Category Archives: Publication

Hidden gems in the South of France

by Qin Xie

Published on Staysure on 13th August 2021

Finding a quiet spot in the South of France is no easy feat. After all, it’s not just the British who are in love with its gorgeous Côte d’Azur. Each summer, Russians, Scandinavians, Germans, and of course the French are flocking here in their droves, too.

If you are serious about avoiding the crowds, the best time to come is between May and early June, when the weather is hotting up but the other holidaymakers haven’t quite arrived yet. Or in September, when the sun is still shining but the resorts have all emptied out for the season.

But if the height of summer is unavoidable, there are still towns and villages where you don’t have to wait long to pick up your croissants from the boulangerie or fight for a spot to sit down with your café au lait and a good book.

Read more at Staysure

Best things to do in the Balearic Islands

by Qin Xie

Published on Staysure on 30th July 2021

There are over 100 islands in the Balearics, though for most people, only four come to mind: Majorca (or Mallorca), Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The rest are much smaller and mostly unoccupied.

Despite being clustered together off the east coast of Spain, each of these four islands offer a very different holiday experience.

There’s more than meets the eye though. To help you pick the island for you, here are some highlights from the main four.

Read more at Staysure

Discover local producers on a makers’ break in Herefordshire

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 22nd July 2021

“What happens during fermentation?”

James Marsden, the outspoken owner of Gregg’s Pit Cider & Perry in Ledbury, has thrown me yet another question – one that I suspect he didn’t really want an answer to.

I had just driven in from Goodrich, a little Herefordshire village about 20 minutes away. After repeatedly crawling along the same stretch of country lane, I finally managed to spot the un-signposted opening squeezed between two homes. Past this, and along a single-lane dirt track, was the elusive smallholding responsible for supplying fine ciders to Michelin-starred restaurants in London and beyond for upwards of £10 a bottle. But instead of a warm welcome, James has been bombarding me with questions – questions to which I just can’t seem to come up with the right answers.

Read more at The Independent

8 best mattress protectors: Help prolong the life of your bed

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 21st July 2021

The mattress we sleep on every night has a huge effect on how much rest we actually get. It’s no surprise then that the price tag that comes with something so important is not a number to be sniffed at.

That’s why many of the biggest mattress brands offer three month trials so you know that the one you’ve picked will offer the right amount of support for your back and is breathable enough to keep you cool at night.

And yet, once it’s on our bed, few of us proactively try to prolong the life of the mattress we spent so long picking out and spent perhaps hundreds of pounds on.

Read more at The Independent

AWAY ABOVE Away suitcase review: We test The Medium to see if it’s worth the price tag

by Qin Xie

Published on The Sun digital on 16th July 2021

AWAY suitcases are known for being modern, stylish, and built to last.

We took The Medium for a spin to see whether it lives up to the hype — and the expensive price tag.

Measuring 66cm x 47cm x 28cm, The Medium is a great size for packing away all your clothes, shoes and toiletries into one easy-to-use suitcase.

Read more at The Sun digital