Category Archives: Destinations

Bournemouth – A winter break in ‘Boccy’

A little late but oh well…

This January I traveled down south to one of the UK’s most popular coastal towns, Bournemouth. I stayed with a good friend right on the seafront in the suburb known as Boscombe or ‘Boccy’ East of the town. This was a great weekend get-away with lots to do nearby.

Boscombe

This suburb at the end of the beach is home to its very own pier, shopping area, and a lively community. I stayed with a friend in among a set of flats facing the beach where I could walk easily a long the sand to Bournemouth. This is definitely a great area to look at to keep the price down and still get the same quality views from accommodation like this one.

Whilst staying in the town we went for some drinks at the lovely Chaplin’s Cellar Bar. This was a great choice for a night out as it had the perfect mix of cocktails, atmosphere and entertainment. The prices weren’t bad either!

Wonder down the golden sandy beach and you will find yourself in the popular and thriving town of Bournemouth.

Boscombe Pier

Bournemouth beach

Bournemouth beach and Pier

Bournemouth

Bournemouth is well known for its events and festivals, including the Bournemouth Air Show, which I was fortunate enough to see the year before and would definitely recommend as a must see UK travel experience! Although I would not bring a car… a bit of a traffic nightmare..

Bournemouth also benefits from various gardens, a great nightlife and a bustling shopping area. The town is also home to the Bournemouth Oceanarium, which has hundreds of sea life creatures from across the globe, and an interactive dive cage which I plan to check out next time I’m in town!

Beach

Gardens

Although my friend and I are normally quite partial to a traditional cream tea when we are together, this time we went for something a little different at lunch by trying Koh Thai. We received some delicious Thai cuisine to warm us up from the cold January wind. They also made us some lovely refreshing strawberry smoothies which went surprisingly well with the Thai food.

You could tell that Bournemouth is a great place for young people to get loose and have some fun, with plenty of bars and clubs to enjoy. I could definitely see myself enjoying the beach in the day followed by partying in the evening only a few years back!

Corfe Castle

If you have an interest in history or even just nice views it is definitely worth taking the ferry across to the Studland area and making your way to Corfe Castle. This village built around the ruined castle that sits upon the hill, is a pretty little nugget of traditional English lifestyle. It consists of not only the castle and the connecting National trust shop and cafe (in which a tasty cream tea was consumed by myself) but also; independent shops, pubs, restaurants, tearooms, a church and two free museums.

Village through window of castle

Corfe Castle

Sheep roaming on hill of Corfe Castle

The castle itself dates back to the 10th century and is a massive site surrounded with roaming sheep, and covered with lots of nooks and crannies for the eager photographer. We attempted to take some nice photos but being an amateur many of mine were just bad selfies! As well as the National Trust property having regular events, there is also various information boards and a blacksmith’s workshop showing you how things were made, way back when! This castle has been through a lot, changing use between a defensive structure in the Saxon and Norman periods then to a royal palace and even family home. So as you go round you will see many stories of murder, imprisonment and war!

Corfe Castle

The views from the castle are also spectacular being perched up high on a hill and with beautiful countryside and small stone buildings surrounding it. That said… I would say to think considerably about visiting this castle if you struggle to walk up steep hills, as there is some difficult terrain to deal with.

New Forest

Lastly, I just wanted to add a note about the beautiful New Forest National Park. I only had time to make a quick detour to the village of Burley in New Forest on my way home from Bournemouth, but being as the park is only half an hour drive from Bournemouth, it is well worth fitting this into your holiday.

Coven of Witches, Burley

Titan Leather Craft, Burley

Wands!

Burley was a quirky little village in the park, known for having been home to a famous white witch named Sybil Leek in the ’50s. She was often seen walking around Burley in her long cloak with her pet bird sitting on her shoulder. She later moved to the states but her presence clearly had an impact, with the village now being renowned for its mystical gift shops which sell wands, crystals and all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I of course had to buy myself some souvenirs here and went away with a necklace and a crystal.

New Forest National Park

The best thing about it all was as I was driving out of the village, I saw the famous wild horses that New Forest are known for, roaming near the side of the road. This was the perfect end to my short trip down South.

Me at Corfe Castle

Some snaps from my recent day trip to pretty Cambridge… I will make sure to do a more in depth visit soon!

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Watching the seals at Horsey Gap, Norfolk

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Today I made a visit to Horsey nearby the popular village of Sea Palling on the Norfolk Coast. This area which is only a 45 minute scenic drive for me, is home to hundreds of beautiful seals and the location that they decide to breed each Winter. If you are making a visit to East Anglia between October and February it is well worth making the trip to the beach to see the colony.

The seals are well monitored and protected by the Friends of Horsey Seals volunteer group and they provided information this year that there were over 200 new pups so far this Winter. I think it is great that this organisation exists to protect these great animals as they are a true treasure for the region and without these protective measures, many of the pups would struggle to survive so close to humans.

The colony is full of grey seals or ‘hook nosed sea pigs’, and there is plenty of information around on how to spot the difference and identify a bull from a cow, and what happens when a pup is born. Did you know that a pup is only with its mum for a few weeks on the beach whilst it sheds its coat and gains blubber, it is then quickly left to fend for itself. Abit harsh if you ask me… but i suppose that’s nature for you!

Horsey’s seal viewing platform is on the route of the scenic Norfolk Coastal Path. This amazing pathway takes you through 62 miles of scenic coastline and stops at many picturesque seaside villages. I would definitely recommend it to those looking for a good walking holiday.

Oxford: The City of Dreaming Spires

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Oxford, known as the city of dreaming spires has been the home of inspirational scholars for centuries and last weekend I caught a glimpse into their world by taking a look at the famous Oxford University buildings and nearby historic attractions.

Quandrangle, Oxford University

Radcliffe Camera

Oxford High St

Milton Hill – De Vere Hotel

At the beginning of our weekend trip we checked in to the luxury De Vere hotel, Milton Hill on the outskirts of Oxford nearby the town of Abingdon. Milton Hill has impressive facilities such as a gym, pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Also the lounges dotted around the hotel are great for relaxing with a morning hot chocolate and a good book, which i did several times to make a good start to the day.

Whilst the facilities were great and there is plenty to keep you occupied I would say that parts of the hotel are due for a bit of redecorating. The pool changing rooms were fairly nasty and our en-suite bathroom was in need of replacement bath panels.

A university of open spaces and open minds

Christchurch Meadow

Oxford is known for its impressive university buildings and being home to a string of academic accomplishments. When wondering the streets of Oxford you will see a number of art and literary exhibitions, Shakespearean plays and theatre performances.

Hobbit illustration

Chronicals of Narnia illustration

Henry 8th drawing

A tour of the Bodleian library is very worth while as this is the second largest library in Britain and one of the oldest. The library started as only a few books donated to the university and kept in the local church before Sir Bodley began building the beautiful 15th century library and quadrangle. During our tour of the library we heard many interesting stories about life studying in the library and the love and tender care gone into the keeping of the books there. It is said that J. R. R. Tolkien spent a lot of time in the library scribbling on the back of his subject notes, ideas for his novel.

There is also a variety of open spaces to enjoy including Christchurch Meadow and the Botanical Gardens. The gardens have some great things to see and in Autumn this can be especially beautiful. The price of the gardens are fairly low and you can get a good few hours of enjoyment from seeing the peculiar plants on offer.

Back in the city centre you will find a mixture of shopping, bars and traditional pubs. We tried out a few of the many restaurants in the city including Banana Tree, a very unusual Indo- Chinese restaurant. Be warned though that this is a city for cyclists and parking can be a real nightmare! There are very little spaces in the town and what there is tends to be expensive… On the bright side there is many park and ride locations around the city.

Not far from the city…

Nearby to Oxford is another friendly town called Abingdon. We visited this town to explore the shops and enjoyed a lovely Italian meal at Bella Napoli. This wonderful little slice of Italy served us up a great three course meal that was delicious and authentic.

We also spent a day at Blenheim Palace. The palace was a reward to the victorious Duke of Marlborough and home of Sir Winston Churchill. It still stands as a home to the family as well as a brilliant visitor attraction. The grounds host trees, gardens, a butterfly house, maze and also the historic house which offers regular tours, informing you of the interesting history.

Blenheim Palace

Me in a tree!

Blenheim maze

Our tour guide told of how the estate was almost lost several times over history, due to the poor maintenance and money squandering of some of the previous Dukes. It was three times over that the women of the family saved the estate from destruction, which I thought was pretty impressive considering that women were normally thought of as second class citizens back in the 18th century.

A great tip to remember when visiting the palace is that the admission you buy for the palace can be converted into an annual pass for free! Just visit the kiosk when you get inside and they will put your pass ID together for you. A great thing to have for any future visits!

Next stop.. Cambridge

With one university city done, I am now planning my trip to the next one. Cambridge it shall be, and in the lead up to Christmas I am sure there will be lots of exciting things to explore.

Exploring Europe’s Churches, Chapels & Cathedrals

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I have always loved to visit old buildings when exploring a destination and there is no better example of a building that has seen a town moving through the centuries than the local church.

I have seen many places of worship across the continent and they never seize to astonish me with their beauty, history and creativity. There are so many styles of architecture and amazing pieces of art available to see so I never get bored of taking a pew and enjoying the views inside.

A bit of peace…

Visiting a ‘house of God’ has always given me a great feeling of peace and helped me to relax in times of stress. The composure felt with visiting might be down to the quiet atmosphere, the generous community spirit or the comfort of knowing that you are walking in the same footsteps as many for centuries before you.

These are the places where families and friends gather to celebrate key moments in their lives, discuss important issues and deal with troubling emotions. The stories that are held in the walls of these temples are vast and intriguing and makes it no wonder that church tourism is one of the most popular forms of heritage tourism.

Church Tourism

With St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey being in the top ten paid attractions in the UK and many church groups trying to zone in on the tourist market through new innovations, religious buildings have never been more interesting.

Whilst in many parts of Europe churches are still used solely for worship, there are several cathedrals and churches in main cities and within the UK that are diversifying their offering to satisfy the curiosity of tourists. Services offered to tourists include: guided tours, information displays, gifts, events, and trails.

A snapshot of some of the most beautiful Churches, Monasteries, Cathedrals and Chapels i have seen across Europe…

Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon

St George’s Basilica, Prague

St Nicholas’, Prague

St Vitus Cathedral, Prague

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

Church of Our Lady Before Týn, Prague

Many churches that are part of the Churches Conservation Trust have even gone a step further by re-purposing the churches for modern activities such as rock concerts and ‘champing’, the new trend of camping inside one of these beautiful churches.

Norfolk’s Churches

In my home county of Norfolk there are no shortage of churches and in Norwich it is said that there is a church for every week of the year. This makes for a beautiful landscape where you are almost guaranteed to see a church spire on the horizon whilst driving through the countryside.

Booton Norfolk Church

With churches towering over the Norfolk Broads, the coast and the farmlands of the county you can experience amazing views of the area, whilst discovering the interesting history and culture of the English county inside.

Some of the most inviting and innovative churches include St Michael’s in Aylsham, St Michael’s in Booton and St Peter & St Paul in Salle.

St Peter & St Paul in Salle near Reepham was built between 1400 and 1450 and restored around 1900. Salle church is rumoured to be the burial site of the unfortunate Anne Boleyn, the former wife of King Henry VIII. The Boleyns lived in the village as early as 1318, only getting status later when they aquired Blickling Hall; the nearby Jacobean estate. Features include a chancel roof with carvings showing scenes from the life of Christ.

St Michael & All Angels in Booton also near Reepham is known as the ‘Cathedral of Fields’ because of its a remarkable example of great architecture. It was designed and built in 1891 by Revd Whitwell Elwin, a descendant of the famous Pocahontas. Booton church has full sized carved angels, a timber framed roof, and colourful stained glass windows.

St Michael’s in Aylsham was built in the early 14th century. The rood screen dates to 1507 and there is also a medieval crypt uncovered during renovations of the church. This church is still a buzzing community hub in the charming market town of Aylsham today.

Keep up the good work!

Whether in the UK or abroad, churches, cathedrals, chapels and monasteries can all be a brilliant place to learn about local heritage and traditions. It is great to see so many church teams trying to attract new visitors and I hope this carries on with the support and partnership of the community to keep these historic buildings around for future generations to enjoy.

Budapest – “Paris of the East”

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Budapest also known as “Paris of the East”, “Pearl of the Danube” or “City of Spas” is one of Europe’s best hot spots for culture, nightlife and relaxation. Everything you need for a few summer days away… This summer I explored the city and was pleasantly surprised.

Budapest View

Arriving in Budapest

Flying from Stansted to Budapest was simple and cheap although we were a little bit disappointed with the infamous Ryanair service as with it being a late flight we hoped to just quickly get away with our cabin bags but when we got to the gate we had our bags taken away and put in hold meaning we would have to wait extra time at the airport to collect… a little bit frustrating.

Transport from the airport can be done in two ways; either a bus then metro train or a taxi, we went with the later. At such a late time it seemed easier to get a taxi this time round even though i would normally always travel like the locals on public transport. The taxi rank had a stand where you could get a ticket with the accurate cost of your journey on so there was no chance of getting scammed which is common with many Budapest taxi services. The drive was only 30 minutes and took us through Pest and over the Chain Bridge to beautiful Buda where our fabulous apartment awaited.

View from Margaret Bridge

This was my first stay in an AirBnB apartment and I was pleasantly surprised, we had great views and were situated in the Castle Hill District very close to the well known Chain Bridge and Buda Castle (not really a castle anymore but a palace). From the apartment and view points on the Buda side such as the palace and Gellert Hill you could see the historic river Danube and several luxury river cruise ships, many of which i remembered learning about and promoting in my previous agency work.

Getting around

There were many ways to see the city including river boat trips, buses, bicycles, trams, metro trains, suburban trains (HEV) and of course by foot!

I tried several of these methods and found them all to be really easy, frequent and punctual. A single ticket is only 350 HUF which is roughly £1 and you can go as far as you want with this on one line on any of the on land transportation. After buying your ticket simply validate it in one of the station machines and then hop on board! Walking around the city is also an option as there are many pedestrian routes and squares to explore. Budapest is one of many European cities that offer free walking tours, these last between 2-3 hours and give you plenty of information on local culture and history, and tips for places to go during your stay.

History of Budapest

The history of Hungary and Budapest in particular is very interesting having been heavily involved in both WW1 & WW2 on the side of the Central & Axis Powers and having also had history with the Roman empire and the Turkish.

Parliament view

Parliament Budapest

Parliament

Buildings such as Parliament & the Royal Palace look stunning and are full of stories too. Parliament hold regular tours but they are extremely popular so it is wise to book ahead. There is also a memorial exhibition outside the building and underground which tells the story of one of the worse massacres in European history, which happened outside the capital building in 1956, known as Bloody Thursday.

This was during the Hungarian revolution where tensions had been boiling between the citizens of Hungary and the Soviet Union rule. During a peaceful protest that day 800 civilians were shot down. Details, footage and witness accounts of the day are present at the underground memorial. This is a very sad but interesting memorial which helps to really build a picture of the oppression that might have been felt throughout the city back then.

The Royal Palace sits within Buda Castle (now only bordering walls remain) on Castle Hill and is home to the Budapest National Gallery and History Museum. Within the walls you will also find the beautiful Matthius Church and Fisherman’s Bastion where you can get great views of the city whilst enjoying a lovely meal on the balcony. This is a very popular area and so getting there early in the day is best for avoiding queues.

Follow the signs and take an elevator and you will come to the Hospital in the Rock. This museum was used as a hospital in WW2 as well as later becoming a top secret nuclear bunker. The very informative tour in here will walk you up to 17 metres underground through rooms that would have been used then and talk you through the difficult conditions for patients and staff. It is very interesting and peculiar and I would definitely recommend this! It costs 4000 HUF (roughly £10) and tours last an hour.

This wasn’t the only thing in the rock! Further a long the Buda side you will find the Cave Church that was sealed with cement in the war to stop people from worshiping but later reopened again for the people. You can wonder around the church for a very good price at only 500 HUF (£1.35) and listen to the interesting history though the self guided audio tour. It is also a nice cool escape from the heat outside in the summer.

In general there are vast amounts of historical buildings to see in Budapest which is surprising when you see the photos of how the city was left following air raids and riots in the various conflicts. There are also many memorials around the city, several of which are still being contested today by many locals. Some of the most interesting include: Gellert Hill, Heroes Square and the Shoes on the Promenade.

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Budapest Gellert Hill

There are also several interesting religious buildings including churches, St Stephen’s Basilica and of course the Jewish Donahy Street Synagogue which centerpiece’s the Jewish quarter that exists today. The synagogue is also home to the striking Holocaust Memorial Park which holds memory to the 400,000 Hungarian Jews that were murdered by Nazis.

Matthias Church

Cave Church

Synagogue

Matthias Church

Matthias Church in distance

St Stephen’s Basilica

Whilst much focus is given in Budapest to the suffering and war over the past century, there is also a strong Roman history in the city and if you take the suburban (HEV) train a little out past the pretty Margaret Island you can visit Aquincum which is home to a large roman conservation area. We had a brilliant morning in this attraction which made you feel like you suddenly were in Rome! We got in for free as on the last Saturday of every month under 26 yr olds are free of charge but we would have been happy to pay for this place… The site had several remains including; Roman public and private baths, forum buildings, fountains, homes and shops. The site also has what they believe to be the painter’s house with a typical roman lifestyle set up, a cafe and a brilliant museum with interactive games.

Aquincum

FOOD!

Hungarian food was delicious and cheap, a great combination! We were fairly adventurous over the week and tried several stews and also the mysterious Langos which is Budapest’s favourite snack. I was a little on the fence with this snack as it was very strong on the grease factor! …But my friends and the rest of the city seemed to like it so perhaps it’s just me!

For my fellow traveller’s birthday we enjoyed a special lunch at the beautiful New York Cafe which was inspired by Italian renaissance and is a very classy place for a lunchtime meal. Also the prices aren’t too bad!

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New York Cafe

City of Spas

It is clear to see why Budapest is nicknamed the ‘City of Spas’. We visited two very different bath houses in Budapest and enjoyed the minerals and 40’c heat of the water, as well as some jacuzzi jets and luxury treatments. It was a very nice way to relax and soak our sore feet after days of walking around the city. We visited Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the most popular bath in the city in the evening when it was all lit up, and this was definitely much more of a family site with several outside pools, jets and a whirlpool.

In contrast we also spent an afternoon at Veli Bej Bath which is one of the oldest baths in the city, much smaller and much more relaxed. This traditional Turkish bath has waters rich in calcium, magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate, sulfate and sodium to help ease joint pain and post-injury healing. A deep back massage was the perfect way to end the holiday and the spa and treatments were extremely good value at only £10 for a massage! I felt they were really too low in price as the service was professional and quality…

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Veli Bej Bath

Overall, Budapest was definitely more than I was expecting… A vibrant culture, interesting history, great food and brilliant value, what more could you want! I would definitely visit again and next time I plan to try out more of the nightlife and work my way through more of the Hungarian cuisine.

Me in Budapest

Staying with AirBnB

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I had my first stay in an AirBnB apartment this summer in beautiful Budapest…

Whilst AirBnB had been mentioned to me before I was a little unsure of how well it would go, my mind pictured a dirty room where a strange host would come in whenever they like. BUT… when I actually took a good look I realised that there were some brilliant places to stay at very low prices!

Booking the apartment was simple and hassle free with plenty of information you just select your dates and request your stay. From that moment you can then talk directly with your host to get to know them and to make your travel arrangements.

My host was very helpful allowing us to arrive at 11pm and providing useful information and tips on where to go. I really enjoyed the freedom of having an apartment as well as you could come and go as you please, use a washing machine and not have to worry about when the maid is turning up! The best part was that our view was amazing and you wouldn’t get the same one in a hotel unless it was very expensive!

Our apartment slept four and was an absolute delight and a bargain at £360 for 4 nights.

My next AirBnB stay will be in… Brooklyn, New York and will be another bargain at £180 per night between 10 people making it a measly £90 for 5 nights. I can’t wait!

Exploring Northern Ireland

For years my partner and I have been thinking of visiting the well known Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland… this summer we went and it did not disappoint.

Deciding on Northern Ireland…

A few years ago my boyfriend and I visited Dublin for my birthday and found the Irish spirit something to be admired and enjoyed. Dublin had a variety of day time activities to enjoy, a great music scene and an interesting history. This visit inspired us to look into other areas of Ireland that looked intriguing and the Giant’s Causeway seemed like the best place to go next…

Exploring the coast

Ballygalley, Ballintoy & Knocknacarry are just some of the local village names that we passed whilst driving on the scenic Causeway coast of Northern Ireland… These small villages boast of a traditional and rural life with small castles and farmlands plotted throughout the area. Every turn on the coastal road to the Giant Causeway showed another beautiful piece of landscape until landing at the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Northern Ireland

Ballygalley castle

Ballygalley

A particular place that stood out to me as extra beautiful and a great place to visit on the coastal route was Carrick -a- Rede and its rickety rope bridge. Whilst there is a little uphill walking, the views are certainly worth it. You can see clear waters below the cliffs and flocks of birds overhead, we even saw a dolphin below whilst walking the path. At the end of the path you will come to the rope bridge which is an experience in itself being that it is a little scary! The bridge was only a few years ago just simply a bit of rope above a long drop but it is now much safer and has helpful National Trust workers on either side. To cross the bridge is only £6.

On reaching the Giant’s Causeway entrance there was a long walk to the mysterious rocky beach… but not to worry as there is also a bus service down for only £1. On first glance of the strange shore you do ask yourself how the rocks came to be there… Our guide told us the local story of how the beach came to be, the tale involves an actual giant falling in love and having to go against another giant from Scotland. Although the site may seem like a magical formation of some kind, science dictates that it was really a result of a volcanic eruption… I know which story I prefer though.

After climbing the pillars of rock you can wonder back to the top of the beach and enjoy a tasty meal at the local ‘Nook’ pub. This quaint Irish pub had a selection of delicious food & drink to enjoy including a gorgeous variety of sandwiches. I had goat’s cheese and caramelized onions – it was gorgeous!

Giant Causeway

Carrick -a- Rede

Giant Causeway

Carrick -a- Rede Rope Bridge

A Hollywood twist

Something that was nice to include in our tour of the coast was some of the many locations used in our favourite show ‘Game of Thrones’, much of the scenes in ‘The North of Westeros’ were shot in Northern Ireland and this is heavily promoted there. The locations used are unique, interesting and perfectly fitted to the scenes in the show. A particularly interesting location is ‘The Dark Hedges’ which was originally a manor driveway to which the family planted lines of beech trees too close together to create the overhanging look. This rare site was used for Ayra’s escape from King’s Landing.

We must also remember that Northern Ireland has also been the setting and inspiration for other great film and literature such as: The Fall, Boogaloo & Graham, Dracula Untold, Starred Up and even the epic Chronicles of Narnia.

Ballintoy Harbour – Seen in GoT as Theon Greyjoy’s home, the Iron Islands

Caves used in GoT for scene with birth of shadow demon

Ballintoy

Dark Hedges – seen in GoT when Ayra escapes Kings Landing

Staying in Belfast

During our time in Northern Ireland we stayed in the capital city of Belfast. It was clear throughout the trip that the city had some very interesting history and a very promising future. Belfast hosts four city quarters each with a unique character and story; Cathedral Quarter, Titanic Quarter, Queen’s Quarter, Gaeltacht Quarter and of course there is also the City Centre…

I was most impressed with the Titanic Quarter as it seemed that new life had been put into the Belfast dock area whilst still keeping the quarter’s proud history at the center. It was clear that this area had been subject to a lot of regeneration and was a great area for visitors to gather and learn about the city’s maritime highs and lows. Whilst much of the area is based around the Titanic which was built in Belfast, there is also the HMS Caroline, the world’s largest dry dock and even the Titanic Museum itself talks about many other topics.

The Cathedral Quarter was the site of our hotel and is known as a hot spot for bars and live music. Although we were somewhat disappointed with the amount of buildings empty during the busy summer period. After speaking with a local we were told that many businesses have been put off by the high rent in the quarter which is a shame because what was there was excellent. Both the Harp bar and the Dirty Onion were great bars and we enjoyed both traditional Irish and modern live music whilst there.

We didn’t have enough time to venture far into the Queen’s Quarter and Gaeltacht Quarter but what we did see was very interesting. The Queen’s Quarter is the student area and the University buildings are beautiful. This quarter is also home to the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens. The Gaeltacht Quarter is where you will find the international wall murals which depicts the community’s views on world events, this is also an area which is known for its strong Irish culture and practice of the Irish language. The Crumlin Gaol is worth a visit in this area, for less than £10 you can learn about the interesting history of a prison that only closed its doors 20 years ago. The penitentiary has an underground tunnel, a mysterious graveyard and a secret door… as well as a nice restaurant and gift shop!

In the hustle and bustle of the City Centre you will find a number of well known high street stores, some cafes and several pubs but one thing to definitely fit in is the City Hall. Visitors can enjoy a very professional guided tour of the historic City Hall completely free of charge and also access the Titanic Memorial Gardens on the site. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave a brilliant tour where we were even give the opportunity to sit in the council chamber seats and another very special chair… We didn’t think the tour could impress us anymore when finally at the end we were given a free guidebook too. Superb.

Finally it is worth making a mention to a little haven just on the outskirts of the city which is Belfast Castle and Cavehill Country Park. On joining the motorway from Belfast towards the coast we spotted the castle up in the hills and thought even then that it looked very grand, but up close it was even better. Plotted in Cavehill Country Park this is the perfect way to spend a morning away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Within the park you can walk three different trails we of course decided to go for the most strenuous; the Cavehill trail. This trail took us through marvelous views of the castle, the city of Belfast and even the Belfast Zoo where we spotted two bears! Not normally something you are happy to see on a walk outside!

Cavehill Country Park

Belfast Docks

Cavehill Country Park

Belfast City Hall

Belfast Crumlin Gaol

Crumlin Gaol

Harp Bar

Where next in the British Isles..?

The more I see of our beautiful homeland the more I want to see recently, especially with the fact that I have a few more mountains left to climb. I would love to go to Edinburgh next and visit the castle as well as hike Arthur’s Seat for those great views… Plus I can actual travel to Edinburgh from my local airport – big plus!

A Trip to Liverpool FC!

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So for Christmas I decided to finally give in and bought my partner a day at Liverpool Football Club to enjoy a tour of the stadium and entry to the mysterious Liverpool FC Museum (at least mysterious to me as I didn’t understand any of it). So… with only a few weeks left up North we decided to go last week and made a nice day of it in one of my favourite cities.

Journey to the Stadium…

As we make our way to Liverpool sitting on my seat on the yellow MerseyRail train I wonder what to expect from the tour… I am not a big footie fan, it all just seems a bit pointless to me… men running around with a ball trying to kick it in a goal. I also have no idea what the rules are about, the offside rule seems completely absurd to me and I just can’t get my head around it. My boyfriend loves Liverpool whilst my dad is a Crystal Palace fan so I tend to end up watching one or the other but not by choice.

I imagined that the stadium tour guide would mention a lot of big names in football that i had no idea who they were, and would probably make jokes with references i didn’t understand. I was however happily surprised by the reality of the tour…

The Tour (Steps Included)

The tour was led by an enthusiastic Liverpudlian who had been connected with the club for generations and had a great passion for Liverpool and all its history. He had some very interesting facts about the team, managers and stadium itself. He explained that the famous Kop stand was named after the Battle of Spion Kop which many British men fought back in 1900 and explained that it was one of the most famous stadium stands in the world because of the noise and passion created by the supporters in the stand. This was also the stand where thousands of fans would stand shoulder to shoulder passing others over head in determination to see the game.

We also wondered up several flights of stairs to see the inside of the expensive executive boxes and take some great snaps from the balconies. This wasn’t all, we were able to get extremely close to the pitch and wonder the stands which I think was a highlight for my guy as I managed to get some great snaps of him in his Liverpool FC attire. One of the other interesting highlights was that we got to see the upcoming new stand that is currently being built. I did look upon it and wonder how anyone will be able to see the game from so high up but apparently the view should be great!

The information given on the tour was quite remarkable and I had no idea how much history and talent was integrated into the game. It has given me more understanding of why the blokes in my life are so loyal to this very popular game. I would certainly say it was an easy to follow and very interesting tour.

The Museum

The Liverpool FC museum was a great display of memorabilia, imagery and information. The museum gave you a walk through the decades by the various parts that make the club; the team; the managers; and the supporters. I attempted to read all the information but it was a lot to take in and i found it much easier to ask my guy by pointing at stuff around the museum and saying “what’s that?!”

A new addition to the museum which i was especially interested in going for was the Steven Gerrard Collection. This is mainly because over the years he has been the only player i have recognised and I think its pretty interesting that he has just stayed with his hometown throughout. The collection was filled with his various personal keepsakes from his career including several shirts that he was given from different players at games including the likes of Suarez and Beckham. There were also medals, footballs and a few of his old uniforms. It was pretty nicely set up with a video of him talking about what the different things were and what they meant to him. A very good display I thought.

And the rest of this wonderful city…

In general I would say the tour is well worth it, even for those of us that struggle to understand the sport, and with it being less than two hours you may as well make a day of it and enjoy the rest of Liverpool with all it has to offer.

I’ve visited Liverpool a few times now but there are still new things to see each time. Liverpool One is of course the go to place for just some relaxation and retail therapy. It offers so many shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities that anyone can just spend hours there. Then there is the fabulous regenerated Albert Dock area where you can watch the ferries go by and even a cruise ship if you’re lucky! If you like to be enriched with history and art then you can also sample the Museums in the area for free! With a Maritime Museum, a Slavery Museum, a Tate Gallery, and not forgetting the new Liverpool Museum you will be spoilt for choice at the docks.

During this visit to Liverpool i decided to check out the Cavern Quarter; home of the Beatles. This small quirky area thrives on its connection to the world famous band and is filled with shops selling themed merchandise, music bars and of course the Cavern Club. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to stay for the evening entertainment but I imagine it to be spectacular. I hope to visit again soon and sample the nightlife in this wacky area.

In my opinion, Liverpool is one of the best cities the UK has to offer and it just seems to keep getting better.

Me at Royal Liver Building

Iceland and all its wonders…

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Iceland and all its wonders…

Considering a break with gorgeous natural typography, a unique culture and opportunities for exceptional relaxation by traditional methods. Take a trip to Iceland…

Iceland

I took a short break to Iceland last year and was blown away by the scenery, culture and relaxation factor. In this blog I will take you through the best things to do in Iceland and how to make the most of those few days away.

A break for 3-5 days can allow you to visit iconic sites such as the Blue Lagoon, the Hallgrímskirkja Church, and the amazing Gullfoss Waterfall. It is also not too difficult to get to with flights from Manchester going directly to Keflavik International Airport up to four times a week and lasting under 3 hours.

Once arrived in Keflavik, the journey to Reykjavik is under an hour by car/taxi or you can also get one of the many bus services into the city. This is best booked in advance to make sure you have a place on the transfer service.

There are several hotels in Reykjavik ranging from 2 – 5*. Reykjavik Residence Hotel is one of the most desirable however; the Best Western Reykjavik hotel remains to be one of our most popular choices with an ideal location close to the main shopping area, clean and comfortable rooms, and a tasty breakfast available.

Bed and breakfast is the most common option for board basis in Iceland which is all you really need in this destination as you will spend most of your time out exploring the amazing scenery and trying local delicacies which normally consist of seafood and traditional stews. Beware that you will struggle to find any proper cheese in this country; as much as I tried I could only get hold of some big slices of mozzarella.

Reykjavik itself is quite small for a capital city but has a great dining culture in terms of food and drink. Dinners are consumed quite early there and bear in mind that drinks can be very expensive, with a glass of vodka and lemonade equalling around £12. Some of the best sites in Reykjavik include the Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Saga Museum.

The church is a huge concrete fortress of perfect symmetry in the centre of the city and has a very modern exterior. The inside of the church is very simplistic with plain walls and clear windows moving away from the traditional stained glass windows, crafted sculptures and detailed tapestries. Although, this plain interior may seem dull at a first look, if you pull up a pew and sit for a few minutes it allows for much clearer thinking without the distraction of different idols and art pieces.

The Perlan Saga Museum is a great attraction to give you an overview of the country and also offers great views of the capital. Sitting on the outskirts of the centre it is easiest to get a bus to this attraction which is easy to purchase from the tourist information office. Alternatively, it can be reached on foot in under an hour from the city centre. The price for the museum is 2000 Krona per Adult. The exhibit shows Iceland’s history and heritage as a timeline of the country and includes models and displays to show the key players in the creation of Iceland and the building of the earliest settlements. Audio guides are also available which are helpful in piecing the displays together. The museum also has a brilliant viewing area to give you a great view of the capital unseen elsewhere, which you can enjoy with a light lunch or a few cakes from their lovely café.

Outside of the city, Iceland offers endless natural wonders to explore and enjoy. Among these attractions, the most popular remain to be whale watching, the northern lights and the golden circle.

If travelling to Iceland at the right time of the year you could see up to 20 species of whales as well as other majestic creatures such as the famous puffins. The most popular whales to see are Minke and Humpback whales but if you are lucky you might even see a Killer whale making its way through. Make sure you time this tour right though… these tours are weather dependent and can be postponed or cancelled if the environment at sea is unsafe.

Iceland is a great place to bundle in a night with the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon formally known as the Aurora Borealis can be hunted for by evening cruise or even a jeep ride off the beaten track. The best time to see this amazing light show is at the beginning of the year January through to March but again this can be weather dependant as a cloudy night will stop you from seeing the lights.

The Golden Circle is a must do tour when visiting Iceland for a weekend and runs regularly in a loop around South Iceland. This tour includes a visit to the Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir, and Pingvellir National Park.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The Gullfoss waterfall which means ‘Golden Falls’ is a spectacular sight with three plunges down to the river Hvita. This mass of water could easily compete with the Niagra Falls in magnitude and the experience on offer to tourists. The attraction has three levels of height that it can be viewed from with a long walkway bringing you down close to the final last drop in the fall. Get ready to get sprayed if you decide to wonder down this far though, as the power of the water hits the rocks below.

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Visiting Geysir you can again see water being thrown into the air. This hot spring bursts from the ground every 15 minutes; the boiling water can be thrown up to 70 metres high. Around this large geyser you will also find several other smaller hot springs and eruptions of steam. This site is almost like a strange minefield as you walk through with sudden bursts of water blowing up around you.

National Park

The Pingvellir National Park is a great place to stop and take in the scenery with the largest lake in Iceland among its surroundings and a beautiful landscape that is untouched by the modern world. Interestingly, you can also walk through the rift valley which is significant in geography as it is the continental rift between the North American and Eurasian plates and has formed an impressive canyon to explore.

On the way out of Reykjavik back towards the airport the final must do place in Iceland to visit is the iconic Blue Lagoon. This geothermal spa derives from a lava field and is rich with natural minerals and bright blue water. You can relax in this glorious oasis with a cocktail from the bar and also enjoy the silica facial solutions available among the rocks around the edge of the waters. This formula and additionally the warm mineral water are said to have rejuvenating, anti-ageing properties whether this is true it is hard to say but it is certainly a relaxing experience with the waters being steaming hot and refreshing.

Iceland

This is probably the most popular attraction in Iceland however which can make it very busy in peak season; this is something to be aware of when choosing which dates to go. There are also several different packages available at the Blue Lagoon, which can include your robe, slippers, a drink and potentially a meal. As well as all the free facial solutions and warm waters you can additionally book other treatments from this retreat including full body massages and full facials. I would certainly recommend this sanctuary to relax in for about half a day, and with regular bus services and storage areas for your luggage and other items it makes a great stop for your way in or out to the airport. This can however be an expensive retreat if not planned carefully, there are a lot of added extras to pay for on arrival if not paid for as part of a package and not planned in advance. Booking in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment, as this is such a popular attraction.

This blog has only covered the basics of what Iceland can offer holidaymakers, there is much more to see from great glaciers, to Icelandic horses. There are also many different ways to see this amazing country from short city break to escorted tour.