5 cities I want to visit in Germany

After spending four days in Cologne last week, my need to explore more of Germany has intensified. I find it so hard to believe that it has been a unified country for just 27 years - mind-blowing. Paired with beautiful architecture, my favourite time period of history and yummy, stodgy food, Germany has captured my heart. After reading my guidebook cover to cover, I now have a whole bundle of places I'm dying to visit. Here are my top five.

Image by Pascal Poggi via Pinterest

1. Dresden
This city on the edge of the River Elbe never really appealed to me - until I saw some pictures. Then it shot straight to the top of my list. Just look at that skyline above. Give me mesmerising historic building over sterile skyscrapers any day. The riverside beer gardens, incredible Baroque architecture, historic old town and interesting museums all help to make this East German city well worth visiting. The Allies unleashed a staggering 3900 tonnes of explosives on the city over two days in February 1945 meaning so much of the city had to be rebuilt following the destruction. Which only makes Dresden even more remarkable.

Image from Incredible Pictures via Pinterest

2. Nuremberg
Nazi Germany was always my favourite period during my history lessons at school, a period of history that fascinates me still. I think the fact World War II is so recent, so close to home and quite frankly mind blowing that one man nearly realised his atrocious dream. It's something that could quite easily happen again, especially in this current climate. Nuremberg was such an important city for the Nazis. It was here that the first Jewish businesses were boycotted, fanatical party rallies were held and the site for the Nuremberg Trials. But morbid reasons aside, Bavaria's second-largest city is also said to boast one of the best Christmas markets in Germany so I would love to catch that.

Image by Danny Groner for Photocritic via Pinterest

3. Munich
Surprisingly I do not want to visit during Oktoberfest - in fact I can't think of anything worse than facing those crowds. But I do want to soak up the Bavarian heritage, trawl around the famous beer halls, wander around the many museums and visit the Olympic stadium. I've heard such great things about Munich and am dying to experience it for myself.

Image from Flickr via Pinterest

4. Hamburg
Germany's second-largest city boasts that it is 'the gateway to the world'. Is this true? I'd certainly like to find out! The port city has numerous neighbourhoods each offering something different. From the Altstradt in the centre offering cultural museums to the gentrified St Georg as the hub of the city's gay scene. It sounds like a great place to spend 3/4 days just soaking up the German atmosphere.

Image from Stuck in Customs via Pinterest

5. Leipzig
I fell head over heels for Berlin four years ago and I've heard on the grapevine that Leipzig is a cheaper, fun version of that city. Cool, hip and alternative with a nightlife to die for. I'd love to find out more about the city that has been cited with a leading role in the 'peaceful revolution' that helped to draw a close to the Cold War. The east German city has so many museums and exhibitions devoted to the GDR. A period of history I'm eager to look into a bit more.

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Exploring the UK: Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey, South London

There's nothing I love more than strolling around a food market, sampling all the delicious treats on offer and trying new dishes. After trying Borough, Greenwich and Brockley, it was time to tick another one off my list. This time it was Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, South London. Not too far from the famous Borough Market.

Ropewalk is a lively street food market located on Maltby Street in Bermondsey, South London. It has food stalls, wine bars in the arches and pop-up restaurants, perfect for foodies to get their fix. It's open from 9am - 4pm on a Saturday, making it the perfect place to whittle away a lazy day. It does get very busy so if crowds aren't your thing then make sure you get there early. The early bird catches the worm after all.

With many well-known street food traders such as Waffle On, The Cheese Truck and Finest Fayre all on offer, there's something to suit even the fussiest of eaters. With gin connoisseurs Little Bird Gin and wine bar St John, it'll be rude not to stop for a while for a little drink. If the hoards of tourists at Borough Market are a bit too much, then Maltby Street will be just the ticket.

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Review: Flesh and Buns, Covent Garden, London

Flesh and Buns had been on my list for a while but I'd never really made it there. That's what happens when you work in a city where numerous new restaurants open each week - you can hardly keep up! But when I wanted to celebrate my birthday with my internet friends back in January and Hannah casually dropped in the famous Sunday Japanese brunch, my mind was made up. I finally had my chance to visit.

For £46 you were given a delicious cocktail on arrival, chips, dips and edamane, unlimited hot and cold dishes, signature flesh and buns, unlimited prosecco and dessert for the table. When a plate of mixed sashimi is £12, this works out to be one hell of a deal. So of course we went to town and ordered one of everything off the menu. You gotta try it all right?!

Everything was absolutely delicious and we were still talking about the meal a week later. Personal highlights for me was the crispy, spicy Korean fried chicken wings, the fresh soft shell sushi, the tender flat iron steak in a soft steamed bun and peppery fried squid. I could have order so much more. - especially those juicy chicken wings. The sweet and sour sauce was so addictive.

No indulgent brunch is ever complete without a little dessert. We had the famous s'mores with passionfruit marshmallows, almond chocolate and crumbly biscuits. There's something that make you feel a bit like you've regressed to a child when you have to create your own food! Next up for the gooey chocolate fondant with matcha ice cream. Delicious!

It was honestly one of my favourite meals I've had in the city and can't wait to book my next trip back. Despite the bill coming to over £50 a head, it really was such great value for money. We ate until we were fit to burst and certainly took lots of advantage of the unlimited fizz. Definitely a great way to spend a lazy Sunday.

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