Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is so incredible that I have visited not once, but twice. I stayed in the town of Niagara during my first overnight visit. Then I returned a second time with family and ended up staying in Niagara-on-the-Lake which I much preferred.

The Main Attraction

Obviously the main reason for visiting this region is to see the falls. The volume of the water flow is just surreal and it is definitely one of those things you have to see in person to understand the power of Niagara Falls. Luckily, we were on the Canadian side of the falls, which has much better panoramic views than the American side. I took the Hornblower Cruise on both occasions and I would highly recommend taking the boat tour if you visit. It brings you up close to each of the three waterfalls and immerses you in the mist of the Horseshoe Falls. They give you ponchos for a reason! We stood at the front of the top deck both times and the feeling of the mist hitting us was kind of exhilarating. We also got to meet Adam Sandler the first time we took the cruise. Life made.

New York, New York

A visit to the Big Apple has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and our trip back in August was unforgettable for a number of reasons. Not only did I finally get to see all the famous New York landmarks in person, but I also got the chance to see my favourite band Coldplay live in concert. It really was special.

Getting There:
We saved some dollar by taking the bus to New York, rather then flying which worked out far more expensive. Our budget-conscious decision may have been easy on our pockets but it was not a smooth journey by any means. Unfortunately we faced countless problems with Greyhound the minute we boarded our bus in Toronto and it's safe to say that I will not be using their services again. A stressful 17 hour bus journey, however, did not dampen our spirits and we left our overtired and hangry selves behind as soon as we stepped out of the bus station on 8th Avenue.

View of  the Statue of Liberty from Staten Island Ferry 

Where We Stayed:
Finding decent, budget-friendly and central accommodation in New York can be tough. We stayed in an Airbnb on Staten Island which was a little far out but the low price made it worthwhile. Getting to Times Square from our apartment involved a shuttle bus, ferry and subway ride but we spent the best part of our day out exploring, so the journey didn't phase us too much. Besides, the free commuter ferry provided us with a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline, so we couldn't complain! I would advise anyone who is on more of a time constraint to stay in Brooklyn or Queens to cut down on travel time.

Edinburgh

My boyfriend and I recently took a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and I have been dying to blog about it ever since.

We visited shortly after the Christmas holidays which was perfect timing. We stayed in the Alison House Hotel in Newington which was only a 20 minute walk from the centre. We were so impressed by this guesthouse and I loved the Georgian-style decor. We were a short walk away from the Abbey pub where we ate a full Scottish breakfast every morning... We couldn't help ourselves. A further 10 minute walk from the Abbey brought us right to the centre.

Attractions: We packed a lot into our trip but the first sight we took in was the stunning Edinburgh Castle. Luckily enough the sun was shining and the sky was clear so we had an incredible view of the city.

Views from Edinburgh Castle

After visiting the castle, we popped in to the Scottish Whisky Experience on Castlehill. I really enjoyed this tour (and that is a big statement coming from someone who doesn't like whiskey). During the first part of the tour you are fully immersed in the whiskey distilling experience on a relaxing barrel ride. Then we met our guide who talked us through the  various regions of Scotland while showing incredible footage of the scenery. And of course we got to taste some whiskey. Whether you're a whiskey lover or not, I would definitely recommend taking this tour.

They weren't all for me I swear...

We also decided to see the Edinburgh Dungeons. This tour was quite expensive but we had such a laugh doing it, so I think it was worth it in the end. We were brought around the dungeons by various 'scary' characters.. Be prepared to get involved and volunteer - they seemed to enjoy picking on me and my boyfriend! I would describe this attraction as more funny than scary although there were a few moments that I almost jumped out of my skin from fright.. They like to creep up on you.

Because we visited at the start of January, we caught the last few days of the Christmas Markets and they really were magical. We warmed ourselves up with hot drinks and got endless amounts of pic n mix and crepes. Then we relaxed in the cute and cosy bar with some mulled wine.

Stunning lights at the Christmas Markets

Restaurants and Bars: As mentioned above, if you are looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful for a filling breakfast, go to the Abbey. We went there every morning and I am almost certain that the staff knew our orders by heart.. Also, a restaurant I would 100% recommend is Civerino's. They are a small laid-back pizzeria with huge hipster vibes, serving New York style sourdough pizzas. Their pesto pasta was to die for. We gravitated more towards cocktail bars at night time. We visited the Sky Bar which is open to the public on the first Thursday of every month, providing amazing views of the castle. However their menu was quite limited and we couldn't see the castle due to the lights reflecting on the window *cries.* However we did come across the Dragonfly which was one of my favourite cocktail bars by far. They served really creative cocktails and their seating upstairs was so comfortable with a relaxed atmosphere.

Sipping bellinis in the Sky Bar

Dragonfly concoctions

I loved everything about Edinburgh. The architecture was beautiful and the people were so friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back and hopefully next time I will climb Arthur's Seat!
                                     

Zadar, Croatia

Following my short trip to Zadar in  August, the time has come to write a slightly belated blog post. What better time to write about sunny Croatia as I sit here wrapped in blankets while drinking hot chocolate in January..
So my boyfriend and I set out in mid August and flew directly to Zadar with Ryanair. Our flight was only €50 which was incredible value and as we were only going for a week we squeezed all of our belongings into carry-on suitcases. The struggle was real. We arrived late enough that evening and got an inexpensive shuttle bus to the Old Town where we were staying.

We had booked accommodation in the Sea Organ Apartments as they had received positive reviews and were also quite cheap. On arrival, we had to meet with one of the owners in the Old Town who kindly walked us to our apartment and also gave us ideas of what to do during our stay, First of all we were so impressed with the location of our apartment. It was a few metres away from the promenade and was very close (but not too close) to the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, the main attractions of Zadar. Second of all the apartment itself was comfortable and very well equipped. They had everything we needed.
The Old Town of Zadar had a buzzing atmosphere and was packed with tourists. The old cobble streets and restaurants certainly ooze Italian vibes, not to mention the amazing pizza and pasta dishes on offer. On our first day we strolled along the promenade, browsed markets and explored the lively squares and streets. The first evening was spent sitting at the Sea Organ watching the most beautiful sunset I had ever witnessed, This surreal sight is accompanied by the calming sounds of the Sea Organ as the waves hit the steps. This seems to be an evening ritual for both tourists and residents of Zadar, as crowds gathered here every evening. So we decided it was going to be our ritual too!

The Famous Sunset

We planned to do a few day trips during our stay and a trip to Nin's Lagoon was our first one. Because Zadar isn't necessarily a 'beach destination', with only a stony town beach, we decided to hop on a bus to Nin. The weather was beautiful and the shallow water and sandy beach makes this a suitable location for families.

Nin's Lagoon

Another trip that we were both very excited about was Krka National Park. Similar to Plitvice except much smaller, slightly cheaper and comes with the option to swim in the lake. We booked with an agency and got a student ticket for €60 including transport from the Old Town, lunch, entrance and a guided tour around the park. We did a loop around the park taking in the incredible sights of the waterfalls and enjoyed a nice refreshing dip in the water at the foot of the fall. The swimming area was really packed and I would definitely recommend bringing swimming shoes because the surface is very slippy and uneven. If you go to Zadar, do not leave without paying this park a visit - you won't regret it!

Krka National Park

Our final, and rather eventful, day trip was to Saharun beach on the island of Dugi Otok. This place looked like paradise and we couldn't miss out. We got a taxi to the port and got a Jarodlinija ferry to Brbinj which took about 40 minutes. Then from there we hoped to get a shuttle bus to the beach. I say 'hoped' due to the fact that our bus never actually made it to the beach. Instead it burst into flames while we were going over a hill. Luckily we all made it out alive and had to make our own way to the beach. Might I add that this was the only bus on our side of the island... Talk about a disaster! In the end, the stunning Saharun beach was 100% worth it. I had never seen water so turquoise blue and clear. We were lucky enough to bump into other 'survivors' of the bus journey and we walked miles until we came across a town where we managed to get a ride back to the ferry. It was during this moment that I witnessed the pure kindness of Croatian people.

                                     

                                     

One of my favourite things about Zadar was their restaurants and bars. If you are doing a walk along the promenade, I'd recommend making a pit stop in Restoran Fosa for some lunch or dinner. You will find it near the sea gate when as you come towards the end of the walk. The views are amazing and the seafood is even better.

Restoran Fosa

Also Restaurant Bruschetta was another favourite, which serves Italian cuisine and specialises in.. yes you've guessed it.. bruschetta! More amazing views from this restaurant and the staff were so friendly. Just make sure to book in advance as it's quite popular.
The Garden Lounge was the best place to chill both night and day and they make incredible cocktails. Their pina coladas were to die for. They have the comfiest seating as well and the open terrace provides beautiful views of the city wall and harbour. They also have a raw vegan menu which I didn't get a chance to try but heard it's great.

The Garden Lounge

Greeting to the Sun

Last but not least, a day in Zadar is not complete until you take a visit to the Greeting to the Sun. The solar panels collect power during the day and then when the sun goes down the light display begins. It's like an outdoor disco with music provided by the Sea Organ. It can be quite packed during the evening with people trying to get the perfect snap, but the best time to go is around midnight when it's more quiet.

Bray to Greystones Walking Trail

I wish I could live by the seaside so I could walk along the beach every day. There is something so calming and peaceful about the sea and one of my favourite trails to walk is the Bray to Greystones cliff walk. It's equally pretty during both summer and winter time and it is the perfect way to unwind. And there is nothing better than a trip to the Happy Pear café at the end of your journey as a reward! 

I finally got to go there this weekend after months of stalking their instagram; their recipes are too die for. I went for the roast cauliflower and garlic soup with pitta bread filled with sweet peppers, rocket, hummus and cheese. It was amazing and definitely worth the long queue! I also love the quotes that they have along the wall upstairs in the seating area. They add such a homey feel to the place. 

Interrailing around Europe

I had been drawn to the idea of interrailing for quite some time, so when I was taking a year out before starting college I figured it was the perfect time to do so. And of course, I dragged my boyfriend with me! Our 30 day continuous rail pass allowed us to travel around Europe using an unlimited amount of train journeys, giving more freedom than the flexi passes. This was ideal for us as we planned to travel for one month and we hoped to fit a lot of cities in. I would highly recommend using an interrail/eurail pass to anybody who wishes to explore Europe whether you're a student on a budget or a solo traveller willing to spend a bit extra -  it seems as though there are options and routes available to suit everyone. 

 Preparation

Luckily enough, it didn't take us long to come up with a route for our trip. We made a list of the cities we wanted to visit and used the interrail app to check the overall travel duration between each city. This helps a lot when deciding on where to go. We were keen on going in August to give us more time to save money and we found cheap flights to Brussels so we booked them straight away. At this stage we were pretty certain about our route and Brussels fitted perfectly for a start off point. Once we knew our starting date we were able to order our train passes online. We opted for the insurance as well to be on the safe side just in case we lost our passes along the way. We booked our hostels on Hostel Bookers over a period of a few weeks. Our budget was between €10-€20 which was very doable. When booking accommodation, we looked for cheap hostels with good reviews that were close/within the city centre. We also made sure the hostel was located close to a metro or tram line. When we had most of our hostels booked, we still weren't sure about where to end our trip. We came across a cheap flight from Paris so we decided to fly home from there. We booked our last few hostels and then everything was finally done. The excitement began to kick in!

Our route was: Brussels - Amsterdam - Berlin - Krakow - Prague - Vienna - Budapest - Lake Bled - Venice - Nice - Barcelona - Paris

Average cost for one person:
Cost of flights (including baggage) = €122
Interrail pass (including €25 insurance) = €496
Accommodation = €435
Total (excluding spending money) = €1053

We saved up as much as we could to travel around Europe comfortably, without worrying about running out of money. We splashed out more in some places more than others, but our daily budget on average was €30. This allowed us to have some money aside so we could do the Nou Camp tour and go to Disneyland etc etc. The amount of spending money you bring depends on the kind of holiday you want to have.

The Trip:
Brussels
Hotel: First Euroflat Hotel, 1 night.
We were exhausted when we arrived in Brussels because of our early morning flight and the lack of sleep and alcohol the night before. We also thought we lost our rail passes in the metro station which would have been a total disaster.. We decided on a hotel for our first night so we could get a proper rest. The Euroflat was in the EU district and was more suited towards people on business trips, not exactly tourists. We spent most of our stay in Brussels wandering around streets trying to figure out where to go. There was an abundance of fountains and squares, however the dull, rainy weather took away from these. Parc du Cinquantenaire was definitely our highlight. But I feel like we could've done some more research into the tourist sites of Brussels because we definitely missed a lot. 

                                                     

Amsterdam

Hostel: The Meeting Point, 2 nights.
After some confusion about what train to get on and chatting to Spanish youtubers who claimed to be famous, we arrived in Amsterdam and the minute we stepped out of central station, we were blown away. The buzzing atmosphere and beaming sunshine was a nice change from the groggy rainy streets of Brussels. I loved our hostel; it was right in the centre and the bar downstairs had such a nice chilled vibe. We stayed in an 18 bed dorm and met some lovely backpackers. During the day, we spent our time roaming the streets and taking in the beautiful canal views. And we also rented out bikes and lived to tell the tale. Our little cycle trip included a visit to Anne Frank's house, Museumplein (taking a billion selfies in front of Iamsterdam - spot the tourist) and the beautiful Vondelpark. We also paddled around in a little boat on the canal and ate endless amounts of noodles. I liked Amsterdam a lot.

Berlin
Hostel: The Generator Prenzlauer Berg, 3 nights.

For every interrailer, Berlin is a must. And I can definitely see why! When we first arrived it took us a while to figure out the S-bahn and U-bahn, but we finally got the hang of it. We mostly used the S-bahn because it's included on the interrail pass. We couldn't believe how massive our hostel was, it was crazy. I loved everything about it except the location. I would prefer to stay in Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg next time, seeing as we spent a lot of time there. There is a lot to do in Berlin and we weren't sure how to fit everything in, so we decided to go on a free walking tour with Sandeman. Our tour guide Rob was amazing and he brought us around the Holocaust memorial, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall. Without this tour we would've been clueless. Another highlight of the trip was the East Side Gallery. I was in awe walking along it, it was just incredible. 

The nightlife in Berlin was hit and miss (including endless journeys searching for Tresor to learn it was on the other side of the city). Basically if you're planning on getting into the likes of Berghain then befriend a German-speaking person and don't smile in the queue - ever!! But if techno music isn't your cup of tea then I would recommend doing thr Backpacker pub crawl. It is perfect for meeting other travellers and it is so much fun. Also, on the third night we were in luck because our lovely room-mates brought us to Suicide Circus which was so much fun.  We also stumbled across a beer festival in Alexanderplatz and were entertained by a crazy Argentinian man roller-blading around circles. I can't wait to go back to Berlin and explore it more.      

Krakow

Hostel: Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel, 1 night.

After a ten hour bus journey from Berlin to Krakow, we were extremely tired. Our hostel was in a great location right on the shopping street and around the corner from the square. Krakow is extremely cheap and we took advantage of the €3 KFC meals of course (for breakfast, lunch and dinner). The facillities in our hostel were great and it always had a buzz around it. We were so tired that night that we just chilled in the square by the fountain and then went back to the hostel bar. We also booked our trip to Auschwitz for the next day. We got a good deal with the hostel which included free lunch beforehand and transport provided to and from the concentration camp. The whole tour lasted about 7-8 hours and it is certainly a must-see if you are nearby Krakow. Unfortunately we had no time to fit in a visit to the salt mines but hopefully I will return someday.

 

Prague
Hostel: Hostel Ananas, 2 nights.
We experienced our first ever night train to Prague and believe me, it was crazy! First of all, getting on the right carriage is key. You don't want to end up in the wrong city.. We didn't reserve a couchette or sleeper so we were roughin' it in a 6 seater compartment for the night. We were lucky that the people sharing with us were lovely and we all had the craic (as well as two hours broken sleep and scary Polish police interrogating us). We arrived to Prague feeling a bit delicate and had a nap in McDonald's. And then we did a walking tour because - well why not? Our tour guide wasn't as passionate as the one in Berlin but it was still nice to see Prague's beautiful Gothic buildings and get some food recommendations also. Czech food is amazing and is definitely worth trying (especially chilli goulash). Everything is so cheap in Prague as well. Our hostel cost next to nothing yet it was right in the centre and the beds were like heaven. We hiked up the steps to the castle one of the days. I nearly passed out from the heat but the views of the city were definitely worth it. To top it all off we went to the Ice Bar in club Karlovylazne, which is Europe's biggest nightclub apparently. Let's face it this club was full of tourists but the cheesy pop hits floor was my kind of party. Prague was definitely one of our favourites.

 

Vienna

Hostel: Meininger Central Station, 2 nights.
When we arrived in Vienna it was so hot that even the breeze couldn't cool us down. Luckily enough our hostel was nearby the train station so we didn't have long to walk. Vienna was a lot more expensive compared to the likes of Krakow and Prague, but it was so beautiful. The metro was so easy to use as well. We had a really nice Portuguese roommate who came sightseeing with us which was fun. Schoenbrunn Palace was beautiful and definitely worth seeing. The grounds and gardens around it are so picturesque.

Foodies like me would absolutely love Naschtmarkt; you could spend hours wandering around this market and I got the best falafel ever in a restaurant there.

We also swam in the Danube which was terrifying because I hate not being able to feel the ground beneath me when I swim.. (I have a slight fear of water). But it was still nice. After our swim we spent some time relaxing in a park where we came across a few eccentric locals who stripped off and jumped into a fountain the size of a bath tub. Then they whipped out some rubber flamingos and had a splash around. It was weird but entertaining. This carry on seems to be normal in Vienna because everyone else was minding their own business. Mental! I really liked the nightlife in Vienna. The underground club Flex is definitely one to check out. 

I was really surprised by Vienna and it wasn't what I expected at all. I am so glad we included it on our route.

 
 


Budapest

Hostel: Guru Hostel, 2 nights.
After a few emotional farewells to our Portuguese pal and a nice sleep on the floor of the train, we arrived in Budapest. We had a long tiring walk to the hostel but it was one of the best ones we stayed in. The guy who runs it was so friendly and he made us feel at home. One thing we did straight away was hop on the metro to the Szechenyi Baths. We spent the evening there and it was so relaxing, definitely worth a visit. We also had a wander around and saw St. Stephens Basilica which is very impressive. We had great intentions of crossing the bridge to visit Buda but then it started to lash rain. And I mean lash. We ran down a very long street and somehow found our hostel and our clothes got soaked right through. We were all cosy in the hostel while listening to the thunder outside when the power cut out of nowhere. And it was gone all night. We were so hungry so we risked our lives and went to get some pizza. It was like something out of a horror film walking down the stairs of a hostel that was pitch black. The weather cleared the next day so we did a walking tour which brought us to Buda and the Fisherman's Bastion. Later that evening we found our way back to Buda by cable car and took in the beautiful views of the city as the sun went down. We headed back to the baths for the unmissable Sparty and it was absolutely crazy. It was the perfect way to say farewell to an incredible city.

                      

Lake Bled
Hostel: Vila Viktorija, supposed to be 3 nights.
This was the moment I established my hatred for trains. Our train from Budapest decided to leave an hour late, which meant that we missed our connecting train from Zagreb to Bled. Nothing could be done and the staff in the station were dismissive and rude. So we were stranded from 10pm to 5am in Zagreb. But we made the most of our time and did some sightseeing. When we finally arrived in Bled, we were down to two nights so we tried to fit everything in. Unfortunately we didn't have time to go to Vintgar Gorge which I was so disappointed about, but we did have a really relaxing and chilled out stay. Our hostel was in the perfect location right beside the lake. Despite the rain on the first day, we still went out to the island on our paddle boats which was so much fun. We also went on the cable car and toboggan, where we got the most amazing views of the lake. We did a lot of cooking in the kitchen too to save them dollas. And of course we jumped into the lake (I am still proud of myself)! Lake Bled was my favourite place we visited because the scenery was so beautiful and it was a nice change to just relax.

 


Venice
Campsite: Plus Camping Jolly, 2 nights.
One of my favourite moments of Venice was walking out of the station and seeing the colour of the canal. It was gorgeous. To get to Jolly, we had to get a people mover to the mainland and then a bus to the campsite. We stayed in a little three person tent which had beds provided. It was so cheap and the facilities were quite good. There was a bar and a pool there too. All we did in Venice was walk around and take in all the pretty sights. And of course we ate plenty of gelato and pizza. We also got a traghetto which is a cheap version of a gondola that crosses the canal. We may have pretended it was a gondola though.. St. Marks square was really beautiful but very difficult to dodge pigeons..

I've heard a lot of mixed opinions about Venice but I really enjoyed it and it was like nowhere else I've ever been before. And nothing can beat watching the sun go down while you sit on the pier as the boats go by.

 

 

Nice
Hostel: Villa Saint Exupery, 1 nights & Hostel Altair, 1 night

Nice was a let down if I'm completely honest. Yes, the weather was beautiful and the sea was an incredible shade of blue. But everything other than that was just - average. Our highlight was actually travelling along the coast. We got the train to Monte Carlo one evening. I love the trains along the Cote d'Azur, they are so scenic and go right along the coast. By the time we arrived there it was dark so it was amazing seeing all the lights. We had an eventful night when we arrived back to the hostel.. A French guy staying in our dorm came back slightly drunk, jumped off his top bunk and vomited out the window. He was talking and laughing in his sleep and I was slightly terrified. We left the hostel at 5am and rescued our German friend too. Luckily enough our train to Barcelona was at half 6..

 

 


Barcelona
Hotel: Senator Spa Hotel, 1 night & Hola Hostel, 2 nights.
We decided to treat ourselves and stay in a hotel for our anniversary. Then the next day we got the metro to Hola Hostel which was very close to the Sangrada Familia (which is still under construction in case you're wondering).. I loved the metro in Barcelona and our hostel was in a pretty good location too. We strolled down La Rambla and drank lots of sangria - when in Spain! We also did a pub crawl which wasn't exactly a pub crawl. After a long time searching for the first bar we finally found it. We got tapas and a free drink and then we made our way to the next bar. And then we went to an amazing beach night club which seemed pretty exclusive or else just a complete rip off. We met a great group of people there though and it was so much fun. We loved the kitchen in the hostel too. Good kitchens are important. Luke had Nou Camp on the top of his to-do list so we booked ourselves a ticket to go see it. Coming from someone who's not interested in sports at all, I really enjoyed it strangely enough. I would definitely recommend it!

 

Paris
Hostel: AIJ International Youth Hostel, 3 nights.
Getting to Paris was stressful and made me hate people who worked in train stations even more. We only realised an hour before our train that we were given the wrong time on our reservation ticket. And they wouldn't refund it. There were many tears. So dramatic. I may have been playing the sympathy card. Anyway we sorted things out eventually and got on a night train that we didn't reserve. Thank god they were friendlier than the guys in Barcelona.. We arrived in Paris and were slightly cranky and the staff in the hostel didn't make our situation any easier with their 11am wake up calls. But it was our last few days and we didn't let anything spoil them! We did a lot in Paris and I don't know where we got the energy from. We went up the Eiffel Tower, along the Champs Elysees, visited the Louvre, went to Place de la Concorde, cruised along the Seine at night, went up to Montmartre, saw the Sacre Coeur, went to Centre Pompidou and drank a lot of vin. We also visited good aul Disneyland on our very last day. It was weird going back to were I used to work but I got to see one of my friends which was nice! And there's no better way to end our visit than to watch the fireworks. Paris never disappoints. Then we got a shuttle bus to the tiniest airport ever, Beauvais and it was home time for us.