Travel

Welcome to the travel category, where you’ll find the bulk of the content on this blog. Scroll down to browse all travel content, or use the subcategories on the top menu to narrow down the posts. I hope you’ll find these posts useful, and that they’ll inspire you to visit somewhere new!

Travel

Pizza Making With Leeds Cookery School And Why They Can’t be …

Leeds

October 16, 2019

I'd wanted to take a cooking class with Leeds Cookery School for a long time, ever since I found out about them, but hadn't quite gotten around to it. So when I was offered the chance to take part in their Pizza and Prosecco Cocktails class in return for a blog post I was ridiculously excited! Not was the class amazing, but they play a key role in the local community and I'm all for that. So let me tell you a little about Leeds Cookery School, their location and the Pizza and Prosecco Cocktails class that I took part in.

Travel

Your Ultimate Guide to Leeds Light Night

Leeds

October 10, 2019

Leeds Light Night is the largest arts and lights festival in the UK! Over two nights (10th and 11th of October 2019), the city will be illuminated by 70 different artworks, installations and performances put together by artists from all over the world. The landmarks and buildings that we know and love will be transformed into works of art, from the Leeds Civic Hall in Millennium Square, to Victoria Gardens outside the Town Hall, to a 35 metre stretch of street over at the Southbank. Oh, and it's free to attend!

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.

Travel

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

Sofia

October 6, 2019

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.

Travel

Why You Should Take the Night Train From Istanbul to Sofia

Istanbul

October 2, 2019

I'd never been on a sleeper train before so it certainly had the novelty factor, but wouldn't it be much like sleeping in hostel dorm, but worse? I expected cramped rooms, dirty beds, snoring train companions, horrible toilet facilities and absolutely zero sleep. In fact, I loved my experience on the night train from Istanbul to Sofia and I'd happily take the journey again. Read on and I'll explain the basics such as when it runs, how long it takes and how much it costs before telling you what to expect and why you should definitely consider taking it in the future.

Travel

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

Istanbul

September 28, 2019

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.

Travel

Food to Try in Istanbul: 30 Must Try Turkish Dishes

Istanbul

September 26, 2019

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.

Travel

Why You Should Visit the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in York

York

September 14, 2019

Art isn't usually my thing, I often find it a little boring and sometimes I just don't get it. There are exceptions to this rule, for example when I visited the National Gallery in London I was absolutely mesmerised, especially by the HUGE works of art dating back many centuries. Thinking about the time it must have taken and the dedication given to creating those paintings kind of takes my breath away. So when I was invited to attend the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in York recently, I was intrigued... what would it be like to step inside such an important part of art history?

Travel

A Serendipitous Night in Dalby Forest (Plus Things to Do Nearby)

Dalby Forest

September 7, 2019

Oh Yorkshire, why are you so beautiful? As much as I love living in the centre of Leeds, I also love the fact that there is so much more to explore in Yorkshire, all of it beautiful. I don't get to experience it as much as I would like to because a) I don't have a car so I either need to use public transport or hire a car; and b) I often find it cheaper to get a short-haul flight and a cheap hotel abroad than to stay somewhere in the UK. But when I do have a 'staycation' in Yorkshire it's always fabulous - and one of my favourites was at a stunning cabin in Dalby Forest where I spent a snowy February night between exploring the surrounding area.

Travel

67 Things to Do in Leeds City Centre

Leeds

August 31, 2019

Leeds is a wonderful city. It's the 3rd biggest city in the UK, yet it feels welcoming and homely. It's easy to get to being just two hours from London and Edinburgh, 20 minutes from York and an hour from Manchester by train, and with it's own airport. It's full of history, culture, food and shopping and the people are oh-so-friendly! Whatever your interests, and whether you live in the Leeds, are visiting for the day or travelling for a longer trip, there are so many things to do in Leeds without even leaving the city centre. So here is my list of 67 things to do in Leeds city centre, with a warning that the food and drink section is by far the largest.

Travel

How to Book a Last Minute, Super Cheap, Multi-City Break Using Minimal …

Leeds

August 24, 2019

Wow that's a big title! But that's exactly what this post is about. When I talk to my friends about my upcoming travel plans, they tend to comment on the fact that a) I seem to go on a fair few weekend breaks despite my lack of money and annual leave; b) my destinations seem random because I've never expressed an interest in that place before and; c) it must be more expensive booking a trip so last minute! The first two points are sort of true, but the third definitely isn't. So I thought I'd share with you how I go about booking a last minute, super cheap city break using minimal annual leave.

Travel

Discovering Michelin Star Chefs At Pub in The Park

Leeds

August 21, 2019

I love a food festival, and I love street food. Equally, I love a fancy pants Michelin Star restaurant. So when I saw that Tom Kerridge was holding his Pub in the Park event in Roundhay Park, Leeds, I'm sure you can imagine my excitement! The event brings together award-winning food, Michelin-starred chefs and live-music for a day of, in my opinion, heaven. It's the perfect opportunity to discover world-class, British restaurants without having to book a table months in advance and save up your hard-earned cash for one evening of luxury.

Travel

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