The Travel Taylor

The Setup This was our second visit — the first was a few years ago, but it stayed with us. The kind of meal you benchmark others against, without realising. We booked again. Early — too early, probably — and arrived to an empty restaurant. Not in a sad way. Just us, the staff, and the confidence of a place that doesn’t need a crowd to perform. Everything prepped, music low, that calm buzz you only get from a kitchen that knows exactly what it's doing. It’s called Fine Mess, which sounds like a punchline — and then you step in and find a full-size Harley Davidson parked up, a smokehouse burning away at the back, and décor that’s half brasserie, half modern lumberjack den. The name turns out to be a mission statement — chaotic, smoky, but sharply curated. Smokehouse Credentials Fine Mess styles itself as a contemporary expression of low & slow barbecue and Creole cuisine. Think American smokehouse, with custom-made smokers using seasoned beech wood to smoke everything from chees...

I wanna get the important stuff out of the way first: yes, the bed was perfect. Soft sheets, plump pillows, and a proper mattress you actually look forward to collapsing into after a day of sun, sea, and too many vodka martinis. But it wasn’t just about the bed. Explora I has clearly taken the phrase “home away from home” and dialled it up to sleek, ship-shape luxury. The Suite Setup We stayed in one of the Ocean Terrace Suites — all suites on Explora I have balconies as standard, which should be law frankly. Ours came with a proper little living area, a very spacious balcony with a lounger and table for two, a huge bed that somehow got comfier by the night, and a bathroom that made other cruise ship loos feel like airport cubicles. Drawers were plentiful, the walk-in wardrobe was massive (and lit like a mini boutique), and actually big enough to sleep in ( yes, I know this from first hand experience but that is another story entirely). The carpet was thick and soft underfoot, and...

The Setup Tucked inside a restored 1901 building once home to Franciscan nursing sisters (yes, really), Nicole sits quietly above Istanbul’s rooftops — all brushed concrete, muted lighting, and a very deliberate calm. Inside it’s white tablecloths, polished service, the gentle clink of cutlery and soft piano music playing in the background. Every table’s been deliberately placed — no duff spots, no awkward corners — nobody has to argue about the best seat. Just quiet elegance and a clear focus: the view.  Hard to beat. Rooftop skyline, soft skies, and the kind of light that flatters everyone. Tables spaced wide enough that you won’t hear anyone’s anniversary toast, and the city laid out like it’s trying to impress you. The Bread course (really does deserve Its Own heading) If you’re the kind of person who gets a bit too excited about bread, this was a strong start. A warm, seeded roll with serious crunch. A glossy, slightly sweet slice of something cake-adjacent. And then, quietly ...