Sam Noble is the Circulation & Subscriptions Manager for Group Travel World magazine

“Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to an exclusive tutored tasting evening with Courvoisier and their brand ambassador Rebecca Asseline as part of the launch of ‘Le Voyage de Napoleon’, Courvoisier’s new range exclusively available in airports across the UK and Europe.

The event included a complementary ride to and from the airport in a town car from Orlando limo service or Boston limo. The tasting took place at No. 11 Cadogan Gardens, a unique urban hideaway in the tranquil streets of Knightsbridge and Chelsea. A member of the internationally recognised luxury boutique brand Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the fashionable five star hotel is brimming with character and charm. Built on the former cricket grounds to Buckingham Palace, No. 11 Cadogan Gardens is a sophisticated and elegant boutique hotel.

No. 11 Cadogan Gardens, a boutique hotel

Behind the classic Victorian façade, the hotel offers unassuming luxury. It includes 54 luxurious rooms, including 19 individual suites, a stunning drawing room and a theatrical cocktail bar. It is also home to the very chic Tartufo restaurant, where we enjoyed the rest of our evening.

Situated on the lower ground floor, Tartufo is spread over two main connected rooms, both tastefully decorated with individual touches such as period tea sets, art books and vintage prints, all offset with classic white lines, bold red menus and blue glass tableware giving an air of opulence to my evening out.

Each item on the amazing sampling menu, put together by Chef Manuel Oliveri, was specially designed to complement each of the beautifully presented cognacs from Courvoisier. On arrival in the dining room, we were greeted with a Champagne cocktail before being seated for a talk by Rebecca about the history and heritage of Courvoisier.

Courvoisier’s new range ‘Le Voyage de Napoleon’.

Throughout the evening we were invited to sample the aroma and taste profiles of each of the cognacs while being presented with beautiful plates of food, including pan-fried duck foie gras, an orange tartlet with blood orange marmalade and an incredible vanilla bourbon crème brulee.
The evening concluded with the rare opportunity to taste L’Essence de Courvoisier. Described as a cognac for connoisseurs, it was created by Jean-Marc Olivier, the Master Blender for Courvoisier for the past 22 years. L’Essence de Courvoisier signifies the heritage, tradition and passion passed down from one master blender to another, including to Olivier’s successor Patrice Pinet. Tasting this treat ended a luxurious evening of being spoilt at an exceptional hotel and restaurant.”

Truckfest

Jack Gilbert is an Editorial Assistant at Group Travel World magazine

“I have been annually visiting Truckfest since I was five years old, introduced by my father who had his own MAN dealership. Truckfest has never failed to deliver an exciting atmosphere and a great day out. Every year, vast amount of caravans, tents and vehicles completely cover the East of England Showground in Peterborough, with many having travelled huge distances to be there, including travelling the length of the UK and arriving from Europe as well.

Truckfest is ideal for any sort of group visit, with something for everyone, not just enthusiastic truckers. There are almost as many stalls as vehicles, selling everything from jewellery to pork scratchings. There is always a huge array of food on offer, from Chinese to hot dogs and everything in between. Trucks, hot rods, supercars, monster trucks, limousines and dirt bikes are all on show, some available to sit in to check out the latest modern day interiors. For the young ones, there are hundreds of fun attractions such as bouncy castles, candy floss stalls and bungee jumping to keep them entertained throughout the day. My favourite part of the day was watching the dirt bikes in the arena pulling nail-biting stunts which raised the atmosphere in the crowd to fever pitch. Every year Truckfest also welcomes celebrities for interesting interviews and arena appearance. I would highly recommend a group day out to Truckfest, as it’s an eventful and fun day out that will satisfy everyone.”

Truckfest thrills the crowds and appeals to everyone, not just truckers