Destination Guides

The aim of this blog is to provide practical travel advice based on my own experiences, so you’ll find the bulk of my content in this section. Expect guides on things to do, places to see and what to eat in a range of travel destination, mainly within Europe.

A Glamping Paradise on a Vineyard in Slovenia

A Glamping Paradise on a Vineyard in Slovenia

Maribor
Whilst travelling through the Balkans I stayed in a range of accommodation types from AirBnb apartments to hotels to hostels. We mainly chose where to stay based on our budget - even the more luxurious AirBnBs were significantly cheaper than staying in a hotel or even a hostel in many cases. Everywhere we stayed was lovely, but nothing compared to one particular night of pure luxury... glamping at Chateau Ramsak. This place is absolutely incredible and was a true highlight of our trip (particularly the breakfast), so read on and let me tell you all about it.
The Swankiest Hostel in Zagreb? A Review of Swanky Mint Hostel

The Swankiest Hostel in Zagreb? A Review of Swanky Mint Hostel

Zagreb
I'm going to start this blog post by admitting that I'm not really a hostel traveller. I like my own space and I mostly stay in AirBnbs, with a few hotels thrown in to the mix as well. Oh and the odd mountain hut if I'm hiking! However, I was travelling through the Balkans with a backpack and as a result I felt compelled to give the hostel thing a go. So let me introduce to Swanky Mint Hostel.

Hi, I'm Nell. I’m a Leeds based travel blogger creating content to inspire you to make the most of your weekends, limited annual leave and hard-earned cash by writing about part-time, mid-budget travel. Here you'll find posts about city breaks, hiking trips and tales of food and wine.

Why Sofia is the Perfect Destination for a Relaxing Summer City Break

Why Sofia is the Perfect Destination for a Relaxing Summer City Break

Sofia
From the moment I arrived I was greeted by wide roads lined with bustling cafes, views of the surrounding mountains interrupted only by the impressive green domes of multiple Orthodox churches, and an instant feeling of being on holiday. Bright yellow trams trundled along busy streets, and the sweet smell of pastry drew me towards every hole-in-the-wall bakery that I walked past. Two and a half days later and I was in love with the place! Here's why Sofia makes the perfect relaxing summer city break followed some tips on what to do, where to eat and where to stay.
48 Hours in Istanbul: How to Experience Istanbul in a Weekend

48 Hours in Istanbul: How to Experience Istanbul in a Weekend

Istanbul
I was childishly excited to visit Istanbul - to explore the Grand Bazaar and other endless markets, cruise up the Bosporus river taking in the sights of both Europe and Asia, experience the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia and eat five kebabs a day. But as I read more about all that Istanbul had to offer, I started feeling stressed about how I would see everything I wanted to when I had less than 48 hours to do it in. I decided not only to prioritise, but to spend my time immersing myself in the culture of Istanbul and local life rather than spending precious hours queuing for the must-see items.
Food to Try in Istanbul: 30 Must Try Turkish Dishes

Food to Try in Istanbul: 30 Must Try Turkish Dishes

Istanbul
Istanbul offers a sensory overload, from the sight of brightly coloured buildings and impressive mosques; to the sound of enthusiastic haggling in the markets; to the feel of the thick air surrounding the busy centre. But the tastes and scents of Istanbul left the most lasting impression on me, with the constant smell of delicious food in the air and the discovery of something new to eat at every corner that I turned.
5 Things That Surprised Me in Gran Canaria

5 Things That Surprised Me in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria
Last month I spent a week in Gran Canaria with my boyfriend and his family. The aim of the game was simply to relax: days around the pool, walks along the beach and a lot of barbecues! I soon realised that Gran Canaria had much more too it than I first thought, and was full of surprises. In honour of that, here are five things that surprised me the most.
Taste Meson: A Shining Example of Gran Canarian Cuisine

Taste Meson: A Shining Example of Gran Canarian Cuisine

Gran Canaria
Thank goodness we walked past Taste Meson on a walk along the seafront in our nearest town! Overlooking the bay in the centre of Arguineguin, Taste Meson is a small plate restaurant designed to showcase local produce. It’s more of a fine dining style of eating than the tapas style that you might expect from a small plate restaurant in this part of the world, but the atmosphere is definitely holiday dining rather than anything fancy.
Eating and Drinking in Trento, Trentino

Eating and Drinking in Trento, Trentino

Trento, Italy
Whether or not you’ve been to Italy, it’s no secret that the food is great. If we were playing a game of word association, I bet food would be the first word that comes to mind if someone were to say “Italy”. Well, last week I visited Trento and my tastebuds can confirm that the rumours are all true!
Vilnius Bars: Cosy Places to Drink in Vilnius

Vilnius Bars: Cosy Places to Drink in Vilnius

Vilnius
I visited Vilnius in January, meaning that the temperature was well into the minus figures! As much as the combination of playing in snow and exploring a new city is a recipe for perfection in my eyes, there's only so long you can spend outside when it's minus 11 out there. Thank goodness for hot mulled wine and cosy Vilnius bars!
Where to Eat: Best Restaurants in Vilnius and Trakai

Where to Eat: Best Restaurants in Vilnius and Trakai

Vilnius
If you've read my most recent post, you'll already know that I spent my birthday weekend in Vilnius wandering snowy streets, eating constantly and drinking plenty of mulled wine. Having not done much research about Vilnius, I was surprised by how much there was to see and do, but also by the fantastic food scene. We ate a LOT on this trip, mainly because minus 11 is pretty cold so required plenty of stops to warm up! The below might look like a list of every single place I stopped, but honestly these are just the highlights!
Things to Do in Vilnius: A Snowy Weekend in the G-spot of Europe

Things to Do in Vilnius: A Snowy Weekend in the G-spot of …

Vilnius
One of my favourite things about this trip was that I didn't do much research, so had no idea what to expect. This meant discovering lots of lovely surprises as we wandered around the snowy streets, and allowed us to experience our own version of Vilnius - although I realise that in a small city you're pretty much guaranteed to do the same things you'd have done if you'd read up on it!
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