Four places I'd love to visit for a country weekend away

I say this time and time again but I really do need to explore more of the the UK - there really are some Great Little Breaks to be taken advantage of.  I have a list as long as a piece of string but as soon as I look into booking a trip, I automatically start booking flights. I really need to make more of a effort to see more of my home country. Here are my top five places I'd like to visit for a country getaway from the Big Smoke - one day I'll make it here!

1. Peak District
I have this weekend planned for when I finally get to the peak District. I want to do a slow drive up there before basing ourselves in Bakewell to enjoy the country pubs. From here I want to spend a day at the gorgeous Chatsworth House before spending a day doing the Monsel Trail. The former railway tunnels along the limestone dales look so picturesque. I imagine it just can't be beaten on a sunny day.

2. Bath
I have no idea why I still haven't made it to Bath as it's only a few hours away. It's not the country as such but it's a lot more like the country than London is! I'm dying to lose a few hours in the stunning architecture, the Roman-built baths, the quirky independent shops and follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen. It seems like such a vibrant city and I'd love to see it during the festive season for the Christmas markets.

3. Isles of Scily
Located off the Cornish coast, this archipelago doesn't even look like they belong in the UK. The southernmost point of the country, the islands seem to have their own microclimate. I'd love to spend a week island hopping, soaking up the rugged coastlines, incredible locally sourced food, the slow pace of life and the interesting history.

4. Vineyards of Kent
It's my dream to spend a weekend on a vineyard but it's so expensive to go to France and Italy. I could have a two week holiday for the amount it would cost me for a weekend. But I really don't have to venture that far to tick it off my list. Kent has fast become the heart of the English wine-making industry. So Kent is where I would like to go!

This is a collaborative post with Great Little Breaks

Read more

Four places I'd love to visit on a cruise holiday

Planet Cruise never really appealed to me until the last few years - now I love the idea if being about to tick so many things off my bucket list in one holiday. It seems like river cruises are my thing. So many incredible cities are located along riverbanks. Here are four different types of cruises I'd love to go on...

1. River Danube cruise
We spent time along the River Danube in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna but there is so much more I want to explore. Starting in the Black Forest of Germany, the river flows through ten different countries. This time it'll be great to visit during the winter months to see more of Germany along the river. Catching the Christmas markets at Nuremberg, Bamberg and Wurzburg are all top of my list. Alternatively, it'll be great to see the Balkens - a region of Europe I'm not too familiar with but am keen to change. I've heard so many good things about the slightly undiscovered Serbia.

Image credit Lily Lipstick

2. River Mekong cruise
The world's 12th longest river is based in south-east Asia. But the two countries I've most interested in seeing along the route are Cambodia and Vietnam. Angkor Wat is top of my list! I'd love to see the rural floating communities as well as the big city of Ho Chi Minh City.

Image credit Bow Dream Nation

3. Iceland, Norway and Faroe islands cruise
This part of the world always seems like it's from another planet and I think that's part of the reason why it appeals so much to me. All three countries are brand new to me and all high on my list of places to visit. I've spent many hours looking at blog posts about the beautiful Bergan, Reykjavik and Torshavn. I can imagine the scenery on the cruise will be absolutely breathtaking.

Image from Planet Cruise

4. River Nile cruise
My nan did this a few years ago and the pictures looked amazing! I don't think you can fully appreciate these ancient wonders of the world along the longest river in the world until you actually see them in person. The Valley of the Kings have been on my bucket list for ages and I'd love to finally tick it off.

This post was written in collaboration with Planet Cruise - one of the largest independent cruise agents, offering deals to over 3000 different ports.

Read more

Exploring Europe: Mussenden Temple, Castlerock, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Another site on our Game of Thrones Northern Ireland wishlist back in January was Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple. The weather didn't play ball but it was a cracking visit nonetheless. Owned my National Trust, the vast 18th century estate was built around 1772 by the Earl Bishop Frederick Hervey. The stunning temple itself, perched on a cliff edge was actually a library. The whole site is open from dawn until dusk and is free to visit.

Now I bet you're wondering about the Game of Thrones reference? Well, the beach the temple overlooks is where Melisandra burned the old gods on Dragonstone.

But even if GoT isn't your jam, it's still worth popping it into your itinerary. We went on a gloomy weekday in the late afternoon -as you can tell from the photos above - and it was practically deserted. Just the three of us chattering, the sheep grazing and the wind howling. It was so tranquil and peaceful, just the ticket to soak up the beauty of the Emerald Isle. I'm in such a hurry to back across the sea and see more of the country I've fallen head over heels in love with....

Read more

Places to visit along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland

In my opinion, the Causeway Coastal Route is the gem of Northern Ireland. I really couldn't recommend it enough. Located between Belfast and Derry, the road route takes in the northern rugged coastline. At 120 miles, you can easily complete it over a few days and still have a leisurely drive. Here are my favourite places to stop off at - but trust me, there's plenty more on my list I'm hoping to tick off next time as there's so much more to visit than is listed below...

Ballintoy
This tiny harbour fast became one of my favourite places in the world when we stopped the car. After initially popping it on our list because of the Game of Thrones reference, I fell head over heels as we clambered over the rocks with the warm sunshine on our faces, laughing at the crazy men who stripped off to their pants in January to go swimming in the freezing Atlantic Ocean. It is so peaceful and beautiful. Make sure you wear sensible shoes as it's just begging to explored. There's a little cafe for a pitstop of tea and cake.

Portstewart
Portstewart is a cute little seaside town filled with sweet little cafes, interesting independent shops and a gorgeous sandy beach. We visited on a grey and gloomy day but I imagine it would be absolutely beautiful when the sun is shining. Put aside a few hours to explore  - I spied a homeware shop I want to visit when I'm back. Make sure you stop for an ice cream in Morellis. I'm told by the locals it's a Irish institution and it's well worth the trip to Portstewart alone. Just look at that sundae!

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

Located not too far from Balintoy Habour, this rope bridge was first erected by salmon fisherman in 1755. It's hard to believe they used to cast their nets over this rickety old bridge for a living. It's quite a big tourist attraction so be prepared to queue but it's worth it. Try to visit early morning to minimise the queuing.

Mussenden Temple
As you can tell from the picture, the gorgeous blue skies disappeared after our first day. Can never rely on the weather in Ireland! But Mussenden Temple was breathtaking - even against the grey skies. Located on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the temple was in 1785 by Lord Bristol - the owner of Downhill Demense where it is situated. Again it's a Game of Thrones location so you'll recognise it if you're a fan. It's on my list to return too when we visited again during sunnier times. The white sandy beach below is worth a wander too - sometimes I can't believe the beauty of the beaches in Ireland.

The Dark Hedges
Another Game of Thrones locations - can you tell we had a theme going on during the trip? I'd recommend to go early in the morning as it does get congested with cars. The trees keep falling down during storms so it's one to go to sooner rather than later!

Binevenagh Mountain
The view from the top of Binevenagh Mountain is breath-taking - just be careful not to be blown off the side as it gets windy up there! It's such a beautiful drive up there. On a clear day you can see from Magilligan to Donegal in the south. Keep an eye out for the Mannaan Mac Lir sculpture- a celtic sea god from Irish mythology.

Derry
Last but not least, Derry. I've got a bit of a soft spot for this city as I've been a few times to visit my boyfriend's family. It's a city that's on the rise. I can't believe how much more vibrant and welcoming it feels now. We has only last visited three ago and now it feels transformed. With so much more money being invested, it's only going to get better. It's full of fascinating history, warm locals, incredible restaurants and fun pubs and bars. It's a place I can't wait to discover more of on my next trip which hopefully won't take as long as three years to organise!

Read more

My top five European countries to re-visit

1. Germany
I fell head over heels for Germany when I ventured to Berlin in 2012. In fact, I credit that trip for turning into somewhat of a travel junkie. It was the first cultural holiday I'd had, before I had just been on beach resort holidays. It helped me broaden my horizons and I came back with such a thirst for seeing the world. Berlin was such an incredible place and it encouraged me to book a trip to Cologne last year to see if I was in love with the country or the capital city. Turns out I was in love with the country. I loved the slightly grumpy people, the stodgy food, the charming beer halls, seeing the history I spent two years studying at A level and the beautiful architecture. It's a place that feels so familiar yet vastly different. I'm really keen to tick more cities off my list - mainly Hamburg, Munich and Dresden.

2. Poland
I first ventured to Warsaw back in 2013 and after fours years away, I'm heading back to Poland in August to do a mini tour of the country. I'll be hitting up Krakow, Warsaw, Pultusk and Gdansk if anyone has any tips. The capital of Poland brings such incredible memories for me. I had so much fun and so many stories to tell about the place - mostly involving the bars... It blows my mind that the old town of the city was completely rebuilt after it was flattened during the war. You'd never know walking around. I adored the amazing culture, the friendliness of the people, eating pierogi every day and discovering the contrasting architecture. It's a country that came back from the brink to be the thriving, beautiful place it is today.

3. Ireland
Ah the beautiful Emerald Isle has a very special place in my heart. Luckily thanks to my boyfriends family, I have an excuse to go back and visit more often. Not that you should need an excuse to visit! I've only been to Ireland three times but have a long list of things I'm desperate to see and do. The scenery is among some of the best I have ever seen - I never tire of seeing the rolling green hills, stunning jagged coastlines and beautiful architecture that tells hundreds of years of stories. It's a place I feel so relaxed and at peace in. That Irish pace of life is quite something else!

4. Denmark
The country where I never quite feel cool enough to visit. Copenhagen is one of the only cities I've visited that I honestly believe I could call home. The Danes really know how to live and enjoy life. The people speak better English than I do, the food scene is probably the best I've ever encountered and the proud history is fascinating. I have Aarhus, Odense and the North Zealand coast all on my wish list to help get more idea of the country.

5. Slovakia
This country completely took me by surprise, I really didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I adored the cafe culture in Bratislava, the gorgeous buildings of the old town, the contrast between old and Soviet new and the wonderful Slovak wine. Bratislava is so much more than stag dos. I feel there's so much more for me to discover here and think that Kocise would be the ideal place to start.

Read more

Exploring Ireland: Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

One thing on our list for our trip to Northern Ireland was a visit to the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, located not too far from Balintoy Harbour. Owned by the National Trust, this wooden rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755 and is a Game of Thrones filming location. Even if you're not a GoT fan, it's well worth a visit.

Once you've bought your ticket - it's about £6 -, it's about a 15 minute walk from the ticket office to the bridge with lots of stunning scenery on the way. The electric blue of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged cliffs are breathtaking and truly a sight to behold. Sometimes I can't quite believe this is the UK when it feels like you are a million miles away from home. I feel incredible lucky to have this part of the world a mere 50 minute plane journey away.

The rope bridge connect two cliffs and is suspended almost 100ft above the sea. It's a slightly terrifying walk across. My legs were like jelly and I couldn't bear to look anywhere other than straight ahead. It didn't help with my boyfriend behind me wobbling the bridge and making the experience even less enjoyable... Despite not really enjoying it, I really did enjoy it and it was something I'm so glad I did. Everyone should do it! The view from the other side was gorgeous - well worth the six quid fee for that.

Keep in mind there will be lots of crowds. Even in January we counted three huge coaches full of tourists. It seems other people have discovered how beautiful this part of the world is too...

Read more

How to spend 48 hours in Derry

Located in the north of Ireland, Derry is the only city in the Londonderry County. It's a city I've been to before as my boyfriend has family there but last time we didn't explore as much. However, this time we made up for lost time. It's not a huge city but one that has plenty of things to keep you occupied - a great place to spend 48 hours before exploring the beautiful Causeway Coast.

Where to stay
Maldron Hotel
Right in the city walls is where you will find the Maldron Hotel. The central location makes it the ideal place to explore, we found we were never more than a ten minute walk from everywhere we wanted to be. The reception staff are friendly and helpful, making the stay an absolute breeze. We were both so grateful for the huge comfortable bed to sink into at the end of each long day and loved finding chocolates on the pillow when we arrived.

Day one
9am - Get an early start and head down for an incredible breakfast spread. Offering a buffet cooked breakfast, continental pastries and meats, endless choices of cereals and a selection of fresh fruit and yogurt, it was the perfect start to the day.

10.00am - Start with a leisurely walk along the City Walls to help you get your bearings around the city. Derry is only completely walled city in the Republic of Ireland and the British Isles. Having recently celebrated their 400th birthday, the walls are full of history. As you'll walk around you'll see the famous Bogside with the murals, Free Derry Corner, St Columb's Cathedral, the Peace Bridge and the Guildhall.

12.30pm - Refuel with lunch at Blackbird. I mentioned this pub a few days ago but will say again, you need to try the burgers here. If a burger isn't your thing, it also does chicken wings, steaks, brisket and pulled pork. If you're a Londoner, it's pretty similar to Bodeans. I'll definitely be back to sample more of the menu when I'm back in the city.

2.30pm - Learn about the history of the city with a trip to the informative Tower Museum. I went on my first trip to Derry and can't recommend it enough. Despite growing up in the UK, I didn't really know much about the history of Northern Ireland as we didn't touch on the subject in school. The museum offers an incredible insight into the civil rights period and I came away with such an understanding of that era. It was really eye-opening. The museum also has a great open air viewing facility which offers a great view of the city. Stop off at the Craft Village to pick up some souvenirs to take home.

4.30pm - After the overload of information, head to The Bentley for a drink. The bar plays the football too if you are also a bit of a football widow like me... I have it on good authority from a local that the food is pretty decent too if you fancy popping back another time for a bite to eat.

5.30pm - Head back to the hotel before going out for dinner.

7.30pm - Make sure you book a table at Harry's in advance. Specialising in using local ingredients, Harry's is a taste sensation. The fish is probably one of the best I've eaten and I couldn't recommend the lemon sole highly enough. Be sure to enjoy the wine list too - it's a corker!

9.30pm - Finish off the evening with a night cap at Peadar O'Donnells. Here you'll find some great Irish music and friendly locals.

Day two
9am - Another early start to make the most of that delicious breakfast.

10am - Make a detour to the see inside the Guildhall, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. At the minute they have a fascinating exhibition about plantations and you can have a nose inside the council chambers and marvel at the stain glassed windows. Best of all, its free to look around!

11am - Walk down to Bogside to learn about about the Bogside artists and see the Free Derry Corner. We were lucky enough to have a local to tell us about it but if you're not quite as lucky, make sure you book a tour. They're run by people who lived through The Troubles and will offer a great insight into the history. You learn so much more than if you just read a book.

1pm - For a great selection of sandwiches, soups and jacket potatoes, Silver Street is the place to be. Located in Derry's oldest bar, it's great value for money with a good selection of beers and ciders on offer. No nonsense yet straight to the point - exactly what you need after a long morning of sightseeing.

3pm - Cross the Peace Bridge over to Ebrington Square. This is currently undergoing huge regeneration and looks like it'll be the place to be in a few years time. But at the minute it plays host to Walled City Brewery - Derry's first brewery in over a 100 years. Sadly it was closed when we try to visit but I have it on good authority from my boyfriend's family that it's well worth a visit. It's top of our list next time we're in the city!

5pm - Head back to the hotel to freshen up

7pm - Take a lazy stroll along the Quay to see the city lit up behind up and a great view of the River Foyle.

7.30pm - Book at table at Da Vinci's Grillroom for dinner. It has a great menu with something for everyone. I highly recommend the tomato bruschetta and the delightfully spicy cajun chicken. Be sure to try out the walk in wine room to pick your bottle of choice.

10pm - Head back into the city for a drink back at Blackbird to sample their gin!

For more ideas on things to do in the city head to Visit Derry, they have some amazing suggestions!

Read more

Hotel review: Hotel Grand Ferdinand, Vienna, Austria

As we were only in Vienna for a couple of nights, I wanted to make the most of it by booking us into a really nice hotel. Enter Hotel Grand Ferdinand. Located about a 15 minute walk from the centre, this sleek and stylish hotel couldn't be in a better location. Boasting three restaurants and a rooftop bar, there's no need to really leave it either if you don't want to. It seemed like the perfect hotel for us. And it was.

We booked the smallest room which worked out about £130 plus 13% tax and a local city tax when you check out. What it was lacking in size, it certainly didn't lack in style. The quirky suitcase minibar was a lovely touch and I loved the opulent marble sink against the cool white and grey colour scheme. The bed was comfy and the open plan bathroom helped to make the room feel bigger. We certainly didn't feel cramped. It was well worth the money and was lovely to have a little bit of luxury in such a beautiful city.

We made it up to the rooftop infinity pool one night which was slightly surreal looking out over at the the Viennese skyline. Ordering a G+T, I remember feeling so carefree, emotional at being able to travel and incredibly lucky that I live in such a diverse and cultural continent. When I got the bill, I didn't quite feel so lucky then so keep in mind that the bar isn't cheap but definitely stop for one! Towels and dressing gowns are provided which is a lovely touch.

I can't vouch for the restaurants as we didn't eat there but if you ever find yourself in Vienna, definitely book yourself in for a few nights of luxury. I will certainly stay here again if I ever find myself in the Austrian city.

Read more