[lovebylaura]

Berlin a quick weekend trip through the city, the sights and the food. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Dubai Where Life Is A Beach 2019

A quick breakaway to Dubai with my mum is always a great idea, just 8 hours away, it is not too far to enjoy a last-minute trip. From great shopping to golden sandy beaches there is something for everyone. This was a holiday for us to relax and enjoy the offerings of this man-made metropolis. We stayed in the marina because it's pretty and has all we need close by and our hotel had great facilities a few pools a luxurious spa and the accommodation had a great wrap-around balcony. (which is an absolute must when I travel with my mum and surprisingly not always on offer in 4 or 5* hotels which is baffling!).

We were based close to Jumeriah Beach and not too far from The Palm which we visited friends who live there. Then to go downtown or towards most of the malls and attractions we had to get a taxi so we would spend our days mainly by the pool or on the beach and then go shopping in the evening luckily everything is open quite late the malls usually close around 10/11pm my favourites are The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. 

The architecture of Dubai is amazing and no exception is Burj Khalifa it is incredible then followed by Burj Al Arab both iconic buildings and great to experience.

The restaurant selection is vast from every popular worldwide chain to some great local places there is something for everyone and the quality is good! If you want to get more culture and a real local vibe then head to any of the Souks I like the Gold Souk so many shops offering all sorts of gold Jewellery and if you like something you must haggle. The smell of the Spice Souk is mesmerising, worth checking out if that's your thing.  Also, the Textile Souk is great and steeped in trade history. 

On this trip, I didn't really touch the clubs/party places because I wanted a break from that but they are good fun and again a few familiar names as well as local spots worth checking out. 

As I have visited Dubai for work and holidays before I have had the opportunity to do a lot of the tourist activities from the water parks to the sand dunes to the Dubai Garden Glow to skiing and pretty much everything in between (except sky diving... maybe one day!).

I would advise anyone who is travelling to Dubai to do some research to see what things you like, then plan them in order so you are not spending all the time in a car. Most of the main attractions are accessed by Sheikh Zayed Road its the longest road running through Dubai so try to plan with that in mind you will save a lot of time if you do! LBLx

[lovebylaura]

I love visiting Mexico the beach resorts are beautiful from Cancun to Tulum, and everywhere in between, the sands are white the sea is blue. You can do so many activities visit some incredible places which I have had the pleasure of doing many times before. 

On this trip, I really just wanted to enjoy the beach life with my Mum. So we did! 

We shopped, swam, played tennis, chilled and I learnt to surf! 

Surfing is a great experience, I was bruised to bits but it was so much fun. My teacher was amazing and maybe next time I will try to surf in the sea. Hahaha LBLx

[lovebylaura]

One of the most beautiful Islands in the Caribbean. The Bahamas has some great offerings. From great diving, coral reefs and water sports to stunning white and golden beaches. Blue Lagoon Island has a Dolphin and Sea Lion sanctuary where you can swim with, feed and learn all about these incredible mammals. Downtown Nassau has some great tax-free shopping. some cruise ships come in for the day just to shop and see the local sights. The food is great and super fresh caught daily from local waters.  A fish fry will get you tastebuds jumping and the perfect place to enjoy the sunset whilst feasting on great local cuisine. Atlantis Paradise Island is a great place with shops, places to eat, lots to do and a water park. It was a great trip with amazing experiences and a wonderful place to relax true Caribbean living. A quick flight from Miami makes Nassau a great weekend getaway or around 8 hours from the UK makes it one of the shortest long haul flights, well worth the journey. This is just a few things I got up to in the Bahamas with my mum and a quick throwback video LBx

[lovebylaura]

Venice is always a beautiful and timeless place to visit. The Grand Canal is lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces which inspires history to come alive. 

This trip, seeped in culture food and art, was no exception, from our perfectly placed hotel to some of Italy's best restaurants and world-renowned art on display it was a majestic getaway.

This is a quick break down of the trip.

Day 1-

travel:

water taxi from the airport.

stayed at:

Luna Hotel Baglioni

https://www.baglionihotels.com/branches/baglioni-hotel-luna-venice/

Dinner Drinks Palatial interiors:

Aman Hotel

https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-venice

Day 2-

travel:

water taxi and walking

sites:

Museo Della Musica - Antonio Vivaldi - Chiesa Di San Maurizio

floating fruit and veg Market - Ponte dei Pugni

Peggy Guggenheim Collection - Dorsoduro

Basilica de Santa Maria Della Salute - Dorsoduro

Bridge of Sighs- Piazza san Marco

Food-

Pizza Al Volo - Dorsoduro

Bistrot Venise - https://www.bistrotdevenise.com

Day 3-

travel: 

water taxi and walking

sites:

Mercato de Pesce - Campiello de la Pescaria

Banksy- Migrant Child - Campo San Pantalon

Biennale Arte 2019

Park Art and sculptures 

Food:

Ristorante Agli Albóretti - http://www.aglialboretti.it

Harry's Bar - https://www.cipriani.com

Hope you enjoy the video please do like follow and subscribe.

Thanks for watching LBLx 

[lovebylaura]

This trip was about exploring and enjoying Salzburg's meadows mountains and stunning lakes an Alpine paradise. After taking in all the sights and fresh air in it was time to celebrate a friends birthday Austrian style with beer cake and song.  LBx

[lovebylaura]

Amsterdam is always a great short city break destination which bicycles, art and architecture. Most visitors have a good idea of what they want to include in their trip to the Netherlands. This trip was a flying visit to catch up with family and enjoy the city.  

We dropped off our bags at, the Grand Hotel Amrâth, and went to meet family near the Central Station, which was the beginning of the light art canal tour, a nice surprise from my cousin and aunt. 

The tour was a lovely way to see the city with a well-informed tour guide who shared some fun facts along the route about the city and artists alike. 

The next day we explored the city and passed most of the tourist hotspots like the Royal Palace, Nation Monument, Dam Square, the Bull Dog Café, the Red Light district and Markets. After a full day of sightseeing and family time, we went back to the hotel to enjoy the spa facilities. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Iceland is a wondrous place with amazing natural beauty. Reykjavík is Iceland’s capital and a great place to start. The shops are quaint and set around the main high street called Laugavegur, there are a lot of cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy. The Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral is one of Iceland’s tallest buildings standing at 74.5 meters high, its famous for it is New Year’s Eve fireworks, set just off the high street it is an easy walk to get to. 

The aim for this trip was to see the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and hopefully the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

We landed late at night in Reykjavik so we got up early to enjoy what the capital had to offer. Then on route to the Blue Lagoon. We stopped at a friends Bitcoin farm to see how Bitcoins are made. This was a really interesting process, very loud and an experience most people don’t get to see!

The Silica hotel was our next stop, the neighbouring hotel to the Blue Lagoon. We arrived early evening in time for dinner at the Lava Restaurant. Then we enjoyed the Silica Lagoon and spa. The next day we walked over to the Blue Lagoon via the moonlike path and spent a few hours enjoying the views, springs, face masks and a massage. It was so relaxing and one of my favourite things to do.

Then it was time to move onto the Golden Circle which consists of three stunning locations in southwest Iceland: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

The Golden Circle is named so after Gullfoss, which means “Golden waterfall" in Icelandic.

This was a wonderful experience it was very cold but worth going to see. 

Just in time to thaw out we arrived at the ION Adventure Hotel in the middle of nowhere with rolling lava fields and skies for days, this cool building set in a location perfectly placed to enjoy the Northern Lights , as long as the skies are clear. 

Silfra restaurant was the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a good meal. The bar and pool are the best places to view the northern lights when they are on show. Unfortunately this trip was not in favour of Aurora Borealis but we still enjoyed the pool and spa facilities and the beautiful surroundings.

This was a magical trip which I highly recommend to all who are thinking about visiting Iceland. Make sure you dress up warm it gets very cold. Plan your trip so you can save travel time and also make sure you research there weather if you are hoping for Aurora Borealis!!!

[lovebylaura]

As one of Europes smallest capital cities, Ljubljana is known for its castle, Tivoli City Park and museums. The peaceful curving River with its many bridges divides the old town and the modern commercial hub. This is a truly lovely place to visit with easy access to most of the tourist attractions, everywhere is generally walkable with many things to see and do on most routes. Lake Bled is the tranquil cherry on top of this city visit, slightly further out but definitely worth it! I stayed at the Intercontinental which was great the spa and views were 5*. Places to eat were good with quality local ingredients these included JB restaurant, Strelec and most of the café's along the river are easy-going relaxed and have some great desserts! LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Macedonia is a beautiful place to visit but one of the best reasons to go is for a wedding. We enjoyed some local wines at Tikveś and got to wonder through their wine cellar and enjoy the restaurants good quality local produce. Villa Bella Hotel is a cute boutique style hotel in the countryside. A great location for long walks up into the hills where you can find a tiny monastery half way up the hill. 

Roma Café and Central Club where both good spots to dance drink and unwind late into the night full of locals good music and entertainment. But the highlight of the trip has to be the wedding reception congratulations on your wonderful day Alex and Nona. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Paris is a great city break destination. You can enjoy the culture and cuisine while admiring the architecture museums art and of course Disneyland. 

During our trip we stayed at the Sofitel which is located in the heart of the city. It’s perfectly placed to enjoy some designer shopping and it is  walking distance to most of the sights. 

The restaurants we ate at where stellar choices ’Market’ is a popular place to eat its famous for its truffle pizza which I can't praise enough I ordered two! And everyone thing else we ordered there was good. The ‘Bistrot Paul Bert’ was a great little place to eat French cuisine with some delicious authentic dishes that really gives a true local eating experience.  

Disneyland Paris is a fun packed day out takes about 45 mins from the centre to get there by car or train. Once there you can buy the theme park tickets at the entrance to both Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park there is an option to buy fast pass tickets to most of the rides,  if like me you hate to queue then this is a great option, be aware that not all rides have fast pass options and sometimes there are still queues particularly during busy season such as school holidays. The food options are pretty basic at the park mainly junk food. You can buy all sorts of Disney treasures from toys to glassware and everything in between.

 The must-see attractions include Musée du Louvre, Tour Eiffel, Champs Elysées, Trocadéro du Jardins, Notre Dame and of course Disneyland. This was a short trip but we managed do everything we wanted. If you have more time whilst in Paris there are many more things to see and do but if you are just there for a flying visit you can really get the feel of Paris and what it has to offer by visiting the sights I covered on this trip. Thanks for watching  and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe! LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Santorini is one of the most serene of the greek islands. Its tranquil and beautiful by sea and on land. You can enjoy your own company whilst relaxing by a pool or take a hike through the hills where you will see some spectacular views of the island and beyond. If you are searching for a more local lively atmosphere you should check out Oia and Fira both have beautiful shops and restaurants with fabulous views over the island.  Oia is home of Ammoudi Bay which is one of the most beautiful places to visit especially for dinner, I would highly recommend Sunset Tavern, the most idilic restaurant on the edge of the sea. A perfect place for great food accompanied by a picturesque sunset. 

A great day trip is to hire a boat or catamaran to take you around the island whilst visiting various beaches and splashing around in the perfectly blue sea. Another great place to visit is Lycabettus restaurant, whilst visiting we had the pleasure of Michelin star chef Arnaud Bignon creating a treat for us, which was a great experience with a wonderful view to top it off. Then wall along the shops to see what local treasures you can find.

There are many places to stay on the island but one of the most perfect spots is Cavo Tagoo a beautifully formed 5* hotel, it is next level, magical. All rooms have a pool or hot tub and a view to die for. The main pool has an infinity view over the sea and to top it off the restaurant Ovac has the one of the best chefs I have ever come across, Polychronis Damalas. He creates Japanese fusion like no other if the beautiful setting wasn’t enough the food is an experience which will be hard to beat. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Athens is a beautifully sculpted city. It is hot, busy, fun and interesting with lots to see and do. Should you wish to gain an idea of its Grecian perspective you have to visit its tourist attractions steeped in history with huge structures and wonderful views. Take a walk through the city, enjoy the fresh local food, immerse yourself into the busy shopping areas, and pause to drink in the sheer vast array of heritage and tradition. What a fantastic culture rich place to visit. LBLx 

[lovebylaura]

Mykonos is THE Greek party island. Its a great place to party the night away. And daytime is perfect for enjoying the many beautiful beaches and to check out what else the island has to offer. The beach clubs such as Kalua, Pasaji and Scorpios are cool spots to spend your days. The shops are open well into the early hours of the morning so you can shop till you drop. A great place to see the sunset is between the windmills and Little Venice at Alefkandra, this area has one of the best restaurants on the island 'Sea Satin' this is by far my favourite place to have fun with friends over dinner, the place comes alive at around 11pm so book a later reservation. Mykonos has been a firm favourite with the Gay community for many years and only over the last 4 years or so has it become a go to destination for the rest of us. I think this is due to the fact a lot of British based club promoters have helped set up summer clubs there such as Moni, Bonbonniere, Madon etc. Although its great to see the new vibe of the island its also great to check out some of the older cool places. Jackie O' is a heaving popular place to party and there are some other cool gay bars close by, but the best go to place for a beautiful sunset and an entertaining drag show is Elysium Sunset Bar. Overall this island has a lot to offer in such a small area its fun vibrant and a great summer getaway.  LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Rome is not just for the romantics. Its a great city break with a lot to see & do. Whether you like the tourist trail or not its good to take a look at some of this rich history so the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & Vatican City are all must sees. The rest is up to you... you can shop or eat your way through the city, walk all day & night everywhere you go seems to lead to something beautiful just enjoy the rich culture, the weather & people. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Pure Fashion is a consumers dream. If you like to shop for clothes, bags, shoes & stuff you didn't know you needed this is the place for you. Primarily this wholesale show case is for the rag trade but you can still find a bargain & get a great deal. When it comes to shopping not much beats this London experience. LBLx

[lovebylaura]

Comicon haunted tube rave day trip maddness with my homie Julius Dein. Please Like and subscribe. LBLx