You might have read my earlier post about an Afternoon tea we did at the Park Hyatt, Saigon? Well we actually did another afternoon tea, this time at the hotel we were staying at in Ho Chi Minh City, Hotel Des Arts, Saigon. 

One of the places we loved whilst visiting Ho Chi Minh City was The Park Hyatt, Saigon. It is such a beautiful setting for afternoon tea, with its shimmering chandeliers and beautiful floral arrangements. Id say it was a very simple and elegant affair, and I was so pleased that I could add this to my ever growing collection ofafternoon teas around the world. 

I have wanted to visit the Ritz Paris for afternoon tea for quite some time now, so I was delighted when my husband surprised me with a reservation for my birthday. If you have followed me for a while now, you'll know that not only am I obsessed with Afternoon tea but with my favourite city too, Paris! 

Christmas to me is about celebrating with friends and making time to appreciate each other. So we get some of our favorites together, and have a Christmas soiree. This year we hosted an afternoon tea. 

I created a winter whites table tablescape with a touch of gold, which I could later change up a little to become the Christmas day tablescape.
As it was Christmas week, I added in fresh roses to the chandelier (They are in oasis foam so they will stay fresh for a few days)  and I also add fresh roses into some of the glass balls hanging from the chandelier with fishing wire or nylon thread. I also added in some sparkly snowflakes to cement the Christmas theme.

I kept the floral's white and cream with lots of green foliage. I used Ecuador roses in polar white and vendela along with amaryllis and cream spray roses. For the bottom vases I grouped white chrysanthemums together.  Again I built out the arrangement using oasis floral foam to help keep everything in place, it really is a lifesaver!

For the table setting, I use my white tea set (as its neutral, its a great set to have as can be used with almost anything). 

We served finger sandwiches in a variety of fillings. Turkey and cranberry, cheese and chutney, roast beef and cream cheese and cucumber. We also found mini goats cheese and cranberry parcels and the cutest festive sausage rolls.  If your making sandwiches the ahead of time, keep them sealed in Tupperware and refrigerated.
For sweet treats we served mini mince pies, stolen bites, gingerbread cookies and cupcakes and Bavarian desserts. 

And of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas cake.

Are you planning any holiday partys? Id love to hear all about them in the comments below

Belle
Xx

For more Christmas inspiration see HERE and HERE 

During our festive trip to Edinburgh, we stopped by The Balmoral hotel for afternoon tea at the Palm court. Festive afternoon teas are a tradition for for us and we are always looking to try new one's. This would be my first Scottish afternoon tea... how exciting! 

I think this afternoon tea gets the award for the sparkly est afternooon tea iv ever been too. The palm court is absolutely beautiful, and as its Christmas its dressed to its very best.   

I was delighted when we were shown to our table and saw the sparkly backdrop. I am all about the sparkle, especially at Christmas time. It was almost as glittering as the glass dome and Venetian chandelier hanging above 

And than we were served a divine selection of sandwiches and savoury's along with fresh out of the oven scones served with clotted cream and Jam 

And than came the handmade pasties from the pastry chef. Each one as delicious as it looked. The addition of a super cute ice cream cone shaped treat was the icing on the cake. 

Such a lovely festive treat, and the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon 

Belle 
​Xo

We have been lucky enough to enjoy Afternoon Tea at Claridge's before, but not for Festive afternoon tea. So, When it came to deciding on which festive Afternoon Tea to do next as is our annual tradition, we decided on the world famous and oh so gorgeous Claridge's.

There is nothing like seeing London's best hotels decked out in all of their Christmas finest twinkly splendour and Claridges (with its inverted Christmas tree) really brings it to the party. 

Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, this is certainly the showstopper you'd expect from the creative genius himself. In fact, people flocked from far and wide just to see this incredible creation which was hand crafted in Germany.

We were shown to our table in the beautiful Foyer and Reading room, right under a second inverted candlelit tree in place of Claridge’s famous central chandelier. It was hard not to be distracted by how twinkly everything was. 

We ordered a suitably festive cocktail while we made our selections from the beautiful menu... there are over 24 teas to choose from.  Then we chatted away while the treats rolled in. 

Plates of festive themed finger sandwiches arrived. So delicious it would be easy not to leave room for the other elements of Afternoon Tea. This is why the art of a good Afternoon Tea is to pace yourself, don't rush and savour the moments 

Claridge's serve a Christmas pudding course with their festive Afternoon Tea, and in the past iv never really been a fan of this festive dish. However, one taste and I was completely converted. It was exquisite, and I absolutely ate the whole thing  

Next, we were served warm scones with Marco Polo gelée and Cornish clotted cream (the hubb's favourite) along with mini patisserie (my favourite).

We drank delicious tea from signature Claridge's china, and ate cakes too beautiful to be eaten... however we did indeed eat them. 

Have you tried any of the festive afternoon teas in London? Id love to hear about them...

​Belle 
Xx

For more festive afternoon teas see here 

Of course, as soon as we decided we were going to Lisbon I began to research afternoons tea options (have you seen my afternoon teas around the world page?)​and when I set eyes on The four seasons Lisbon I was sold immediately. It certainly stood among the others promising a beautiful setting and cakes to die for. 

My first ever afternoon tea in Rome, was taken at non other than the glorious St.Regis Roma

I have a little confession to make. While planning our trip (it was actually a last minute decision) my husband gave me the choice of the St.Regis or the hotel we actually stayed at. And when we walked into the St.Regis, I instantly regretted my decision  

What a beautiful and elegant hotel! I am so glad we got to visit, even if it wasn't as residents.

Murano chandeliers and Belle Epouque details, the Caelum bar is such a glamorous backdrop for an afternoon tea

Place your order with the tea  Sommelier from a range by Dammann Frères.  
In case your not sure how long to wait for your tea is perfectly brewed, you are given a custom timer. Genius

And sit back and wait for the delicious treats to roll in 

All of the afternoon tea favourites are here, Finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam. And even though very they are very simple in design, they were truly delicious.

The smell of freshly baked scones really does something to an English girl 

​

And how about the striking sapphire blue library? I could picture myself here for days... Those restored Venetian mirrors though!

Afternoon tea at the St.Regis Rome was a welcome reprieve from the heat and the hustle of Rome.  And I finally had an afternoon tea in Italy...

Belle
Xx

More from our Italian road trip here and here  

One of our beloved Christmas traditions is our trip to London to shop for presents and get our Christmas vibe on. London is such a special place at Christmas, and really puts you in the Christmas spirit.

And Festive afternoon tea at the Dorchester is a total must . It is without a doubt the most festive afternoon tea in London. And it has particular meaning to me as this was where I took my bridesmaids after shopping for my wedding dress.

The foyer is lined with trees and at the weekend they have carol singers. If you choose to have festive tea in the week, you can enjoy the resident pianist while have your tea

With Christmas tree shaped pastry’s it a festive heaven... and they taste amazing too

My cranberry cocktail not only looked super cute, but was the perfect after shopping pick me up

And as Paris is my favourite city, I had to go for the Paris tea... and it was yummy

I really can’t recommend the promenade enough for a fabulous festive experience, for me it wouldn't be Christmas without it...

A stroll through the London streets is a festive experience in itself, with Christmas trees lighting the way...

We take a walk up to the national history museum for some mulled wine and a skate around the ice rink

And than it’s off for our annual trip the ballet to see the nutcracker. We love both the royal opera house and the Colosseum, and switch up which one we choose each year. How amazing is this Christmas tree made from ballet pumps at the Colosseum?

We love to finish our night at Covent Garden to take in the beautiful decorations and a night cap

I can’t think of a more Christmassy way to spend the day ...can you? I’d love to hear about your festive plans for Christmas!

Festive tea at the Dorchester is available weekdays from November 20, 2017 to January 1, 2018
Weekends December 30 – 31, 2017 only

Xoxo
Belle

Today I get to share one of my favourite afternoons teas. The incredibly stylish and cosy Nimb Copenhagen.