Say cheese

EDAM, GOUDA, ERRINGTON’S… AND THE PERFUME THAT THINKS IT’S A CHEESE

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING to enjoy on a cream cracker? Alkmaar Cheese Market (www.alkmaar.nl), near Amsterdam, has been churning out popular Dutch cheeses, from Edam to Gouda, for the last 700 years. It’s just reopened for the summer and on Friday mornings visitors can watch the graceful cheese porters carry the many varieties to the weigh house.

If sheep’s milk cheese is more to your taste, then try some of Scotland’s finest from Humphrey Errington’s creamery, near Edinburgh (+44 (0)1899 910257). Errington’s cheese became infamous when it was wrongly accused of containing listeria, but is now back in great demand and available across Scotland or in Harrods, London (www.harrods.com).

Die-hard cheese-fanatics, however, can go one step further and wear the stuff. In a move to make Blue Stilton more sexy, the Manchester-based ID Aromatics company has developed the first cheese-inspired perfume (available from www.stiltoncheese.com). You’ll certainly stand out in a crowd.

Art of Artesian

MAKE LIKE PETER THE GREAT IN THE LANGHAM’S LUXURIOUS NEW BAR

WHENEVER CELEBRITY INTERIOR designer David Collins is involved in a revamp, expect the unexpected. Collins recently put his stamp on the Artesian Bar in London’s Langham Hotel, evoking a high Russian theme with the use of giant wooden chandeliers. These, coupled with the imposing Chinese-style Chippendale back of bar in stained oak, make for a highly dramatic interior. But the extensive cocktail menu is equally dramatic and includes a list of over 50 rums alone. During a tasting, even a drinker who normally steers clear of the spirit was beguiled by the rum cocktails (£14) and, for high rollers, there are plenty of top-flight champagnes to choose from. Look out for the restaurant, due to open this summer. Artesian, Langham Hotel, 1 Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1; +44 (0)20 7636 1000; www.artesian-bar.co.uk

HOT IN THE CITY

Herald the beginning of spring, Zurich-style, with an exploding snowman. “The Boogg”, as he is known, is filled with firecrackers and then set alight to symbolise the end of winter on 16 April as part of the city’s Spring Festival, Sechseläuten (www.sechselaeuten.ch). The whole town comes out to celebrate and members of the city’s 26 guilds ride through the streets in medieval costume. The guilds became powerful after Rudolf Brun, a nobleman, created them in 1336, when he ousted the local politicians and made himself mayor. Till 1800 they remained the political powerhouses of the city. Today they are men-only social clubs with a lowkey profile but they still dominate this colourful event.

School of rock

WANT TO LIVE the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle? Then learn from the professionals. Music legends including Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones and Jack Bruce of Cream will be on hand to turn amateur musicians into stars at the Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, on 24-28 May, at the Abbey Road Studios, London. Lucky fans will spend from dawn till dusk with the maestros, enjoying one-onone master classes, jamming sessions and performing in a band. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will have wannabe rock stars queuing up for the £8,000 ticket. For further details, visit www.rockandrollfantasycamp.com or call +44 (0)845 094 3256.

Photography: Zurich Tourism/Caroline Minjolle

Trunk call

DISCOVER ENGLAND’S HISTORIC CONNECTIONS TO INDIA

ONE OF THE most historical roads in the world, the Grand Trunk Road stretches from Delhi to the Khyber Pass and is the ancestral home of many British citizens today. Photographer Tim Smith travelled through the region and discovered that the connections to England dated back from when the British Army was recruiting in India. “If you lived close to the road, it was likely that someone in your family would end up in the army and eventually back in Britain.” Go on your own journey with this fascinating touring exhibition.

The Grand Trunk Road – from Delhi to the Khyber Pass at Manchester’s People’s History Museum, 15 April (www.phm.org.uk) and at the Bradford Industrial Museum (www.bradfordmuseums.org) from 28 April.

Photography: Tim Smith

READER OFFER

Win tickets

BE SWEPT AWAY by the magical voices of the latest musical sensations, Il Divo. The quartet’s world tour (www.ildivo.org/worldtour) reaches the UK in May. voyager has four pairs of tickets to give away to see the band live on 16 or 17 May at Wembley Arena, London. For your chance to win, email your name, address and daytime telephone number to voyagercomp@ink-publishing.com by 30 April, indicating your date preference*. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.wembley-arena.net or call +44 (0)870 060 0870

LITTLE BLACK BOOK: EDINBURGH GRASSMARKET

TUCKED AWAY BEHIND EDINBURGH CASTLE IS THIS HISTORIC AND FASHIONABLE AREA

BILL BABER
Get kitted out in some cosy Scottish knitwear. This workshop offers adaptations of traditional Scottish patterns with truly modern designs.
66 Grassmarket, +44 (0)131 225 3249

THE GRAIN STORE
This cosy, rustic restaurant is set in converted stone storerooms. The seasonal menu changes regularly and offers fresh, modern Scottish cooking. It is a wonderfully intimate venue for dinner.
30 Victoria Street (First Floor), +44 (0)131 225 7635

DRAGONFLY
This exotic bar offers great cocktails in sumptuous surroundings. Settle back and enjoy the leather chairs, chandeliers and imaginatively designed wallpaper.
52 West Port, +44 (0)131 228 4543