Tag: travel

travel

Corfu

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Kavos beach
Hotel pool

Corfu is a Greek islands with one of the shortest flight times from the UK, and has lots to offer in terms of beaches, resorts and other islands easily accessible by boat. Whatever you are looking for from a sunshine break, Corfu can offer it!

  • Currency: Euro
  • Local time: GMT +2
  • Language: Greek

Resort: Kavos

Most people hear the word ‘Kavos’ and think of club 18-30 and general chaos. I myself was a little sceptical when booking, but with 36 hours notice before we went, our options were limited and so we took a risk and booked, and I am SO glad we did.

September in Kavos is nothing like the party season they experience June-August, and was in fact a fun, bustling resort with a lovely beach and great restaurants with very minimal partying to be seen. What’s more, is it falls into the cheaper category of Greek resorts due to the people it often caters for in the peak season.

Kavos beach
Kavos strip

Hotel: Morfeas Hotel

Possibly the friendliest hotel I’ve every stayed in, and certainly the one I had the most fun in! From the moment we checked in, staff went out of their way to get to know us and make sure we had an excellent holiday.

The pool area was excellent, with a live DJ playing during the day! The bar at the swimming pool also served great food and very reasonably priced drinks. The on site restaurant food was also of very good standard and we ate here twice, receiving a guest discount on the food too.

Evening entertainment here is what really sells the hotel. From karaoke to bingo to quizzes, there is always something going on in the evenings and it’s a great way to mix and meet other guests at the hotel. The hotel also has the only 24hr bar in Kavos, so if you do fancy making a night of it, this is the place to be!

Hotel pool
Pool area
New friends!

Restaurants: Roussos, Aristos Taverna, The Rose Tree, Vasilis Taverna

There are so many options for dining out in Kavos, and most cuisines are catered for too! We stuck to the more traditional Greek places, as for me you can’t beat homemade Greek food when in Greece!

For an amazing view across the sea, head to Roussos – Perfect for dining as the sun goes down. The saganaki cheese and chicken souvlaki here were both excellent.

Aristos Taverna is located on the main strip, and had possibly the friendliest service we experienced all week! We were warmly greeted and given an brief explanation of the menu, before deciding on a few appetisers and our mains. Local wine here was very good and very reasonable!

The Rose Tree came highly recommended from fellow hotel guests and did not disappoint. Located away from the main strip, it was a very quiet and peaceful place to eat, and felt like somewhere the locals would go.

We took a day trip to Paxos from Corfu, and had lunch at Vasilis Taverna, which I highly recommend if you visit the island. Traditionally painted in white and blue, the food here was very fresh and some of the most authentic we had.

Vasilis Taverna
The Rose Tree
Morfeas terrace
Roussos
Aristos Taverna
travel

Travelling during COVID-19

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I have just returned from my first overseas trip in five months, and although I was so excited to finally get away (and back to my favourite city; Amsterdam), I was also a little apprehensive at how drastically different the travelling may be. While there were notable changes – mainly to facilitate social distancing – the whole process at both airports ran smoothly and efficiently and I felt safe.

I flew out from London Luton, and from the moment I entered the airport, there were clear signs to follow and plenty of hand sanitiser stations to use.

I’d already checked in online (which is encouraged by most airlines now) and so I proceeded straight to security with my mobile boarding pass. Security was very quiet – I assume due to the fact number of flights is currently reduced – and there were plastic screens up to keep passengers separate when putting your belongings into trays.

Once through into the departure lounge, there were lots of signs stating the rules to ‘help protect yourself and others’, along with plenty of hand sanitiser stations. The seating areas had also been marked, with seats ranging from empty single chairs, those reserved for family groups and those which could not be used at all. Some food and drink outlets were open and allowed you to remove your mask for eating and drinking, as long as it was replaced as soon as you were finished. Shops such as WHSmith and Boots were also open.

Boarding the aircraft wasn’t too different from pre-COVID times, apart from a few small changes, such as scanning your own boarding pass and holding your own passport open to show staff rather than handing them over.

Once on the aircraft itself, there were no ‘spare’ or empty seats left between parties as some people predicted there would be, and we were asked to take our seats quickly and avoid walking around the aircraft. The cabin crew asked us to make sure there were only ever two people in the queue for the toilet at any time, and the on board magazines and menus had been temporarily removed. A reduced service was offered in terms of food and drink, and they no longer accept cash as payment.

Upon landing, disembarking was done in a very orderly fashion, and this is one thing I’d be more than happy to see stay long term! We left the plane row by row, only standing and retrieving bags from the overhead lockers once the row in front had moved.

There are currently forms that need filling in depending on which country you’re visiting, and your airline should inform you of this before your flight. I was never asked to show my health declaration form at passport control in Amsterdam, but I saw some people who were randomly selected to do so, so make sure you’ve filled in everything you need before you fly, just incase. When returning to the UK, you must complete an online form which can be found here. This cannot be completed until 48 hours before your return.

The return journey from Schiphol followed a similar pattern to my outbound journey, although the rules in The Netherlands are more relaxed than the UK and so masks were only necessary at the airport when passing through security and boarding the plane. Again, there were plenty of hand sanitiser stations and signs telling you to keep 1.5 meters apart (the distance necessary in The Netherlands). Schiphol have also set up a dedicated webpage with all of the information you need regarding travelling to and from the airport, your time in the airport and the most frequently asked questions from travellers. It was super helpful and something that we could really do with from the major UK airports too!

Overall, my travelling experience felt safe and well organised, and I wouldn’t hesitate to travel again in the near future (as long as government advice permits!)

For a full list of countries that can currently be visited from the UK, see the government list here.

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Where next?

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Tenerife

I’m heading back for my annual trip to Tenerife this month – Winter sun in just a 4 hours flight!

Madrid

The capital of Spain has been on my list for a long time, and after having to cancel my trip during the pandemic, I’m super excited to finally be flying out in April. Heading there with two friends, and were delighted to find that Roommate Oscar have triple rooms, so we can all share AND make the most of their amazing rooftop pool and bar!

© Roommate hotels
© Roommate hotels

Budapest

Budapest is one of my favourite cities in Europe, and I’ve been wanting to go back for years. A friend and I have booked two nights in Budapest for the early UK May Bank Holiday, and I was delighted to see that the AirBnB’s are just as amazing – if not better – than they were the last time I visited!

Paris

I haven’t been to Paris since I was 15, so it basically doesn’t count – I’ve never experienced it as an adult! I’ve booked to go for the weekend with three friends, ad at just over two hours from London on the Eurostar, we’ll be in the city before we know it! Aside from ticking off the obvious tourist attractions (hello, sparkly nighttime Eiffel Tower!) we are mainly going for the fresh pastries and a lot of steak & red wine!

Kefalonia

It’s no secret that I love the Greek islands, and I’m visiting a new one with my sister this summer. We’ve chosen Kefalonia as we found lovely looking apartments via Jet2 in a quiet, secluded village called Svoronata. With just a few local tavernas and some nearby sandy beaches, it’s perfect for a relaxing week away!

© Jet2 holidays
© Jet2 holidays
travel

Mauritius

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Belle Mare beach
Sunset at the pool
Glass bottom boat

Mention the word Mauritius and instantly you think of white sand and blue sea. Head to Belle Mare on the East coast of the island and that is exactly what you will find. A perfect place if you want some time to eat, drink and relax. 

  • Currency: Mauritian rupee
  • Local time: GMT +4
  • Language: English, French, Mauritian Creole

Resort: Belle Mare

Belle Mare beach is arguably one of the best on the island. Situated on the East Coast, there is a gentle breeze all year round meaning even on sweltering days it never feels too hot. There are several upmarket resorts to choose from, as well as several more catering to those on a slightly more restricted budget. What I loved about this area though was that walking along the beach, it never felt crowded or busy, or like too many hotels had been crammed in. It was always calm, always peaceful.

At around an hours drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport, it is worth booking a transfer in advance so that you have someone to greet you in arrivals and whisk you away to your hotel.

Belle Mare Beach
Belle Mare Beach
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Coral reef
Coral reef

Hotel: Emeraude Beach Attitude

We booked to stay at the Emeraude Beach Attitude hotel as part of a package with British Airways and could not fault the hotel. It is a small, adults only set up and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our stay. The moment we arrived (after 16 hours of travelling door to door) we were warmly greeted and offered a cold drink and lunch before being checked in, which was hugely appreciated.

Pool area
Pool area
Sunset at the pool
Sunset at the pool
Pool area
Pool area

Rooms: The rooms were clean, comfortable and spacious, and mere steps from the swimming pool. With daily maid service and refreshing of towels, plus an inclusive mini-bar we were left wanting for nothing.

The air conditioning was also highly effective (and much needed in 36 degree heat)!

Screenshot 2020-01-03 at 15.54.40
IMG_1412

Food: All inclusive hotels can often be hit and miss with their food, but I can honestly say we never had a bad meal here. As the resort is small (just 61 rooms) the food is cooked in small batches and is constantly being cooked/topped up, meaning everything was super fresh and piping hot.

  • The breakfast options were plentiful and always in buffet style (with a chef station for excellent fresh omelettes).
  • Lunch could be had from either the buffet restaurant, which always had fresh salad plus several hot and cold options each day, varying from both Western and local cuisine. Taba-J, the Mauritian street food cart on site was an excellent choice for lunch also (or a mid-afternoon snack!), and if eating here, I particularly recommend the chicken roti!
  • Dinner comes with three options: A buffet meal with self service, à la carte with a set menu at the main restaurant (on rotation basis, roughly every other night) or a special meal at Kot Nou – the hotels signature restaurant. You can dine here with your feet in the sand and traditional food brought to you by smiling waiters.
    Lunch
    Lunch
    Kot Nou restaurant
    Kot Nou restaurant
    Starter at Kot Nou
    Starter at Kot Nou
    Breakfast
    Breakfast
    Taba J
    Taba J

Bar: The bar area is situated between the pool area and the main restaurant, and is open from 11am daily. Serving everything from cold soft drinks and iced coffees through to local wine & spirits and excellent cocktails, you’ll never go thirsty here! The all inclusive package really came into it’s own here as pretty much everything on the menu (bar imported spirits) was included!

IMG_1490
bar

Do: Boat trip, water sports, day trip to Port Louis

Although the main aim of most peoples trips to Mauritius is to relax, for those wanting to venture out of their hotel, there are lots of options for those who wish to be a little more energetic.

Our package with Emeraude Beach Attitude hotel included a glass bottom boat trip out to the coral reef, which was an excellent way of exploring the local marine life. There was also the chance to snorkel in the clear waters part way through the trip, and snorkels were provided.

Still on the water theme, there are many watersports options that can be booked on Belle Mare beach. From waterskiing to parasailing, paddleboarding to  kitesurfing, the prices were reasonable and the activities ran daily.

If you’re wanting to explore a different part of the island then consider a day trip to Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. It is around an hour each way in the car, and taxis can be arranged by the hotel reception for those wishing to take the trip.

Glass bottom boat
Glass bottom boat
Belle Mare beach
Belle Mare beach
Coral reef
Coral reef

travel

Barcelona

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Barceloneta Beach
Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is the perfect city to visit if you’re after a mix of architecture, great food and a long sandy beach. Although fairly spread out, if you stay in the Eixample area most on the central part of the city can be explored on foot – Make sure not to miss the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter.

  • Currency: Euro
  • Local time: GMT +1
  • Language: Catalan, Spanish

Stay: Kimpton Vividora

This was my first time staying in a Roommate hotel, but it certainly won’t be my last! Roommate Gerard was perfectly located in central Barcelona in the Eixample  district. It is a short 5 minute walk to the Gothic Quarter, around 10 minutes to the El Born area with its trendy bars and cafes and around 30 minutes walk from the beach, meaning pretty much everywhere in central Barcelona is easily accessible on foot.

The rooms were minimalist in design and equipped with everything you need for a city stay, plus a few little extras to help you settle in. The beds were huge and amazingly comfy, and the bathroom followed suit in spaciousness, and had great products that were restocked daily. The yoga mats were a great addition for anyone who wanted to take part in the rooftop yoga classes included in the stay.

There is a daily wine hour for guests as with all Kimpton hotels, which is a great chance to mingle and meet other guests, and there is also a rooftop complete with pool and loungers exclusively for guests use – great if you want to soak up some sun away from the crowds on the beach. The rooftop bar and restaurant has an excellent selection of local food and drinks, and amazing views over the city!

Do: Sagrada Familia, Barceloneta Beach, Las Ramblas, La Boqueria Market

No trip to Barcelona is complete without a trip to the Sagrada Familia. Although the basilica – designed by Gaudi – is unfinished, it’s a hugely impressive building, and even more so from inside. If you want a tour of the building it’s worth booking tickets in advance as the queues on the day can get very long.

One of the major benefits of Barcelona is that there is a beach within walking distance of the city centre, and it’s a nice beach too! There’s a wide stretch of golden sand, and although there aren’t many lounger to sit on, many people stretch out on blankets or take a stroll along the surf. The edge of the beach is also lined with plenty of bars and restaurants for when you start to feel peckish.

If you’ve had your fill of sunbathing on the beach, head back into the city along Las Ramblas, one of the most famous streets in Barcelona. Always packed with tourists, the bars and restaurants that line the street are fairly pricey here and definitely aren’t catered towards the locals, but it’s a great place to stop and people watch.

Located just off of Las Ramblas is the Boqueria Market, which is a great place to stop and sample some fresh produce, including cured meats, cheeses and freshly squeezed juices. Watch your bags in this afea though as it’s a hot spot for pick pockets!

Barceloneta Beach
Sagrada Familia
La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria Market
La Rambla

Eat: Tantarantana, El Rall, Pizza paco, Chocolat-Box, Chichi Limona, Bacoa Burger

The food scene in Barcelona is excellent – I can almost guarantee that you will be able to find whatever you are craving! We ate a mixture of local food (tapas, paella, churros…) along with great pizza, burgers and pastries. A few of my top places to eat are listed below:

  • Tantarantana – Located in the El Born district in a tucked away square, this place serves authentic tapas in a cozy setting. They have lots of tables outdoors, bu these will need reserving unless you want to sit down past 10pm.
  • El Rall – The paella here was great, and very reasonable! There were several different varieties (we went for Valencian with chicken and rabbit) and the local house wine was €5 per half litre!
  • Pizza Paco – Just down the road from Tantarantana, this pizza place is always packed and for good reason. Cheap, tasty pizza with an extensive toppings menu.
  • Chichi Limona – A great place to stop for breakfast or brunch in the Eixample area. The pastries here were so fresh they were still warm from the oven!
  • Bacoa Burger – If you’re craving a burger after a morning of soaking up the sun on the beach, head to Bacoa Burger for good quality meat and a selection of sides to accompany.
  • Chocolat-Box – Perfect for a pit stop if you fancy indulging in some typical Spanish churros with rich chocolate to dip them in.

Chichi Limona
El Rall
Pizza Paco
Tantarantana
Bacoa Burger
Tantarantana
Chocolat-Box

Drink: Story, Mescladis, El Born district, Roommate Gerard rooftop

There are so many tucked away bars in Barcelona that it would be impossible to visit them all, but whether you’re looking for a pavement side cafe, a wine bar or a lively late night music venue, you’re guaranteed to find it somewhere in the city!

The El Born district is an excellent area to find a spot for a pre-dinner drink. My favourite was Mescladis, a little outdoor garden style bar serving drinks to locals and tourists alike. They don’t stay open late, so make this a pit stop for a drink before dinner.

Story, not far from Mescladis, was another favourite. They often have live music in the evenings and has an excellent wine list. It’s cozy and the perfect place to relax after an evening meal.

Mescladis
El Born
Roommate Garrard
Story

travel

Krakow

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Old Town
Wodka bar
Old Town market

For a city that has equal parts history and nightlife, look no further than Krakow in Poland! With a small but charming Old Town, excellent food options and enough bars to keep you entertained for days, it’s a thumbs up for Polands second city.

  • Currency: Polish Zloty
  • Local time: GMT +1
  • Language: Polish

Stay: Aparthotel Stare Miasto

Aparthotel Stare Miasto could not be more centrally located. Less than a minutes walk form Old Town Square, but with all the peace and quiet of a tucked away retreat, this place was an excellent find!

The apartments are designed with open brickwork and ceiling spotlights, giving a modern, inviting feel to the studios. The beds were super comfortable and there was a daily maid service.

The front desk were always on hand to offer tips and recommendations of places to go/restaurants, and we were also able to leave our bags for the day upon checkout, which was a great help for exploring the city on our last day.

Do: Explore Old Town, Planty Park, Vistula River, Hire scooters, drink vodka!

Staying in the centre of Old Town made it easy for exploring the main square and the market. We spent a lot of time relaxing in the Old Town Square watching the charming horse and carts take people on tours of the city. The Old Town is surrounded by Planty Park, which is definitely worth taking a stroll in. A great place for people watching and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the nearby market square.

Heading lightly out of Old Town, we walked down to the river and took a boat trip for an hour long the Vistula river. We got great views of the castle and cathedral on the way back, so decided to climb up and explore the area after the boat ride.

All through the city you’ll see electric scooters dotted around. They are really easy to hire – Simply download the app of the brand you wish to hire (we used Hive and loved them) and then scan the QR code. Simply scan again to check out when you are finished! It’s a great way to get around the city, and have some fun at the same time.

You can’t go to Poland without tasting vodka, and the best place we found to do this was Wodka Bar (address: Mikołajska 5, 31-027). They had vodka tasting paddles and over 40 flavours to choose from. We were advised to get a board between the two of us and see how it went, which was great advice – I think one each could have been dangerous! The best flavours for us were caramel, cherry and coconut!

Old Town
Cathedral
Boat trip
Hive scooters
City park
Wodka bar

Eat: Kogel Mogel, Mr Pancake, Old Town Market, Amarone

Our first evening dinner was at the amazing Kogel Mogel, a Michelin Guided restaurant in the heart of Old Town. With warm candlelit lighting and a live pianist, the atmosphere was great, as was the food. Main courses worked out around £12, which for the quality of the food was an outstanding price!

Breakfast on Sunday morning was a stack of fluffy, chocolate drenched pancakes at Mr Pancake. They have an extensive menu of both sweet and savoury pancake creations, along with a make your own option and a selection of other brunch items. We went for the Nutella pancakes and then added some extra M&Ms and Magic Stars to the top, because, well, we didn’t have enough chocolate already!

If you’re after a tasting menu, look no further than the lunch menu at Amarone – 7 courses for 69PLN! The dining room was elegant and the service was excellent. Food was served as a tray of 5 appetisers, followed by a main course and then dessert. We loved every dish, and would definitely return here to try out more of their seasonal lunchtime menus!

If you’re after a quick snack/bite to eat in the afternoon in the city, head to the market in Old Town Square. There are so many options o choose from, ranging from cheese to pork dishes through to our favourite – Pierogi. The stall we went to had so many different flavours to choose from, and did a mix and match selection plate for us to try!

Old Town market
Mr Pancake
Amarone
Kogel Mogel

Drink: Pub Propaganda, Singer, Wodka Bar, Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa

The nightlife in Krakow is excellent, and has everything ranging form trendy bars through to ruin pubs and night clubs.

As mentioned above, the Wodka bar is a must visit for sampling vodkas in the city, but pretty much every bar you go to will have multiple flavours of the spirit on sale. Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa is definitely one to head to if you’re wanting a cheap round (or 4!) as shots here are £1 each! Set out in a diner style, it was super crowded and loud, but had a party atmosphere about it, and who can complain about a bit of jostling at the bar when drinks are so cheap?!

If you’re heading to the Kazimierz district for your evening out (which is highly recommended for at least one night of your trip) then you’ll be spoilt for choice for bars. One of our favourites was Singer, named after the sewing machines that form part of the tables. This place gets very lively into the early hours of the morning!

Pub Propaganda was also a great discovery – This definitely comes under the ‘dive bar’ heading, so don’t expect a drinks menu or anything fancy. The barmaid was friendly though and happy to recommend beverages. Be warned: Drink the ‘Mad Dog’ shot at your peril!!

Our last stop of the night was Eszeweria, which was lit with an abundance of candles and fairy lights. Warm and inviting, it would be easy to spend hours in here, cozied up in one of the many tucked away corners.

Pub Propaganda
Wodka bar
Eszeweria

Uncategorized

Valencia

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El Rall

Located on the East coast of Spain, Valencia has a lot to offer for those looking for a long weekend away. With a charming Old Town, excellent food, buzzing nightlife and a beach just a short metro ride away, there is something for everyone in this city!

  • Currency: Euro
  • Local time: GMT +1
  • Language: Spanish

Stay: Expo Hotel

The Expo Hotel in Valencia is in a great location for exploring the city; within walking distance of Old Town and also with easy access to the Metro for trips to the beach or the hip Russufa district.

The rooftop here steals the show, with a large swimming pool, plenty of sun loungers and a bar selling local drinks and excellent burgers. It’s the perfect place to spend some time relaxing after strolling the streets of the city.

Do: Botanical Gardens, City of Arts and Sciences, Eat Tapas, Explore El Carmen, Turia Park

Although it would be easy to spend the entire time just eating and drinking your way around the city, Valencia has lots to see and do, so put on some comfy shoes and get exploring!

On the edge of the city – just a short walk from the Expo Hotel – there are lovely Botanical Gardens that are definitely worth a visit. Home to many of Valencia’s stray cats, along with (of course) a fascinating array of plants and flowers, it’s a great place to wander around and take a pause from the busy city streets. If green spaces are your thing, also set aside some time to stroll the Turia Park, which runs around the city centre and is build in an old river bed.

The City of Arts and Sciences is a huge complex that is home to the Valencia Opera House, the Museum of Science, an Oceanographic and a Hemispheric, plus lots of events taking place throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased in advance for individual attractions or in bundles if you want to visit more than one and save money. Hop on the Metro and you can reach this area within 10 minutes from the central city.

Technically, ‘sample the tapas’ should be under the eat heading, but it really is a way of life here and so it’s made it to the list of things to do! Many places, for small side street cafes to large restaurants serve tapas all day, and you will rarely see empty seats outside the cafes in the summer. Add a jug of Agua De Valencia (cava, orange juice, vodka and gin) to your order and watch the world go by while picking at some lovely fresh nibbles.

The neighbourhood of El Carmen should definitely be on your list to explore. A maze of small winding streets that are covered in amazing street art and murals and are home to some of the best backstreet bars and cafes that we found on our trip. The more lost you get, the better!

Eat: Bar Cordellats, El Rall, Restaurante San Miguel, La Chipirona

There are SO many amazing places to eat in the city that these really are just a selection of restaurants for inspiration more than anything.

One this that we did notice was that a lot of restaurants offer a ‘menu of the day’ – some for lunch and some for dinner – but they were always excellent value and really tasty food. One of the best upmarket menus of the day we did was a lunchtime menu at La Chipirona. Fresh fish is huge here, and while the starters come in meze form to share, for main there were three dishes to choose between. We went for the local fish/rice dish and were definitely not disappointed!

For a quick lunch stop thats guaranteed to fill you up, grab a Bocadillo (a Spanish type of sandwich) at Bar Cordellats. Located near the central market, this is a great place to stop if you are exploring the city centre in the day time.

One of the best paellas of the whole trip was had at El Rall, a permanently busy restaurant located in a small but charming square in El Carmen. We ordered the traditional Valencia paella along with two glasses of Agua de Valencia, and it was the best version of the drink we had too!

El Rall
Bar Cordellats
La Chipirona

Drink: La Bella De Cadiz, Che Vins, El Carmen

Located in the trendy Russafa district is La Bella De Cadiz – a quirky cocktail bar with a huge variety of drinks. It’s a great place to go for some late drinks after dinner, as it stays open until 1.30am and 2pm on weekends!

Che Vins is the perfect place to stop for a glass of wine, and the owner was super knowledgable, talking through the various wines he had in stock and making recommendations based on what we usually liked drinking. We went for the wine of the day, which was served with some tapas on the side and was such a reasonable price.

There are lots of lovely local side street bars that can only be discovered by strolling the streets after dark. El Carmen is the perfect district for this, as it’s full of winding streets and neighbourhood locals.

Che Vins
Bar in El Carmen
La Bella De Cadiz
La Bella De Cadiz
Bar in El Carmen

travel

Beat the budget airline

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Flying with a low cost airline may mean cheap flights to your favourite destinations, but it can also mean hidden costs, luggage fees and sitting apart from the rest of your party. Listed below are the top three budget airlines in the UK, and the tips and tricks I’ve discovered to keep costs as low as possible.

Ryanair:

They receive a lot of bad press, but there is no doubt Ryanair offers some of the cheapest flight prices to European destinations. Searching right now, I can find flights from London airports to Germany, France, Denmark and Poland all for under £10 each way – bargain! However, these flight prices do not include bags, food and drink or seat selection.

You have two options when booking with Ryanair – either choose between Standard, Plus or Flexi Plus packages, or stick to Standard and add priority boarding on at the next step. Confused? Us too. Stick with it.

The standard is the original fare, nothing extra, so no extra charge. Plus is around £40 more on the standard ticket and Flexi Plus is around £60 more. These allow you seat selection and luggage allowance. Full inclusions detailed below.

If you don’t want to pay for a package and just need a cabin bag allowed on board, consider adding priority. This is much cheaper, at £12 each way, so although you won’t get seat selection included, if all you want is a cabin bag then this is the way to go.

Seats:

If you haven’t selected a package and have simply paid for priority to get a cabin bag on board, then selecting a seat can cost as little as £4 per flight, but quickly climbs to £13 if you want a seat towards the front of the plane. If it’s a short journey and you are not worried about sitting with with the other members of your party, skip the seat selection offer and let the airline randomly allocate you one free of charge.

If you wish to sit together, still always take the randomly allocated free option at first and hope that they will put you together. If they do not, you are then shown a map of all available seats, and often the will be empty seats next to each of your allocated ones (annoying!). Move one of your party and split the cost of the ticket between you. Saves you both paying to choose a seat in the first place!

Wizz Air:

The budget airline with its HQ in Hungary is becoming increasingly popular with British travellers, and for good reason. They offer a huge number of cheap flights from London to cities all over Europe, and the flight times generally aren’t bad either.

Wizz Air offer three options when booking, with their package options including seat selection and luggage that can be taken on board and/or checked into the hold. The packages on offer are below, and while the prices vary depending on flights, you can expect to pay around £40 extra for Wizz Go and £55 for Wizz Plus.

Wizz air also offer the option to sign up to the Wizz Discount Club for €29.99 a year, which I have found it very useful when flying several times a year with the airline, and have saved a fair bit of money above and beyond the €29.99 fee. They list their benefits online as the following:

  • guaranteed minimum discount of €10 on each flight on all fares from €19.99, anytime during your membership 
  • min. €5 discount on baggage purchased online
  • the discounts also apply to the reservation of the member’s travel companion (within the same booking as the member, maximum one more passenger per booking for a Standard Membership and up to 5 passengers for a Group Membership)
  • get informed about member-only promotional offers via email before others and get access to additional discounts after you subscribe to WIZZ Special Offers

easyJet

easyJet offer slightly more in their standard ticket costs, including a cabin bag for each passenger, which takes the stress out of worrying about which ‘package’ you need to select. You have the option to upgrade to Flexi ticket, which allows changes to flight dates and times, plus checked 23kg bags, fast track security along with some other additions, but unless you are wanting to check a bag it really isn’t necessary.

Seats:

If you haven’t selected the flexi ticket option, you will either be asked to choose and pay for a seat or to have one randomly allocated upon check in. Seats at the front of the plane are usually around £13.50, with seats towards the back going down to around £6.

travel

Zante

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Fishalida

Zante is well known for its stunning beaches and it’s turtles, and there are plenty of options to discover both on this island. With all but guaranteed sunshine and warm temperatures from May-September, plus loads of gorgeous beaches, this island is an ideal summer getaway.

  • Currency: Euro
  • Local time: GMT +2
  • Language: Greek

Resort: Alykes

Alykes is a lovely resort on the East coast of Zante with a long sandy beach and plenty of tavernas and bars to keep you occupied in the evenings. The sea isn’t tidal here, so stays at the same level on the beach all day. The water is totally clear and shallow a fair way out so it’s perfect for swimming.

There are plenty of beach bars and tavernas along the shore, offering drinks and ice cream in the day and relaxing evening meals at night. Buca Lounge Bar was a particular favourite – their ice cream selection was the best we found, and they had an extensive cocktail list.

There are plenty of options for trips from the town if you fancy a day out – We did a turtle cruise for €25 each, including a coach transfer to the South of the island and then three hours on a boat. Plenty of time for turtle spotting plus a couple of swim stops in crystal clear bays.

Hotel: Potamitis Studios

We booked the Potamitis Studios through TUI and had an excellent stay. The family run apartments are spotlessly clean, have a lovely pool area with plenty of loungers and there is a weekly Greek night that is not to be missed! They are in a great location, just a 10 minute stroll from the beach and all of the bars/tavernas in Alykes town.

The food at Potamitis is great, and if you choose to you have the option of breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Plus, the pool bar stays open late so you can have a drink after dinner with some of the new friends you’ve made (and trust us, you will – it’s super friendly here!).

Note that air conditioning is an extra €50 when you check in, but that’s quite common with Greece, and it was very much needed in the 34 degree heat!

Restaurants: Fidelio, Fishalida, Anatolikos, Koukounari

There is an impressive selection of tavernas in Alykes, and we were really spoilt for choice on where to eat.

For restaurants right on the beach, head to either Fishalida (excellent fresh fish, although lots of options if you’re not a fish fan too) or Anatolikos. The latter was described to us as ‘like something straight out of Shirley Valentine’ and that was so accurate! Cute chequered table cloths on tables right by the beach. Both have perfect settings for a meal as the sun goes down.

We ate at Koukounaria one evening which had a lovely outdoor terrace and an extensive list of home cooked traditional Greek dishes. Particularly recommend the beef stifado here. It was also recommended to book here as it gets very busy around 8pm.

Fidelio was another favourite, serving lots of Greek dishes with particularly good side salads with most dishes. The local wine here was also very good, and crazily cheap at €7 a litre!

Fidelio
Koukounaria
Fishalida
Fishalida
Anatolikos
Anatolikos

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Prague

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The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, may well be known for its abundant stag dos and very cheap beer, but it is also a stunning city with plenty of culture and lots to explore! Visit in the summer for outdoor dining and drinking, or in December for crisp winter days and gorgeous Christmas markets.

  • Currency: Czech Koruna
  • Local time: GMT +1
  • Language: Czech

Stay: The Majestic Plaza

Centrally located and very reasonably priced, the Majestic Plaza hotel was a short 10 minute walk from Old Town Square, and the same distance from the river. The area it was located in was safe and far enough away from the crowds that we got a quiet, peaceful nights sleep.

Breakfast was included in the price and there was an excellent selection, including continental hams cheeses and breads, cooked hot food, fruit, yoghurt plus a wide selection of drinks, including sparkling wine!

Majestic Plaza
Breakfast at hotel

Do: Charles Bridge, Old Town, Wallenstein Gardens, Boat tour

The architecture in Prague is gorgeous, so definitely spend some time wandering around the city and taking in the sights. Old Town Square is a great place to start, and several walking tours can be taken from here too.

The streets of Old Town offer everything in terms of food and drink, from pizza, pastries and spit roast pork through to chimney cake and ice cream. No trip to Prague is complete without trying the Chimney Cake (trdelník), ideally with a huge swirl of ice cream running through the middle! Similar to a donut, these cakes are made from rolled dough that are then roasted on a spit.

Crossing the river away from Old Town, you will find the entrance to the Wallenstein Garden. A manicured garden that is home to the Senate building, these gardens are a lovely place to stroll around and take a break from the large crowds that often overtake Old Town. There are many boat trips offered along the river, several of which can be booked from outside the Wallenstein Garden. We opted for an open top boat tour (50 mins) as the weather was lovely, and at 250 CZK (around £8.50) it was a fun and very reasonable way to spend an hour.

Although a lot of peoples evenings are spent in the bars and clubs in Prague, it’s also a lovely city to walk around in the evening and take in the views across the river. The best is arguably from Charles Bridge, looking over towards the castle on the other side of the river.

Charles Bridge
Old Town
Wallenstein Garden
Boat trip
Chimney Cake

Eat: Karlova 30, Bohemia restaurant, Fat Cat

Karlova 30 may be located in a touristy part of town, but served local and authentic tasting food in a cozy atmosphere. I ordered the Czech goulash which was served with dumplings and it was great. The food was great value, and the wine was reasonably priced at around £3 a glass, but it’s worth noting they only take payment in cash.

In Old Town, Bohemia restaurant had a lovely outdoor courtyard for dining in if the weather was good, and a large indoor restaurant incase it was not! The local pork dish here was very tasty, served with a fried egg and chips. Again, this is a cash only restaurant.

For some fast food in an upbeat environment, head to Fat Cat. With a big menu of carb heavy food, it’s the perfect place to go before you head into town for some drinks! The parmesan fries here were very good, and we washed them down with a great cherry beer. The list of beers here is impressive, so definitely stop by if you’re a fan! This restaurant and brewery takes card.

Bohemia restaurant
Fat Cat
Karlova 30

Drink: Švejk, Café Mánes, Pub Sul Fiume

There is no shortage of places to drink in Prague, but my favourites were definitely the ones where I could sit outside.

Café Mánes was situated right by the Vltava river, and has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the water. The drinks here were a little more expensive than the standard bars in town, but the view more than made up for the extra cost. It’s cash only (this turned out to be very common in Prague!) so make sure you have plenty on you as there weren’t any ATMs nearby that we could see.

Švejk is another outdoor drinking spot, serving very cheap local wine. A bottle here was around £8, and was served ice cold. Another cash only bar, but we were used to it by this point, and also appreciated the waiting staff telling us in advance.

We stumbled upon Pub Sul Fiume, which depending on where you look may not be listed on a map. It’s an outdoor garden bar located on the banks of the river, away from Charles Bridge and Old Town. It had a lovely atmosphere, shairng tables which encouraged chatter between visitors, and a great wine and cocktail list. This was – shock – cash only!

Švejk
Pub Sul Fiume
Café Mánes