Called “Towards a Fluid State” and held in an undisclosed warehouse location in Dalston, the festival will be the first of its kind. An immersive and informative food and drink experience profiling flights of Cognac,Whisky, Gin, Sake and Natural & Biodynamic wine matched with delicious food. It is also a platform for some of the UK’s hottest emerging contemporary artists, musicians, set and fashion designers, and it promises to be a truly unique experience.

The festival will run from 3-11pm with timed entry on the hour. Each session will last approximately 2 hours. The exact location will be revealed a few days before the event and tickets start at £16.50. Hayley Sudbury and Angella Newell are the brains behind this concept. They are both part of the Courvoisier “The Future 500”, a leading group of business leaders and entrepreneurs in the UK.

After you’ve been out and about, seeing the best that the fashion world has to offer, why not try visiting some of London’s fashionable bars? They’re the places to see, and be seen, so order yourself a fancy cocktail and bask in the sartorial splendour that is London Fashion Week. We have picked out some of the best cocktail bars nearest to the featured events for you to try out for yourself.

Don’t forget about our ‘I Don’t Know’ promotion with Courvoisier, which you can take advantage of at the bars listed below. There are participating bars across the UK - not just London. So go ahead and try out something new this week and get a free cocktail too. The offer runs until the end of the month.

Super Contemporary, Design Museum - Tower Bridge

Showing what London has brought to the design world, with works from some of the best creative minds that the City has produced. The work spans across architecture, industrial design, graphics, communications and of course, fashion. There is also an exhibition of new work from fifteen of London’s freshest contemporary designers as well as a design timeline charting some of the city’s greatest work since the 1960’s.

Flickr photo by jane_sanders

Cocktails here: Dion Bar, St Paul’sRunning parallel to St Paul’s, this bar has stunning views over the cathedral and grounds. You can either sit downstairs in the plush basement area, or outside for some al fresco posing. Dion is also the only bar london, except the Dorchester Hotel to have a room specially sponsored by and dedicated to Krug champagne.

Future Fashion Now, V&A Museum - Chelsea

Get ahead of the game and find out what could be coming down the catwalk in years to come. This exhibition showcases highlights from the Royal College of Art fashion MA graduates’ final collections. As well as the finished products, on display will be the work behind the work, including preliminary sketches, illustrations and models so you can see all the stages a designer has to go through to get their ideas onto the catwalk. Entry to the exhibition is free, so you can afford to have another cocktail at the bar afterwards.

Flickr photo by makakman

Cocktails here: Cactus Blue, Chelsea

Set in one of the most fashionable and affluent areas of London, Cactus Blue in Chelsea is a great place to mingle with the fashionistas, whilst sipping on some of the best cocktails in London. You can spend your time exploring all the rooms that are hidden away in this great venue, or stay in the main gallery and be seen amongst all the beautiful people. Go upstairs into the attic and the Haven room, and you’ll be offered top quality service by the staff with table service.

Flickr photo by Last Rounds

SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution, Somerset House - The Strand

This is an exhibition by SHOWstudio, which is an award-winning fashion website led by Nick Knight, who is one of the world’s best fashion photographers. Showcased at Somerset House is a retrospective of some of the groundbreaking SHOWstudio projects concentrating on the themes of ‘Process’, ‘Performance’ and ‘Participation’. There will be a live photographic studio with Nick Knight and other photographers, illustrating the process of fashion image-making. Throughout the exhibition, Nick Knight will be taking pictures of 100 models, actors, musicians and artists.

Flickr photo by Tyla’75

Cocktails here: Navajo Joe, Covent Garden

Spread over three floors, this venue offers the chance to mingle, or to stay as aloof as you want, and watch proceedings from afar. The main bar, situated on the ground floor, is a classy affair, with six tonnes of underlit marble stretching the entire length of the building, and swathes of red velvet giving a sultry feel. Navajo Joe’s also boasts the largest collection of premium tequilas, mezcals and rums in London.

Flickr photo by grwster

Please remember to enjoy your drink responsibly. For more info, visit drinkaware.co.uk

Flickr photo by .craig

The Notting Hill Carnival usually gets under way on the Saturday with the steel band competition. Sunday is Kids’ Day, when costume prizes are awarded. On Bank Holiday Monday, the main parade takes place. It generally begins on Great Western Road, then winds its way along Chepstow Road, on to Westbourne Grove, and then Ladbroke Grove. In the evening, the floats leave the streets in procession, and people carry on partying at the many Notting Hill Carnival after parties. The theme for this years carnival is ‘Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Heavenly Virtues’. Expect to see some outlandishly extravagant costumes set to dazzle the streets of London.

Flickr photo by Davide Simonetti

Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, over 40,000 volunteers and 1 million carnival revellers. Second only to Rio in its scope, this gives those of you who have never been an idea of the sheer scale of this event.

Flickr photo by Daniel_C_C

Starting at the earlier time of 9am this year, get there early to secure yourself a top spot. What’s your favourite thing about this unique street festival? Leave us a comment here or send us an email.

——————————————————————————————————————-

Brighton

Eat here: Terre a Terre 

Diners can feast on a variety of vegetarian dishes. The varied menu offers something for every appetite and has been enjoyed by the carnivores amongst you. A lively but child friendly atmosphere.

Flickr photo by missy & the universe

Sleep here: Hotel du Vin

Situated in the heart of Brighton. The unusual and opulent setting of this hotel includes a Gothic revival and mock-Tudor building with a heavily carved staircase. You would only find this quirkiness in Brighton.

Go out here: Audio

A popular club and bar venue for Brighton’s younger crowd. DJs perform in a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Bar entry is free and it’s cheap to get in the club.

Flickr photo by onemorechris 

Brighton’s Comedy Club

Clubbing not for you? Check out Brighton’s newest Saturday night show. Hosting the finest stand-up talent in the city. Perfect for groups of friends, hens and stag parties. Centrally located by the pier and nightlife.

Flickr photo by OliverN5

How to get here: Trains 

Running directly from London straight through to Brighton. It’s not as expensive as you’d think with groups of 3 or 4 travelling together for the price of 2.

—————————————————————————————————————————

Cornwall

Eat here: Fifteen 

The unique opportunity to sample Jamie Oliver’s apprentices cuisine, as seen on TV. Located in the trendy and lively town of Newquay, take in the surf whilst dining on the beach front.

Flickr photo by surfability

The Seafood Restaurant

Owned by fellow chef Rick Stein. This restaurant has an international reputation for imaginative cooking of the freshest fish and shellfish. They also have accommodation here too, so if you can’t stay away you don’t have to.

Flickr photo by odh!

Sleep here: The Park at Mawgan Porth

Set within 27 acres of rural mature parkland, and uniquely positioned yards from the surfing beach of Mawgan Porth. This enviable location allows you to explore both the towns of Newquay to the West and Padstow to the East.

Go out here: Bude, Padstow and Newquay

Historical towns and quaint villages with streets winding down to picturesque harbours. Discover the Arthurian Legend at Tintagel Castle, and Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor where it is rumoured Excalibur was received by the Lady of the Lake.

How to get here: Fly

With flights to Cornwall with RyanAir starting from £30 you can arrive at your destination within an hour of setting off.

—————————————————————————————————————————

Not mentioned your favourite getaway? Well, be sure to let us know. Leave a review or send us an email. 

Flickr photo by DeusXFlorida

Clearly there has been a move away from when free WiFi would give coffee shop operators the edge. I guess in a fiercely competitive market, you have to have an approach that differentiates you and makes you stand out from the crowd. The question is, will bikini baristas do it though?

Is it a case of ‘desperate times calls for desperate measures’? What about the ladies? Just to be fair, should hot men be serving coffee in speedo’s? Or is that a step too far?

In Need of a New Brew? Starbucks Opens Unbranded Stores

Flickr photo by rudolph_schuba

This announcement comes days after global coffee shop brand Starbucks revealed plans to launch unbranded coffee shops. They have been redesigned to resemble independent local cafés. It aims to reflect the local community more than the original stores did. This launch follows an advertising campaign by Starbucks to ’shake off’ its image as a purveyor of overpriced coffee. The global coffee giant certainly needs to do something. This year, Starbucks closed more than 700 stores and cut thousands of jobs when it reported a 97% drop in profits at the end of the last quarter in 2008. Comments made by a rival of Starbucks labels this move as their ‘mid-life crisis’.

Flickr photo by Mark Warner

Will the coffee chain’s trial of unbranded shops boost the core brand or backfire? Let us know what you think about this crazy trend in the ever evolving coffee shop culture. Leave us a comment here or send us an email.
 

Flickr photo by adamrhoades

So here we go. We’re starting from Scotland all the way down to Wales. Sunny beaches and happening destinations in England follow shortly and in good time before the summer ends.

Edinburgh

For those of you who really love to unwind on holiday the ’spa-cation’ is perfect for you. The new ’stay-cation’ for this summer, but much more rejuvenating.  Life can be stressful (particularly with the current economy), and its our bodies and minds that without proper attention take the brunt of this stress.  There has never been a better time to take care of yourself, your body will thank you! Rated as one of Britain’s Top 20 Spa Resorts, Onespa @ Sheraton Grand Hotel is hidden away behind the Sheraton Grand.  This immaculate split-level spa, featuring a 19-metre indoor swimming pool with views of the famous Edinburgh Castle. For an even more spectacular view head up onto the roof to the hydro pool to soak and relax.  The hotel boasts super-size beds, friendly staff and berry-blast smoothies to complete your experience.

A one night spa package includes salt and oil scrub and mud chamber for £150pp.

Flickr photo by  Alex Morrice

With Edinburgh Castle within eye-shot of the spa you’d be crazy to miss visiting this famous historical site. You’ll certainly get a glimpse of the Scottish culture on a tour of the Castle with plenty of guides on hand to provide comical anecdotes about the area’s history, it promises to be a tour you will not forget.
 
Flickr photo by  hapticflapjack

All this relaxation and sightseeing is sure to work up an appetite.  If it’s traditional Scottish fare you are after, then check out Home Bistro. Afterevent is a regular there and ‘has never had a dish that wasn’t both impressive and delicious’. If you’ve never tried haggis before, expand your taste buds here. Perfect for a pre-theatre dinner, be warned, book early to avoid disappointment as the venue is small but deservedly popular.

If you’d rather feel like you’re dining in France then why not check out highly acclaimed Martin Wishart. This top French restaurant provides an intimate romantic venue to take a loved one.  With a wide choice on their a la carte menu and vegetarians well catered for it is the perfect setting for a quiet relaxing evening.  It’s not the cheapest of places but everyone who has gone believes it to be well worth the money. What you save on travel costs (remember you’re dining as in France, but in Edinburgh!) you can spend here. So go ahead and treat yourself.

Of course, make sure you arrive on time for the world’s largest arts festival.  The annual Edinburgh Festival which starts next week, runs from 5th August until 5th September. There are plenty of offers to be had so you needn’t break the bank, so everyone can get involved in a bit of festival fun.  Check out the official website or visit the Fringe festival box office to get tickets.

Lake District 
 
The home of England’s highest mountains, deepest lakes and breathtaking views lies within the Lake District National Park.  Situated in Cumbria in North-West of England, visitors are attracted all year round. Lake Windermere, the most well known of the lakes, is popular with water sport fanatics and walkers alike.  The Lake District could easily be described as ‘activity central’ with so many things to do including: walking, climbing, bird watching, fishing, horse riding, golf, cycling, museums and much more!

Flickr photo by sufw  

With all this exertion, a good eatery is essential to top up those energy levels.  Country pubs are an integral part of the Lakeland experience and there is a vast range of options for the hungry traveller. The Church House Inn is a fifteenth century hostelry brimming with rustic charm. Low ceilings, wood panelling and a roaring log fire create the perfect atmosphere to savour top chef Michael Beaty’s cooking.  Much of the produce featured on the menu is locally sourced, creating hearty home made Cumbrian food. The Inn also offers 5-en suite rooms with superb views over Torver Common. This also includes a traditional breakfast in the morning to set you up for the day.

Flickr photo by Robert/Says/Hi

Make sure you’re hungry when you come to the lakes because Cumbria is full of culinary masterpieces.  If you really want to indulge yourself, take a visit to Michelin-starred restaurant Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel.  Situated in a breathtaking location overlooking the stunning Lake Windermere, professional, attentive, young staff complement the experienced kitchen producing modern dishes with a classical theme.  Sit on the terrace for lunches or early evening dining in the summer, whilst sipping on a glass of wine.

There is an endless range of accommodation available to suit all tastes and budgets, whether it’s a cottage, guesthouse, farm or log-cabin you are after find them all here. For those of you taking your beloved pets away with you, there are plenty of places which cater for these too. Dragon Cottage is a perfect example of this, situated close to both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales if you want the best of both worlds.

Snowdonia

Those of you who prefer a more adventurous getaway why not explore the magnificent Snowdonia National Park.  To make that climb up Mount Snowdon that little bit easier why not stay in a cottage within the park.  The Menai Holiday Cottages have a stunning collection of holiday properties which cater for all tastes and budgets from 2 to 24 people.  The park attracts walkers and climbers of all abilities and has hundreds of paths of varying degrees of difficulty. If your energy levels are lacking a bit then take the cog railway to the top of Snowdon from the lakeside town of Llanberis.  For the energetic types take one of the well documented footpaths to the summit.

 
Flickr photo by abstract_effects

If staying in a hotel is more your kind of thing, then there’s a huge choice situated centrally for that walk up Mount Snowdon. Plas Dolguog Hotel is a beautiful country hotel dating back to 1632, set in 9 acres of mature grounds offering panoramic views across the Dyfi Valley to Snowdonia National Park.  The perfect base for fishing, golf, little trains and local attractions, it’s not as expensive as you’d think, as rooms start from £45 including breakfast.

Flickr photo by Kaptain Kobold

Snowdonia Park Free House is situated in Caernarfon on the edge of the National Park in an idyllic mountain setting on the banks of the River Gwyrfai just four miles from the foot of Mount Snowdon.  Attracting families, walkers and climbers, good home cooked food ensures that bellies are sure to be filled after working up an appetite up Snowdon. Listed in CAMRA Real Ale Guide they also boast a micro-brewery on site as well as a campsite for those who don’t mind sleeping under the stars.

If you fancy dining in style but in an informal setting then Castell Deudraeth Bar & Grill could be just for you.  This recently refurbished Victorian mansion provides a brasserie style menu which fits in beautifully with the relaxed contemporary design.  They keep things simple by providing unfussy food using locally produced ingredients, such as lobsters and crabs from the Llyn Peninsula, rock oysters from Anglesey and lamb from the farms around Bala.

After Prince Charles called it “the highest slum in Wales”, Snowdonia’s brand new Visitor Centre has been transformed into something spectacular. The £8.4 million refurbishment now blends in with the landscape and copes with the extreme weather while the glass wall provides a ‘window on the world’ for Wales.  The centre allows visitors of all ages and physical abilities to learn more about the mountain’s significance as a unique recreational, environmental and cultural resource.
 

Are you short of a bit of cash? Is pay day too far away to wait for? Check out Wonga - the specialist in short term loans. Now a word of warning here. Please make sure that you only take on a loan that you know you can pay back shortly. Wonga can let you know very quickly if you qualify for a loan and they will lend you up to £200. They will want it paid back on time though Consider them if you need some extra cash for a week or two, until that pay cheque comes through.

If you hadn’t heard already we have extended our partnership with toptable.  This means that not only can you make online bookings for restaurants across the UK and abroad, but you can also see the exclusive discounts which are currently on offer. Eating at some of the country’s finest restaurants for half the price can only be a great thing. Right?

Do you have any other ideas for fantastic getaways across the UK? That special spot with the unspoiled beaches and the amazing, family-run pub? The B&B that you stayed years ago and still rave about to your friends? Well, then be sure to let us know. Leave a review, or send us an email.

Have a great summer!

We all love to save a bit of money where we can, don’t we? You know… that flight upgrade, the free cocktail during happy hour, the super-clever mortgage (well may be not that one any more). We know that you guys love saving money and, of course, that you love eating out.
This is why we have taken our partnership with toptable a step further. Not only can you book a restaurant, but now you can see the exclusive discounts you can get by doing so.

The launch of the new “special offers” section can be found here (this is for London only, but you can see all such sections for your city) and of course in the page for every participating restaurant. There are thousands of restaurants across the UK and 13 countries worldwide to choose from.
To access them click on the ‘Explore’ drop down menu, select ‘Restaurants’ and select ‘Special Offers’ on the left hand side. All the special offers currently on offer will be listed in your chosen location, all you have to do is follow the link for your chosen restaurant by clicking on ‘Available when booking through toptable’.

Here’s an example of what’s on offer to wet your appetite.
Coq d’Argent, a top French Restaurant in London has surely got to be at the top of people’s lists to try out.
Described by one user as one of ‘London’s hidden gems‘ normally, a meal for two would set you back £150 as you take in the views from the round terrace, amazingly tended lawns, and views overlooking Bank. The ‘eyewateringly expensive’ and ‘mouthwateringly good’ food could set you back a mere £25 for 3 courses from the set menu when you book online. Hurry up and book now because this tantalisingly fantastic offer ends 31st July!

We’ve actually been extremely busy working on a project that was announced yesterday. Localpeople.co.uk is a pilot initiative by DMGT – one of the UK’s and Europe’s biggest media companies and newspaper publishers. The project sees the creation of small community sites that cover everything from user-submitted news and stories, local ads for jobs and property and of course businesses and reviews from the community.

That last part is what we’re proud of as it’s a white-label, hosted service from TrustedPlaces. If you’re not familiar with that term, it means that we can now offer to our partners the full capability of TrustedPlaces without them having to develop it.

Apart from the commercial benefits, another important factor is the fact that we want people to find the best local businesses all across the country. Working with a partner like DMGT allows a far wider audience to do just that. And it’s not just reviews by customers that are possible, but of course business owners can participate in the conversation by claiming their business and adding their voice to the community’s.
We’ve got a number of improvements coming up and a few more very exciting partners in the pipeline. That cocktail-sipping, beach lounging idea will have to wait a bit longer.

Hiring update
Given how busy we are, the team is growing. If you’d like to join us for an internship or know someone who does, then please click here.

Summer intern ship at TrustedPlaces

Where is the role?
Our offices are split in London and Tel Aviv – the role is in the London HQ, between King’s Cross and Farringdon.

What day to day duties should I expect?
We are a very small team with a lot to do. You will be working directly with the founder and CEO of the company; supporting him in sales and marketing; building presentation material for the board and sales pitches; analysing data; discussing ideas; supporting project management; helping with admin – in general there is very wide breadth of work you could get involved with. The hungrier you are and more initiative you show the more you’ll be able to get out of the internship.

What skills are you after?
You must be an excellent, natural communicator, but most of all we value attitude; passion for what we do; ability to learn fast and work on your own. You may come from an engineering, business studies or economics background or have a MBA. We don’t really care what your academic background is, as long as you’ve demonstrated excellence. If you love all things web and have some experience through sites you’ve built, a blog that you author or in general have participated in the way the web has changed in the last 4 years, then that is an extra bonus.

How long is the role for?
We ask you to commit for three months.

Will I get lots of free meals, VIP entry in bars and clubs and get to meet celebrity chefs?
Probably not. We do get offers for free meals and other goodies, but we usually pass those on to our community. But you will get a chance to discover and appreciate London better than you had before.

How do I get in touch?
Glad you asked. Send an email to sokratis at trustedplaces dot com - please put summer intern in the subject line.