New Year Escape 2018 – Day One

New Year Bratislava

 

New Year can be a bit of a sad and boring time to spend at home watching Jools Hootenanny whilst slowly getting drunk, well I’d prefer not to!  It’s a time to see other places, and see what they get up to for new year.  Last year, Mr Foodie surprised me with a trip to The Hague.  Not top of my places to spend new year but it was fun and seeing the World’s biggest bonfire was a bit different!

This year Mr Foodie was on a secret mission again and kept the new year holiday plans quiet.  Where were we going? Staying up until 4am for a Taxi to Buchanan Bus Station, that was fun zzzzzz.  Then the bus to Edinburgh Airport.  Still with no idea where we are off to…

New year getaway

By the time we got to Edinburgh Airport, we were starving.  A visit to EAT got us these goodies.

New year getaway

I use the term goodies lightly.  Look at The pitiful amount of salmon in the sandwich.  Good tea, tasty toasted sandwich (but again the filling was minimal) and the pretzel – meh.  £12.40 all in.

Time for me to find out where we are going…

New year getaway

Bratislava!  Capital city of Slovakia.  We had last been there 7 years ago on a cross-country trip through Europe and liked it. However, due to Eyjafjallajökull erupting in Iceland and disrupting air travel throughout Europe we lost a day of our holiday so only had half a day to spend there.  This time, no eruptions!

We landed to a chilly and foggy Bratislava.

New year getaway

In no time we were in the centre of town and visiting Billa for some supplies.

New year getaway

And then checking in to our accommodation for the trip, Ibis Bratislava Centrum.

New year getaway

Everything we need. WiFi, shower and a big bed.  It was nap time, so a snooze before dinner was required to refresh us.

The fog had gotten spookier during our nap. So we didn’t think we’d see many fireworks later.

New year getaway

Dinner was booked at Modra  Hviezda , a restaurant and bar below the castle.

New year getaway Bratislava

Some local pear brandy to start the night 🍸

New year getaway Bratislava

Then onto local Slovak wine.

New year getaway Bratislava

Mr Foodie started with Duck liver pate with almond and cranberries.

New year getaway Bratislava

Whereas I had grilled cheese with bacon crisps and home made bread 😍

New year getaway BratislavaThe cheese was like Halloumi and the bacon/jam combo heavenly.

Next up for Mr Foodie, grilled pork tenderloin with porcini mushroom sauce and roast potatoes.

New Year Bratislava

My main was venison loin on a caramel cognac sauce on top on a purple potato purée.   The caramel sauce worked a wonder with the potato and the savoury venison.

New Year Bratislava

It was time for some Slovakian Rosé 🍷 Mr Foodie stalked Vivino and picked Mrva & Stanko – Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2012.  Smelled just like strawberries and cream.  A light and sweet wine.

New Year Bratislava

Dessert time and we both had dumplings with walnut 😍😍

New Year Bratislava

Along with a glass of Rizling  Mrva & Stanko 2015 for me and Karpatska Perla “Aurelius” 2013 for Mr F.  Both a tasty end to the meal. 👍 thumbs up for Slovakian wine.

New Year Bratislava

Bill paid, it was time for 🎉 so we wandered along to the castle with everyone else. As you can see, the fog was still here.

New Year Bratislava

So no fireworks to be seen, but we did hear them! We toasted the New Year with our Pickering’s Gin Baubles and stumbled off home.

Happy New Year!

Onto day two

Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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