Prague (Praha) the capital city of the Czech Republic is now in my top 5 European cities. The Czech Republic many consider to be in Eastern Europe but it is actually in Central Europe. The currency used is the Czech Koruna (CZK) and £1 (GBP) equates to approximately 34CZK. One quirky fact is that the Czechs are the biggest beer consumers in the world, and not surprising beer is very cheap in the country and even cheaper than water.
Wenceslas Cathedral
This is an amazing Medieval Cathedral that dominates the Prague skyline, the Cathedral sits atop a hill and proudly overlooks the city with its very mythical and folky vibe. There are long queues to get inside so if you want to visit get there early. I didn’t go in I just walked around the building taking in its magnificence.
The Old Town Hall, Pražský orloj (Prague astronomical clock)
There are many things that catch your eye as you enter the Old Town Square, however none more so than the Pražský orloj (Prague astronomical clock) this is a beautiful clock created by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Mindel and was installed in 1410 on the Old Town Hall, making it one of the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world. There is a little show that is played on the hour and there is always a crowd gathered to hear the tune and watch the little skeleton take centre stage in ringing its bell. If you are going to visit the square, it is worthwhile to see a great piece of art, science and maths in action.
Prague Astronomical Clock, Czech RepublicOld Town Hall, Prague, Czech RepublicOld Town Hall, Prague, Czech RepublicOld Town Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
The Old Town Hall Tower
The Old Town Hall Tower, is one of the most striking buildings in Prague and for a small fee of 120CZK (approx £3.50), visitors can climb or ride to the top to experience terrific views over the Old Town Square and the rest of the Old Town. I chose to use the elevator up but walked down. There is some historical information on Prague and the Town hall and it is fascinating to see how Prague, the Old Town Square and beyond has changed through the times.
View Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech RepublicView Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech RepublicView Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech RepublicInside the Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech Republic
Charles Bridge
This is a stunning bridge with a fascinating history and it is home to various monuments with fanatical folk tales attached. The bridge is an interesting place to visit to people watch, listen to buskers and even buy some wares or souvenirs.
Charles Bridge Tower, Prague, Czech RepublicCharles Bridge, Prague, Czech RepublicView from Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech RepublicMe on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
John Lennon Pub and Lennon Wall
After the fall of communism there was an influx of western music and media to the Czech Republic. The Beatles music appears to have struck a cord with the Czech people who had lived with their freedom suppressed for such a long time, the Beatles lyrics on love, peace and freedom was new and refreshing. So inspired one anonymous person graffitied a wall with the word ‘Imagine’, then someone else came along and wrote some lyrics and from there it just grew and grew, of course the local authority saw this as an eyesore and painted over the graffiti but this did not stop people from doing it all over again, and I am glad they did, because not only is it a big tourist pull now but you can also feel the sense of love and freedom and desires etched, written and deposited on the wall.
John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech RepublicMe at the John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech Republic
The wall is only a few yards away from the John Lennon Pub where I had an amazing Mushroom Risotto. The Pub is dedicated to the Beatles and is decorated like a British Pub. The bathrooms I found to be confusing because the doors look like the old phone booths. The Czech clearly love The Beatles, however the Beatles never did visit the Czech Republic but their influence did.
John Lennon Pub, Prague, Czech RepublicInside the John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech RepublicJohn Lennon Pub, Prague, Czech Republic
Prague at Night
The City at night is truly spectacular, the views of Wenceslas Castle from Charles Bridge as the light glistens on the River Vltava makes a beautiful scene. There is also the Old Town Hall, the Church of our Lady and Prague Opera House.
The Charles Bridge at night, Prague, Czech RepublicSt Nicola’s Church, Prague at Night, Czech RepublicPrague Opera House at Night, Czech RepublicLight at Prague Opera House at Night, Czech RepublicPrague at Night, Czech RepublicPrague at Night, Czech RepublicChurch of Our Lady before Týn, Prague at Night, Czech RepublicChurch of Our Lady before Týn, Prague at Night, Czech RepublicOld Town Square, Prague at Night, Czech RepublicOld Town Square, Prague at Night, Czech RepublicI Love Prague, Czech Republic
My Review of the City
I am in love with Prague, it is an amazing city with a great history and culture, it is very affordable to eat, drink and do various activities. I had a great time in the city and I would like to return to explore some more. Prague is an all round great destination for anyone who wants to experience a central European city with a folky and mythical vibe.
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Belfast was the second leg of my trip to Ireland. I was really excited to go to Belfast as it is a city with a complicated history and I wanted to learn more about ‘The Troubles’ and how the city overcame them to be a city on the rise. Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom, the currency used is the GBP (£).
Cost of my trip
I caught a coach from Dublin to Belfast and it took approximately 2hrs 30mins at a cost of €17. Accommodation cost £45 for 3 nights and my return flight back to London cost £35.
Where I stayed
Global Village Hostel
The hostel was located in the university district of Belfast. The hostel is not centrally located but it is very easy to get to the centre with a local bus or it is a 20-30mins walk dependent on your speed. The hostel was very cool, clean and the staff really made you feel welcome. There is a real community spirit encouraged by the staff at the hostel and for £15 a night it was great value for money.
Global Village Hostel, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)Inside Global Village, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)
What I did
Ulster Museum
To learn about Belfast and Northern Ireland’s history the museum is a great place to start. The exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ is laid out in chronological order and it offers a great sense of what happened. Aside from the exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ there are other exhibition and collection on display and they are the most eclectic collection and display I have ever seen. Nevertheless it is still a great museum and there is no entrance fee.
Belfast Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is also home to Ulster Museum so you can visit both attractions on the same day. The beautiful domed conservatory is not very large but it is very interesting and a worthwhile visit, there is no entrance fee to the conservatory.
Christmas Market
A Christmas market was held on the grounds of the grand Belfast City Hall, an iconic building in its own right brought to life by the dazzling lights and various booths and stalls selling everything to make the festive period extra special.
Giant’s Causeway Tour
The Giant’s Causeway is an all day trip for £25, the trip includes a trip to Carrickfergus Castle, a walk along the legendary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and culminates at the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway. The drive to the various attractions goes along the gorgeous Antrim coast, offering beautiful and unspoilt views.
Carrickfergus Castle
The stop at the castle was very brief and we weren’t able to go inside but the views were worthwhile.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Walking on the bridge is not guaranteed as on days with high winds the bridge is closed, so I was very lucky the bridge was opened. There is a short and easy 1 kilometre hike from the car park to the place where you access the bridge, there is a small fee of £5 to cross the bridge. The views were really amazing and crossing the bridge was one of the best experiences of my life it was scary but exhilarating.
Carrick-a-Rede, Northern IrelandCarrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern IrelandMe at Carrick-a-Rede, Northern IrelandView from Carrick-a-Rede, Northern IrelandView from Carrick-a-Rede, Northern IrelandWalking on Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland
Giant’s Causeway
An amazing wonder of nature, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a national nature reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, the Giant’s Causeway was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It was a truly unique sight and well worth the visit, I would like to visit again during summer time.
The Giant’s Causeway, Northern IrelandThe Giant’s Causeway, Northern IrelandThe Giant’s Causeway, Northern IrelandThe Giant’s Causeway, Northern IrelandThe Giant’s Causeway, Northern IrelandMe at The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Other sights and things of Belfast
View from Victoria Shopping Centre Viewing Platform, Belfast, Northern IrelandQueen’s University Hospital, Belfast, Northern IrelandQueen’s University at night, Belfast, Northern IrelandBelfast Dock, Northern IrelandQueen’s Bridge, Belfast, Northern IrelandPart of Belfaast Town Hall, Northern IrelandThe Crown, Belfast, Northern IrelandBeacon of Hope, Belfast, Northern IrelandElmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern IrelandThe Albert Clock Tower, Belfast, Northern Ireland
My Review of the City
Belfast is a city that is relatively new as a tourist destination but it is well worth a visit, I recommend going there before it becomes too commercial and things become very expensive. Going out eating, drinking and all the activities I did were very reasonably priced, I am sure this will change once the tourism industry becomes well and truly established. I had a good time in the Belfast even though there isn’t much to do in the city but when coupled with a trip to Dublin like I did, you will be bound to have a fun filled trip.
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I went to Scotland mainly to visit Edinburgh and experience the Fringe Festival. But as Glasgow was only 1 hour away by train and approx £12 for a return ticket i decided to visit the city on my first day in Scotland for some sight seeing.
What I did
Glasgow Cathedral
It is free to go into the Cathedral and it is well worth the visit. A small Cathedral but it has a special feel and magic to it.
St George’s Square and Glasgow City Chambers
St George’s square is a great place to sit, think and people watch and the Glasgow City Chambers make a great backdrop for the beautiful square.
George Square and Glasgow city Chambers, ScotlandGlasgow City Chambers, Scotland
Glasgow Botanic Garden and Doulton Fountain
Glasgow Botanic Garden and Doulton Fountain are both in the same area of the city. Entrance to the amazing gardens is free and the Dolton Fountain in the target terracotta fountain in the world, both are indeed worth a visit.
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and Other sights of Glasgow As I walked the city I came across many beautiful buildings and sights.
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, ScotlandCylesdale Bank Headquaters in Glasgow, ScotlandGlasgow, ScotlandArgyll Arcade, Glasgow, ScotlandGlasgow, Scotland
Review of Glasgow
Glasgow has a rather unpleasant reputation however I found the city to be charming and full of surprises. I may not take a trip to Glasgow in the future but if I am in close proximity to the city, I will definitely visit the again.
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Santiago de Cuba is only 16 hours away from Havana via Viazul (the Cuban intercity coach service) however it felt like a world away from Havana. The cost of the Viazul from Havana to Santiago de Cuba was CUC51. You will need ID to book your ticket so make sure you take it with you, also the route from Havana to Santiago is very popular so it is advisable to book 24hours in advance.
Havana is where my trip began in Cuba and you can read about it in my previous via this link. We stayed 3 days and 2 nights in Santiago de Cuba.
The city was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and it was still recovering from the aftermath, with many buildings destroyed and in disrepair. This is one of the reasons I believe the Cubans we met in Santiago De Cuba were a little more aggressive in selling you their wares or services. The worst offenders were the taxi drivers who were very persistent adopting a hard sell and stalk sales pitch.
Apart from those selling service or wares there are also young people who go around trying to befriend foreigners in the hopes of a tip or a hookup. We unfortunately encountered one such young man within 10mins of leaving our Casa particular on the first day in the city and it took 2 hours to get rid of him.
The Weather
The temperature in Havana was a manageable 27 degrees for a British person like me, Santiago de Cuba on the other hand was HOT, the first day was a sweltering 37 degrees at the highest point
Where I stayed
Hostal Atardecer
This wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad either, the lady in charge of the Casa (Yulia), was very lovely and made us feel very warm and comfortable. The breakfast was good and Yulia did her best to give us tips on things to do in the city. We paid CUC74 for 2 people for 2 nights and this included 3 lots of breakfast.
Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, CubaHostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, CubaHostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
What I did
Balcón de Velázquez
This is a balcony overlooking the city facing seawards. It is great place to hide from the hot afternoon sun. It is literally just a balcony with a small shop selling souvenirs, therefore I suggest taking a packed lunch and some snacks along with you in case you want to spend some time there. Entrance is free but if you want to take pictures it is CUC1.
Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaBalcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView from Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaBalcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView from Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Casa de Diego Velazquez
The museum is the oldest building in Cuba and it is very well-kept. This museum is home to some of the best antiques I have seen anywhere. The French, Italian, Dutch and mostly Spanish influence are clear and evident. The only annoyances were the museum attendants that persisted in taking you around the museum so that you would tip them. However do not let that put you off the museum is too beautiful to pass by, I cant recall the exact entrance fee but I know it is less that CUC5.
Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaInside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaInside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, CubaCourtyard of Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro
We organised a short excursion with Cuba Tour to Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro, the tour costs CUC18 per person and included the hire of a classic car to the attractions and back to the city centre.
On the way to Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, CubaMe in the classic car on the way to Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
The first stop was to Basilica del Cobre a beautiful red dome Cathedral some 18 km north from the centre of Santiago de Cuba. The drive to Cathedral was so lovely that the hot afternoon sun became a distant memory as the wind lapped against our faces as we drove along. The cathedral is truly magnificent, it sits atop a hill overlooking the town below like a guardian. We were very lucky that at the time we went it was quiet and peaceful, which allowed us to really take in the views and feel reverence for the place. The drive to and the Cathedral itself was well worth the price of the excursion.
Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView from Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, CubaInside Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
After the cathedral we drove to Castillo del Morro, a fort some 8 km south of the centre of Santiago de Cuba. Leading up to the fort were stall selling souvenirs, trinkets and such like there is also a restaurant and a bar. It was very calming being in the fort looking over the water and feeling the cool sea breeze. Like with many historical buildings in Cuba the fort is very well-kept. Entrance fee to the fort cost CUC4.
Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, CubaCastillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Museo del Carnaval
It was interesting to go to this museum to see the history of the carnival in Santiago de Cuba and to see costumes used in past parades. The city holds an annual carnival festival every July. It was free to go inside the museum but to take pictures was CUC3 and an attendant followed you around to make sure you didn’t take any pictures, don’t mind this as the museum is still worth a visit.
Museo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, CubaMuseo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Jardin de los Helechos
It was worthwhile going to the mini rain forest on the outskirts of the city. The garden started out as a hobby by the owner Manuel G.Caluff in 1976 and has grown through love and care into one of Santiago’s most famous attractions. Entrance to the garden is only CUC3.
Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, CubaJardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, CubaJardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, CubaJardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, CubaFrog in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, CubaMe in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Truck taxi
To get to the Jardin de los Helados we decided to travel like the locals. Unfortunately we couldn’t figure out which local bus to take, although it was very likely that we wouldn’t have been let on board anyway. However we did manage to get on truck taxis to take us there and back. We later found out that foreigner are normally also not allowed on the truck taxis. Lucky for us though we had two separate guys who didn’t mind foreigners. We did pay over the odds for our fare but for us it was still way cheaper than taking a tourist taxi. We paid CUC5 (CUC2.5 each) there and CUC2 (CUC1 each) back, the first guy certainly ripped us off.
Me in the Truck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, CubaTruck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Paseo La palcita Show at Parque Céspedes
Parque Cespedes is the main square at the centre of the city and we happened to come across some people setting up for the closing ceremony of Paseo La Placita. The festival is held every year as a closing ceremony for summer. The show was amazing with salsa dancers, Afro-Cubano song and dance and other forms of entertainment.
Paseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, CubaPaseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, CubaPaseo la Placita Afro- Cubano performance, Santiago de Cuba, CubaPaseo la Placita Salsa Dancers, Santiago de Cuba, CubaPaseo la Placita young performers, Santiago de Cuba, CubaPaseo la Placita musicians, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Walking around
We walked around and explored the city, aimlessly wandering was a great way to discover the city’s unique and quirky character.
Classic car on the street of Santiago de Cuba, CubaScalinata di Padre Pico, Santiago de Cuba, CubaMural of Virgen de Regla at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, CubaBoat at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Food and Drink
Breakfast
We paid an additional CUC5 each morning to have breakfast at the Casa and it was worth it. Cuban breakfast is the best.
Casa Micaela
Casa Micaela was one of the best restaurants we ate at, in Cuba, I say this because it served wholesome food for a very reasonable price and not surprising it has a good rating on Tripadvisor and it is recommended in most travel books. We ate there every night we stayed in Santiago de Cuba. A meal with a drink was about CUC8.
Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, CubaMeal at Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
El Baturro
El Baturro is a cool bar and I had the best Mojito I tried a Mojito in Cuba. The atmosphere was chilled and nice.
El Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, CubaEl Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Hotel Casa Granda
We avoided this Hotel’s bar because it looked too plush and also we felt we would be surrounded by tourists only. However we went there and it was very nice, we sat on the balcony overlooking Parque Cespedes, a great place for people watching and the drinks were not much more expensive than the local bars.
Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView of Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncio from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, CubaView of Parque Cespedes from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Review of Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba although not as beautiful or bustling as Havana has its own charm, I am sure it was even better before Hurricane Sandy came along. Nevertheless it is still worth the visit with many things to do mostly around the city, I would recommend hiring a car so that you can get around easily. If I ever go back to Cuba I will return to this city.
So what next
Next stop is Sancti Spiritus in the middle of the island.
Do you want to find out what we did in Sancti Spiritus and how it compared to Santiago de Cuba and Havana? Then follow my blog to find out more and you will be notified as I upload more posts.
I visited Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland in December 2014, it was part of a mini tour of Europe through Topdeck. The overall trip lasted 12 days and we visited 6 countries, 2 of which we used in visiting Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss Alps.
The weather
The trip took place in December therefore it was very cold. I need all the layers I could physically wear.
Where I stayed
I stayed in Schutzenbach Camping & Backpackers, it was so cool, quaint and surrounded by mountains. The cabins were basic with only bunk beds in them. The bathroom facilities were in another building two floors up, however the beautiful surroundings compensated for this and the cold morning air was a nice wake up call.
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfrau Experience at €150 is expensive but it is very worthwhile, it takes two hours to reach the top of Jungfraujoch, which is the official top of Europe. The views are breathtaking, the scenery idyllic and it will have you wanting to build your own Olaf whilst singing ‘Let it go’.
Once you reach the mountain there are several shops and restaurants to keep you occupied, my favourite shop was the Lindor chocolate shop naturally.
Jungfrau train, SwitzerlandJungfrau Top of Europe, SwitzerlandView from Jungfrau, SwitzerlandLooking out onto Jungfrau, SwitzerlandIce sculptures, Jungfrau SwitzerlandIce tunnel, Jungfrau SwitzerlandOn Jungfrau, SwitzerlandMe on Jungfrau, SwitzerlandMe on Jungfrau, SwitzerlandView from Jungfrau train, Switzerland
Klein Scheidegg
On the way up to Jungfrau is the town of Klein Scheidegg. On the return journey back to Lauternbrunnen I and some friends stopped in the town to have lunch and look around. We found a nice restaurant to eat lunch and a teepee tent to have a warming glass of hot wine.
Klein Scheidegg, SwitzerlandDrinking hot wine with friends in a teepee tent, Klein Scheidegg SwitzerlandHot wine at a teepee tent in Klein Scheidegg, Switzerland
Horner Pub
We went for several drinks at the Horner pub, it appears to be the main pub in Lauterbrunnen as the pub got rather busy for the little village. The locals were friendly and did not mind the invasion of young tourists. The bar lady was very lovely and beer was reasonably priced.
Horner Pub, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
What I ate
I tried a fondu which was really good, however the cheese was a little stronger than I am used to.
I also had a decent meal at the Restaurant Eigernordwand in Klein Scheidegg.
As previously mentioned, there is Lindor shop at the top of the mountain, the selection is extensive and the price for the chocolates is much cheaper there. I bought and ate loads of the delicious chocolate.
Lindor shop, Jungfrau, Switzerland
In and around Lauterbrunnen
The following pictures were taken in Lauterbrunnen or on the way to Jungfrau or leaving Lauterbrunnen.
Swiss house, Lauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandSnowey Mountain, SwitzerlandSnow, SwitzerlandView of a valley in SwitzerlandView of Lauterbrunnen from train, SwitzerlandLauterbrunnen, Switzerland
My Ratings of Lauterbrunnen
My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.
People/Friendliness = 8/10
The locals were rather friendly and welcoming considering we had invaded the little town. Some of the locals even came and had drinks in the bar at the Schutzenbach Camping & Backpackers.
Attractiveness = 9/10
Lauterbrunnen is one of the most beautiful place I have been to, the scenery really is picture perfect like a postcard or a painting, there was something magical and fairytale like about the place.
Food = 6/10
The Swiss food i tried was decent but Swiss chocolate is much better it is sublime.
Affordability = 5/10
Switzerland is expensive, it is a rich country and this is reflected in the prices of things.
Vibe = 8/10
Being in the mountains in December the vibe was magical and festive.
Overall = 7.5/10
I truly enjoyed my visit to Lauterbrunnen, you should definitely consider it as a bucket list destination, being on the top of Europe is an experience I will forever cherish. I cannot imagine visiting Lauternbrunnen in any other season but winter. The fluffy white snow made everything so magical.
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I went to Venice in December 2014 as part of a mini tour of Europe thorough Topdeck.
The weather
For December the weather was pretty mild, it was chilly but dry.
Where i stayed
I stayed in a the fantastic Hotel Ambaciatori which is just just 10mins away by bus from the centre of Venice.
What i did
St Marks Basilica
The Cathedral is truly amazing with its ornate features on exterior and interior of the building. The Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic and famous landmarks. The pictures I took do not do it justice as the day was very cloudy and grey.
St Marks Basilica, VeniceSt Marks Basilica, VeniceMe at St Marks Basilica, Venice
Gondola ride
A trip to Venice is not complete without a ride on a Gondola down the famous canals. A Gondola ride can be expensive as prices start from €80 for 40mins and can go up to €100. Luckily as I was part of a tour group I only paid €25 for a 30mins ride.
Gondolas on The Grand Canal, VeniceGondolas on a Canal, VeniceGondolas on a Canal, VeniceMe on the Gondola, Venice
Lace making demonstration
I watched a lace making demonstration at a Burano lace school, they still make lace in the traditional ways. Whilst I wasn’t so interested in the lace making, I loved the building and architecture.
Inside the Burano lace school, VeniceCeiling and lights at a Burano lace school, Venice
Il Genio di Leonardo da Vinci Museo, Venice
This was a fascinating museum showcasing some of Da Vinci’s work. It is well worth the visit to see some of the machine and works by one of the greatest artist and inventor that ever lived.
Il Genio di Leonardo da Vinci Museo, Venice
Walking around
I just loafed around with my friends enjoying the sights and sounds of Venice. It is very easy to get lost in the City but it is also easy to find a central point to help point you in the right direction.
A Building, VeniceRialto Bridge, VeniceSantas on Gondola parade,VeniceSantas on Gondola parade,VeniceVenetian masks, VeniceMe trying on a Venetian mask, VeniceVenice StreetVenice StreetVenice Bridge
BEFeD Brew Pub
BEFed is an amazing pub, I went there for a night out with friends and we had such a good time. There was no pretentiousness, the beer was ridiculously cheap at €12 for a jug of beer and you get free monkey nuts. The shells of the monkey nuts end up all over the floors and make for a great slip resistance.
However the female toilets were rather peculiar, see the picture in the bottom right had corner below.
BEFed Brew Bar, Venice
My Ratings of Venice
My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.
Culture = 7/10
Venice is a rather small city, nevertheless it has loads to offer with museums, St Marks Basilica and gondola rides to keep you occupied.
People/Friendliness = 7/10
The Italian people I came across were rather pleasant, they were friendly and welcoming.
Attractiveness = 6.5/10
Venice is not as attractive as I thought it would be, perhaps my view is coloured by the fact that when I went, the weather was rather grey and dull and it made the city feel a little drab.
Food = 7/10
I ate at a local restaurant, I particularly liked the seafood risotto I had.
Affordability = 7/10
Venice is pretty affordable in my opinion. Everything was reasonably priced.
Vibe = 7/10
Venice had a nice historical vibe, it felt like a city I knew because of books and films. The narrow canals, bridges and streets make for a very throw back in time feel.
Overall = 7/10
I truly enjoyed my visits to Amsterdam and I would definitely be going back to visit. The say that a people make the place and the Dutch people certainly made both my trips to Amsterdam very memorable and special.
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I went to Oslo, Norway in March 2015, it was my second Northern European country to visit and my second trip to Scandinavia.
How long I stayed
I stayed 3 days and 2 nights, I arrived Friday afternoon and left on Sunday afternoon.
The weather
It was March and the weather was as still very cold, it wasn’t more than 4 degrees and the Saturday was overcast making it feel even cooler.
The cost of trip
A return flight from London Stanstead to Oslo Rygge cost £40 return, it would have been £20 but that is a story for another day. 3 days and 2 nights stay at the hostel cost £53, so in all flights and accommodation cost £93.
Where I stayed
I stayed at the Oslo Hostel Central, the hostel was in a good location, being 5 mins walk to Akershus Fortress and Oslo Harbour and 10mins walk from the Oslo central station and Oslo Opera and Ballet House. The hostel was clean and the staff friendly.
Oslo Hostel Central
What I did
Oslo Cathedral/ Oslo Domkirke
I was privy to watch a youth choir rehearsing for a show, they sounded amazing and truly angelic. Oslo Cathedral/ Oslo Domkirke is gorgeous and I loved the internal decor.
Oslo Catherdral/ Oslo DomkirkeOslo Catherdral/ Oslo DomkirkeInside Oslo Catherdral/ Oslo DomkirkeInside Oslo Catherdral/ Oslo Domkirke
Oslo Ballet and Opera House
I felt like a child at a candy store, I loved that Oslo Ballet and Opera House felt like one giant piece of interactive sculpture. You can walk up the sides onto the roof, the roof has different levels, falls and surface textures to play with. I went there twice, once during the day and the second was at night the view of Oslo were amazing and I got some amazing pictures of the city and of my shadow against the building.
Oslo Opera and Ballet HouseOslo Opera and Ballet HouseOslo Opera and Ballet HouseOslo Opera and Ballet HouseView from Oslo Opera and Ballet House at NightView from Oslo Opera and Ballet House at NightView from Oslo Opera and Ballet House at NightMy shadow on Oslo Opera and Ballet HouseMy shadow on Oslo Opera and Ballet House
Akershus Fortress Akershus Fortress sits overlooking Oslo harbour. Akershus Fortress was the first place I went to when I arrived in Oslo, it was a happy accident as I had thought I was going to Old Aker Church but I had misread the map and ended up at the fortress. I visited during early evening, it was quiet and peaceful, a very good place to unwind, I felt serene watching the sun set over Oslo harbour. Entrance is free to the fortress and guided tours can be organised.
Akershus Fortress from Oslo HarbourAkerhus Fortress, OsloAkershus Fortress, OsloAkerhus Fortress, OsloAkershus Fortress Castle, OsloSide of Akershus Castle, Oslo
Old Aker Church Old Aker Church is the oldest building in Oslo and was built in the 1100s. A quaint little church that sits high up, the views from the grounds over Oslo are pretty amazing. It is very peaceful, spiritual and a good place to sit and reflect. There are graves on the grounds but I didn’t mind them and I spent an hour there.
I walked from the hostel to the church, the hostel was central located and it took about 30mins to walk there and the same back.
Old Aker Church, OsloBack of Old Aker Church, OsloView from Old Aker Church, OsloView from Old Aker Church, OsloView from Old Aker Church, Oslo
Astrup Fearnley Museet Astrup Fearnley Museet is one swish gallery, beautifully situated on Oslo bay the modern architecture sits in and compliments the bay area very well.
There is a cafe in the gallery that over looks the harbour, I recommend having lunch there, although it is a little pricey.
Astrup Fearnley Museet, OsloEyes by Louise Bourgeois in the Astrup Fearnley garden, OsloSpalt by the late Franz West on Astrup Fearnley Gardens, OlsoSnow white and the seven dwarfs, Astrup Fearnley garden, Oslo
Museum of Contemporay Arts/Museet for Samtidskunst
No entrance fee is payable to get into The Museum of Contemporay Arts/Museet for Samtidskunst. The main reason I went to the museum was to see the works by Louise Bourgeois. It was worth the visit as there were other contemporary artist such as Karl Holmquist who I discovered.
Louise Bourgeois’s Cell VIII, Museet for Samtidskunst, OsloLouise Bourgeois’s Quarantania, Museet for Samtidskunst, OsloLouise’s Bourgeois, Fee Couterie, Museet for Samtidskunst, OsloInstallation, Museet for Samtidskunst, OsloKarl Holmquist, Museet for Samtidskunst, OsloKarl Holmquist, Museet for Samtidskunst, Oslo
The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset is very clean lines and no drama, you are treated to great views of central Oslo from the palace. The best time to visit is around 1.30pm as the changing of the guards takes place at this time daily.
The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset, OsloView from The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset, OsloView from The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset, OsloMe at The Royal Palace/ Kongehuset, Oslo
Just walking around
I walked everywhere in Oslo and I came across many things that made me stop and take a picture.
Colourfully painted houses, OsloColourfully painted houses, OsloOslo street with colourful housesNobel Peace Centre, OsloStreet monument, OsloSt Olavs Cathedral, OsloTrinity Church, OsloTrinity Church, OsloOslo HarbourOslo Harbour
What I ate
Norway is expensive for eating out generally but you can also find inexpensive good quality food. It was recommended that I try whale meat, however I couldn’t bring myself to try it.
My booking at the hostel included breakfast which was served buffet style. The breakfast was very good with a variety to choose from. Cheekily, as I knew food is expensive in Oslo and as I was on a budget, I made packed lunches at breakfast.
As with Stockholm (read my post on Stockholm) I found a good Sushi and Thai restaurant where I ate most of my dinners. The sushi selection and pad Thai were delicious.
Sushi and Thaimat, Oslo
Pastel De Nata
The coffee shop across the road from my hostel did a good deal on coffee and cake for £4 The coffee was good and the cake even better.
Pastel De Nata, Oslo
My Ratings on Oslo
Culture =7/10
Oslo was an interesting city, I loved the museum and galleries, there is also The City hall and The Nobel Peace centre to explore.
People/friendliness = 5/10
The people in Oslo were even less friendlier than in Stockholm. Perhaps the northern chill gets into their bones.
Attractiveness 6.5/10
Unfortunately for Oslo I went to Stockholm first and so I was forever comparing the two cities. I found Stockholm to be the more photogenic of the Scandinavian siblings. Nevertheless it is not to say that Oslo is not a beautiful place it is, but her sister just got more of the looks.
Food =7/10
My motto is good grub is good grub. I didn’t eat any traditional Norwegian meal but the food I had tasted good.
Affordability = 4.5/10
Compared to London my home city, Oslo is expensive but with careful planning you can have a relatively inexpensive trip like I did.
Vibe =6.5/10
Oslo has a vibe of pride, the Norwegians love their country/city and their country/city loves them back. It also has a chilled vibe which is good for a main city.
Overall = 7/10
Oslo was an interesting place to visit, I loved Akershus Fortress, Old Aker Church and playing on the Oslo Opera and Ballet house. It was a good experience and served to quell part of my desire to visit Northern European countries. At present I have no desire to return but I am grateful I have been.
If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
I went to Stockholm Sweden in February 2015. Sweden was the first Northern European and Scandinavian country I visited.
How long I stayed
I stayed for 4 days and 3 nights, I arrived on a Friday afternoon and left Monday afternoon.
Cost of Trip
My flight from London Stanstead to Stockholm Skavsta cost £32.35 return. I then paid approximately £22 for a return coach using the Flygbusssarna service to get from Skavsta to Stockholm City centre. The cost for a 3 days and 4 nights stay at a hostel cost £44, so in all I paid £98.35 for my flight and accommodation.
The weather
February was very cold whilst I was there the weather was no more than 4 degrees but it was sunny and dry so it was pleasant to walk about. I wore my thickest coat, I need a hat, gloves and two pairs of socks. Sweden is cold during winter, very cold.
View from airplane Skavsta airport
How I got around
Even though it was winter and snow was everywhere, I walked all over the place mostly. I enjoy walking as it is a good way to find new places and things that may otherwise be missed. I did also take the metro and local bus which was relatively cheap. For £6 you could buy a pass that allowed you 4 single journeys on the buses, tram and metro.
Where I stayed
I stayed at the City Backpackers Hostel, this hostel was very good, it was clean and the amenity spaces were fantastic. The hostel is centrally located and situated at the end of Drottninggatan (Queen Street), the longest shopping street in Stockholm.
There is one quirky rule in the hostel; no outside shoes can be worn past the reception areas, but it is really safe to leave your shoes in lobby area or simply take of your shoes and carry them to your room.
Lest I forget there is also a sauna in the hostel that is free to use, so I recommend you pack swimwear if you are going to stay here. After a long day walking in the cold it was very nice to unwind in the sauna.
City Backpackers Hostel Stockholm
What I did
Stockholm Walking Tour
I went on three city walking tours, with the Free Tour Stockholmgroup. They offer three tours a day on specified days of the week. No booking is required and no fee is paid, just turn up and walk and listen to the tour guides. At the end of the tour, there is an opportunity to give a tip. The tour lasts between 1.5 hours to 2 hours dependant on which tour you go on. I really enjoyed the tours and found them a great way to learn about Stockholm.
Free Tour Stockholm
Stockholm Moderna Museet/ Museum of Modern Art Moderna Museet/Museum of Modern Artholds modern and contemporary art, it is located on the island of Skeppsholmen in central Stockholm. The Entrance fee to the museum was £9.50. I saw pieces by artist such as Michael Elmgreen, Louise Bourgeois, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder.
Without a doubt my favourite piece was Louise Bourgeois’s spider, that took pride and place at the main entrance. I spent nearly 4 hours in this museum, it is not a large museum but it is filled with amazing pieces of art that require time to be studied.
Alexander Calder – The four elementsLouise Bourgeois – SpiderArt in Moderna MuseetArt in Moderna MuseetRobert Rauschenberg – MonogramAndy Warhol – Moderna Museet
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts/Konstakademien The Royal Academy of Fine Arts or Konstakademien, is in central Stockholm and is located in the former Sparreska palace. Entrance to the museum costs £8. It is well worth the visit, especially if you like sculptures.
Statue in KonstakademienStatue in KonstakademienStatue in Konstakademien
The Kaknas Tower/Kaknastornet
The Kaknas Tower/Kaknastornetis the hub of all TV and radio transmission in Sweden. The 155-metre tower offers fantastic views of Stockholm and the city’s surroundings. There is a viewing gallery, café, restaurant, sky bar and a gift shop in the tower. The entrance fee to go up to the viewing tower is relatively inexpensive at £4.50. It took about 45 minutes to get from the city centre to the tower using both buses and the metro.
A visit to the tower was well worth the trip, however it was very cold and windy on the viewing platform that standing was even a problem. I had to psyche myself up to take my gloves off to take pictures as the wind chill made my fingers feel like they where going to fall off if left exposed. The views of Stockholm were lovely, white blankets of snow complimented the clear blue sky.
View from KaknastornetView from Kaknastornet, StockholmView from Kaknastornet, StockholmView from Kaknastornet, StockholmMe on Kaknastornet viewing platform
Gamla Stan
Gamla stan (The Old Town), until 1980 was officially Staden mellan broarna (The Town between the Bridges), it is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden.
Gamla stan is a lovely area and my favourite part of Stockholm, I loved the old richly painted unique north German architecture. Gamla stan is home to the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, the narrowest street in Stockholm, Riddarholm Church, and The Nobel Museum.
Riddarholmen ChurchRiddarholmen ChurchRiddarholmen ChurchSaint George and the Dragon statue, StockholmKaffekoppen and Chokladkoppen, StockholmSankt Jacobs Kyrka, Stockholm
City Hall/ Stadshuset
The City Hall/ Stadshusetis one of Sweden’s most famous buildings, and one of the Stockholm’s most visited tourist attractions. The City Hall/ Statshuset is also the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet held on 10th of December each year.
I spent about an hour or so just walking around the area, it was peaceful and I wished I had brought lunch with me, for it was a great location for sitting and reflecting.
Stadshuset StockholmStadshuset StockholmView from Stadshuset StockholmMe posing on the grounds of Stadshuset Stockholm
Walking Round
I enjoy walking around in order to find new things and I am not deterred by the weather. Luckily for me Stockholm was cold but dry; see below for some pictures of my discoveries.
Exploring StockholmRed boat StockholmThe Riksdag building StockholmView of StockholmSnow covered road Stockholm
What I ate
Eating out in Stockholm can be expensive, however there are several restaurants and places you can eat at inexpensively. I didn’t try any Swedish food, also as I had recently given up eating meat I couldn’t try Swedish meatballs.
I had breakfast at the hostel which was reasonably priced at £5.50, breakfast consisted of a cereal, a waffle or a sandwich roll, yoghurt and fresh fruit orange juice, tea or coffee.
Vapianos
I had a meal at Vapianos, for a pizza and a drink I spent £9, which is really good in my book.
Cupcake STHLM
Cupcake STHLM sell really good cupcakes, what I really liked was that the cupcakes were not too sweet, I am assuming this is due to the high tax on sugar in Sweden. The cupcake shop I went to was in the Skrapan mall in the Gotgatan shopping district.
Cupcakes at Cupcake STHLMYumtastic Cupcake by Cupcake STHLM
Kungshallen
Kungshallen/ Kings Hall is a food court to get good quality inexpensive food. I visited twice and had two meals, one meal was Turkish and the other was Mexican, both meals cost £7 each, the meals were good and value for money.
Kungshallen Stockholm
Thai and Sushi
I found a little Sushi and Thai restaurant that was on the same road as the hostel I stayed in. The restaurant is a small family run restaurant but the food was very good, so good that I ate there thrice during my trip. A meal consisting of a sushi selection and a Thai green curry and rice cost £7, excellent value for money. Sweden was the first country I came across where Thai and Japanese food were being sold together but it really works.
Sushi and Thai Stockholm
My Ratings of Stockholm
My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.
Culture = 7/10
Stockholm is a beautiful city with so much to offer, the museums and galleries even though they require an entrance fee are worth visiting.
People/Friendliness = 5.5/10
Swedish people are very attractive but I found them to be a little cold generally.
Attractiveness = 8/10
Stockholm is most definitely an attractive city and is ideal for photography enthusiasts. Everything felt very clean and fresh except for Gamla stan of course that had a more rustic lived in feel.
Food = 7/10
I ate loads of good food in Stockholm, I really liked the cup cakes from Cupcake STHLM, I wish they would open a branch in London and The food from Sushi and Thai was also superb.
Affordability = 5/10
Compared to London, Stockholm is expensive, I found it an anomaly that I had to pay to get into galleries and museum. Stockholm is expensive but with careful planning you can have an inexpensive trip.
Vibe = 7.5/10
Stockholm’s vibe is very functional and clean. The Swedes have a very good lifestyle, they are practical and it reflects in the city and resonates all round in the air. It is very hipster and cool.
Overall = 8/10
I had a very good time is Stockholm, it was the first trip in 2015 and it really inspired me to keep on traveling. I would definitely go back to Stockholm but during the summer, I am curious to see what the city is like during summer. All in all a great city and a wonderful experience.
If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
I have been to Paris twice, the first time was in August 2013 and the second time was in December 2014. This post mixes my experience during both trips. I will try to specify below the trip each experience relates to.
How long I stayed
August 2013- 1 day, 1 night
December 2014- 1 day 2 nights
The weather
August 2013- the weather was very warm and it was sunny all day as you will see in the pictures below.
December 2014- the weather was mild and I didn’t need gloves or a hat. However it rained non-stop.
Where I stayed
August 2013- Comfort Inn Saint-Pierre Hotel
Being Naive I assumed a hotel near the main station and some what centrally located would be ok. Well whilst the hotel was ok, the area around Gare du Nord is not. The only word I can use to describe it is as is…scary. I would not recommend that a single female book a hotel around the main station as I felt very unsafe.
December 2014- B&B La Villette
This was a nice clean 3 star hotel , the breakfast was very good but again I did not like the area. I had no choice about this hotel as it was part of a Topdeck tour holiday I was on. I wouldn’t recommend walking around or going out around the hotel as a tourist late at night.
How I got around
I did buy a metro pass but I like walking so I walked everywhere. The metro pass was really in expensive and costs £10, which gave you 10 single journeys to travel all over Paris.
What I did
The old Grand Palace of Louvre and the museum
The palace is impressive, beautifully preserved and a stunning piece of architecture. The historic palace buildings wrap themselves around the magnificent modern glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum. The old and new work together in harmony and is testament of how historical and new architecture can compliment each other.
This area and it is a must see if you ever decide to come to Paris.
One my first visit I did not go in the Louvre as I was on a day trip and being an artist I take my time when I go in to galleries, I would have spent the whole day viewing the pieces. Even though I am yet to go to the Louvre museum, I recommend if you do go to Paris, going to the Louvre Museum should be on your agenda, as it is the home of the famous Mona Lisa and a truly magnificent museum with some of the worlds best pieces of art.
The Old Grand Palace and Louvre Museum, Paris
Underside of Louvre Pyramid, Paris
The Louvre Pyramid, Paris
The Old Grand Palace and Louvre Pyramid
Arc De Triomphe
After my visit to the Louvre Palace, I walked to the Arc De Triomphe, where I decided it would be a good idea to run across the most notorious roundabout in the whole of Paris if not France. I later found out during my second visit that the French government does care about tourist and public safety and had built a safe subway for access to the Arc De Triomphe, removing the need to run through Parisian traffic. I seriously had believed running across the roadways the only way to get across to the Monument, might I add that I wasn’t alone in my daredevil act of taking on Parisian motorists. Running across the Arc De Triomphe roundabout is not recommended.
Arc De Triomphe, ParisUnder Arc De Triomphe, ParisMe at the Arc De Triomphe, Paris
Eiffel Tower
After visiting Arc De Triomphe, I walked to the Eiffel Tower but I decided not to go up the tower, should I have decided to wait to go up the tower, I suspected I would be writing this blog from the queue even now. If you wish to climb up the Tower I suggest you get there as early as possible to avoid the very long queues.
After taking several pictures and selfies trying to get the iconic tower as I wanted it, I left. During my second visit to Paris I went to the tower at night and it was even more impressive lite up. Paris is not titled the city of light without just cause.
Eiffel Tower, ParisEiffel Tower, ParisEiffel Tower at NightMe at the Eiffel Tower, Paris
River Seine cruise
This was one of my favourite part of my trip, I love boats and being on the water. I went on the river cruise during my first visit to Paris in August and the weather was perfect.
A river cruise is great way to see any city and Paris is no exception. The cost of the cruise was €23 and that included a waffle with Nutella and strawberries and a drink. The waffle was very tasty too. The cruise was an 1hr and half long, I highly recommend this.
Views from the River Seine Cruise
Pont Alexandre iii BridgeLovers Padlocks on a bridgeAssemblee Nationale, ParisLa Conciergerie, Paris
Moulin Rouge
During my second trip in December 2014, I decided I wanted to go to the Moulin Rouge, not for a cabaret show but to see the iconic building to take some pictures. It was also on the way to Mont Marte and Sacre Coeur so it was a good detour.
Moulin Rouge at night
Posing outside Moulin Rouge
Monte Marte
After taking several pictures of Moulin Rouge, I headed to Monte Marte the artist quarter, where my kindred spirits reside. Unfortunately the artists of Monte Marte only really come out during summer so the area was rather quite.
Steps leading to Sacre Coeur
Sacre Coeur Cathedral
This beautiful Cathedral sits at the highest point in Paris. An impressive functional Cathedral, there were a number of people praying as I walked round, it was very sombre, but in a good way. The little gift shop is offers good value on religious trinkets if you are that way inclined.
The view from Sacre Coeur even on the damp grey December day was still impressive, Paris looked so chaotic but peaceful at the same time.
The garden of Sacre Coeur is also very beautiful and idyllic perfect for asking that all important question.
Sacre Coeur, ParisView from Sacre CoeurView from Sacre CoeurMe at Sacre Coeur
Steps up to Sacre CoeurSacre Coeur gardens
The Grand Palace/ Le Grand Palais
I can’t ice skate, heck I can’t even shuffle, therefore whatever I did on the ice for the time I was at The Grand Palace was very undignified. However the experience and atmosphere made it very memorable and worth all of the €25 to cling to side of the rink. I did build up courage enough to go one full circuit without clinging to the sides but that took every ounce of strength and determination. If you are going to Paris during Winter I highly recommend this.
Le Grand Palais, Paris
Le Grand Palais
Le Grand Palais Ice SkatingLe Grand Palais Ice Skating
Notre Dame
What a cathedral! It’s everything I imagined and more it sits very impressively on the banks of the River Seine and was beautifully lite up for the festive period.
During my first visit in summer I took some amazing pictures from a boat on the River Seine. Notre Dame is an amazing feat of gothic architecture and it free to get into.
Notre Dame from the River Seine
Notre Dame from the River SeineNotre Dame at NightNotre Dame and River Seine at night
Christmas market
The stalls had the festive spirit in abundance, the cute stalls lined both side of the Champs Elysees, and were wonderfully lite. The snack food and especially hot wine make walking though the different stalls even more pleasant.
Paris Christmas Market
Sampling hot wine at the Christmas Stalls
What I ate
Standard Restaurant
I tried french onion soup but I really disliked it and I definitely will not be trying it again.
I also tried some snails, this surprisingly I liked, it could be due to fact that the part of Nigeria my parent are from, giant snails are a delicacy so I had eaten snails on many occasions. The food at the restaurant was ok, simply ok.
Standard Cafe
Le Petit Josselin had been recommended for its savoury crepes. The Crepe was lovely and at £10 for a lunch menu that included a savory crepe,a desert and a drink it was well worth it.
Le Petit Josselin
Lights at Le Petit Josselin
Market food
During my summer trip I bought some sausages and chicken from a Farmers/ antique market on my way to the Eiffel tower however both were gross. The chicken had not been seasoned not even with salt and the sausage was far to rich for me.
Laudere
Laudere is dessert and sweet heaven. The cakes and macaroons were divine and worth every Euro. You must go there, French sweets/ desserts have no competition in my book.
Laudere
Cakes at LaudereLaudere CakeLaudere Macaroons
My Ratings of Paris
My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.
Culture = 8/10
Paris is a city of culture there is so much to do and see, with so many museums, theatres and places of historical significance you will have loads to keep you occupied.
People/ friendliness= 4.5/10
Well the Parisians were stylish as expected but a little too cold for my liking. I felt unable to approach the locals for help and when I did manage to get someone to help, it felt like i was a bother.
The Parisians are not the friendliest is all I will say.
Attractiveness= 8.5/10
Paris is a beautiful city, a very proud city with the architecture to match. Being a city girl, i thrive in the chaos of a city and Paris certainly had enough chaotic charm.
Food= 7/10
Of the 7 points the 5 goes to the desserts at Laudere. Perhaps it was the food or restaurant I ate but I found french food to be rather average. If i was scoring desserts alone it would probably be a 8.5 if not a 9.
Affordability = 7/10
As a Londoner there are not many places I find expensive as I am used to being ripped off. Paris was affordable in my opinion, the most I spent on an activity was £25 euros and that was to ice skate in The Grand Palace.
Vibe = 7/10
Paris has a chic and cool vibe. I could also sense that it would be very romantic and there are so many locations to make ones partner feel special.
Overall= 7.5
Paris is a beautiful city with lots to do and see.A day trip is fine as a taster but I recommend a three-day weekend trip to really get a feel and experience some of the things Paris has to offer. Paris should be on your bucket list of cities to visit, even if it’s for the cakes.
If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
I have been to Amsterdam twice both times were during winter, the first time was in February 2014 and the second time was in December 2014. Therefore this post includes my experiences from both trips, I will try where possible to specify which trip I am referring to.
How long I stayed February 2014– 1 day December 2014– 2 days
Cost of Trip February 2014– The trip cost £79 for two (£39.50 per person) people sailing from Newcastle, England to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. As I live in London also paid £30 for a return train ride from London to Newcastle.
So all in all I paid £69.50 for accommodation and travel, this cost included the coach ride from IJmuiden habour to Amsterdam city centre.
December 2014– My Trip was part of a Topdeck Winter Express mini Europe tour, therefore I do not have the costs for my time at Amsterdam as it was all wrapped up in the overall tour price. I will be writing a post about my Topdeck Winter Express trip soon.
The weather
The weather in February and December was cold as is to be expected. I needed gloves and a scarf but not a hat.
How I got around
I walked everywhere in central Amsterdam but took the tram to get back to my hostel. You can also hire bikes, this is a really good way to see Amsterdam, with the provisions for cyclists in Amsterdam being second to none.
Where I stayed February 2014- DFDS Segway Ferry
I booked a cabin as we sailed over night to Amsterdam. We left Newcastle at 5pm and arrived at Amsterdam at 9.30am.
Whilst the cabin was basic and small, it was clean and the bunks were surprisingly comfortable. The ensuite however was so small that as I showered if not careful I could touch the toilet bowl, with only a shower curtain to separate the toilet and the shower area, showering was done hurriedly. However do not let this deter you, it is a worthwhile experience which is value for money. For couples there are also cabins with double beds but they cost more money to book.
The ferry was pleasant with lots of amenity space however the price of food on the ferry is astronomical, for example the cheapest meal of burger and chips cost £18. I had viewed the menu before boarding so, I bought my own food (Chinese takeout) on board which the staff at the canteen of the ferry were nice enough to warm up for me. I recommend taking your own food and drink on board as this is allowed.
On the DFDS Seaway FerryExample of the cabin we stayed in on the ferryView of Newcastle habour from the ferryMe on the ferry at night
December 2014- Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburgh
The hostel which was only a 10mins tram ride from the centre of Amsterdam. The hostel was nice, clean, safe and in a pleasant residential area too. I shared a 6 bedroom dorm with 6 other girls and there was enough space for all of us, our dorm had the shower and toilet in the room which was a big plus for me.
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Zeeburg
What I did
Anne Frank House
I am not going to go into the history of who Anne Frank is. I just recommend going to the house to learn about her and engage with the not too distant past atrocity that was the holocaust that made the tragic story of Anne Frank a reality.
Anne Frank HouseMe outside Anne Frank House
Canal Cruise
I love river/sea/canal cruises any mode of traveling on water is right up my street. You would assume coming to Amsterdam by ferry I would have had enough of the water.
I don’t know the exact number of canals there are in Amsterdam, I just know there are loads and I enjoyed travelling on them. The price of the canal cruise was about €13 for an hour. I went on a canal cruise during both my trips.
Me posing by the boat that took us on the canal tourViews from the Canal cruiseViews from the Canal cruiseViews from the Canal cruiseView of the Eye Film Institute from the Canal cruiseBridges and CanalsView from the Canal cruise
De Simonehoeve – Clog/Cheese making factory
We visited a farm on the outskirts of Amsterdam and we were taught by a husband and wife tag team on how to make cheese and clogs.
The cheese making was first, all I can say is brace yourself for the smell. It was pongy but after a while my nose adjusted and I was able to listen to the process and it was actually interesting, plus I got to sample free cheese.
The clog making demonstration was a little more exciting than the cheese making. Mr farmer was engaging, funny and a little naughty.
The farm also had a souvenir shop where I was able to buy good quality souvenirs
De Simonehoeve FarmDe Simonehoeve Fram rear entranceExample of childrens clogsMe trying on clogs
Shopping
Amsterdam has some of the best vintage cloths shops of any city I have been to, I and my pal spent ages going through one particular store for bargains.
Red light district
For those who didn’t know prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, the girls pay taxes like with a normal job and in some sense they are better protected that other sex workers who operate under the radar. I walked through the district as I had heard so much about it, it didn’t feel seedy, dark or gross, it was just fascinating.
Coffee shop/weed shop
Believe it or not I actually went into the coffee shops and ordered a lemon tea to go. I was rather unwell, self inflicted I might add therefore any drugs or alcohol would have killed me off.
Back to the main goods sold in coffee shops. I was amazed at how relaxed and easy it is to buy marijuana. There is menu, you select what you want, pay and you are handed your goods, which you can either smoke in the coffee shop or on the street. You can also buy marijuana muffins or brownies if smoking is not your thing.
Walking Round
Just walking around, getting lost and finding new and exciting places is one of the many things I do on a trip. I did this whilst in Amsterdam and it was amazing, dutch architecture is splendid and Amsterdam has such a nice chilled and relaxing vibe. See below for some of the things i encountered as i wandered.
Dutch ArchitectureOn a bridge with a Canal behind meLooking down a CanalAmsterdam Tulip MuseumA cheese shopDutch CheeseRijksmuseumI am Amsterdam sign outside RijksmuseumHermitage MuseumDam Square at nightLights on Lake IJ
Party
Being with 47 other people during the December 2014 trip at Christmas time there was a natural party atmosphere within the group. Some of us went out Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve was weird due to the place we found ourselves in, partying with old ravers (60yrs +) is not my idea of fun, also one Dutch local took too much of liking to all the ladies in our group.
However Christmas Day was much better, we didn’t have to pay an entry fee to get into the bar we stayed in, we partied until 4am and the vibe was all good. The drinks were also very responsible priced at £4/5 for a bottle of beer.
What I ate
I cannot tell you what Dutch food is, I guess I should have sought it out but as I walked round there were many generic restaurant.
Dutch cheese on the other hand is really good, I spent nearly an hour in one shop sampling cheese and deciding what to buy.
February 2014– I found a nice Turkish restaurant and had an amazing meal that was every in expensive. I think I paid £10 for my meal.
December 2014– For lunch I had sushi, it was really good and reasonably priced, my meal and green tea cots £15 (if you continue to read this blog you will notice that this will be a trend).
Sushi lunch
For one of my dinner, I eat at a Thai restaurant, I had a King Prawn Thai green curry and it was really good. The restaurant was tiny and cosy but the food was really good and cheap at £12 for a two course meal.
I was in Amsterdam over Christmas and for Christmas dinner we had a Chinese buffet at the Sea Palace (a floating pagoda-style restaurant on Lake IJ) , the food was incredible.
Sea Palace Restaurant
My Ratings of Amsterdam
My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.
Culture = 7/10
Amsterdam has loads to do with many museums and activities a three-day weekend trip will be jammed packed with activities
People/Friendliness = 9/10
Dutch people are the friendliest of all the people I have met on my travels. It felt very easy approaching strangers for help and I was able to converse with several locals and it was very nice. Dutch people speak perfect English (I am not saying all people should speak English), which removed the awkwardness of trying to communicate.
Attractiveness = 7/10
Amsterdam is a hipster city. Its just a cool city with its canals, awesome architecture, bicycles and barges.
Food = 7/10
I ate loads of good food in Amsterdam but none of them were Dutch meals, still good grub is good grub.
Affordability = 6/10
Amsterdam is affordable my benchmark is London and I did not feel I was paying more that I would pay at home.
Vibe = 8/10
Amsterdam has such a good vibe, so far it is the only European country I would consider relocating to. It just seems that the Dutch have the perfect work life balance, I like their lifestyle.
Overall = 8.5/10
I truly enjoyed my visits to Amsterdam and I would definitely be going back to visit. The say that a people makes a place and the Dutch people certainly made both my trips to Amsterdam very memorable and special.
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Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
Travelbyjaed 