want to get higher still, head for Annecy, where you can glide over this stunning medieval town known as the region’s paragliding capital, before hiring a canoe and paddling around this pretty city’s vast lake. What else? When those lonely peaks get too much for you, discover Chagall, Matisse and more at Grenoble’s fabulous Musée des Beaux-Arts, or soothe those bumps and bruises in one of Courchevel’s sumptuous spas.

Climb the Via Ferrata in La Clusaz

Images: Thinkstock and Getty

Best for sun and sea PROVINCE Whether it’s aniseed-scented Marseilles pastis, the glorious sheltered calanques (creeks) of Cassis, or that catchy tune ‘Sur Le Pont d’Avignon’, Province, the region whose luminous landscapes inspired artist Van Gogh, is the place to head when you’re seeking sea and sun. In France’s second largest city you can wander for days along cobbled streets discovering Roman ruins and eclectic museums; shopping in the old city’s bustling bazaars; supping traditional Bouillabaisse fish stew in one of the cafes along the old port; or just lazing on one of the glorious beaches in nearby La Ciotat. When it’s time to flash that tan, make your way to the celebrity-studded beaches of St Tropez, or join crowds wandering along La Croisette in famed film festival venue, Cannes. Once you’ve had enough of those madding crowds, ride a bike into the wild and wonderful Camargue region, where you can spot pretty pink flamingos and white horses, picnic in the dunes or swim from some of Province’s best beaches. What else? If you want to duck out of that sizzling sun for a while, soak up some culture in the museums and sites of medieval Avignon. On weekends you should make your way to Isle sur

Fountains in front of Longchamps Palace in Marseille

Stroll the streets of Cannes

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FOODS TO TRY Figuring on Unesco’s intangible world heritage list since 2010, the French gastronomic tradition is legendary. Here are a few dishes that you mustn’t miss. Escargots Removed from their shells, cooked with garlic, butter, or a wine-based sauce, then stuffed back into their shells and served piping hot, snails are the iconic French dish. Confit de canard Traditionally from the Gascony region, the crispy delicious confit is a piece of duck meat, which is rubbed with salt and herbs, grilled in its own fat, then served with feather-light roast potatoes. Divine. Sauternes Made from Semillon sauvignon blanc and muscatel grapes, this sweet white wine is excellent served with that other French speciality, foie gras. Crème brûlée Invented in the 18th century, this rich dessert consists of a creamy custard base topped with a crackling cover of caramel and is generally flavoured with vanilla, although other savours range from lavender to pistachio. Camembert A favourite on every French table, this creamy cow’s milk cheese hailing from Normandy has been made since the 18th century. Vineyards on the hills of Burgundy

Snails cooked in garlic butter

la Sorgue to pick up some cool shades and other vintage bargains in the city’s vast marché aux puces (flea market). Best for foodies WINE COUNTRY From Bordeaux to Burgundy and Champagne, France is famed too for its guzzle-worthy grape juice – and in a country famed for its gastronomy there’s plenty of good food to go with those fine wines. Boasting more than five dozen different appellations, Bordeaux is an ideal destination for wine lovers. Hire a bike to get around this pancake-flat city and make a beeline for the Musée du Vin et du Négoce to learn more about the city’s long wine history. Next pedal over to Quartier St-Pierre and sample local specialities lamproie à la Bordelaise (lamprey eels in red wine sauce) and esturgeon à la Libournaise (sturgeon in a white wine sauce) in one of the cafes on this lively central square. Party in one of the hip wine bars close by, then get up early and head out of the Route de Médoc, to sample some of the region’s celebrated wines. Alternatively, head north to Burgundy’s medieval capital Beaune, where vines have been grown along the banks of the river Saone for several millenniums. Here you can see winemakers’ tools and learn about local traditions in the Musee de la Vigne et du Vin then head out on a walking tour of the surrounding villages to sample some of those dry red wines made from Pinot noir grapes and white wines made from Chardonnay grapes in local farms. What else? When you’ve supped enough wine, make a beeline for Cognac, home of fine brandy since the Middle Ages, where you can visit the ancient Cognac houses, learn how the brew is made, then sample some of that heady brown stuff in cafes and restaurants along cobbled streets of this picturesque town beside the Charente river. 60

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GETTING THERE & AROUND The major international airports in Paris are Roissy, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. For the Alps you should fly to Grenoble airport, for Provence jet over to Marseilles and for wine country you can fly to Bordeaux. Flights from London to Paris start from £100. France has good public transport and it’s easy to use. In Paris the metro is your best PARIS bet, while the high-speed TGV will whiz you between most Grenoble major destinations. Most larger towns have good transport Bordeaux Marseilles systems, but it’s a good idea to rent a car if you want to explore further afield.

DESIGN 1

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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Meet in the Middle When the clouds start rolling in once more, sun, sand and, er... shisha await you in the Middle East WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE 62

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The Middle East is usually in the news for all the wrong reasons, but there are many areas that are safe, relaxed, and bulging with unique experiences. Even better is that these close-to-the-equator countries are the perfect temperature during the crappiest months of the year in England – namely September/October/November and February/March/April. Don’t be tempted by the cheap deals during June, July or August. You will barely be able to leave your room it’s so sweaty outside. Also Ramadan, when there is no drinking or loud music allowed so all the clubs close down, tends to fall in the summer months. Do remember to be respectful of local cultures with what you wear and how you behave, but otherwise, go and have yourself a ball... UNITED ARAB EMIRATES It may not be the capital, but Dubai arguably wears the crown of the UAE. And it’s probably the world’s largest crown, and dripping with diamonds. It’s a strange-old place is Dubai, and if you are the kind of person who gets upset by double standards, we advise against a visit. (Read: gold Lamborghinis vs labourers working in the scorching sun for a pittance; Islamic culture and Sharia Law vs free-flowing booze and various related shenanigans.) Also, if you enjoy a holiday where you get to roam the streets, chat to locals and soak up the history, don’t visit Dubai. The place is basically built around a huge eight-lane motorway so it’s near-impossible to walk anywhere, the locals don’t tend to talk to anyone bar each other (and the place is full of expats anyway), and the UAE is 43 years old; the oldest skyscraper – the Dubai World Trade Centre – was built in 1978. So why should you visit Dubai? Because it has to be seen to be believed. And, in truth, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. A sample of what you could do in a weekend covers shopping in one of the world’s largest malls (thedubaimall. com) before watching the world’s largest dancing water fountain in its grounds; going up to the 124th floor of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa (burjkhalifa.ae); sunning yourself on a beach with a view of the sail-shaped seven-star Burj Al Arab (Jumeirah Open Beach); heading for the gold and textile souks in the ‘old’ part of town (Deira and Karama), buying a ‘Mulberry’ bag for non-Mulberry prices, and taking a trip on a dhow across the Creek for Dhs1 (approx 20p); skydiving over the man-made Palm Jumeirah island (skydivedubai.ae), jumping down the Leap of Faith waterslide in Aquaventure, part of the salmon-pink Atantis hotel (atlantisthepalm.com); heading out into the Gulf on a Jet Ski or flyboard (that thing where you have jets of water attached to your feet, searide-dubai.com), and finishing it all off with a Michelin-star meal and a 3am finish in a worldclass club. For day trips out of Dubai, we recommend booking on a dhow trip in Kasab, Musandam (alarabitravel.wordpress.com/ tag/kasab). Dangle your feet off the edge as dolphins play in the water below and butter-coloured mountains provide a cinematic backdrop. The capital, Abu Dhabi, is also worth a

visit, particularly if you are dying for a culture fix as it is soon to be home to Guggenheim and Louvre museums. The goldleaf plastered Emirates Palace (kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/ emirates-palace) is worth a visit for afternoon tea, but we advise against bothering with Ferrari World on Yas Island. To be frank, it’s dull. Where to eat: Dubai is awash with incredible restaurants – pretty much every celebrity chef has a post here. You should probably just pick one for your trip though as it will likely bankrupt you (we’re talking £100+ per head). We can personally vouch for the quality at Rhodes Mezzanine in Grosvenor House (grosvenorhouse-dubai.com/en), while a night at Refletts par Pierre Gagnaire (diningdfc.com) is akin to stepping into a jewellery box and eating food from a fairytale. Souk Madinat Jumeirah (jumeirah.com) is a great evening destination – even if it does look like a film set. Pick from the many bars and restaurants overlooking the man-made canals with fairy-lit abras chugging by and the Burj Al Arab looming in the background. For a budget meal, try heading into Karama or Deira for a dearth of great Indian restaurants, or go for a cheap and cheerful Lebanese joint such as Al Hallab (alhallabrestaurant.com), which is as close as you will get to local cuisine – Emirati food is not big on the dining scene as it takes hours or even days to prepare and cook. Where to party: The weekend in the UAE is on Friday and ››

Downtown District, Dubai, UAE TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Saturday, and Friday brings with it the mammoth brunch. Pretty much every hotel offers these all-you-can-eat-anddrink sessions, with varying prices and quality. For exquisite food and a sophisticated setting try Traiteur in the Park Hyatt (dubai.park.hyatt.com), for one of the biggest brunches in town try Al Qasr back at the Madinat (jumeirah.com), and for a messy brunch that inevitably turns into a drunken food fight, try Yalumba (yalumba-dubai.com). If you manage to survive, you can spend the rest of the night at The Music Hall (themusichall.com) for a cool cabaret show, or head to 360 for drinks on an open-air ‘island’ (it’s on the end of a pier), with views across Dubai’s shore line and the ever-present Burj Al Arab (yep, it’s jumeirah.com again – they own a lot of the big resorts in the city). If you prefer a place with sticky floors that serves pizza to anyone who lasts until the 3am finish, end your night at the infamous Rock Bottoms in Bur Dubai (no website, probably because it’s not owned by Jumeirah, but the taxi driver will know where to take you). Where to stay: If you’re holidaying in Dubai, you may as well go all out and kiss goodbye to your month’s wages (plus you won’t find any hostels here). A popular spot for celebs is Jumeirah Beach Hotel (jumeirah.com), probably due to its beach-front location and close proximity to the best bars and clubs. The Royal Mirage One & Only (royalmirage. oneandonlyresorts.com) would be our personal choice: it’s luxurious but in a classic Arabic way, not loud and garish; it’s quiet, low-level and pretty, plus it’s still close to the action. For a ‘budget’ stay, the Citymax Al Barsha (citymaxhotels. com/en/hotels) offers good rooms in an ugly part of town, but it’s still only a short taxi ride from anywhere (and the taxis are cheap as very cheap chips). For your own infinity pool overlooking rolling sand dunes, rent a car and head to the desert oasis Qasr Al Sarab (qasralsarab.anantara.com). JORDAN A secret city carved into rock, a sea where no person can sink, magical mud that can turn back time… Jordan truly is the Kingdom of fairytales. It doesn’t get much more magical 64

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And bobbing about in the Dead Sea, Jordan which watches over the beautiful Jordanian countryside, Mount Nebo – the believed burial site of Moses and where you can see across Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho – and various other view points, including a sweeping vista over the Wadi Musa, a vast, cavernous wadi said to rival the USA’s Grand Canyon. About 30 minutes away from the Dead Sea you can trek through a part of this wadi. Using ropes, your own strength and a heavy dose of courage, clamber up rocky walls, dive into waterfalls and whiz down Mother Nature’s water flumes. Reaching the Dead Sea, it looks like a mystical land come to life: a sea as calm and still as a mill pond stretches out far in front of you. Smother yourself in the gooey ‘youthgiving’ mud before wallowing into the water and feeling it lift you up like a bobbing cork. It is a peaceful, mystical place and truly one of our favourites in the world. Where to eat: There are plentiful cheap and cheerful spots in Petra, with plastic tablecloths, pictures on the menu and tasty grilled chicken with tomato paste, garlic, flatbread and chips. By the Dead Sea there’s a strip of hotels, including a Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Kempinski, Holiday Inn and Mövenpick, so you can choose from the offerings there, which mainly consist of somewhat unexciting buffet fare. The Mövenpick (moevenpick-hotels.com), has a nice courtyard area with a pizzeria, steakhouse and Asian restaurant to choose from.

Pictures: Getty, Thinkstock, Mövenpick Hotels and Caroline Garnar

Editor Caroline in front of the Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE

than a lost city, and Petra was built by the Nabateans back in 400BC, but was only discovered by the Western world in the early 1800s. Petra is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You have probably seen a thousand pictures of its famous Treasury, but nothing compares to seeing it in real life (visitpetra.jo). Sure it’s become a bit touristy – nowadays the Treasury is guarded by two costumed guards and you have to fight for a clear photo opportunity – but there’s also so much more to see including the stunning monastery at the top of 800 steps (you can take a donkey), tombs, the remains of an amphitheatre and naturally formed rock patterns, as well as stopping for a cup of tea with a Bedouin who calls this Wonder of the World his home. The Dead Sea is about a five-hour drive from Petra, but there are many worthy stop-offs along the way. These include the peaceful mountain village of Dana, the church in Madaba – which houses mosaic maps of Jordan and is believed to have been the site of a miracle – Kerak Castle,

Where to party: Jordan is pretty chilled out come sun set, but it’s worth getting a drink in the oldest bar in the world. Cave Bar is housed in one of Petra’s rock tombs, and although it’s a chilled place for a drink, it has been known to stay open until the wee hours on hot summer nights. The Mövenpick also has a nice relaxed rooftop bar with a twinkling, starry view. In the Dead Sea you’ve basically got to rely on hotel entertainment. That, or get blind drunk at one of the beach bars. Guess which one we recommend? Where to stay: The five-star Mövenpick Petra has great-sized rooms and is right across the road from the ‘secret city’, so you can explore as soon as you wake. The best stretch of Dead Sea is arguably to be found at The Mövenpick Dead Sea. Public areas can be dirty and hard to get to due to the rocky descent, but the Mövenpick stretch is clean, with regular jetties extending into the sea so you can wade into the water with ease (moevenpick-hotels.com). For a package including a guide, transport and accommodation, we can recommend onthegotours.com.

Mövenpick Petra, Jordan

LEBANON Lebanon is awesome. You can be on the beach one minute, skiing in the mountains the next, and sipping drinks in a giant industrial pipe at the end of the night (yep, in a pipe). Beirut is arguably the best place to base your trip and it is a fascinating city. It’s one of those places you can just spend the whole day wondering about with no real aim, and yet stumble across so many cool things. Take a stroll along the sea front to see local boys jumping into the waters around Pigeon Rock, wander the streets of Downtown – a pretty, regenerated area of cafes, shops and restaurants that’s also home to many historical sites, old churches and mosques – and peer through the iron gates of hollowed-out buildings with walls peppered with bullets from Beirut’s days of civil war. Indeed, this is never too far from the city’s consciousness, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see tanks and army troops manning the streets. For a trip out of Beirut head to the Jeita Grotto (jeitagrotto.com), a stunning cave with walking or rowboat tours on offer, and the mountain village of Harissa to share panoramic views with the statue of the Virgin Mary known as ‘Our Lady of Lebanon’. Where to eat: Lebanese food is delicious and fresh. You can fill your boots easily in Beirut simply by stopping off at any one of the street bakeries that are dishing out steaming hot manakeesh: fluffy Arabic bread served stuffed with zataar, cheese or minced meat. It’s ridiculously tasty and cheap – follow the crowds for the best. For dinner, order hot and cold mezze to start and a platter of grilled meats to share between a group, and trade dessert for a puff on a fruit-flavoured shisha pipe. Try Tawlet, which uses the fresh farmers’ market wares from Souk El Tayeb to create its menu (soukeltayeb.com), or for a fancy night out, try La Centrale (Mar Maroun Street, Saifi), which serves sophisticated French fare and has the aforementioned bar in a pipe on its ceiling (see below for details). Where to party: Gemmayze is an area where the streets are lined with bar after bar, all the same shape and size (tiny, long and narrow), but each with its own unique character. We say have a drink in as many as you can manage.

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan

St Paul Basilica, Harissa, Lebanon

Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, Turkey

The ‘pipe bar’ we previously mentioned is a must-do. Take an old-fashioned lever elevator up to the huge pipe on the ceiling of La Centrale (Mar Maroun Street, Saifi) to find hidden inside a well-stocked bar. Take a stool at said bar and admire the views across the city thanks to the retractable roof. You can’t get much cooler than that. To take you into the night, Beirut is home to the original Music Hall (themusichall.com), which has a seriously quirky and somewhat haphazard line-up of acts, from an Abba tribute band to a local man with a mightily impressive beard and talent for playing the mey (a Turkish oboe). It seems Beirut loves its quirky locations, and last but by no means least is B018 (b018.com), a club that is housed in a hole in the ground in a car park, basically. It has a roof that lifts up, which is preferable as when it’s closed it does make you feel a bit like you’re in a mass grave. You get a free drink with your entry fee, which is quite possibly the strongest drink you will ever consume, and you spend the night dancing on – and trying not to fall off – the tables. Where to stay: A basic but well-equipped spot is West House (westhousehotel.net), which has one residence in the centre and one closer to the seafront. They are more hotel apartments than basic rooms so good if you want the option of self-catering. For a hostel, Mady’s (Azirian building, Gemmayze) is in the heart of the Gemmayze district and has a large shared balcony – a good spot to start or end your night. It is very basic, however, and has local touches that may hurt your eyes if you are not Arabic.

across the Bosphorus and take pictures of the mosque from the waters, while taking in the rest of the city and architectural wonder of the Bosphorus Bridge. Also be sure to stop off for a Turkish coffee and shisha in one of the restaurants tucked into the arches of the Galata Bridge and watch the hundreds of fishing lines bobbing around in the water. Where to eat: The riverside is rich with romantic, fairy-lit restaurants serving up fresh seafood and shaken cocktails. For a local touch, head inland and roam the cobbled streets until you find a restaurant with cheeky local waiters, Ouzo by the gallon (an aniseed drink similar to Sambuca, drunk straight or with lemonade) and a belly dancer. Some recommendations include Ulus 29 (group-29.com) on the water’s edge, Mikla (miklarestaurant.com/en) for city views, and Tatbak (tatbak.com) for drool-worthy local dishes. Where to party: Open-air clubs of numerous storeys line

TURKEY You can enjoy stunning beach holidays in Turkey (go for Olu Deniz over Bodrum, though), but to get a true taste of the culture you can’t beat its capital Istanbul. Sure it’s a little ‘tourist trappy’ but haggling at the Grand Bazaar is still a must-do (grandbazaaristanbul.org). Colourful lanterns, hammered brass and pashminas line the stalls while the smell of leather permeates the air. The Blue Mosque (bluemosque.co) is one tourist trap we would recommend avoiding. It’s stunning enough from the outside and, while inside is beautiful, it’s so crowded you can barely see anything or enjoy it. Instead, jump on a ferry ride 66

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the shores of the Bosphorus, mainly pumping out house music, from ambient to acid. Angelique (anjelique.com.tr) is the spot to see and be seen – that is if anyone can tear their eyes away from the stunning panoramic views as it’s housed in a three-story waterside mansion. Reina (reina. com.tr) is a whole night out in one with restaurants, bars and numerous dancefloors, all watched over by the striking red-lit Bosphorus Bridge. Suada Club (suadaclub.com.tr/en) is located on a unique man-made island complete with a huge swimming pool and luxurious boats moored up for the night. For something less posy and more unique, head in-city to the Jolly Joker (jistanbul.com) where you can see live Turkish bands rocking out in a good-old-fashioned pub. Where to stay: There are some gorgeous boutique hotels in Istanbul. Try the home-from-home Hotel Ibrahim Pasha (ibrahimpasha.com), which has a gorgeous roof terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque and Bosphorus and cosy but chic rooms. If you fell in love with the Grand Bazaar, stay at the Kybele (kybelehotel.com), which offers a kaleidoscope of colours, materials and hanging lamps from every ceiling. For a hostel as unique as its name and with owners who can point you in the direction of all the coolest clubs and bars, try Sumo Cat Hostel (sumocat.hostel.com). ISRAEL You may have been put off visiting Israel previously as a stamp in your passport from here can often mean a stamp on your hopes of visiting most other countries in the Middle East. But, currently, the authorities have replaced the visa stamp with an entry card so you can throw it away once you leave. This really is good news as Israel is a fascinating place and a hell of a lot of fun to visit. You should stick to the West part of the country as the areas that border parts of Lebanon and Gaza can be unstable, so your main points of call should be Jerusalem, Jaffa and Tel Aviv.

BIGTRIP In Jerusalem you should see the Old City, Yad Vashem, and explore some of the more modern, bustling parts of the city including Machane Yehuda, the city’s frenetic market place. You can visit the religious sites of the iconic gold plated Dome of the Rock and, of course, the Western Wall. Tel Aviv is like another world. The vibrant built-up city has a huge LBGT scene thanks to Israel being the only country in the Middle East where homosexuality is legal (go Israel!), and its nightlife scene is epic. By day visit the Old Port – a renovated commercial centre full of shops, restaurants, cafes and clubs – then the warrens of narrow lanes and ramshackle buildings in the Yemenite Quarter. Close by, you will also find the bustling Carmel Market, which is the beating heart of the city and full of hustle and bustle. If it’s relaxation you crave, enjoy some sunshine on one of Tel Aviv’s beaches; Gordon Beach is one of the best. Jaffa is a beautiful coastal fortress town with one of the oldest harbours in the world. It is only 2.5km from Tel Aviv, which makes it a great day trip from the city. Where to eat: You can grab food on the go at Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem. The market’s produce is fresh and the locals who cook it, experienced. Plus it comes with a side of atmosphere. Try Azura for hearty local comfort food such as mejadra, which is made of lentils, rice, spices and fried onion. Otherwise, Machuneyuda (machneyuda.co.il) and Chakra (chakra-rest.com) are good options for local food but with an international and modern twist, while Little Jerusalem (9 HaRav Kook St) is a lovely little spot where you can enjoy Israeli breakfasts on the patio and live jazz at night. Café culture is big in Tel Aviv and you can’t beat grabbing a street-side table so you can people watch while tucking into delicious local breads and pastries. Of course, to keep up with the uber-cool population of Tel Aviv, there are lots of classy international restaurants offering fine dining too. Try Herbert Samuel (herbertsamuel.co.il) for impressive fusion cuisine or Mul-Yam (mulyam.com) for delicious and innovative seafood dishes. Where to party: Save your partying for when you reach Tel Aviv as it boasts the best nightlife in Israel. You can expect anything from salsa nights to mega clubs, so make sure you squeeze in a couple of all-nighters. The city’s Allenby district is home to numerous top bars, although it doesn’t even start warming up until 11pm. Head for the cleverly disguised Deli Bar (which you have to access through an actual deli), and the super-hip, hard-to-find and underground (literally) Radio Bar, which has a live soul/funk band and enormous bar. Where to stay: Jaffa Gate (Old City, Jaffa Gate, in front of David’s Tower) is a cheap and cheerful hostel, with cute local interiors and a location walkable to and from many of the main sites. The Citadel Youth Hostel (Old City, Jaffa Gate, in front of David’s Tower) nestled in the Old Town has a quirky all-stone interior and good views. In Tel Aviv the Gordon Inn (10, Elifelet Street) is a great option, close to the beach and Carmel Market with clean, bright rooms and a relaxed but fun atmosphere. To get a taste of ‘real’ Tel Aviv, Hostel Overstay TLV (Derech Ben Tsvi 47) prides itself on not being in the city centre, instead offering a unique stay with a creative, musical clientele with a penchant for dressing up, getting drunk and getting in the (blow-up) pool after a night out. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

48HOURS

NAPLES ATHENS

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YOUR WEEKEND IN ATHENS, GREECE

DAY ONE

an over-sized freshly baked pretzel from one of the street stalls. Let’s start with the history while you’re still fresh and hangover-free. Head onto Vassilissis Sofias Avenue to the Benaki Museum, a compact venue in an old neoclassical house with a superb collection covering all stages of Greek culture, from ancient to modern times. Be sure to check out the sparkling collections of ancient jewellery.

MORNING Aim for the Syntagma metro station. With only two train lines, this is a simple metro system and it’s tricky to get lost. Syntagma Square is the centre of modern Athens, with the rather modest parliament building at its forefront. Look out for the changing of the guard – Greek style. Head for breakfast at the GB Roof Garden at the Hotel Grande Bretagne – booking advised on the weekend. Some of the best views of the Acropolis and city are to be had from here, so fuel up in style for the day ahead. If you’re on a budget or in a hurry, grab a coffee and

AFTERNOON On the other side of the street are the National Gardens – a tranquil, relaxing spot with plenty of cool little coves, perfect for a stroll on a hot day. Walk to the far side of the gardens and you’ll reach the stunning 50,000 seat Panathenaic Stadium, built in ancient times to honour one of the Goddesses of Ancient Greece, Athena, the protector of the city. The stadium stood semiruined for most of its history, but was restored in the 1800s and hosted the first modern Olympic games. From here, you’re a 10-minute walk

One of the oldest cities in the world, with more than 3,400 years of recorded history, Athens has had plenty of ups and downs. In recent times, after six years of economic crisis, Athens is on the up with great new hotels, bars and restaurants springing up every month alongside some of the best historical and cultural sites in Europe.

See the Greece from centuries ago Find a tranquil spot on the water for lunch

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Atticus are equally impressive in their own way. This is a magical part of the world where myths and legends were born and continue to live. If history isn’t your thing, it’s worth the climb for the fantastic views of the city and the sea. With a day of culture behind you, it’s time for some partying. But before going out on the town, head for dinner at the quirky and elegant Pallas Athena, a new boutique art hotel on Athinas Street that opened at the start of 2014. Get started with a bottle of Greek white wine – one of the hidden gems of the wine world, they generally have a slightly lower alcohol percentage, with softer, refreshing and extremely drinkable flavours. The hotel’s restaurant, rooms and Liberace-style lobby are full of unique works of art, including original ceramics by Picasso, modern sculptures and a white leather sofa in the shape of a baseball mitt. Taxis are very cheap in Athens, so take one to Villa Mercedes, the cream of Athenian clubbing. This club attracts the A-List of the city’s partygoers, with regular PAs by international DJs, such as David Guetta. Don’t arrive before 1am.

Words: Danny Hilton. Photos: Thinkstock and supplied

DAY TWO away from the Olympieion, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch – one of the Roman entrances to the city. Both are must-see relics of ancient times, offering a glimpse of what the city would have looked like long ago. Head over to Plaka, the neighbourhood at the foot of the Acropolis hill, with its winding labyrinth of ancient, narrow streets and many shops. This is a great spot for a late lunch and shopping for tourist trinkets. The food at Psaras restaurant is thoroughly delicious and excellent value, like a home-cooked meal from the Greek Auntie you never had. EVENING If you want to avoid the crowds, head to the Acropolis as late as possible (it closes at 6.30pm in summer). Join one of the last tours if you want to get clued up in detail on what each of the building and monuments stood for. There’s a lot more to the Acropolis than the main temple, the Parthenon – the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes

MORNING Start your second morning in Athens with a strong al-fresco coffee on Agia Irini Square. This is a vibrant area of new bars and eateries that have breathed some new funky life into the old town. Rock and Balls has an inventive menu based around meatballs, but they also serve a mean coffee. Spend some time strolling around the old town and look out for one of the many small Greek Orthodox churches, often nestled between houses and shops. AFTERNOON Now that you’ve got a buzz for all things Greek and Ancient, the New Acropolis Museum is a must. This is a stunning museum with impressive statues, friezes and carvings covering thousands of years. It’s also an architectural masterpiece, with glass floors and huge windows that let in loads of natural light. You’ll see the most impressive collection of articles from ancient Greece in the world, but it’s probably best not to mention the Elgan Marbles – ‘stolen’ or ‘rescued’ by

48HOURS Religious experience: Sacre Coeur

The Parthenon on the Acropolis a British Earl in the early 1800s. You’ll need to head to the British Museum in London to see them. Have lunch at the cute and friendly Smile Café at the corner of Syngrou Avenue and Chatzichristou Street – the Greek-style kebabs and salads are especially good. EVENING Adrianou Street is another excellent spot for al-fresco dining, with street performers and musicians dotted around the bustling restaurants. The energy of modern Athens lights up the remains of the Agora on the left – the perfect contrast of ancient and modern. Head down to Gazi for another slice of the action, and for a slice of dinner at Gazi College – a top choice for a pre-party meal. The American collegethemed eatery has a huge deli, as well tasty burgers with a Greek twist. The huge quirky bookcases decked out with globes will make the perfect #shelfie on your Instagram feed. Any of the bars and clubs around Gazi Square are worth a try – it largely depends on what night you’re here and what music you’re into. Walk around and see what fits with your style. Dream City has some excellent hip-hop, while gay bar/club Shamone has a classy vibe with regular performers – from a drag queen Adele to a jaw-dropping pole dancer. It’s almost certainly time to down a few shots of Ouzo… ‘Yiamas!’ TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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The glamorous Cote d’Azur, the rural Camargue and cultured LanguedocRoussillon make up the stunning coastline of southern France. You could spend months travelling through these regions and never run out of things to see, so with a week-long trip you will need to be selective. I would recommend limiting your trip to Provence and the Cote d’Azur, as these adjacent regions are packed to the brim with some of the country’s best sights so you won’t need to spend too much of your trip travelling long distances between places. I would suggest flying into Nice and out of Marseille, or vice versa, to avoid doubling back on yourself. These two cities are also both interesting in their own right and great jumping off points to explore the region. Starting off in the recently regenerated city of Marseille, dedicate some time to strolling around the city’s old port and the quaint alleys of the La Panier district. Kayak around Marseille’s nearby Calanques (rocky

cliffs lined with brilliant turquoise waters) to see some of this beautiful coastline from a different perspective (raskas-kayak. com’s half day trips are £28 per person). Next, spend a morning in the astonishingly pretty port town of Cassis, before heading inland to the arty, bohemian city of Aix-enProvence, which was once home to Cézanne and has plenty to offer art lovers. From here, continue east to the French Riviera, where Cannes will be your next stop (if you have time, Frejus is a pretty lunch stop). Cannes’ stunning sandy beach is great for sunbathing and the town is brimming with great restaurants and nightlife. Head to Antibes to marvel at the gigantic boats in the port and the 16th-century ramparts before finishing up in Nice to enjoy the buzz of this cosmopolitan city. If you fancy a trip to the star-studded St Tropez, opt for the water as the roads are always gridlocked. Trans Cote d’Azur offer day trips by boat for £37 (www.trans-coteazur.co.uk). France has tons of fantastic campsites; camping.fr is a great source of local campgrounds. For something a little different, sleep in the tree tops with cabanes-de-france.com’s treehouses – there is one near Marseilles.

THE MIGHTY JUNGLE I recently went on a jungle trekking trip and was on the look out for suitable clothes when I stumbled upon Craghoppers. They sell travel clothes that have a built-in mosquito repellent, sun protection and help keep you cool and dry. They’re really lightweight and practical with multiple pockets and zips that turn trousers into shorts etc. They were just the trick so thought I’d recommend them! Simone, Wimbledon

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IMAGE OF THE MONTH

The Socceroos may have been the lowest ranked team at the World Cup with nowhere near the stars of their opponents, but they didn’t play like it despite bowing out in the group phase. Here they celebrate Tim Cahill’s contender for goal of the tournament in their pulsating 3-2 loss to the group B winners, Holland.

Photos: Getty

INSIDE

SUPER SPORTS DAY /78

C’MON COMMON /80

SINK OR SWIM /82

We chat to the Aussie expat behind the epic Super Saturday of Sport community event to be held in Chiswick on July 19.

We take a look at 14 of the top talents heading for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this month.

It’s a testing time for Aussie gold-medallist swimmer Christian Sprenger, but we’ve got faith in him, and his crazy-cool jacket.

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FLASHBACK... 2011

SUPER-SIZED SPORTS DAY

COMMUNITY EVENT Aussie expat Kirsten Lonsdale is behind the epic Super Saturday of Sport (SSS) in Chiswick on July 19, which will bring together 40 sports in one place for one day – and it’s free. In its second year (and much bigger this time round), BT Sport’s Clare Balding opened the 2013 event, setting off eight team mascots in a curtain-raiser race (pictured). We chat to Lonsdale about this year’s event... What prompted you to start such an ambitious event? After 14 years of living in London, it became really clear to me that my Aussie childhood of sport had a massive influence on my personality, lifestyle choices and memories – and that my kids were not going to have the same experience growing up in the UK. So I created a day last year for kids to try 15 sports for free to encourage them away from the iPads and TV. It was so successful that all the adults at the event asked me to expand the concept, so I have more than doubled the number of sports, tripled the size of the site and made it for all ages and abilities. Who is the SSS aimed at? Anyone who wants to discover or re-discover their sporting passion. There are activities for people from two to 102 years and the same range of abilities. When I arrived in London I used sport to get straight into the British culture – it was a great way of hooking up with locals and expats who knew how to be competitive and then have a drink afterwards. What qualifies as a sport when it comes to the event? The definition of sport for this event is very loose! I wanted to give alternative sports/activities the chance to promote themselves alongside the UK’s 78

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This month Aussie Cadel Evans attempts to repeat his miraculous Tour de France-winning feat of 2011. The ride to the Champs-Elysees begins in Yorkshire, of all places, on July 5 with the first of three stages in England leading up to the Paris finish on July 27. mainstream sports. So you’ll see West London Wildcats Aussie Rules team doing a session next to football, rugby, tennis, netball, basketball, hockey and horse riding. I also have Zumba, cheerleading, Brazilian jia jitsu, taekwondo, boxing, an incredible new sport called slacklining, and more. So I get to Turnham Green, what can I do there? You’ll face a smorgasbord of sport and competitions. All of the sessions are free and you can enter competitive running races, a keepy-uppy competition or even the Great British Plank-off – be careful how you say that! No need to bring a packed lunch either – there will be a great street food village and barbecue. The action starts at 11am with the mascot race. It is always a spin out to see a giant bee race against an octopus, monkey and grasshopper! Will there be anyone I recognise there? Chiswick is a hub for British Olympians and sporting celebrities who may pop along during the day. Fans of the TV programme My Big Fat Ballet will

recognise the choreographer, Wayne Sleep, who is holding a free dance masterclass on the day. supersaturdayofsport.co.uk

IN THE SPOTLIGHT The second fastest 100m runner of all time, Yohan Blake, will be a star attraction at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, this year being held at specially built facilities at Horse Guards Parade on Sunday, July 20. It’s moved from the Olympic Stadium, which is being overhauled for use as a football stadium, to the London 2012 beach volleyball venue and where the marathon finished. Other stars include Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford, pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie and 2008 Olympic champion high-jumper Blanka Vlasic.

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HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

PREVIEW

Daniel Ricciardo Rematch: India captain MS Dhoni returns to face Ian Bell

YOUNG INDIA OUT TO MAKE AMENDS FIVE-TEST SERIES FROM JULY 9 CRICKET

An India side in transition plays a packed Test schedule against England with five Tests jammed into 42 days. Just MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma from the 18-man squad have played Tests in England, where the Indians’ form is diabolical. Their last visit here for five-dayers in 2011 ended in a 4-0 whitewash, which helped England to claim the title of No.1 in the world. Dhoni’s side also comes to take on Alastair Cook’s side having lost a history-making series at home.

England are now No.3 in the world, and hardly set the world alight in their series against Sri Lanka in which their best players were 24-year-old Sam Robson (an Australian) and Gary Ballance (from Zimbabwe). India are ‘rebuilding’ in the long form under former England coach Duncan Fletcher and are coming to England early for tour matches against Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Tests kick off at Trent Bridge from July 9 followed by Lord’s in London from July 17, Southampton from July 27, Old Trafford from August 7 and The Oval from August 15. Five ODIs and a Twenty 20 will follow.

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty and Super Saturday of Sport.

LET’S GET TRIVIAL | Commonwealth counting A total of 70 nations will compete for 261 gold medals across 17 sports at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Australia leads the all-time medal tally with 803 golds ahead of England (612), Canada (436), India (141) and New Zealand (130). Great Britain would still trail Australia with countries combined. In 2014, athletics has the most gold medals up for grabs with 50, closely followed by swimming (44). Weightlifting (19), gymnastics (20), boxing (13) and cycling (23) are the other big ones. Some sort of major world event has been held in Scotland’s most populous city every year in the past 10 years in the lead up to the opening ceremony on August 23 at Celtic Park. Unlike greedy Olympic games, there is only one mascot – Clyde the Thistle.

Clyde the Thistle

4-6 F1: British Grand Prix 4 World Cup: Quarter-finals 5 World Cup: Quarter-finals 5-27 CYCLING: Tour de France 8 World Cup: Semi-finals 9 World Cup: Semi-finals 9 Test cricket: England v India 11 NRL: Melbourne v Canterbury 12 World Cup: 3rd play-off 13 World Cup: FINAL

D Day: July 13 17 Test cricket: England v India 18 NRL: Parramatta v South Sydney 18-20 F1: German Grand Prix 21 NRL: St George v Manly 23-AUG 3: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 24-29 Comm Games: Swimming 25 NRL: Brisbane v Melbourne 25-27 F1: Hungarian Grand Prix 27 Test cricket: England v India 27-AUG 2 Comm Games: Athletics 31-AUG 3: World Golf Championships AUG 1 NRL: Roosters v St George-Illawarra AUG 1 NRL: Canterbury v Penrith TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Fab 14 for Glasgow You think the Commonwealth Games in Scotland doesn’t have star power? Think again. Here are 14 of the Empire’s finest to watch out for at Glasgow 2014 WORDS MICHAEL GADD

Sally Pearson 1. SALLY PEARSON 100m hurdles

3. TOM DALEY Diving

If her hamstring niggles are sorted, Sally will provide the Aussies with another magic moment from her awesome career. She’s come a long way since her outrageously brilliant celebrations after silver at the Beijing Olympics. Now she’s got gold at the London Olympics, World Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the Delhi 2010 Comm Games to her name.

The Team GB favourite is fourth in the world diving rankings this year, the only diver in the Commonwealth in the top 14. He goes in as hot favourite.

2. JAMES MAGNUSSEN 100m freestyle The dual World Champion and most famous of the Aussie flops at London 2012 has pulled himself together. Will be interesting to see how he handles going down in the trials to Cameron McEvoy, who could light the pool up in Glasgow.

4. KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON Pentathlon Out of the shadow of GB team-mate and Olympic champion Jessica Ennis who’s off having babies, KJT should shine in Glasgow. Her speed and jumping is brilliant and she’s improving in the power events.

5. NICK MATTHEW Squash Both English World Champions, Matthew in the men’s and Laura Massaro in the women’s, go into the Games as favourites. Matthew is defending champion in singles and doubles from Delhi.

6. THE BROWNLEES Triathlon Long the Aussies’ domain, the brothers Alistair and Jonny have dominated recent years – only a time penalty to Jonny in London 2012 kept them from going one-two for GB. Their closest rival, Javier Gomez from Spain, won’t be there.

7. ANNA MEARES Cycling Delhi and London 2012 gold medallist Anna Meares will compete in her fourth Games in Glasgow, equalling Kathy Watt’s record. She has six Games medals and this year could beat Watt’s career haul of seven to be Australia’s most successful cyclist.

8. KENYA ON THE TRACK Athletics

Tom Daley 80

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Kenya’s proud-running tradition sees them dominate the track: in Delhi they won all but two golds in events longer than 400m, and in those events they got silver and bronze. In the 3,000m steeple they took all the men’s and women’s medals.

Anna Meares (left)

Valerie Adams

James Magnussen

Mo Farah Nicola Adams

9. MO FARAH 5,000m and 10,000m After his marathon experiment, the World and Olympic 5km and 10km Champion will line up again on the track – chalk two golds up for England there.

10. CHAD LE CLOS 200m butterfly The big South African beat Michael Phelps by 0.05 seconds to take gold in the 200m fly at London 2012, which is awesome in itself. The BBC’s interview with his dad was even better!

11. VALERIE ADAMS Shot put The Kenyans over long distances and Jamaicans over the shorter ones take the limelight at Comm Games, but spare a thought for the awesome New Zealander. A two-time Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion, she’s going for three Commonwealth golds in a row as well.

12. OZ v NZ Netball In four Commonwealth Games there have been four finals

with Australia and New Zealand in them – Oz won the first two and the Silver Ferns won the last two. Other nations such as England are catching up, but this remains one of the greatest rivalries in world sport. NZ won the last Comm Games final 66-64 in the third period of extra time!

13. NICOLA ADAMS Boxing Britain’s first Olympic gold medalist in women’s boxing goes into Glasgow as the favourite for the first time it’s being held at a Commonwealth Games.

14. NEW ZEALAND Sevens It will be a fifth consecutive Commonwealth gold for Gordon Tietjens’ side should they win in Glasgow, not far from the Borders where the game was first played 100 or so years ago. They came back from 10 points down to beat Australia in the Delhi final. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

GOING FOR GOLD Australia’s Christian Sprenger says he may need another world record to win breaststroke gold at the Commonwealth Games WORDS MICHAEL GADD

Australia has won a total of 558 Commonwealth Games medals in the pool – 241 of them gold – since the first event in 1930. The green and gold will be looking to extend that even further in Glasgow when the 2014 Games begin on July 23. Among the top Aussie medal hopes is Christian Sprenger, the former 200m breaststroke world record holder and Olympic silver medallist who will line up in the 100m, 200m and medley relays in Scotland. TNT caught up with the 28-year-old, who made his debut for Australia at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as he prepared for the games. What do the Commonwealth Games mean to athletes these days given the ‘Empire’ they were formed to bring together isn’t exactly what it once was? I’m really looking forward to racing in Glasgow. For me some of my world competitors come out of the Commonwealth, so the competition is very high. I think the perception is that it is a lower-quality competition, but I know a lot of Australian athletes want to perform just as well here as any Olympic Games or World Championships. Is the Games’ history enough to justify us getting excited about them? I think the history and the rivalry is what makes this competition so prestigious. Any Australian athlete, or swimmer specifically, wants to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games. Tell us about the atmosphere within the Aussie camp in the swimming team and the team as a whole? At this point in time the team is looking very strong. I think the atmosphere of the team is becoming our strength again. Sure, swimming’s an individual sport, but having the confidence around you helps us to reach our highest level performance. 82

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Do the swimmers feel a bit of extra responsibility to beef up the medal tally for Australia given there are 30-plus medals up for grabs in the pool – 38 including diving? (Laughs) In past years Australia has been known for doing well in the pool, and I believe the team this year will once again show the Commonwealth that we are one of the strongest nations in the water. The story goes that the swimmers have the most fun at Commonwealth and Olympic Games given their events are done and dusted in the first week. True? (Laughs) I guess it does make it easier to enjoy ourselves knowing the competition is finished for us in the first week. But it then becomes our job to push the rest of Australia in the other events; but who wouldn’t want to watch multiple events at the biggest stage in sport! What’s the story behind that demon jacket you wore at the Commonwealth Games trials? Intimidation factor or just to look awesome?

(Laughs) Well to be honest I’ve always had a designer’s mind, and I wanted to bring that to poolside. I pitched the idea to Speedo to make a one-off jacket. The gold-and-black combination illustrates being ‘untouchable’, ‘strong’ and ‘confident’. The idea was to wear something people might be able to easily recognise me with. I will continue to wear it at Australian competitions for the remainder of my career. How are you shaping up for the Games? Does going into a competition as the No.1 in the field change anything about the way you approach things? My preparation is going well, and yeah I’m confident I can produce some worldclass times. I don’t normally speak about winning medals, as I can’t control how other athletes perform. Being No.1 is just a number, and that’s all it will be to me. I see myself as a challenger for the gold medal, and that is all I need to keep myself focused. You’ve got some classic Commonwealth Games rivalries in your events at the moment with Jamieson from Scotland in the 200m and South Africa’s Van Der Burg in the 100m. When you’re competing at a Games is there a feeling it’s country vs country or swimmer vs swimmer? Or is everyone just happy when someone beats England? There is some great competition at these games, and I don’t think it stops at Jamieson and Van der Burg. There is a strong breaststroke line-up, and I’ll have to be on my game to get into the finals for each event. I want to swim well for myself, and I want to make Australia proud. What’s your career highlight so far – breaking the world record or winning silver at the Olympics? Where would an individual Commonwealth Games gold medal fit in? It’s hard to say, they’ve all been special in different ways. I think the World Championship gold from 2013 was the hardest to achieve, as I was predicted to win, and that creates pressure. This year the breaststroke events will be very tough, and I believe it would be amazing to win because it will take something very special… perhaps a WR.

Black and gold: Sprenger rocked a specially made jacket by Speedo at the Commonwealth Games trials TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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

WAX LYRICAL

Photos: Getty, Thinkstock and supplied

Post this selfie on Facebook to be the envy of all your mates – they don’t need to know it’s actually the newly unveiled waxwork of Posh and Becks at Madame Tussauds. Let’s face it, Victoria looks like a mannequin most of the time anyway.

INSIDE

TWEAK IT /88

RE-CREW-TMENT /90

HOME SWEET HOME /94

Hit a health and fitness rut? Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to your diet and exercise routine.

Did you love to build dens when you were a kid? Crew work could be for you. Security and event staff opportunities also abound.

Is the thought of shelling out deposits, chunks of rent and agency fees giving you nightmares? Then read this article.

LIFESTYLESTUFF

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FREE

REHYDRATE LIKE A SUPERHERO

TRAVEL? EXPENSIVE. THE MEMORIES? PRICELESS

With this cool comic-book-style water bottle. shop.bl.uk

This Round The World Trip Planner? Free. amazon.co.uk

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WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU CROSS POPCORN WITH COCKTAILS? Joe&Seph’s cocktail-flavour popcorn! joeandsephs.co.uk

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ALL HAIL THE COOL CYCLE HELMET!

NO STRINGS ATTACHED FUN

COUNT YOUR PENNIES

Great for ‘touch wood’ moments as well as safe cycling. lazersport.co.uk

Headbang freely with these BeeWi bluetooth headphones. bee-wi.com

Keep your coins cute with this ‘make do and mend’ purse. iwmshop.org.uk

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GOODBYE SICKLY-SWEET ENERGY DRINKS

TAKE A STUMBLE DOWN MEMORY LANE

LOOKS GOOD, TASTES GOOD, DOES GOOD

Get your next kick in gum form. blockheadenergy.com. Stocked at Co-ops

This app takes you on historically themed pub crawls. Cool. taylor-walker.co.uk

We love this Fairtrade fizz by Kiwi company All Good. karmacola.co.uk

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WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

JINGLE JANGLE YOUR DINGLE DANGLE

This T-shirt is as cool as it is angry. Woof. blueinc.co.uk

Make a statement with this Aztec-inspired necklace. primark.com/en

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ANOTHER FEATHER ON YOUR CAP

THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL

DO IT DOGGY STYLE... WITH THESE CUFFLINKS

We tip our hat to the sir who wears this jazzy number. primark.com/en

Design your own mirrored aviator-style specs. sungod.co

What did you think we were talking about? cotswoldtrading.com

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SNAPPY DRESSER

IT’S TIME TO TAKE IT FURTHER...

CUTE AS A CUPCAKE

Show your creative side with this cute, retro cross-over bag. uk.accessorize.com

Set a trend by wearing this nurse’s watch as a brooch. rotarywatches.com/en

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LIFESTYLEHEALTH TREATMENT OF THE MONTH

faceframe3deyebrows.co.uk

Kick your day off with hot water and lemon

Quick fixes If you’re struggling to stick to a fitness routine or you’re not getting the results you want, these small tweaks can make a big difference With more appealing activities on offer such as heading for the pub, sitting on the sofa, or waxing your private parts, exercise and eating healthily can often be at the bottom of your ‘to do’ list. But if you make a few simple changes to your day and diet, you could be amazed at the difference it makes. Even if you have managed to stick to an exercise routine, you may still be struggling to reach your desired fitness or weight goal. If that’s the case, a few small tweaks to your routine and diet could give it just the push it needs so you can go that extra mile. Champneys has recently launched its ‘Inspire the Nation’ campaign, working to encourage the public to get out and get active. Here, Champneys’ wellbeing director Louise Day and nutritionist Judy Watson share their tips on beating your health and fitness roadblocks.

Fitness tips Problem: I hate exercise! • Turn your commute to work into a workout. Cycle, jog if you’re close enough, or get off the Tube/bus a few stops earlier and walk the rest of your journey. • You can exercise and catch your favourite TV show at the same time: crunches, bicycles, Russian twists, leg lifts and planks are all 88

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Go Brazil nuts for an energy boost

FACEFRAME EYEBROWS I’ve never been an ‘eyebrows person’, always hiding them below my thick fringe; so as I reclined with my fringe clipped aside to get ‘3D eyebrows’ from FaceFrame, it was not without trepidation. FaceFrame isn’t about getting ‘Scouse brows’, though, but results that look real and frame your face. In fact, the idea wasn’t born of vanity; primarily, it was for people who’ve lost their natural brows through cancer treatments or alopecia. A blueprint of my brows was drawn before a therapist applied teeny synthetic hairs one by one, pressing them on in a small forehead massage. The outside of my left brow is naturally much thinner, so some extra strands were popped in for support. My right brow grows a little higher so it was bulked up below for balance (I’m not a freak, apparently everyone has uneven brows). The kind-toskin glue is of medical standards – instantly invisible, sweat-proof and waterproof. At £1 per minute, costs depend on individual needs: thick and dramatic or soft and subtle, as clients desire. For me, the final result has left me genuinely dumbstruck. Even on close inspection I can’t differentiate the natural hairs from the new ones. Needless to say, I’ve been wearing that pesky fringe clipped back ever since. Lasts up to two weeks. From £15. By Stephanie Palmer

great exercises to do on the floor in front of the television. Problem: I love running, but it’s not enough • Multi-task on the treadmill: do 10 minutes of cardio/sculpt by holding a 3-5 pound dumbbell in each hand and set the speed to a brisk walk. As you improve, work up to doing four-minute sets. • Increase the speed of your running strides – not their length – to get faster. Your foot should always land under your body rather than in front of it. Push off with the toes of your rear leg for propulsion. • Add wall sits to the end of every run. These will strengthen your quads, hamstrings and glutes, improving your speed and endurance. Lean against a wall with feet shoulder-width apart then squat until knees are bent at 45-degrees. Hold for 30-60 seconds. Problem: I’m hitting the gym but not seeing the results I want • Instead of a normal lunge, do a lunge with a twist as it’s a great core exercise that builds lower body strength and improves balance. Lunging while holding and rotating a medicine ball from right to left engages the quads, glutes and core. It’s also a great warm-up exercise to get blood flowing to many muscles at one time. • Intensify your squats by holding a heavy

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LIFESTYLEBEAUTY LIFESTYLEHEALTH SUMMER LOVIN’

Get mozzies to buzz off... with this repellent wash. £7.94 lessmosquito.com

HELP BEAT CANCER Recent studies have suggested that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of breast cancer by as much as a third and can help to prevent conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and many other forms of cancer. As part of its Inspire The Nation campaign, Champneys has pledged to donate 10% of all revenue generated through their boot camps to the Pink Ribbon Foundation. See champneys.com/boot-camps for details. object while you’re doing them. It doesn’t necessarily have to be dumbbells – you can find something around the house. • There is no such thing as ‘spot reduction’ when it comes to bingo wings; arm exercises alone will not get rid of them! Bingo wings are excess fat, therefore maintaining weight and using as many muscles in the body as possible is the first step to reducing them.

Images: Thinkstock and supplied

Nutritional tips Problem: My stomach bloats • Drink warm water with lemon juice in the morning to aid digestion and reduce bloating throughout the day. Problem: My energy levels are low • Add four Brazil nuts to your fruit snack during the day to fine-tune your blood sugar

levels and give you a burst of energy. • Swap bread at lunchtime for oat cakes to reduce post-lunch tiredness. Problem: I don’t know what to eat to complement my training • Eat a banana before exercising to increase your training capacity. The starch in the banana releases cortisol, which will enhance your training levels. • After your workout, include a protein source with a banana, such as a handful of nuts. • Include a complex carbohydrate in your evening meal such as quinoa, millet, sweet potato or wholegrain rice. These foods are converted to glycogen, which fuels the muscles for a more productive training session the following day. • Add a great source of protein to your dinner with foods such as salmon and chicken to enhance muscle repair and fatigue. Problem: I eat healthily but booze a lot • Swap a glass of wine for pure pomegranate juice to keep hydrated. This will also support your cardiovascular health. • Have a glass of water one hour before you go to bed to support liver detoxification, which is proactive between 11am and 3pm. For more health and fitness tips from the Champneys pros, follow them on Twitter at #inspireTHEnation

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Don’t look back in anger... with this lotion applicator. £11.99 backbliss.com TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Summer crew-sades

Summer is the season for parties, which means it’s also the season for events jobs. From swanky wedding receptions on pristine lawns to festival raves, there’s a good time to be had here and the duties are varied. The even better news is that Antipodeans are highly sought after. As Jarrod Bischoff of events recruiting company Crewsaders explains: “We target mostly Antipodeans, primarily for their work ethic and good nature. We have found that, due to the strong sports culture and education within Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the people coming over are fit, keen and have the perfect attitude.” Crewsaders.com offers jobs in events all through the year, and the team’s expert knowledge and Kiwi boss (who, incidentally, named the company after his favourite rugby side – The Crusaders) make it easy to get involved. Here’s a breakdown of some of the roles you can get involved with:

Event staff Working events is the most varied of the jobs available, ranging from being a host to catering to working in cloakrooms. If you’re into food, catering may be your best bet as you’ll likely come away with a tray of sausage rolls. If music is more your bag, consider a role picking up rubbish at a festival as a trade off for bagging a free ticket. Admiralgroup.com caters for some 90

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swanky events so if you’re into the VIP lifestyle, give this try. Crewsaders.com recruits for all events jobs so if you’re not sure, get in touch with the friendly team and they’ll find you a match. QUALIFICATIONS Catering companies will give you a day or two of training in silver service before you start work. More general roles don’t require qualifications but experience can help get you a place. PAY AND HOURS Jobs in events usually means unsociable hours on evenings and weekends, but you can work as little or as often as you like so it’s perfect for fitting around travelling. Pay ranges from £8-12 per hour depending on your role, but if you’re working at a festival your compensation will likely be in the form of a free ticket.

Crew In this role you will be building the physical structures of an event, which requires some brawn but is great if you like to be active. As Nick Grecian, managing director of Gallowglass, one

of the biggest crewing recruiters in the country explains: “In the crewing world, no two days are ever the same – one week we could be building the fortress fence around the Glastonbury Festival site, the next we could be helping to transform Trafalgar Square or working in the studios at MediaCityUK – the new Manchester home of the BBC and ITV. The hours can be anti-social, but the team spirit is fantastic.” QUALIFICATIONS You don’t need any official qualifications for this role but pay does go up depending on experience. Most companies give you some initial training but, as they all say, it’s attitude that counts. PAY AND HOURS The hours can be long but you’ll work in blocks with as much or as little time in between jobs as you wish. Pay ranges from £8-12 per hour.

Drivers If you love playing with cars then spending your days being paid to drive one doesn’t sound like a bad deal.

Photos: Thinkstock and supplied.Words: Racheal Getzels

For every event there’s a core team of awesomeness behind it. Join the crew to really feel like you’re part of something

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LIFESTYLECAREERS recruits, but to work bigger events you will likely need an NVQ Level 2 in spectator safety. Pttc.co.uk runs courses every month in London. Most recruitment companies also run training courses. Qualifications for stewarding will depend on how big the event is. PAY AND HOURS Work can go on long into the night, but if you’re working big events you most likely won’t have to wake up early in the morning. Security employees make £8-12 an hour.

WANTED Crew Members

Location: London (All Areas) Salary: £8.00 -15.00 per hour Silverback is looking for fit, intelligent, good communicators who can take direction from senior crewmen and clients. You need good social skills and impeccable punctuality and be prepared to work long & sometimes unsocial hours, Applicants must speak fluent English. Typical Duties: Loading / Unloading of vehicles, Rigging of AV equipment, Setting up and dismantling stage and set, Ensuring health & safety requirements are met, Liaising with clients in a professional manner.

www.silverbackuk.com T: 0844 5617939 / 07712 829348

Photos: Thinkstock and supplied.Words: Racheal Getzels

CREW WANTED Events require drivers for general set-up as well as more specialised cherry-picker or forklift operating. If you’re really lucky, you may even be assigned the job of driving musicians at festivals around, which means rubbing shoulders with your idols and VIP treatment for all. Get in. QUALIFICATIONS A clean drivers license is of course a must here. If you have a foreign license you can use it on a small car only, and you have to have held it for at least a year. You also can only drive on that license for up to 12 months after you first entered the UK. To operate cherry pickers or forklifts you will need a special license. Each machine has it’s own regulatory body through which you can get training. PAY AND HOURS You will generally work shifts with these types of jobs, which will be long but can be spread out. Drivers make about £10 per hour. If you’re operating machinery you will make more.

Security Being on the burlier side is a plus for this job, but it’s not necessarily a rule. To man the door at big events or work security at festivals, you’ll need some specialist experience. Stewarding, which involves directing queues, is usually more low-key and doesn’t require special training. Festaff.co.uk recruits specifically for festivals. Crewsaders.com is a good place to look for security jobs. QUALIFICATIONS Each security company has different requirements for their

Become a valued member of our crew working for the London regional office. You will work at venues all over London and the south of England. You will experience a large variety of work and every day will bring something different and interesting. Pinnacle Crew, the UK’s leading event crew company are looking for fit, strong crew who have a can do attitude, perfect time keeping, are prepared to work anti-social hours and like working as part of a team. Crew assist the on-site production management with: loading and unloading trucks, working on temporary structures; building and dismantling stages and a host of other jobs. Take a look at the web site for more details www.pinnaclecrew.co.uk Pay starts at £8.00 per hour and increases with experience to £13.50 an hour + skills. Please apply on line through the web site and quote reference TNT2406

EVENT CREW Gallowglass is Europe’s leading crewing company to the events industry working for TV, Theatre, Live Events, Sports Events and Outdoor Productions amongst others. Location: London Salary: From £8.00 per hour + skills payments Gallowglass has vacancies for friendly enthusiastic and outgoing people to join our crew. You will need to be physically fit, have excellent spoken English, be adaptable, happy to work anti-social hours and have a can-do attitude. CVs to hr@gallowglass.com or complete our on line form at www.gallowglass.com TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Post your message at tntmagazine.com/seeking or email seeking@tntmagazine.com. Text TNT and your message to 81707* MILE HIGH: This is to the hot-to-trot instructor at the Mile End climbing wall. You are so cute and reassuring every time I try to ascend your hard wall. Fancy coming out into the wilds with me for a bit of one-on-one tuition? Chalky fingers TO MY FELLOW OFFICE WORKERS: I know you love the air con, but get a grip. It’s September and the thing is still on full blast right over my ice block

swinging open the gates and allowing us to plant new crops in ROSS BENNETT-COOK, 22 our relationship. Never have I been JOB Tour guide so excited as I was when I started FROM Reading milking that cow while watching LIVES Manor House the sturdy farmer plough your fertile will be Howfield. do The youharvest budget? bountiful year.money Old McDonald I try tothis keep for TO THE BEATLES: you essentials such asI saw food atshopping, TNT’s Bowled Overbills and Iand hear rent, transport a bank account you’re doing ain musical in the West that doesn’t End soon, too. I’mcome lookingwith forward card – that way not toayour debut album, myI’m mate says tempted to spend it willythrough chip pin. THINGS THE QUEEN SHOULDnilly DO BEFORE SHEand DIES

You are a TRUE BLOKE. From the Pentworth Road dudes and metro versions of DAMASCUS: The lion’s response supermarkets charge quite to the gazelle was absolutely a lot more than their larger astounding. Never had we heard a stores, so do your big shop roar – or seen an exit so atso a mighty big store. startling. The savannah will never beLast the same. We wait anxiously in big blow-out? theMy moonlight the 15th coming. last bigforspend was a trip From Toto visiting friends to Spain earlier this year.for I couldn’t BELL END : Thanks using thereally house afford accountto to go, fundbut youryou only live once! pub sessions, dickhead. What an

awesome surprise to find that you What non-essential items drank all our rent money. Getting do you spend money on? evicted rocked so hard. Hope you at Any money-saving tips for Clubbing and nightlife is least saved some to buy hair plugs living in London? something I tend to splurge formost your massive-wanker-like bald a Avoid the smaller superon. I usually go out head. Guess I’m moving back home. markets. I’ve noticed that, couple of times a week. DidI spend I mention fuckon you? Pash, too. although convenient, local out clothes formerly of Kennington CHEAPSKATE: I just want to ask my beloved little brother: why do you NEVER get a round in? Everyone notices, we just let you #496 get away with it because you’re the Kimye celebrated baby North’syoungest! first birthday big (Buying awith bag ofacrisps Get foamy at the firefighting championships in Berlin. Hot stuff … price tag. Instead of the usualand stuffed sharingtoys themand roundbooks, doesn’ttheir one-year-old got pair earrings. of a head! The next office move count). Sort it out! H xx you’re great, but not as a good as of diamond should be to a walk-in freezer, BOOKSHOP BADASS: To Tinie Tempah. Charlie ❚ North isn’t the only ❚ We couldn’t not mention then your body will be the same the guy wearing a GnR T-shirt and NO SLIME BALLS: I am pampered celeb kid; the Beckhams, could we? temperature as your dead, heartless desperately seeking an estate agent knuckledusters in Waterstones last and Jay Z’s Blue Ivy Friday, Before Harper joinedYou the souls. Love from you know who please get in touch! orBeyonce letting agent in London that has a US$5,200 crew, Victoria and David GRETCHEN: Will the phoenix were reading the back of my fave ISN’T a slippery sub-human lying bathtub in to open bought their three sonstoa ever be clambered on again? It Hemingway book and I wanted trickster whocovered doesn’t need Swarovski crystals. worth £17,500. wait and waits, yet no one takes telltreehouse you to buy it, but was too shy. doors, just slimes under them. Or

HOW THEY SPEND IT The brat pack

up the offer of a trip to inspiration. Perhaps such a journey is beyond us. Does imagination die if unused? Or does it simply lay dormant, pining for a life where it roamed unshackled? From Hope EE-AY-OH: To my beautiful farmgirl Mairia, thank you for

a flat that’s not covered in black ❚ If you thinkhaving that’s bad, mould and slugs a party. you ain’t CHEERS. Ali seen nothing yet. When Elton Johnwell anddone David GAS MAN: To Barry, Furnish brought Zachary for lighting your farts, giving us all for and the then firsttaking time,one he a home good laugh own place – abrigade luxe forgot thehis team when the fire flat for him hisalarm. nanny. turned up to turnand off the

I’m the girl that was lurking in the ❚ You may G-K section, too.not know that Tom Cruise CURLY SUE: I is justGodfather want to tell to J-Lo andinMarc you to hang thereAnthony’s baby, because twins, we tellperson you he you’re the but mostifamazing I shelled their ever met andout it’s £100,000 all going toon work christening outfits, out. I know it seems like it you’ll never understand why he is. will. But it will. Your Panther

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LYNN: Do you know that first dates can be nerve-racking for DOUGH FOR THE DRIVE guys too? Look, I get it, I came If you’ve got a long-haul across and maybe you driveastocold make and are didn’t feel appreciated after all the dreading the boredom, effort yousickness made. I’mand not making travel petrol money, thenmy soften the excuses because behaviour blow by signing to was reprehensible, butup no one BlaBlaCar, carpooling died, unlike in the the case of the ‘girl’ If your Icommunity. asked out a couple of months journey more than before you,is who not only turned 100 miles then you’ll out to be a man, but also pushed make £50 each way, plus her ‘girlfriend’ under a train at petrol money from your King’s Cross Station themeans next week passengers. That (you couldn’t it up and a trip frommake London toI’m not!). Since then I’ve gone Birmingham would on earn dates thinking, you a nifty ‘What £100.is truly the worst that could happen?’ and blablacar.com that makes me bit defensive. Which APP-EALING PRICES must have really sucked for you. you’re shopping, IWhen have tickets for Paul Chowdhry use app RedLaser at thethe Hammersmith Apollo onto scan the22, item find September so I and hope you’ll out if it’s being sold come? R x cheaper elsewhere. Once PENN ROAD: There is a fleayou’ve found the cheapest ridden cat who keeps coming bargain available you into can my fl at. It’s a manky-looking thing then use the app to have with and randomto ginger the black itemfurdelivered your spots. It has sad green house or big arrange toeyes pick it (probably caused by it’s hating up at your nearest store. That’sand clever, is. my owner) meowsthat outside redlaser.com window all night. Get your act together or I’m going to call social WEIGHTY WARDROBE services! Or the RSPCA. Whoever it Fancy some is you call. Jaqs new clothes but strapped for cash? ELLIE: It’s official. I’m an asshole. Head to a vintage kilo That’s why I’m putting it in print, sale. Here, they rather so that you know I’m truly, deeply unusually charge by sorry. I don’tatknow fuckof weight, £15what perthe kilo Iclothes was thinking. I was hammered. and accessories. Let’s let thisyou wreckcould our Thisnot means friendship. you new fucked(old) that rack up Iaheard whole Bobby guy afterwards anyway. wardrobe for under £50. judysvintagefair.co.uk Chris T

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LIFESTYLELIVING CHECKING IN: LONDON

THE PILOT, GREENWICH

The lowdown: This gorgeous little boutique hotel is housed in a pub built to serve the local coal miners more than 200 years ago. Admittedly, it is surrounded by ugly industrial site buildings, but please don’t let this put you off, as its positioning is practical: great for an overnight stay after taking in a concert at the nearby O2, it’s close to the cable cars that take you across the Thames, and it’s only a 10-minute bus ride into the centre of Greenwich. Plus, as soon as you step inside The Pilot, its surroundings feel a million miles away. The wow factor: From industrial piping, leather armchairs and huddles of picture frames in different shapes and sizes, to vintage travel-themed knick-knacks and old advertising posters, The Pilot’s eclectic interior makes every inch a feast for the eyes. The rooms: All the rooms are individually themed, from travel, with vintage suitcases and framed paintings of exotic birds lining the walls, to rock music, with Jimi Hendrix posters and the like, and the single captain’s cabin, with a cubby-hole bed and porthole window. The beds are out-of-this-world comfy, with a duvet that makes you feel as if you are sleeping in a cloud. Food and drink: The menu offers a great mix of pub classics – chicken burger, fish and chips, beef rump – and dishes with a leaning towards high-end restaurant fare – whole dressed Dorset crab, crispy confit duck and watermelon salad, lamb shoulder moussaka. Well-presented, tasty and filling; and the serving staff are lovely. Bill please: Bed and breakfast from £100 per night. The Pilot, 68 River Way, Greenwich, SE10 0BE. pilotgreenwich.co.uk 94

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Sharing is caring Moving into a flat-share may sound daunting, but in London you’ll find the best deals on rent, and you may also make some good mates Finding a flat here is tricky business. Not only is rent expensive but you’ll be hard pressed to find one with a bedroom bigger than a shoebox; even then you’ll be battling it out with 50 other desperadoes who are willing to up the price. In West London, people can pay upwards of £1,500 a month for a flat. However, an exciting and easy way to avoid this is by moving into a flat-share. Not only will it save you money but you’ll make some great friends in the process and you can usually move in right away. Arrivehomes.com has flats all over the city and the team’s expert knowledge makes finding the right fit a walk in the park. They specialise in flat-shares for teachers and young professionals so you’ll likely end up with a good bunch. Trust us, your friends will be jealous when you’re necking pints in the pub with your new mates and have money to spare, while the closest they’ve had to a social excursion recently is a trip to the Outer Hebrides with their estate agents. Who are charming company, by the way.

Keep it flexible Other than saving money, shorter contracts might be the single best reason why flatshares rule. Most flats in London require at least a year on the contract – some two – which is a risky commitment if a month on you meet the love of your life and want to elope to a Caribbean island (dreams do come true). Or maybe the mould on the ceiling is just getting to you. Either way, it’s almost impossible to get out of a contract with an estate agent without losing huge swathes of money. At arrivehomes.com contracts are short, which is great if you’re here for a matter of months. Furthermore, its contracts make it easy to leave at short notice if your plans change.

Avoid expensive fees When looking for a place in London, it’s advisable to go through estate agents rather than renting privately, as this ensures that the flat reaches safety standards and any problems are fixed promptly (there are a lot of horror stories here). However, this is also costly, and estate agents love to amp up the fee, just for the pleasure of showing you a shoebox that only a king could afford. These non-refundable fees can reach up to £600, and you won’t know how much until the deal is done. Going with a flat-share however, cuts out those high payments, meaning extra cash for fun!

Make new mates Meeting new people in a city as big as London can be really tough, but flat-shares automatically provide with you a group of people to share some of those trials and tribulations with. If your roomies have been here a while they might be full of tips for places to go and people to meet, or if

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they’re new on the block too, then you can go at it together. The idea of moving into a house of strangers may sound daunting, but as most people who have lived in flat-shares will tell you, lots of them end up best mates. Peruse the flat-share websites before you start hunting to get a sense of who they rent to, and when you look around get chatting. It’ll be easy to gauge whether you’ll hit it off with potential roomies just by visiting.

LIFESTYLELIVING

PARAGON

such as arrivehomes.com is that things like wireless internet and cable TV will all be in place. Believe us, that’s a huge weight off your shoulders. When you move into new rentals in London, quite mysteriously and unbelievably for one of the biggest, most developed cities in the world, internet can take months and months to arrive. The same goes for setting up cable, which can be a huge battle (never had the joy of being on hold with a cable provider for four hours? Well, you will now). Furthermore, things you didn’t even know you needed like TV licenses will also need to be organised, as will your water and electricity providers. Arrivehomes.co.uk include all these bills in your rent, keeping your payments streamlined, and your headache at bay. A pounding head should be a sign of a hangover and nothing else.

Contemporary short-term lets

A taste of what you can get…

Centrally located

Ellison Road, South London Available August 1, £700pm; five doubles, one single. Suitable for couples. Palmerston Road, North London Available August 14, £460pm; three doubles, three singles. Outdoor balcony space with barbecue. Leicester Road, East London Available now, £525-605pm; four doubles, one single. Suitable for couples. Some rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Arrivehomes.co.uk

Avoid technology headaches The great thing about moving into a flat-share with a service

SUMMER LETS 24hr security WiFi

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

Photos: Thinkstock and supplied.Words: Racheal Getzels

IF YOU LOOKING FOR HOUSE SHARE ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON... THEN WE CAN HELP

Arrive Homes lets over 40 properties across all parts of London, offering affordable, clean and spacious shared living for professionals. WHY USE US? 4 No hassle. No effort. No fees 4 No long term contract or commitment 4 Flexible 4 All bills included 4 Fully furnished 4 Properties within walking distance for travel connections 4 Share with like minded professionals For current availability, more information and enquiries please visit: www.arrivehomes.com contact@arrivehomes.co.uk +44 1277 810410 +44 7450 087386

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RECRUITMENT

To advertise call 020 7989 0567 or sales@tntmagazine.com

Home Care

Do you consider yourself to be a caring person? Home Care Assistant Vacancies across Surrey

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No experience required as full training is provided Compe<<ve rates of pay and beneﬁts package Flexible hours

Harvest workers, experienced milkers, fencers, tractor drivers and all farm staff.

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Clarendon Home Care is a long established, family run care provider with clients in Kingston, Epsom, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Woking and the surrounding Surrey.

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)

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.

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 staff to help us expand our retail business. If this sounds like you then we would love to have you on board.

FULL TIME EXPERIENCED RETAIL STORE MANAGERS Central London Area Competitive salary offered to successful candidates THE ROLE • Overseeing operational requirements in store • Maintaining high level of service excellence • Ensure statutory requirements – health & safety, and other legal requirements are being met • Managing staff rotas • 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.

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 email to

sandra@leylandsdm.co.uk 96

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ARE YOU JOB HUNTING? Visit tntjobs.co.uk for vacant positions in all industries across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. At tntjobs.co.uk you’ll find out how to land your perfect job, an A-Z list of employers, job alerts, career news and information, visa advice and details of recruiters. Solving your recruitment problems!

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

SAY WHAT?! bow has a puppet man, apparently. my friend tried to request a song once but he said no.

does the Piccadilly line go through the countryside, or any kind of forest?

Hold me at Holborn: To the stunning Monica Bellucci lookalike at Holborn station, meeting you made my birthday weekend! Drop the tardy old Pom and come and make the same mistakes with a younger Aussie. Grant Wedding belles: Massive congrats, Kevin and Emma! We hope that you have the best day. With love from V & S xx Pug drug: To the gorgeous lady

Dead Poets’ Society: I am trying to create a poetry appreciation group where we study dead poets only. No live ones. Not even Tony Harrison. Anyone interested? Neil from Finchley Cheesy feet: Sarah, your feet stink! Please keep your shoes on! Fond regards from everyone that shares an office with you. Champagne super-whoa-va: You were singing Oasis so badly on

THINGS THE QUEEN SHOULD DO BEFORE SHE DIES

I mistook an owl for my alarm the other day. what a hoot.

you’ve tucked your dress into your pants- hang on - let me sort it - stop pulling away! fine! you can rock up to that party looking like a mad Victorian!

my mate told me that if you want to stop sneezing, you have to say ‘Mind the spider’ in a whisper.

my work have organised a fun day. i’m not going. i’d rather sit at home, feeling sour.

I’m fairly sure that i’m banned from Prezzo after the time i bodypopped along the floor.

here’s an idea - stop talking, finish your sandwich and come back to me. there. that’s better.

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in the coral dress walking your pug by the Serpentine every day – you look so charming! Drink? Your secret admirer x No end to the bellend: To the man measuring his knob every morning – STOP! I CAN SEE YOU!

the Tube I begged you to stop, but I am sorry now Christian. Will you give me another chance? We have lift-off: Peter, the answer’s YES! I can’t wait to tell your mum and dad – they are going to be sooo angry! Jackie xxx

Photos: Getty

Paint her face for the Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico. Very scary ma’am

So fly: Does anyone else have a cat that can catch a fly in under 10 seconds? I’m worried that mine is some kind of robot. Asif Knight of Covent Garden: I saw you waiting outside Covent Garden station all night with a bunch of flowers for someone who didn’t show up. I’m the waitress who finished at 10pm and walked past you smiling. Can I take her place? Steph x You’re so Fiennes: You get the 8.19 from Sydenham to Wapping every morning and you look like the guy from Shakespeare in Love (not Ben Affleck). Let’s go out! Cazza x Clap in Clapham: Men of Clapham – don’t go home with a redhead called Petunia that you meet in Infernos! I’ve got an STD off her! Richard Huge surprise: Wendy, when you come home on July 11, make sure that you look under your bed. I might have left you a little something! Miss you already! Soph Tree huggers: Does anyone else see the people in Hyde Park that hug trees every morning? What kind of sect are they a part of, and can I join? Tim Rice Damn Amsterdam: Chris, you’ll have a great time in the Dam – just don’t forget your old friends! KC and Jojo x Come in, Red Fox: You said this was the safest way to communicate, so here goes: on July 17, get the 12.12pm train from Waterloo to Surbiton. Carry a red bag, and wear red lipstick. My wife has no idea. ‘Pedro’ Name and shame: Marcy, you have still not stumped up that fiver for Ron’s leaving present! Cough up! Monica x Waterboard me: I met you at a party in Kensal Rise; you had no idea that waterboarding and motorboating were different things. Let’s meet up for confusing fun. Feline foolish: Amy, the cat prefers me to you. This is what happens when you get a kitten when I am on a business trip. Love from Clare x

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