Exploring Europe: Budapest, Hungary

So I'm back in the real world. I've been back in the country a week and it feels like I've never been away at all. But I did. For two glorious weeks. Starting in reverse order, I'm going to tell you all about my trip to Budapest - the place we visited last on our Eastern European trip. Keep an eye out for the next three posts featuring an incredible hotel review - honestly the best place I've ever stayed -, the best things to do and a food guide to the city. But first things first, here is a little introduction to the Hungarian capital.

Budapest had been on my radar for a good few years so when the idea came about for an epic European trip, I made sure it was shortlisted. Luckily my friends are quite happy to go along with the flow so I scheduled in five days at the tail end of the holiday. After thorough research I decided I wanted to stay on the Pest side of the city, specifically in the Jewish Quarter. The old Jewish Ghetto. Historically poor, this neighbourhood had been touted as a vibrant hub of quirky ruin pubs, delicious places to eat and a rough and ready vibe. Naturally I was sold.

We'd spent more than three hours on a train from Bratislava, so when we arrived I was flustered. Not to mention sweaty from the ridiculous 33 degree heat and the stress of a broken suitcase that I was lugging around. We got a taxi to our hotel, dumped our stuff, went to one of the famous baths and decided to hunt out some dinner. Walking around the streets, I couldn't stop a sinking feeling. I wanted to desperately fall in love with it and stare in awe as we soaked up the city. But Budapest is dirty and grubby. It's not pretty and it doesn't capture your imagination from the first moment. We went for a lovely dinner and decided to call it a night at 10pm but on our way back we stumbled across the main strip. At 10pm, it was full of loud, obnoxious people falling in and out of bars. A traumatic amount of homeless people lining the streets alongside the revellers. I went to bed feeling worried that we had five days to fill in a place I wasn't sure I wanted to be.

Waking up the next morning I decided to look at Budapest with a clear head, determined to give it a second chance. And it lived up to my expectations. I still struggled to get over the filth and I commute to London for work! But after crossing the river over to Buda, I finally got the hype. The castle, Fisherman's Bastian, pastel coloured houses and St Matthias Church offered a completely different side to the city. I finally appreciated Budapest for what it was. It was rough and ready but it was also interesting and charming. There are are beautiful sights to wander around and some incredible views to soak up. You can tell it's a country proud to rise from the oppressive communist rule and one that is trying hard to make it's own mark. After the initial disappointment it actually end up as my second favourite place we visited - even though it was last on the list of my three travel companions! It was the city we had the most fun in, the city we have the funniest stories from and the city that we felt the most relaxed in. Thanks Budapest, I'll be back. Just maybe on my own!

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OOTD: Bardot style black jumpsuit

Outfit:
Bardot style black jumpsuit: Topshop (similar)
Red rucksack: Fjallraven Kanken via ASOS
Black double strap Birkenstocks: ASOS
Yellow and navy canvas watch: Timex* (similar)

Look at that backdrop? Sure beats my Essex hometown! During our time in Budapest we did a hell of a lot of walking. This meant a comfy outfit, even more comfortable shoes and a suitable bag to keep lots of water, sun cream and maps in. The end result was this! I splashed out on a Kanken rucksack when I came home from my trip to Copenhagen in a desperate attempt to inject some of that Scandi cool into my life. It was a lifesaver. Usually I take a canvas tote bag on my travels. But carrying a rucksack was a revelation and one I'm going to continue doing. I loved the handles for when we had to squeeze in tight spaces and the straps on the back to help keep my hands free. Definitely worth the money! I'm sporting a snazzy little stripy Birkenstock tan line on my feet so looks like I shall be wearing these shoes to death now I'm back home!

I'm going to share my thoughts on Budapest over the next few posts alongside the gorgeous hotel we stayed in and the best places to eat. I had a fantastic time in the city after initially feeling disappointed when I first arrived. It's definitely a grower and one I'm glad I've finally ticked off my list after lusting after the Hungarian capital for years.

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Review: The Barbary, Seven Dials, London

Despite being back to working in London full time, I'm still a little out of the loop with all the new restaurant openings. There's just so many each week so I'm always thankful to friends who suggest new places to feed our faces. This time Sarah suggested a visit to The Barbary. Inspired by the North African coast, the sister restaurant of Palamor offers a menu filled with influences of the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea. The tiny venue probably only seats around 30 people, all huddled around a bustling open kitchen.

Eager to try most of the things on the sharing menu, we ordered a feast. Starting with a chewy, sesame seed topped bagel and a crispy butter naan, we decided to go for a selection of dips. Addictive aubergine Baba Ghanoush, sweet Tbecha roasted tomatoes and a mountain of creamy Msabacha chickpeas. The dips were fresh and flavoursome, providing the perfect introduction to the menu. The charred jafa style cauliflower and cumin and chilli glazed beetroot were cooked to perfection with the perfect amount of crunch to keep them interesting.

For the main courses we opted for all the meat and fish courses. The signature dish of Pata Negra Neck (pork neck) came with a drizzle of a sweet honey sauce, roasted garlic cloves and a sprinkle of sea salt. It was such a simple dish but packed a hell of a punch. The surprising sweet sauce was a great accompaniment for the charcoaled pork. The octopus mashawshad came with the same chickpeas as before. It was delicious if a little overpriced for the portion size. Finally we sampled the North African style veal schnitzel from the weekly specials menu. I enjoy schnitzel but it's always seemed a little boring to me. But thankfully this version came with a delicious thick creamy sauce.

For dessert I opted for the Knafeh. With a similar texture to a Baklava, this savoury dessert consisted of fried vermicelli with a goats cheese filling topped with pistachios and a few raspberries. Something I'd not sure I'd plump for again but nevertheless something I enjoyed. Sometimes it's good to try something out of the ordinary!

All in all, the meal at The Barbary was incredible. I was mesmerised by the open kitchen, loved the intimate venue and really enjoyed the food. You can't book so I would recommend turning up at 12 like we did to ensure you get a table. Keep in mind they will only sit a party when everyone has arrived - no saving seats! It's certainly not cheap and thanks to the sharing concept, the prices can soon add up. The portions are quite small so you do have to order quite a lot. We shared everything between three yet still left a little hungry afterwards. But if you can afford to splash out, add it to the top of your restaurant list.

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OOTD: Blue midi dress

Outfit:
Blue cotton midi dress: H&M (similar)
Nude and red patent flats: Christian Loubouton (similar)
Poppy red lily bag: Mulberry
Navy and yellow watch: Timex* (similar)

I finally gave my new Loubs an outing after snapping them up in a sample sale a few months ago. I was going to save them for a special occasion but what's the point in having nice things if they just gather dust in the wardrobe? Not the most comfortable shoes but I will train my feet to get used to them!

I'm back on UK soil now after two weeks travelling around Eastern Europe and feeling the holiday blues. I had the most fantastic two weeks, seeing amazing sights, swanning around with great company and stuffing myself silly on good food. Eastern Europe really is such an underrated part of the world. It's my favourite part of the continent and each place is so different, charming and interesting. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of travel posts coming your way!

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Why you should visit Catalunya

Last summer I paid a trip to Barcelona and spent a week soaking up the sights in the city. A few people told me I was spending too much time there and would run out of things to see and do. But a week wasn't long enough at all - I could have easily have spent a month in the Catalan city. Not only did I manage to see some incredible architecture, spend my evenings in some fun bars, I also got to sample of the best food I have ever tried. I'm still dreaming about that hole-in-the-wall tapas bar that we stumbled around at midnight. Inntravel knows all about the delights of Catalan cuisine. I'm already bookmarking some tips for my next visit.

So why did Cataluya, and in particular Barcelona, capture my imagination so much? The city was unlike anywhere else I'd ever visited before. It felt rebellious, intense and ever-changing. The Gaudi architecture was mind-blowing and weaved into the city from every angle. Seeing the Sagrada De Familla was one of the first times I'd ever been speechless seeing a landmark. I can't put into words just how incredible it was.

The multiple beaches encourage the best of both worlds. Bored of wandering around? Simply head to the sandy beaches to soak up the blazing sunshine. One tip is to head away from the first beach you come across and instead head further down the coast. You'll beat the crowds of tourists and it'll be a hell of a lot cleaner!

Finally, I loved the social life. The endless places to enjoy a jug of sangria, the multiple bars where you could put your dancing shoes on and the different restaurants to sample the local cuisine. Each neighbourhood gave off a different vibe but my favourites were the historic Gothic Quarter and El Ravel for the delicious food.

Inntravel kindly sent me a hamper full of Catalan food goodies and I have one to offer you too! You just need to enter via the Rafflecopter to be in with a chance to win. The winner will be announced in two weeks. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Cafe Rouge summer brunch menu

Last weekend I was very kindly invited along to try out the new Cafe Rouge summer brunch menu in London Bridge. Although I'd seem Cafe Rouge numerous times during my UK travels, I hadn't actually ventured inside. I still don't really know the reason why! Having recently created their very own brunch menu, the restaurant change was very keen to show it off and with good reason too, it was delicious!

Starting with a cheeky mimosa to kick off the weekend with a bang, my friend Jay and I spent a good 20 minutes deciding what we wanted to try. As we admired the lovely little touch of a rose with our names on, we decided we ought to try a pastry each. When in a French chain it's kinda given right?! I plumped for the flaky, warm almond croissant and my friend opted for the indulgent, rich pain au chocolat. A great choice!

For my second course I decided to embrace my love of smashed avocado on sourdough toast with a twist of smoked salmon and creme fraiche. With a sprinkling of chopped chives, this wasn't combination I've had before but will be one I will be trying out at home! I loved the creamy avocado with the salty salmon. A generous portion was just the ticket for a Saturday morning. Jay went for one of her favourites, eggs Benedict. Once again a generous portion and judging by the lack of conversation from her, I think she enjoyed it a lot! The poached eggs looked cooked to perfection with such a lovely runny yolk.

Overall I was very impressed by the brunch offering. As someone who often goes out for brunch a lot in London, I've turned into somewhat a bit of a snob. I often seek out the independent places but really some chains get it so right and shouldn't be ignored. Cafe Rouge is one of those chains. The prices were great, portions were filling and the staff couldn't be faulted. Make sure you try their mocktail menu too. Thanks for such a great start to a Saturday guys!

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