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Love Begins
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On the Lake Geneva shoreline
On the Lake GenevaĀ shoreline
Thereās nothing else like the excitement of discovering a new destination. I had wanted to visit Switzerland ever since I was seventeen and researching university degrees in hotel management, a desire I later decided against. But the desire to visit Switzerland never subsided. Everyone who had been lucky enough to have visited had told me about the incomparably beautiful scenery and the fabulousā¦
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Third time's a charm: back to Milan for visit number three!
Third timeās a charm: back to Milan for visit number three!
I had a pretty good time in Milan the first two times I visited (check out my post about them here), but my latest trip definitely stood out as the favourite. Maybe it was because it was such a relaxed, casual break ā when youāve seen all the major sites you no longer feel compelled to run around like a headless chicken, trying to squeeze all the top attractions into a limited amount of time, andā¦
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Currently I Am or: How I learned to jump on the bandwagon and love the Blog
Currently I Am or: How I learned to jump on the bandwagon and love theĀ Blog
Recently Iāve played around with a few different post formats which have enjoyed some positive feedback, so I decided to try and develop this further, and dedicate Thursdays to random banter. This Thursday Iāll be doing the Currently I Am tag because ā¦ well, why not.Ā I came across this tag a while back but I wanted to give credit to Things Helen Loves for making me aware of it, and getting me toā¦
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Blissful afternoon boating the canals of Bruges
Blissful afternoon boating the canals ofĀ Bruges
Another trip thatās been on my list for ages! Bruges is the ultimate quaint little European gem with a truly fairytale-esque atmosphere. Its gorgeous canals lined with historic medieval houses make for a jaw-dropping boat ride, and on a sunny day itās just unbelievably beautiful. (moreā¦)
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Sunshine Blogger Award nomination!
Incredibly proud to have been nominated for an #SunshineBloggerAward ! #bloglife thx #blogfam
This is my first ever nomination and as you can probably guess itās a HUGE deal for me! I spend a considerable amount of time reading blogs, and getting inspired by the amazingly creative spin that fellow writers manage to put on their outlook of the world, so to earn any kind of recognition for my contribution to this community makes me incredibly happy. Massive thank you to Cindyās Travelā¦
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I solemnly swear that I am up to no good! Visiting the Making of Harry Potter
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good! Visiting the Making of HarryĀ Potter
āOf course itās happening inside your head, Harry, but why on Earth should that mean it is not real?ā ā J.K. Rowling,Ā Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I appreciate that not everyone is a fan of Harry Potter, but whatever your opinion on the matter, the fact is that this is a story that captured the imagination of millions. If that is not inspiring enough on its own, consider the sheer scaleā¦
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Brighton Beach Bonanza
When I think about all the places Iāve been lucky enough to travel to in the past, it always hits me: I donāt travel that much around the UK itself. Iāve lived in this amazing country for 7 years now, and I have only visited a handful of places. There is still so much to see and do! Thatās why I have consciously been trying to arrange more road trips, weekend breaks and excursions to variousā¦
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We are now officially in August and in between travels, Iāve been eating and drinking my way around London for the past couple of months. I wanted to share my pick of the bars and restaurants, so that you can use this last summer month to try out a new place, or refresh your experiences from an old favourite.
In no particular order, here are a few of the spots I frequented:
Sketch, Mayfair
Ā Sketch had been idling in my bookmarks for ages. I think I first saw it in a blog post about the best places for afternoon tea in London, but Iāve only been there for drinks. It has a few different areas, but my favourite is The Glade (pictured above). It has a very Alice in Wonderland vibe to it, with its walls painted to resemble an enchanted forest and some rotating mirrors on the ceiling that reflect the lights around the room.
Why I love it: The cocktails are expensive, but exquisite. Particularly the one with Pistachio and Tanqueray. Best feature: the funky toilet pods.
Aqua Nueva, Soho
Ā I canāt even remember how we came across Aqua Nueva, but we went there for after-work drinks once, and we have been back more times than I care to admit! It is a Spanish restaurant with a lovely terrace bar, serving great cocktails in a cool, contemporary setting.
Why I love it: itās central, yet not too busy. Best feature: the city views from the terrace.
FLAT IRON, Denmark Street
Ā This is actually the smaller branch (thereās another one in Covent Garden). I frequent Flat Iron in Denmark street as itās easier to get seats there, but do bear in mind that if youāre happy to wait a bit longer at the other one, they give out free salted caramel ice-cream at the end of your meal. The Denmark Street one only serves complimentary popcorn (which is not half bad actually).
Why I love it: itās got a very cosy interior, reminiscent of a cool Brooklyn loft. Best feature: they make a mean steak (also try the creamed spinach side)!
ROKA
Ā I am obsessed with Japanese food, and I can have it basically every day. My all time favourite is Tombo in South Kensington (read the post about it here) but I was recently introduced to the gem that is ROKA. I went to the one in Aldwych before a ballet performance in the Royal Opera House, and it was one of Ā the most delightful meals Iāve had in a long time! The flavours were very intriguing, and the deserts were just sublime. The desert on the top picture was a creme-brule with sesame ice-cream, raspberries and matcha macaroons, and the one in the bottom picture is their signature dark chocolate and green tea pudding.
Why I love it: the varied menu and the awesome deserts definitely help! Best feature: the open kitchen bar.
House of Peroni
This is actually a temporary pop-up by House of Peroni ā theyāve created a lovely summer venue out on the terrace of Somerset House. Itās only going to be there until the end of September, so make the most of it while it lasts!
Why I love it: the very Italian, al-fresco vibe. Best feature:Ā view of the Thames.
Canary Wharf + Zizzi
Ā One of my closest friends in London lives in Southeast, and sometimes itās easier to just go out in Canary Wharf. Itās great for shopping (none of the craziness of central!), and it has a few really nice restaurants and bars in the area. Zizzi might sound a little boring as itās a chain, but actually their summer menu is quite good!
Why I love it: relaxed and less crowded. Best feature: again, the view of the Thames, but with a lot more greenery thrown in.
Regentās Park + Camden Lock Market
Ā Photo credit: hannatalks
Camden Lock is definitely one of my all-time favourites for eating out! A nice walk in the park followed by some killer Oli Babaās halloumi fries drizzled with pomegranate seeds and a minty yoghurt sauce from the market. Top it all off with a chocolate honeycomb ice-cream from Chin Chin Labs and call it the perfect day.
I get excited by funky ice-cream combinations, so I should probably write a post about the best ice-cream parlours in Londonā¦ Stay tuned!
What have you been up to this summer? Let me know your thoughts and any recommendations in the comments!
Thanks for reading,
xx Niya
Ā Out and about,Ā London We are now officially in August and in between travels, I've been eating and drinking my way around London for the past couple of months.
A new destination always excites me! I have to admit I probably didnāt organise my visit to Prague exceptionally well, but hopefully my experience can serve others to ensure they have a great time. Read on for some honest first impressionsā¦
Arriving in Prague
We took the train into Prague from Vienna after a couple of days full of culture, history, and some excellent cakes, I might add! The train journey took about 3 hours, and it was rather enjoyable, so Iād recommend trying it if you donāt want the hassle of getting to the airport, going through security and getting to the city centre after you land.
Special tip: acquaint yourself with Czech money before you go to Prague, the currency units are in hundreds, which makes it a bit confusing!Ā Source: myczechrepublic.com
We got an AirBnb on Nerudova St, which leads right up to Prague Castle, and that turned out to be a great area to stay. We had a quick lunch at U Schnellu (some mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, but I liked my traditional potato & mushroom soup) before starting our tour.
Prague Castle (PražskĆ½ hrad)
Tuscany Palace, or ToskĆ”nskĆ½ PalĆ”c, is some 400 years old and is now a government building.Ā Ā
SchwarzenberskĆ½ PalĆ”c ā another palace turned museum, housing a collection of Baroque art. Visit the courtyard terrace for a stunning view of Prague!
Map of the world in Starbucks by Prague Castle
Inside Prague Castle.
The Golden Lane ā the little houses were initially occupied by soldiers and guards, followed by all kinds of craftsmen, the renowned psychic Madame de Thebes, and writer Franz Kafka.
Clothing of the Czech nobles
The torture chamber
I was slightly disappointed by the vast empty rooms of the Castle itself, especially after the two-hour wait. But walking around the Golden Lane made it all worth it!
Walk through Mala Strana and Lennonās Wall
Iām not a massive beer fan, but I hear Czech pivo is a must if you are!
This is where young people wrote slogans for freedom and peace during the Communist era. The wall was repainted numerous times, but the young people never gave up on their unique creative outlet.
The framed Beatles artwork is actually made of ā¦ well, beatles.
Notice the yellow submarine above the entrance of the John Lennon pub!
This part of the city was definitely very nice, I felt like the character of Prague really came across through the artwork and the expression of peopleās freedom of speech. I highly recommend leaving the crowds at the main tourist sites behind and dropping by!
Charles Bridge (KarlÅÆv most)
View of Prague Castle upon crossing the bridge into Old Town
A view of the side of the bridge on the Vltava river
Without a doubt, Charles Bridge is the most famous site in Prague. It was so packed with tourists, that for me it really managed to ruin the experience, but I guess itās something you would still want to check out, even if rather briefly as we did.
You canāt ignore the warm apple and cinnamon scent of the chimney cakes wafting across the cityā¦ I know we couldnāt!
Old Town Prague
Old Town Square
Prague Astronomical Clock (PražskĆ½ orloj)
Church of Our Lady before TĆ½n
Our walk around the Old Town offered some great architecture and a pleasant atmosphere. There were still too many crowds of tourists for my taste, but you canāt have everything in life!
So, would you like to hear my final verdict? I liked Prague. I just enjoyed the culture of Vienna a bit more, but itās probably not fair to compare the two. I imagine Pragueās intriguing architecture would be beautiful in winter, and Iāve heard the Christmas markets are to die for, so I might just be back one day to give it another chance to enchant me!
Hope you found this post informative and inspirational! For me, visiting Prague for the first time was pretty enjoyable regardless of my few small complaints, and Iād love to hear what you thought about it. Let me know in the comment section and subscribe to the blog for more adventures around the globe!
Thanks for reading,
xx Niya
Doing Prague as a tourist ā lessonsĀ learned A new destination always excites me! I have to admit I probably didn't organise my visit to Prague exceptionally well, but hopefully my experience can serve others to ensure they have a great time.
Rediscovering Vienna as an adult: top 10 things to do
I try not to go to the same destination twice, unless the place was absolutely incredible and warrants a second visit. I was quite lucky to start travelling at an early age, and even though I have some pretty vivid memories from those first trips around Europe, as an adult I am definitely able to appreciate each destination I travel to in a different way, through the prism of all my experiences and with all the cultures Iāve explored as reference.
The first time I went to Vienna, I was still quite young (that was a whopping 12 years ago!), so the most memorable part of the trip was our visit to the Prater amusement park. If you have been to Vienna, you will probably agree that there is much more to the city than that. If you havenāt been there, well, read on for the top 10 reasons why you should go ā¦
Top 10 reasons to visit Vienna, Austria
10. The city is soaked in history
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Passing carriages add to the cityās atmosphere of a historic, sophisticated place
Walking through the streets of Vienna easily takes you back a few centuries ago. Looking at the passing carriages you can imagine the royal guests of the Emperor gathering for a night of exquisite entertainment to the sound of Viennese waltzes. If you want to really experience the cityās rich history for yourself, try theĀ Time Travel Vienna tour, complete with 5D cinema, an air raid shelter and of course, carriage rides.
9. Fine dining in a beautiful palm house
The Palmenhaus is an old tropical greenhouse turned brasserie with huge glass windows offering a view out to the pond in Burggarten Park. It is an unique way to have an (almost) al fresco dining experience when the weather is not that great to actually eat outside.
8. Bargain hunting in a Viennese market
Vienna has a sophisticated feel, yes. But thereās nothing to say you canāt also have some fun in a rather cheap and cheerful market! Naschmarkt is the most popular of those, and itās open every day apart from Sunday.
7. The stunning architecture
Vienna is home to some incredibly decorative palaces, cathedrals and museums, but the best thing about it is that an architectural delight can lurk around any corner waiting to stun you with its beauty. Donāt miss out on exploring St Stephenās Cathedral and its coloured roof, regarded as one of the symbols of Vienna. You can also take the tram down Ringstrasse for a panoramic tour of some of the most exquisite buildings in the city.
6. Some excellent rooftop bars
Steffl Sky Bar
It could be a bit strange to think of the modernity of rooftop bars after youāve spent hours admiring the history, culture and art in Vienna, but thatās what makes the city so great to visit ā it has something for everyone! Plus, there is no better way to appreciate the striking architecture of the city than from the top of a high buildingā¦ with a good cocktail in hand. Choose between Steffl Sky Bar, Onyx Bar at the Do & CoĀ andĀ Das Loft, or simply visit them all!
5. The cafĆ© culture ā CafĆ© Central, Hotel Sacher, Demel
CafƩ Central where Sigmund Freud and Leo Trotzki once dined and met with peers.
The original Sacher cake with Viennese coffee from Hotel Sacher.
Nothing says Vienna quite like coffee and Sacher cake! Make the most of this favourite pastime while in town, and stock up on chocolate-rich gifts to take back home. The most iconic places for a deliciously indulgent coffee break are CafƩ Central, Hotel Sacher and Demel.
4. The National Library is among the most beautiful in Europe
As a major bibliophile, it is no surprise that I enjoyed walking around the National Library in Vienna. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates books, art and beautiful architecture!
3. The oldest Zoo in Europe
Snoozing in the afternoon sun
Snoozing in the shade
A tunnel beneath the big cat enclosure. Pretty shocking to find yourself under a sleeping lion!
The Tiergarten Schoenbrunn in Vienna should definitely be on your list of reasons to visit the city. This historic park has a wide range of species, and its unique circular structure has turned it into one of the most modern zoos in the world, which is an achievement for a 250-year-old place!
2. Museum of Fine Arts
At the museum entrance
The entrance hall is unbelievable.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum exceeded my expectations a millionfold. The richly decorated interior of the building and the huge marble staircase fit for a palace served as an amazing backdrop for the exquisite exhibits inside. We went in at about 4 pm and didnāt want to leave even as the museum was closing two hours later. I took hundreds of pictures of the beautiful objects which Iām not going to post here, but if youāre interested in art, have a look at the video I created:
1. The Schonbrunn Palace and park
Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence for the Imperial family. It has 1,441 rooms decorated in opulent Baroque style and the park around it is equally impressive, with picturesque gardens, arches, fountains and elevations to take great panoramic pictures from. If you donāt have time for anything else, just visit Schonbrunn. It captures the essence of Vienna in all its mesmerising beauty.
Hope you found this post informative and inspirational! For me, rediscovering Vienna was a truly marvellous experience, and Iād love to hear what you thought about it. Let me know in the comment section and subscribe to the blog for more adventures around the globe!
Thanks for reading,
xx Niya
New blog post on visiting #Vienna as an adult! See my list of #top10 things to do #traveltips Rediscovering Vienna as an adult: top 10 things to do I try not to go to the same destination twice, unless the place was absolutely incredible and warrants a second visit.
So I finally went to Lisbon! It was nice ...ish
So I finally went to Lisbon! It was nice ā¦ish
Iām not sure I get everyoneās fascination with Lisbon. Itās not that I didnāt enjoy the city, it definitely had the charm of a quaint old place, but I just donāt think there was anything all that special to make me want to go back there. (moreā¦)
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100 Wordpress followers!
100 WordPress followers!
Hi everyone! I just wanted to take a little time to thank you for your ongoing support for this blog. I can assure you that every post like and each comment cause a jolt of happiness, and every time I engage with one of you through comments youāve left, I am reminded why I started on this journey. And although I value each and every individual interaction greatly, I am certainly most appreciativeā¦
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Cruising the Caribbean {Part 9}: Mayan Ruins and Lovely Lagoons, Mexico
Cruising the Caribbean {Part 9}: Mayan Ruins and Lovely Lagoons,Ā Mexico
I have been lusting over that view over the whole of last year! It seems like every single person on Instagram has been to Tulum recently, and when I decided to go on this Caribbean cruise, I knew this would be on the top of my list of places to visit. Tulum combines stunning beaches and historical Mayan ruins ā all in all, an unmissable site! (moreā¦)
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Cruising the Caribbean {Part 8}: Colours and Culture, Cuba
Cruising the Caribbean {Part 8}: Colours and Culture,Ā Cuba
When I look back on my time in Havana, I will definitely remember the range of eccentric classic cars, the lovely people in the streets, who are always dancing and singing, and generally the great atmosphere which makes the city feel like a place entirely out of this world. But what will certainly stay with me are the beautiful colours; the way the pastels complement each other acrossā¦
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Cabaret Tropicana - A Night to Remember
Cabaret Tropicana ā A Night toĀ Remember
Here is an exclusive look at some of the incredible performances at the crown jewel in Cubaās entertainment scene ā the Tropicana Cabaret. Youāre welcome š If you like the videos, donāt forget to give them a thumbs up and subscribe to the Bellewether YouTube channel for more footage from my adventures around the world! Thanks forā¦
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Cruising the Caribbean {Part 7}: Costumes and Canciones, Cuba
Cruising the Caribbean {Part 7}: Costumes and Canciones,Ā Cuba
Havana is famous for its pastel-coloured houses, so I wanted to show you some of the truly vibrant and colourful citizens that can be seen on its streets. I also wanted to try and capture what I find is the most unique trait of the Cuban population ā their gusto, or their passion for life, exhibited in their song and dance! (moreā¦)
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Cruising the Caribbean {Part 6}: Classic Cars and Commandants, Cuba
Leg six of the journey around the Caribbean takes me to a top #bucketlist item: Havana, Cuba!
Arriving in Havana at sunrise. Stepping out on the other side of the port terminal already feels like stepping into a different worldā¦ Plaza de la RevoluciĆ³n ā Che Guevara and his famous saying,Ā āĀ”Hasta la victoria siempre!ā (āUntil victory, always!ā). A parade of classic cars in a range of beautiful vibrant colours can be found at the square. My favourite one! Everywhere around the city visitorsā¦
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