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7 Places To Visit For a Winter Getaway

Usually around this time of year I’ve just been (or I’m looking to go) on a cheeky winter getaway. A long weekend somewhere in Europe, to stroll around beautiful cobbled streets, sip hot chocolates and mulled wine, browse the Christmas markets, and enjoy seeing a city from a totally different perspective.

Although this year I’ve been unable to escape the oncoming British winter, it hasn’t stopped me from looking back at past trips and scribbling down ideas for winter breaks in years to come. I asked on my Instagram a few weeks ago for others to share their favourite winter destinations, and got a wonderful variety of answers. In this article, I’ve chosen a few of my own favourites, as well as some unique suggestions from friends and family…

Berlin, Germany

Who can say no to a traditional Christmas market?! The history of Christmas markets goes back hundreds of years to the four weeks before Christmas, when market sellers would up the ante with seasonal produce, trinkets for gift exchanging, delicious food, and outdoor singing and dancing. Germany excels when it comes to putting on lavish Christmas displays, with their authentic open-air market stalls, Glühwein (hot mulled wine), stollen (fruit bread), gingerbread and Bratwürst. While you can find these things at almost any Christmas market around Europe nowadays, the treats are traditionally German delicacies and the first genuine Christmas market is thought to have been held in Dresden in the early 15^th century.

There are multiple markets in Berlin, but the best are ‘Winterwelt’ at Potsdamer Platz, ‘Christmas Magic’ at Gendarmenmarkt, and the Royal Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace. Also, check out Stacey’s guide to Christmas Markets here!

London, UK

One of the best cities in Europe for hosting epic Christmas displays is London with its Winter Wonderland! From November to January, this winter festival in Hyde Park boasts over 100 rides and attractions, from Santa Land to themed ice bars. This magical Christmas extravaganza is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike – I can’t believe I haven’t been yet! In fact, I haven’t been to London much at all so it would really feel like a holiday for me. I cannot wait to go there next year with a group of friends and soak it all up!

Budapest, Hungary

My first city break was to Budapest in February, and oh my goodness it was so cold!! It was there that I realised I really enjoyed a winter city break, as it was quieter, less expensive, and just totally different to what I expected – in a good way!

We were able to do all the usual touristy stuff, like going on a tour of the Parliament building, walking around Margaret Island, and getting the funicular up to Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion. What was unique about going during the winter, though, was that there was an ice rink outside Vajdahunyad Palace! During the summer the gardens are apparently beautiful and packed with families picnicking and basking in the sun – however I’d choose skating around next to the palace any day!

Read more about my trip to Budapest here.

Kraków, Poland

If you’ve been following my blog (and Instagram) for a while now, you’ll know that Krakow is probably my favourite European city so far. It is the place where I felt most relaxed and at home during my 3 night stay, and I haven’t stopped recommending it to others ever since. The town is fairly small and quaint, with a beautiful market hall selling handmade trinkets and homegrown produce, a uniquely impressive castle overlooking the river, and the BEST dumplings I have ever tasted in my life. I would go back tomorrow purely to stock up on pierogi. A visit to Auschwitz is both easily accessible and hugely important (you MUST go, even though it’s terribly sad), and the Salt Mines are apparently a spectacular sight to see.

Check out my blog posts on Krakow here.

Krakow Old Town and the most delicious pierogi

Grandvalira, Andorra

Ever heard of this little European country? It sits between France and Spain and is a great choice for a luxury skiing holiday at Pas de la Casa! Having visited Andorra myself in the summertime, the winding mountain passes are gorgeous and the shopping opportunities are plentiful as the entire country is duty-free! Andorran resorts are supposedly some of the best in Europe for beginner skiiers, so maybe one day I’ll try my hand at skiing (yep, I’ve never done it!) and enjoy the buzzing nightlife, which is much cheaper than resorts in the Alps.

Andorra, taken by my lovely friend Hannah

Bansko, Bulgaria

An alternatively cheaper and more unique skiing destination is Bansko in Bulgaria, which was highly recommended by one of my best friends. I don’t know about you, but I’d never really thought of Bulgaria as a holiday destination at all, let alone for a skiing trip! The rugged mountain landscapes look absolutely incredible, and I hear the food there is also to die for. Worth looking into as a more budget-friendly option next winter!

Marrakech, Morocco

When I asked on an Instagram poll a few weeks ago, I had lots of people suggesting a destination with a much warmer climate, to escape the cold and have one last summery getaway! There were plenty of suggestions, but to wrap up this post I thought I’d choose one of my own favourites: Marrakech, Morocco.

Just a 4 hour flight from the UK (costing less than £100 return), Marrakech is so close and accessible yet so culturally different. The climate is hot and dry – hello Sahara desert – so I can imagine visiting around Christmas time would be a welcome change from the rain and sleet we have here. Hotels are super affordable and often have swimming pools, the food is some of the best I’ve ever eaten, and there are loads of activities you can do in and around the city – see my page about my 3-week trip to Morocco last year to see what we got up to!

Any of these on your list? Or any more you think should be on mine? Let me know in the comments!

GUEST BLOG: Christmas Markets Ranked Worst to Best

by Stacey Cutten @ Stacey Explores

Given that this year we are all sadly missing our dose of Christmas festivities, I wanted to take a little time to reflect on all of European Christmas markets I have visited – so next year you can visit the best ones! I am yet to visit any German Christmas markets, so I have potentially am yet to experience the best myself. However, this task was so much tougher than I thought it would be! Do you disagree with any of my reviews? I would love to see your thoughts below in the comments!

6. Brno, Czech Republic

We visited between Christmas and New Year in 2019, and in hindsight maybe this market was a omen of 2020! Perhaps that’s a little harsh, but the market sadly seemed to be packing up by time we arrived late on 28th December – so we didn’t get to see it in it’s prime, and in truth it was a little dull.

Of the stalls that were left, they mostly consisted of mystery meat & mulled wine. The strange mystery meat matched the strange monument in the centre of the square, which interestingly enough, is actually an astronomical clock?!

Unfortunately, when the Christmas market has been exhausted, there isn’t much else to see in Brno. You can visit the catacombs and tower at the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, but you will have to pre-book onto a tour. The city however, does has convenient train links to Vienna, Bratislava & Prague, so it is certainly worth stopping by or using as a central base to visit other major European cities. You can check out more on our trip to Brno here.

5. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

I recall Luxembourg having a cute little market with Nutcracker style attractions and a great number of shops. Unfortunately though (unless you love shopping), it lacked a “wow” factor; which is why it finds itself so far down my list. A great benefit of travelling around Luxembourg is that all of the public transport is free. Although – be warned – on the flip side of that, if you stay out late and miss the last bus across town, taxis are VERY expensive. Honestly, that is one of the only things I can really remember about Luxembourg… expensive taxis.

4. Tallinn Old Town, Estonia

Tallinn was the first Christmas market I had visited outside of the UK and it did impress me. The Christmas market setting seems to suit the medieval old town, with cosy fire-lit restaurants presenting sword fighting, a lot of alcohol and also, the colder Baltic weather. Similarly to Brno, we visited in between Christmas & New Year, except we were instead presented with a market in full force. This was back in winter 2015 and we specifically has picked Tallinn because it’s famous for it’s market staying strong through to the New Year.

Tallinn does full further down my list that I wanted to place it, though. If this was simply a competition of Christmas markets, then it ticks most boxes. However, the Old Town & market felt like a false façade once you left the realms of the Old Town. The TV Tower is worth a visit, but please steer clear of Tallinn Zoo – we had to leave after a short visit because we were too upset with the mistreatment of animals there.

Also, be wary before visiting – Estonia has never received much of an English influence and hence, there is not much reason for many to speak English! I’m not ignorant and don’t expect everyone to speak English, but there are serious language barriers that aren’t similarly experienced in most European countries. To add to this, many restaurants seem to present “Russian meat” as a dish, and to this day I’m still not quite sure what is meant by that.

3. Vienna, Austria

Vienna was a pleasant surprise. We visited on the 27th December and the Christmas market in the Museumsquartier was still running strong! The food was probably the best of the Christmas markets I have visited, since traditional Austrian cuisine perfectly fit with the market setting. I also appreciated the low waste efforts: for hot drinks you had to put a 4€ deposit on a festive mug, which could be returned when you were finished.

Vienna is also a fantastic spot for finding other things to do, and has a historic LGBTQ+ culture. You can check out the other things we did with our time in Vienna here.

I really wanted to place Vienna first in my list. The only thing that bought it further down in the ranks was that it was just plonked in the centre of a city – without too much thought to setting aside from the wood cabin market stalls. It misses the natural appeal of being in a Old Town like Tallinn, but doesn’t make an effort to recoup some of that atmosphere.

2. Strasbourg, France

That old town/traditional setting that I just mentioned was lacking in Vienna… yeah, well I think Strasbourg stole it! Strasbourg is home an array of absolutely beautiful medieval architecture and hence, the Christmas markets are perfectly consumed by their environment and there is a seamless integration between market & city.

I suppose the downside is, the markets are SO famous that they are very busy and they somewhat don’t live up to the “perfect” image. Perhaps my expectations were set too high! I also didn’t find that there wasn’t much to do in Strasbourg outside of the Christmas market, unless you like shopping!

1. London, England

Ah, London! In all honesty, I didn’t want to put London first, because it inevitably feels biased. Maybe I am only placing it first because a Christmassy London feels most familiar to me and therefore hits the spot? Who knows. It’s also awkward that I don’t have any photos of Christmas in London… Oops!

In my opinion, I think Winter Wonderland makes the most effort of the markets I’ve visited – it certainly doesn’t pull any punches. In doing this, you receive the correct setting for a Christmas market, but then also have London to explore within arms reach… and London at Christmas certainly doesn’t hold back either! There’s just something unbeatable about the double decker red buses and the lights on Oxford Street.

The only things that let down London’s markets are firstly the cost, and secondly how busy it can get. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend visiting in the daytime on a school day. For those visiting from outside of the UK, school holiday generally fall between 20th December and the 4th January. Also, there in an abundance of activities to partake in at Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park), but make sure you book online to secure your place before your visit!

In the absence of my own photos, I’ll sign off by directing you to one of my favourite Instagram accounts: @lukepilky_locations.

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GUEST BLOG: Christmas Gift Guide For Travel Lovers 2020

by Sophie Wakely @ Sun, Sea and Solo

The festive season has officially begun!

I know that may seem a little early for some of you. However, after the recent lockdown 2.0 that has been imposed in England, November is cancelled, and Christmas has started in my household. Whether you think that it’s too soon to be decorating or not, it’s certainly time to start thinking of gifts to get someone if you haven’t already.

I’m extremely proud of myself this year, I only have a few more things to get. So whether you are a travel lover looking for Christmas list inspiration or you are looking for gift ideas for someone with a serious case of wanderlust, these are my top recommendations…

Etsy gifts

After the impact that this year has had on small businesses, I have been trying to get gifts from small businesses and have been using Etsy a lot. Not only does it mean that you can often get something for someone that is a little more personal, but you are also helping out an independent business.

Personalised Scratch Off Travel Map

There are so many scratch-off travel maps around, but the great thing about this one on Etsy is that it’s personalised and has some of the top reviews. You can either buy it in print for a more poster style gift, or you can have it framed it either black or white – From £12.99

Adventure Fund Jar

If you are someone like me and collect spare change to be banked later, I think this is a great idea. For £9.99, this is a sweet little gift for a travel lover but being under £10 makes it a fantastic secret Santa gift too.

Travel Gift Reveal Suitcase

If you are buying someone the gift of travel tickets for Christmas, this is a brilliant idea. You get to create a little scratch-off ticket to reveal the destination and put it together yourself – £5.67

Practical Gifts

Although not as fun, every person that loves to travel will be happy with a practical gift for Christmas – it’s one less thing they have to buy themselves! These are some of my top recommendations

Ankor Powercore 13000 Power Bank

Not only is a power pack always useful, but I have bought my fair share since I started attending festivals and this is by far the best one that I have used – £28.99

Anti-Theft Back Pack

This backpack is brilliant. You pack it from the back so it significantly reduced the risk of you being pick-pocketed. For me, it also makes me feel more confident when out and about, especially when travelling solo – From £12.79

Mac in a Sac

Anything travel-sized is a huge yes in my books. For something so compact and small, I can’t explain how great this coat is and even better, it’s the best wind-resistant coat I own – Price depends on product range

Benefit Cosmetic Minis

A little more than your regular travel sized products. These are a little more on the expensive side, but it makes them a great gift, great stocking filler and it makes it so much easier to take some make-up on holiday without struggling to find the space – From £12

Subscriptions

Something to fulfil yours or someone else’s wanderlust while stuck indoors?

Snack Surprise

For those missing the taste of travel. Snack surprise supply you with a monthly box of snacks, from a different country across the world. I think this is a great gift for those that can’t travel as much as they’d hope to right now – From £6.99 per month

Japan Candy Box

A taste of Japan straight to your door. I know a couple of people that either have or have had it and they loved it. Each month you get a variety of Japanese sweets, each box containing 10 treats. Although an American site, there is free shipping to the UK – From around £15 per month

This year is certainly going to be different for everyone. I for one wish that I was able to spend New Year in another country or start off 2021 knowing that I have a year of travel plans ahead. For now, things will be a little uncertain but you will find me putting up my Christmas decorations in November while singing Michael Bublé.

Sophie, SunSeaAndSolo x

WHAT TO DO FOR 3 DAYS IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

A couple of weeks ago I went camping for a long weekend in the Yorkshire Dales for the first time and it was absolutely wonderful!! I honestly can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get there (especially as for the past 6 months I have been living less than an hour away) but now that I’ve been I will be making sure to visit again very soon… in fact, at the time of writing this post I will be going for a walk around Kirkby Lonsdale tomorrow!

The other week we were incredibly lucky to have great weather; the sun was shining and it was still pretty warm, despite the occasional drizzle or gust of wind, which I don’t mind in the slightest. We stayed at Holme Farm Campsite in Horton-in-Ribblesdale which was in a great location (read: two pubs within 200 yards), didn’t dent the wallet, had average facilities (if you’re OK paying £1 for a questionably dingy shower and generally roughing it up for a few nights) and bloody gorgeous views.

Views from the campsite, with Pen-y-Ghent behind the church

It helps if you have a car to get around, as there are some great places to visit within a 10/20 minute drive from Horton. Just make sure to get up and out fairly early during peak times (summer/weekends etc.) as the car parks get quite full! Without further ado, here’s a rough itinerary for what I think you should consider doing on your trip to the Dales…

DAY 1: Kirkby Lonsdale and the Devil’s Bridge

Kirkby Lonsdale was our first stop in the Dales and what a lovely little town it is! Park up near the centre and wander around the antiques shops and boutiques, stop for afternoon tea if you feel so inclined, and walk up past the church to Ruskin’s View, a lovely viewpoint overlooking the Lune Valley below.

The main sight to see in Kirkby Lonsdale, however, is Devil’s Bridge. Notoriously, people (illegally) jump off this in summer, which seems pretty daft as the water doesn’t appear to be that deep and there’s some lovely jagged rocks at the bottom… Instead, be sensible and walk over the bridge and alongside the river, where there are plenty of places to stop for a picnic. There’s also some great footpaths around here so take yourself off for a wander and end up back in town.

There’s also White Scar Caves about 15 minutes’ drive from Kirkby Lonsdale, which are apparently good fun to visit (especially with kids); they showcase the UK’s longest cave system at over 6km! I hope to visit next year when it’s warmer and not so busy. More information about tickets and current opening times are on their website.

DAY 2: Ingleton Waterfall Trail and Ribblehead Viaduct

One day of your 3 day itinerary HAS to be spent walking the Ingleton Waterfall Trail. Get here early because it’s pretty busy (they are currently working on a one way system so that the paths don’t get blocked) and be prepared to pay a little more than you’d expect just for a walk, but trust me it’s worth it. Beginning with a short walk to Pecca Falls, the trail takes you through lush woodland and is, in places, built into the side of the rockfaces lining the valley.

The trail is an 8km long (4.5 miles) loop so can easily be done in a couple of hours, but you will want to stop for refreshments and for photos along the way as it is one of the most scenic walks I have ever done in the UK! The ‘end’ of the loop is Ingleton Falls, a spectacular waterfall to say the least, and curves back around the take you through Baxenghyll Gorge, another prime photo spot!

Once you’ve completed the waterfall trail, drive 10 minutes away to Ribblehead Viaduct for yet another jaw-dropping sight! This 32-metre-high railway bridge looks like a miniature of Glenfinnan Viaduct (where Harry Potter was filmed in Scotland) and is super impressive to look at. Park up on the side of the road and walk across the fields to marvel at it up close, and explore some of the nearby footpaths if you’re up for another walk in the beautiful Dales.

DAY 3: More waterfalls & Malham Cove

Probably my favourite day of the weekend was our final day, a slightly longer walk from Janet’s Foss to Gordale Scar, up to the hilltop overlooking the valley and around to Malham Tarn and Malham Cove.

We drove to Malham and walked to Janet’s Foss, another wonderful waterfall in the area. From there we ventured over to Gordale Scar; this was a pleasant surprise as the path leading up to it looks like it’s just going to a dead end at a cliff face… but how wrong was I! Gordale Scar is another small waterfall cascading down the cliffs and pooling in a little cove. It was beautiful enough but then we hiked up a steep path to the top of the ridge and were greeted with an incredible view of the Scar and the winding valley below.

Gordale Scar; leading up to it (left) and from above

From Gordale Scar we hiked a few miles to Malham Tarn. While there’s not much to write home about here (it’s a nice enough lake with a stately home over the other side), Malham Cove is really where it’s at. The Cove was a slight scramble down from the height we had been hiking at, and again didn’t look like much on the approach, until we reached the edge of the cliff and saw the magnificent view of the valley stretching for miles! Malham Cove is also where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I was filmed, so it’s a popular tourist spot.

After scrambling down more steps to the valley below, look back at the Cove and the tremendous cliff face above you – and try to spot the climbers making their way up!

I hope this is a useful guide if you’re planning on visiting the Yorkshire Dales – or maybe some inspiration if it’s never been on your radar before!

24 REASONS TO TAKE A GAP YEAR

August has been a bit of a turbulent month for many people. Covid continues to be a threat to everyday life, jobs are uncertain, and young people are now facing the long-term effects of the poor management of the A-level results system.

A* grade students were knocked down to D grades. Thousands didn’t get into university. My heart broke for all the students now unsure about their futures. Luckily, the following week this algorithm was scrapped and students were awarded their teacher predicted grades. A huge victory, but perhaps a little too late for some who still couldn’t get a place on their university courses.

Yet there is still hope! If you are a student who has been forced into taking a gap year, don’t be disheartened. From my experience (and many many others) having a year out is a great opportunity for a plethora of reasons.

I asked on my Instagram for others to share their experiences and anecdotes, and the results were 100% positive. Every single person agreed that it was right for them and they gained so much from their gap year. Some may have had one before uni, some after, or some have carried on living the ‘gap life’.

Here’s 24 reasons why taking a gap year at any point in your life is a fantastic decision!

You have a year completely at your own pace. Enjoy it.
A gap year can be a welcome delay before embarking upon the journey towards ‘real life’, and relieve the pressure of making big, important decisions.
You can TRAVEL! Of course I’m a huge advocate of this one – travelling was my goal for my gap year and I learned so much about the world, other religions, cultures…. and just generally had fun!
You have time to volunteer. Have you ever wanted to volunteer for a charity or great organisation but kept using the excuse that you couldn’t afford it or you didn’t have the time? A gap year can be the time to do that. I volunteered in Sri Lanka for 6 weeks and it was the best experience of my life.
You can expand your CV. Probably what most people do in their gap year is get a job! This can be your chance to really expand your skill set and gain valuable work experience, as well as develop a strong work ethic.
You have time to really think about your career, education and future. Loads of people end up on a totally different path at the end of their gap year, because they’ve had time to re-assess and follow their dreams.
To get a break from education! Another common theme seems to be that a lot of people didn’t want to be the ‘eternal student’. Take a break from the books and relax.
You can change your mind a hundred times, and that is OK. Kind of like point no.6, you have the time to look at the bigger picture and re-assess whether your goals from college/sixth form/wherever are still your goals. You can change your mind and your career until you find out what you really want to do.
Decide whether university is for you. Maybe it could be your chance to look into other options, like apprenticeships, internships, alternative college courses or work abroad.
Make new friends and strengthen your bonds with old ones, too.
Gain some independence, even if you still live at home.
You can focus on your personal growth – many people find they get a huge confidence boost from travelling, working, and being more independent for a year!
Take up a new skill or hobby!
Think about what makes YOU truly happy. Ignore your Grandma telling you to get a ‘real job’ or that uncle telling you to ‘stop being selfish’ or your auntie’s cousin’s dog’s godmother telling you to ‘settle down’. YOU DO YOU.
Be selfish for a year. Embrace everything that comes your way.
Save money.…. and spend it on whatever you want!
There are no expectations from a gap year. It’s not one of those things where everyone has the same outcome at the end. It doesn’t matter where you are with your career, education, relationship… there is no expectation and therefore no disappointment.
Create a bucket list and start ticking them off!
Be spontaneous! Me and a friend booked a random trip to Budapest the following week – best spontaneous trip ever!
Spend more time with family and friends.
…… or just with yourself, if that’s what you need.
Focus on your health – mental and physical.
It’s only a year! I’ve heard so many people saying they’ll ‘miss out’ on uni if they take a gap year….eh?! University will still be there after if you want to go. Trust me, you will NOT be missing out on uni just because you take ONE year out. Have an epic year and then head to uni for another incredible 3 years – both are fantastic!
It is completely flexible! If you want it to be. There’s zero commitment. Take a second gap year, or 3 or 5 or 10! It’s your life and you call the shots.

There’s many many more reasons why I recommend anyone to take a gap year, so I hope this can help any students who have been disheartened or upset by the events of the past few weeks. If you have any thoughts to add, leave them in the comments below!

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A STAYCATION THIS YEAR

Is it safe to travel during the current pandemic? A question a lot of us have been asking ourselves recently.

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a straightforward answer, and to be fair there’s no right or wrong answer either. The only problem I have with this topic is that many people are calling it ‘post-Covid’ travel. Coronavirus is still a pandemic. It continues to infect and kill people around the world on a daily basis: it is current, not past. Just something to bear in mind, this isn’t over yet.

Over on my Instagram page (@wheresliv_) there have been a lot of discussions around the topic and it’s been really interesting to hear other peoples’ points of view from all around the world! The most popular opinion seems to be that we should all take a staycation instead of travelling internationally this year! Here’s the top reasons why you should choose to take a staycation in 2020…

There’s so much to see!

It’s pretty basic, but there’s reason number 1 for you! There’s soooo much in our own backyard that we’ve yet to explore. Some of my friends have been taking road trips around the UK and it’s made my bucket list grow exponentially! Whether it’s just going for walks around your local parks or villages, getting a train to somewhere new and exciting, or venturing into the city for coffee and food, you’re bound to have a wonderful time!

It’s keeping people safe

Possibly the most important reason to take a staycation this year is so that you don’t risk catching or transferring the virus to anyone overseas. Some countries have a really great handle on the virus at the moment and the UK isn’t doing so great – hence many people’s (including myself) moral dilemma with travelling this year.

They’re inexpensive

Most places in your own country are going to be cheaper than getting a plane and booking resorts or fancy hotels abroad, so save the pennies and have a look at holidaying nearby! It could also be an opportunity to try new methods of travelling, such as camping, glamping, or hiring a van for a roadie!

You can go just for a couple of days

Without having to travel further, there’s no need to take weeks off work! You can just take the odd day here and there and go for mini adventures over the weekends, making it super easy to snatch a break or two this summer!

It’s better for the planet

Staying closer to home makes it easier to reduce your carbon footprint, a huge added bonus if you’re conscious of your impact on the environment (if you aren’t, you should be ;).

Support the local economy

Travelling in your home country helps your local cafes, restaurants, shops and businesses. This is a really important reason to travel locally at the moment, as the pandemic has had a significant impact on not only the travel and tourism trade, but also small businesses.

…and eat local!

Instead of only heading to chain restaurants and multinational corporations, seek out local pubs and eateries to support!

Where have you been for a staycation this summer? I’d love to hear all about it, and maybe add them to my list!

72 HOURS IN… BUDAPEST

For my 50th blog post (!!) I thought I would finally get around to writing about my first ever independent city break, Budapest!

During my gap year, I was working and saving up for my big 3 month adventure around Southeast Asia. About halfway through my 7 months of working at a camping store, I decided to book a spontaneous European city break.

I didn’t have any expectations or ideas about where to go, so I just looked for the cheapest flights leaving the following week (in February 2016) and ended up with Budapest! I asked one of my best friends if she wanted to come with me and it was a resounding yes!

It is probably one of my cheapest city breaks to date, costing less than £200 for 3 nights/4 days, including flights, airport parking, accommodation and food! My sister also went on a solo trip there last summer and loved it (and shared some of her pics for me to use here, thank you Lottie!). Here’s my guide to having the best stay in Budapest…

WHAT TO SEE & DO

Szechenyi Thermal Baths – these are the largest thermal baths in Europe!
Parliament Building – the most popular tourist attraction and iconic landmark of Budapest, the Parliament building is stunning from the outside and equally as ornate and interesting on the inside! Book a tour online or at the tourist office for around £10.
Buda Castle – first completed in 1265, the huge Baroque complex standing there today was actually built in the 18th century and now houses the Hungarian National Gallery.
St. Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion – the uniquely tiled Church and Neo-Romanesque terraces of the bastion offer the most incredible panoramic views of the city and the famous River Danube.
Heroes Square – this iconic statue complex features the 7 chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian leaders. It’s a huge sculpture and worth a visit!
Vajdahunyad Palace – in winter this is home to an ice rink, and in summer it is a boating lake!

St. Stephen’s Basilica – named after the first King of Hungary, the basilica is a beautiful building
Margaret Island – this island in the middle of the river is filled with flowers and a musical fountain in summer. Hire a bike and cycle around the island on your way across the river!
Jewish Quarter – now thought to be the trendier part of the city, the Jewish Quarter is popular with backpackers heading out on pub crawls and exploring the city’s galleries.

HOW TO GET AROUND

As usual, I stuck to walking around the city! We hopped on a bus to cross from Pest to Buda which cost just a few pence, and when we visited the castle and Fisherman’s Bastion we got the funicular up the hill which cost around 1,200 Hungarian Forint, which is approximately £3. The view of the River Danube and the Parliament building on the other side as you go up is incredible, so it is definitely worth doing!

Looking down as we headed up the funicular

The view of the Parliament building and Danube from Fisherman’s Bastion

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed in a cute little Airbnb about 10 minutes’ walk from the Parliament building and it only cost £14 per night – split between the two of us that made it around £20 each for 3 nights!

There are plenty of other options for great places to stay in Budapest. I always recommend finding somewhere on Airbnb as having your own kitchen facilities is great if you’re on a budget. Flow Hostel is highly recommended, as is Hostel One Basilica.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK

Hungarian Goulash – this beef and vegetable stew is Hungary’s most famous dish and is absolutely delicious, especially on a cold winter day!
Chimney Cake – the official dessert of Hungary, Kürtőskalács is a warm spiralled sweet bread, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, covered in sugar and often cinnamon or chocolate. You can buy them freshly made on the street for about 800 Forint (~ £2).
Hungarian Pudding Cake – a classic dessert typically filled with sweet cottage cheese and vanilla cream.
Unicum – the national beverage of Hungary is a (very strong) herbal liqueur
Plenty of hostels run pub crawls, and there are loads of pubs and bars on the Pest side of the river (and in the Jewish Quarter) which are super affordable and popular among interrailers and backpackers in summer. For fancier cocktails, head to Warm Up Cocktail Bar where they make tailor-made cocktails to your preference!

WHAT ARE THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD?

A phrase that goes around a lot in the travel community is the ‘7 wonders of the world’. I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly hearing people refer to different monuments and structures as one of these ‘wonders’. I even see people referring to sites that haven’t made the list as the ‘8th wonder’ (such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia)! Well, it turns out there are different categories…

7 Natural Wonders of the World

MOUNT EVEREST

The highest point on earth, the summit of Everest stands at 8,848m above sea level, on the border between Tibet and Nepal, and is protected by Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

The 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands making up the Great Barrier Reef are protected by the GBR Marine Park and listed as a World Heritage Area, but is currently dying due to mass irresponsible tourism.

VICTORIA FALLS

Plunging 108m down and sitting 1.7km across, Victoria Falls perches on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

GUANABARA BAY, HARBOUR OF RIO DE JANEIRO

This iconic bay is famous for its Christ the Redeemer statue perched atop the huge granite mountains.

GRAND CANYON

One of the USA’s most famous landmarks, the Grand Canyon stretches 446km through Arizona and is a popular hiking destination.

AURORA BOREALIS

The Northern Lights have entranced humans for centuries, with its vivid swirling colours and mysterious mythological legends.

PPARICUTIN VOLCANO

The newest and only volcano to ever emerge with eyewitnesses, Paricutin volcano in southern Mexico surged out of a cornfield in 1943 and has lain dormant since 1952.

7 New Wonders of the World

TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

This beautiful structure is symbolic of India. While it looks like a grand palace, it is actually a mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughul Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Stretching over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall is a series of fortifications built by various Emperors to keep out unwanted nomadic groups. It was started as early as the 7th century BC and continued to grow until the 17th century AD.

COLOSSEUM, ITALY

The only world wonder I’ve actually visited myself! The centre of the Roman world, the Colosseum symbolises one of the biggest and most successful empires the world has ever seen. The archaeologist in me loves this kind of monument!

MACHU PICCHU, PERU

This 15th century Inca citadel is perched high in the Andes; its exact former use and much of the Inca history still remain a mystery today.

CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO

One of the largest ancient Mayan cities, Chichen Itza is believed to have been built around 600 AD and abandoned only a few centuries later, making it another American civilisation shrouded in mystery.

PETRA, JORDAN

Once the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, Petra is a 45m-high temple with an ornate Greek-style facade. It is known today as the ‘Rose City’ due to its striking colour.

CHRIST THE REDEEMER, BRAZIL

A symbol of Christianity around the world, Christ the Redeemer is perched atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Constructed in the 1920s, it measures 30m high, and 28m wide.

7 Ancient Wonders of the World

The 7 wonders of the ancient world are a collection of structures and monuments which were built and held significance throughout classical antiquity. The Greek conquest of the western world throughout the 5th century BC gave Hellenistic travellers insight into Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian and Phoenician life. Almost all of the monuments were destroyed.

THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA, EGYPT

The largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex, the Great Pyramid is believed to have been built as a tomb for a Pharaoh around 2560 BC. At 481 feet, it was the largest man-made structure in the world for over 3,000 years until Lincoln Cathedral was completed in 1311 AD. And no, the pyramids were not built by aliens.

LIGHTHOUSE OF ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the 3rd century BC, the Lighthouse was a significant landmark and an incredible feat at the time, before its destruction and abandonment following a series of earthquakes.

STATUE OF ZEUS AT OLYMPIA, GREECE

The statue of Zeus was a giant seated figure made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC.

HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON, IRAQ

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were fabled to be representative of the most beautiful accomplishments of the Hellenic world. Its exact whereabouts are unknown, with some doubting its existence entirely.

COLOSSUS OF RHODES, GREECE

The Colossus of Rhodes was a mighty statue of the Greek Sun God Helios, erected on the island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. There are many theories as to what the statue really looked like.

TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS AT EPHESUS, TURKEY

A Greek temple dedicated to the warrior goddess Artemis, which now stands in ruins.

MAUSOLEUM AT HALICARNASSUS, TURKEY

The longest-standing ancient wonder by the time of its destruction by erathquakes in the 15th century, the Mausoleum was built around 350 BC for Mausolus and his sister-wife Artemisia.

Who knew there were so many different types of world wonders! There’s definitely more that I would consider putting on these lists too.

Which of these places have you visited? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear about it!

5 THINGS I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT

Aside from the obvious things like my passport, phone and clothes, everyone has a few little travel essentials that they have to take with them wherever they go.

For some people it’s home comforts like a travel pillow, others it’s makeup or beauty products to make them feel a little more human when they’re fighting jet lag or haven’t showered in 4 days, for others it’s tech they just can’t live without. Here’s my top 5 travel essentials which make my trips more comfortable and enjoyable…

1. Kindle

I wouldn’t be able to cope on a long flight, train or bus ride without something to read. One of the best purchases I have ever made is without a doubt my Kindle; I’ve had it for around 5 years now and it is the perfect travel companion! They’ve even brought out new versions which are waterproof – perfect for reading by the pool or on the beach.

So small and lightweight, it’s far better than lugging around a bag full of books, plus the books are cheaper on Kindle too!

2. Ear plugs

If you’ve ever struggled to sleep on public transport or in a noisy hostel or hotel before, you’ll know exactly why ear plugs are a godsend! I get a little bit nervous nowadays on flights, so having my ear plugs in really helps me to sleep or even just to read without the roaring engine noise.

3. Portable Charger

Not totally necessary for every trip, but a portable charger is a great addition to my backpack or suitcase. It only cost around £25 (I couldn’t find the exact one but linked a similar one here) and can charge 3 devices at once. For our trip to Morocco last year, when we camped in the Sahara and didn’t have any electricity for two days, this battery pack was a life saver and almost everyone in our tour group managed to use it as well as it lasts ages!

4. Chewing gum/mints

One of the first things I buy when I get to the departures lounge in an airport is a pack of gum. Particularly when it comes to long haul flights, I try to brush my teeth in airport loos and even on the plane sometimes, but it always makes me feel a bit cleaner and fresher if I have minty fresh breath!

5. Hand sanitiser/wipes

I think this one is something everyone around the world with now travel with since we’re all hyper aware of hygiene since the Covid-19 outbreak. I’ve always had face wipes or sanitising wipes of some kind in my hand luggage, and usually a little travel-sized bottle of hand sanitiser too, just to stay clean and fresh on public transport.

What 5 things can’t YOU travel without?

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO HIKING

Who doesn’t love a walk around the great outdoors?

I’ve grown up going on family trips to the Lake District, Scotland and Wales and the mountains feel like home to me.

With lockdown being eased slightly here in the UK and travel not being an option for the time being, people are re-discovering the abundance of outdoor opportunities in their own back yard.

So if you are someone who is new to exploring the beauty of the UK (or anywhere else in the world you call home), I’ve put together a little beginner’s guide of where to go, how far to walk, what to pack and how to plan your hike.

Where to hike

At the moment it’s best to stay as close to home as possible. Don’t be one of those people travelling 3 hours to the Lakes and contributing to the overcrowding of trails. Start off exploring your local parks and nearby tracks and trails. You’ll be surprised by how many little public footpaths you’ll find!

Once it’s okay to travel a bit further afield, however, I have some great recommendations for where to hike. The Peak District, in Derbyshire, is full of gentle rolling hills suited to beginners, hikers with young children, and more experienced hikers alike.

The Lake District is also well suited to all levels of hiking ability; slow ambles around the many lakes, nature trails in Grizedale Forest and more challenging climbs up Helvellyn and Scafell contribute to the Lakes’ amazing diversity, and it’s why it has a special place in my heart.

For more ideas, research the Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor, Cornwall’s coastal paths, Hadrian’s Wall, Snowdonia National Park, and so much more. (One day I’ll get around to writing specific guides to these places and what hikes to do there!!)

How far to go

For beginners, it makes sense to start out small and build up as your passion for the outdoors grows. Don’t head straight for Scafell Pike or Snowdon, just enjoy a nice 5 mile walk around a nearby park, lake or woodland. Once you’re confident with carrying your gear, challenge yourself to something a bit more hilly or difficult!

When to hike

The short answer is: any time!

But for beginners it’s best to stick to the good weather, especially up in the hills. Avoid snowy and boggy conditions, so maybe stick to hiking between April and September. You can easily check conditions before your hike at https://www.mwis.org.uk/.

Recommended gear

To begin with, take a comfortable backpack with back support and around 20L storage space, and make sure you have a decent pair of walking boots and socks which won’t give you blisters!

Footwear – I have the Meindl Bhutan walking boots for long mountain hikes, and these are great to add crampons for hiking in snow. They’re on the more expensive side (I used to work for Go Outdoors so I got over 50% discount at the time) so I also recommend Karrimor Mendip as a similar and lighter all-year-round budget option.

Rucksack – I have the Lowe Alpine AirZone ND 24L rucksack, but there are so many options out there with good back support such as the Osprey DayLite and the Berghaus Arrow 30L. Most rucksacks have a female and male version so that they fit differently and more comfortably.

What to pack

It’s vital that you prepare for your hike. Not just the route, but the gear you must take with you.

Water – make sure to take at least 1 litre per 5 miles that you walk. This is a very rough guideline and I’d recommend taking more than this, especially if you’re hiking in the heat and in case of emergency.
Food – pack light when it comes to food. Avoid things that are bulky, food which needs refrigerating, and items which will easily squish or perish, like bananas. My staples are usually jam sandwiches, apples, cereal bars, and dried fruit and nuts. Make sure to pack extra emergency food in case you get stuck.
Extra layers – pack an additional fleece, gloves and a hat if you’re hiking in shoulder season, where it might be colder at altitude.
Waterproofs – take a waterproof jacket at the very least, and if you can, pack waterproof trousers too. Do not take an umbrella!
Sun protection – at any time of year you should pack sun protection for your hikes, including a sunhat and SPF.
Map – if you’re hiking in the hills (or anywhere that’s not an enclosed park), make sure to have a map on you. Preferably a paper map in case your phone runs out of charge.
First aid kit – you don’t have to go out and buy one of those huge first aid kits with absolutely everything in it, but do make sure you have some basics with you in case of heat stroke, burns and blisters.
Additional optional items you could pack might be a torch and compass.

Striding Edge (Helvellyn), Lake District. November.

Trail rules

It’s super important when hiking to follow these simple rules and abide by hiking/trail etiquette:

Leave no trace. This is soooo important – take your rubbish away with you, even fruit skins which you may think will magically melt away still take months or even years to decompose.
Go to the toilet far enough off the path and at least 200m away from any water sources. Some hikers stop to fill up their water at streams and don’t want to end up with contaminated water!
Don’t feed or disturb any wild animals

Most importantly, enjoy your hiking experience and stay safe!!

Comment any suggestions you may have below 🙂