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48 Hours in Ljubljana, Slovenia & a Fairytale Day Trip to Lake Bled

 

 

I know I start most of these posts with the same line, but if you’ve been following my blog for the past few months you might remember my travel guides to Warsaw, Prague and Salzburg from my autumnal inter-railing adventure last September that I took with my friend Toni. We spent nine days travelling around Europe and had the most magical time. The last stop of our adventure was lovely Ljubljana, and I think we certainly saved the best til last! This was my first visit to Slovenia, and it’s capital city had been high up on my bucket list for the past couple of years, since the tourist hype from the fairytale Lake Bled found its way on to my Instagram feed. My time in Ljubljana exceeded all of my expectations, and I had the most amazing couple of days which ended my inter-railing adventure perfectly. Two nights/three days was definitely enough time to spend in the city, and I even had time to take a full day trip to Lake Bled and explore some other beautiful areas too including the stunning Vintgar Gorge and the medieval town of Skofja Loka. Here’s what not to miss during your stay…

 

Look out for the numerous city bridges

 

 

As Ljubljana is fairly small, it’s super easy to walk around and it helps that it’s connected by a series of historic bridges in the middle!  Well known for being home to no less than SEVENTEEN bridges, the Slovenian capital is a visual treat and it’s bridges add to its interesting history. My favourite ones were the iconic Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge and Butchers Bridge too. Dating back to the 1800s and at the heart of Preseren Square – the focal point of the city – the Triple Bridge is the city’s most famous and most visited too. I also loved the Dragon bridge which was built in 1901 with yep, you guessed it, huge green dragon statues at the end of each walkway. The Butchers Bridge is lined with glass walkways giving a view of the Ljubljanica river below, and the support cables either side are decorated with ‘lovelocks’ left by tourists and locals alike. I walked along these bridges many times during my stay to get from one end of the city to the other as they connect the old town with the new town and I found it to be a great way to get my bearings and explore the area!

 

Cross over the Ljubljanica river

 

 

Ljubljana is a modern, up and coming city with cool bars, nice restaurants and plenty of green spaces in between.  If, like me, you love nothing more than wandering around for hours and exploring a new city on foot, you will fall in love with Ljubljana. During the summer months I imagine the streets will be packed with tourists, but during my visit in September it was fairly quiet and we pottered about quite happily. Much like the bridges, the Ljubljanica river is at the heart of the city and its’ one of the most well known features. The city comes alive at night, and the numerous bars, cafe’s and restaurants that are dotted along the riverbanks make it a vibrant place to be no matter what time of year you’re visiting.

 

Climb up to the top of the castle tower

 

 

One of my favourite things to do when exploring a new city is climb a tower, or find a castle, or do BOTH! Luckily in Ljubljana I was able to do just that and discovered the medieval fortress that has been present since the 11th century. The castle was thought to have been constructed in the 15th century, and it’s prominent position on top of a hill enables it to take in some spectacular views over downtown Ljubljana below. After a short walk from the central Preseren Square, Toni and I took the funicular up to the top of the castle fortress where we were treated to stunning views over the city below just as the sun was starting to set. Exploring the castle grounds at dusk was a magical experience, as was catching the last of the sun’s rays as the red roofs shone in a bright orange glow on our first afternoon in Slovenia… Truly mesmerizing!

 

Take a day trip to Lake Bled…

 

 

Despite only having two nights to cram everything in, we knew that no visit to Ljubljana would be complete without a day trip to the most talked about lake in the world right now… the stunning Lake Bled! The wanderlust inducing images that I’ve seen all over social media made me want to visit this place months ago, and I’m soo glad we were able to squeeze in a visit during our time in Slovenia. The wonderful guys at Roundabout Travel booked me on to their full day Alpine Fairytale Tour which sounds as magical as the name suggests. One of the highlights was of course the magnificent Lake Bled which looked incredible against a backdrop of blue sky and yellow sunshine as we enjoyed a warm sunny day in September. Bled was everything I thought it would be and a little trip across to the island on a traditional Pletna made for the most photogenic boat ride I have ever taken. Despite its beauty, Bled was absolutely HEAVING with tourists and their annoying selfie sticks, especially at the cafe at the top of the hill which gave us some breathtaking panoramic views of the lake below. We did however enjoy an ice cream with our view before climbing up to the castle and seeing yet more spectacular scenery. I can see why it’s so popular – it took my breath away every time I looked at it and looked picture perfect from every single angle!

 

…and Lake Bohinj…

 

 

On our Apline Fairytale Tour we spent a full nine hours exploring different parts of Slovenia that you can’t see whilst in Ljubljana alone, and the tour really gave us a chance to see other important areas of the country. There was only six of us, and our tour of the Julian Alps began with a visit to the traditional medieval town of Skofja Loka, elevated 1000ft high and built in between two rivers, where we walked along its cobbled streets and stumbled across its ancient town square. Next up was a stop at Triglav National Park, with its resident glacial lake and mountainous backdrop. I’m gonna be a little controversial here and say that I actually thought this place, Lake Bohinj, was EVEN BETTER than Lake Bled because the mountains surrounding the lake were insane and there was literally no one around and it was so peaceful and beautiful and I just loved it so much. Isn’t it amazing what you can discover when you steer away from the tourist hot-spots and find hidden gems like this?! Our tour guide was amazing – super knowledgeable and really friendly whilst allowing us plenty of free time to explore at our own pace too – thank you Jerry for looking after us during our time in Slovenia!

 

…Oh and pay a visit to Vintgar Gorge too

 

 

As if you needed any more reasons to visit Slovenia than your very own WATERFALL! I had never heard of Vintgar Gorge until I booked on to the Alpine Fairytale Tour and it definitely ended up being one of the highlights of our entire trip, not just on our visit to Slovenia. Walking through the Gorge, with it’s caves, bridges, narrow walkways and glorious waterfalls was a truly amazing experience and one I definitely won’t forget in a hurry. You can walk at your own pace whilst following the trail, stopping to take in the scenery and to take a million photos like I did. The walk takes around an hour to complete and isn’t too difficult, just a little hilly and narrow in places but there are plenty of people about and a cafe/shop/toilets at the end for you to make use of. I got the most stunning photos of this place and every now and then I have to pinch myself and remember that I ACTUALLY went there because it was just so beautiful. If you get the chance to visit this place whilst in Ljubljana, please please go – I promise you’ll love it just as much as I did!

 

Where to eat/drink

 

The restaurants along the riverbank come alive at night

 

 

Ljubljana is brimming with trendy bars, cafe’s and restaurants to choose from during your stay and we were certainly spolit for choice when it came to finding some yummy food after a busy day of exploring. After crossing the Dragon Bridge you’ll walk alongside the Ljubljanica river and find numerous places to choose from. There are restaurants from all corners of Europe, most notably Austria and Italy where Slovenia takes lots of food influence from, and we ate in a fancy Italian restaurant one night which was AMAZING. We also found a cute cafe which served traditional Slovenian cakes including apple pie, derived from Balkan influences and one of the most popular dishes in the country. Whatever your tastebuds desire, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Ljubljana.

 

Where to stay

 

Image Courtesy of Cube Central Rooms For 2

 

As my friend and I were inter-railing for ten days we were on a budget and most of our accommodation consisted of hostels/cheap hotels. We were a little limited for choice in Ljubljana as we left it late to secure anywhere and we found there was a huge conference event taking place during the weekend we were there which meant that lots of hotels were already booked up months in advance. I did however manage to find a little gem just a stones throw away from the centre of the city which meant we could enjoy all the sights with the comfort of knowing that everything was within walking distance. Cube Central Rooms For 2 provided exactly as the title suggests – compact rooms for two in an unbeatable central location. This place was neither hostel nor hotel, more like tiny little self catering apartments with shared common rooms and bathrooms. Perfectly formed, despite being super small, and with key codes instead of physical keys, our double room barely had any space for ourselves let alone our suitcases and hoards of clothes, but it was cute and the beds were comfy which is all we really needed. I think the rooms were all full during our stay, but we rarely bumped into any other guests at all and pretty much had bathroom use whenever we wanted it – no queues for the toilet in the middle of the night! If you’re looking for luxury, this isn’t the place for you, but if you just want somewhere to rest your head for the night and enjoy a peaceful residential location just away from the city centre, I would definitely recommend Cube Central Rooms For 2! Thank you to Petra the lovely receptionist for making our short stay so comfortable!

 

As you can see, I managed to fit an awful lot in to my short time in Ljubljana, but I am sure there are many things that I missed and did not get chance to include. If, like me, you’re limited on time I would suggest that these sights are a good place to start. Ljubljana is so pretty and so full of greenery it would be nice to just find a park on a sunny day and enjoy the scenery, but equally it’s great fun for a jam-packed city break and the area has so much to offer. Have you ever been to Ljubljana before, or is it on your bucket list for 2018? Let me know as I would love to hear your thoughts!

Love Jess x

NB. My stay at Cube Central and my tour with Roundabout Travel were offered to me at a discounted rate for the purpose of this blog post, but all thoughts, images and notes are of course my own.

 

I'm currently drafting my #Ljubljana travel guide and it's giving me alllll the throwback feels 😍 The Slovenian capital was the last stop of my interrailing adventure back in September and I think we definitely saved the best til last! Here's the view from the top of Ljubljana Castle with the red roofs, green trees and shady mountains in the distance 🏰🏔 #ThrowbackThursday #VisitLjubljana #Slovenia #ifeelsLOVEnia . . . #travel #bloggers #travelblogger #wanderlust #worlderlust #travelphotography #traveladdict #instago #instatravel #travelgram #inspo #passionpassport #incredibledestinations #tourism #darlingescapes #lonelyplanet #beautifuldestinations #mytinyatlas #icelollyloves #travellover #girlsvsglobe #europe #interrail #girlslovetravel

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Christmas Gift Guide for Travellers: 6 of The Best Travel Presents for 2016

It's friyayyy 🎅🌲🎉🌟 #fridaynight #christmas #drinkssss

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Hey everyone,

I cannot believe that it is Christmas week… where the hell has the last year gone?! It only feels 5 minutes since it was last Christmas, and I’m not quite ready for it to be here again if I’m honest! I’m also not feeling all that festive this year, I’m not sure why, I’ve had a rubbish few weeks recently and have let that affect my personal life quite a bit, but I’m hoping I’ll finally embrace the Christmas spirit this weekend when the big day is here!

 

 

Anyway, enough about me, this post was created for YOU, my lovely readers! For those of you who may have left your shopping until now *ahem* or if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for those avid travellers in your lives, I thought I’d put together a quick gift guide to help with your last minute present worries! Here’s my pick of the 6 best gifts for travellers, in my humble opinion of course…

An Experience Day

 

 

WHAT IS IT? –  An Experience Day is a TOTAL saving grace for people who you have absolutely no idea what to buy for. The whole point about an experience day is that you can treat someone to something they wouldn’t dream of purchasing for themselves, like a Ferrari racing day, an afternoon tea experience or a luxury spa weekend. There are so many different experiences to choose from for him, her, families and couples alike and you’ll be TOTALLY spoilt for choice! Personally, I use Red Letter Days, I’ve never had a bad experience with them, but there are a number of different companies offering similar gifts, and you can find anything you need on there. Just beware of any date restrictions that might be part of the experience, and read the small print before you buy!

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? – As you know, Red Letter Days is a firm favourite of mine, but you could also try Groupon, Buy A Gift or Virgin Experience Days for fun alternatives! Prices can start from as little as £10 for a photoshoot to as much as £200 for a hotel stay, depending on where you buy from.

A Selfie Stick

 

 

WHAT IS IT? – It’s pretty self explanatory, and if you don’t know what it is where have you been HIDING for the past 5 years? Selfie sticks have taken the travel (and photography) industry by storm and I for one absolutely love them! They make a great present and enable you to take great pics from a range of different angles, and you can avoid the awkwardness of asking another human to take your photo in front of that really cool statue just cos, ya know, sometimes that can be embarrassing if they say no and walk away, or if they don’t understand your language and stare at you weirdly. Selfie sticks are particularly good for solo travellers – yes you are independent human who doesn’t need to rely on ANYONE else to get the perfect profile picture! You got thisssss.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? – There are sooo many outlets selling these, but any kind of major store such as Debenhams and Argos or supermarkets and walmarts will stock these, or pretty much any online store!

 

A Decent Suitcase

 

 

WHAT IS IT? – I would hope that you all know what a suitcase is… This may seem like a boring, practical present, but I literally LOVE my suitcase and it was the best present in the world (ok, I bought it myself, for myself, I won’t lie!) My bright pink companion comes EVERYWHERE with me, no matter how long or short my trip is. This one was just £25 from TK Maxx, it’s a hard cased, 4 wheeled and incredibly strong and sturdy. It’s also big enough for me to put everything in; it can carry an awful lot, I don’t have to worry about it getting wet or ripped, and I can do it up without busting the zip (bonus!) Every travel lover NEEDS a suitcase, so treat them to a decent one and they’ll be so excited to use it that they’ll end up booking their next adventure before you can say Boxing Day. You’re welcome.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? – As I’ve mentioned, my pink companion was from TK Maxx, but any major department stores will stock decent suitcases, especially at this time of year, so try Debenhams, John Lewis or large supermarkets too!

A Scratch Map

 

 

WHAT IS IT? – This is SUCH  a good idea, it’s basically a large map which can be hung on your wall, and you then scratch off the world country by country once you’ve visited specific places. I love mine, I’m obsessed with scratching off new countries as soon as I’ve come back from visiting them, especially as I’m halfway through my 25:25 challenge! A scratch map is a really thoughtful present, and it’s also good for setting goals and planning travel adventures for the year ahead. You can even put photos or souvenirs around the edges to make it look pretty too – yay!

WHERE CAN  I GET ONE? – Major department stores and supermarkets, as well as popular online giants such as Amazon & eBay.

 

A Travel Journal

 

🛫Traveling 🚄 It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller 📚 📝Perfect set from MV Design Atelier for all those sybarite travelers – travel journal with 112 laid paper pages and travel wallet to keep your documents always neat and well organized 🛄Handmade in Barcelona paying special attention to all the details to offer you a stylish, beautiful and practical travel accessories set 🎁 Perfect gift for any travel addict, business traveler, frequent flyer, backpacker who loves to travel in style and organized and document his or her thoughts and travel experiences on paper, do free writing or write poems, make sketches and draw when spending hours in a plane or a train ———————- #traveltheworld #traveladdict

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WHAT IS IT? – A travel journal is a reaaaalllyy cute gift, like really really cute. I want one rather a lot, but no one has bought me one yet! *hint hint* I think that, in this day and age, with phones, laptops and social media, it is so nice to go back to basics and start WRITING about your travel experiences, you know, grab a pen and some paper and just pour your heart out. Describe the amazing adventures you’ve been on, or explain any adversities you may have had to face as part of your trip. If you write each day, you’ll have a proper account of what happened on your trip, and every little detail will be there for you to relive in the weeks/months/years to come – I wish I had done this on my American adventure; I blogged when I was there, and my Instagram feed is a great visual diary, but its just not the same as having a written timeline of events that I can go through again and again… If no one buys me a journal for Christmas I am 100% buying one for myself as a new years present, and I have absolutely NO SHAME in that whatsoever!

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? – You can pick up journals pretty much anywhere, in the supermarkets, or on Amazon or eBay, but check out top stationary stores Paperchase & Typo for specific travel related ones!

 

A Portable Mobile Phone Charger

 

 

WHAT IS IT? – Well, as the name suggests, this little device lets you charge your mobile on the go, so you don’t have to be attached to a mains plug whilst taking your selfies. These make great stocking fillers, and are sooo handy, especially if your travel friends are out and about for hours on end. From a safety point of view they’re brilliant too, who wants to run out of battery when they’re out hiking in the middle of nowhere?!

WHERE CAN I GET ONE? – Most retailers stock these, but I love my one from PNY Europe! It’s thin, lightweight and can be slotted into my jean pocket without me feeling a thing. The best thing about it is that it isn’t bulky/heavy and doesn’t take up any room at all – it’s been a life saver at times where I’ve been out ALL DAY and desperately needed to contact someone, or take a great Instagram shot, because that’s important too, right?!

 

So there we have it, my pick of the top 6 gifts to buy your travel lovers this Christmas. If you’re braving the stores, good luck with all the crowds, I don’t envy you one bit! Or if you’re ordering online, be quick, don’t miss those delivery deadlines! Have you bought any travel related gifts for your loved ones this Christmas? If you’re a traveller yourself, what do you ask for from your friends and family? I’d love to find out and add some more items to my wish-list, especially with my birthday coming up… 😉

Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

Love Jess x

So yesterday was #christmasjumperday and I finallyyyyy started to feel #festive for the first time this December! 🎅🌲🌟

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A guide to Florence, the charming Tuscan capital

#Florence sunsets 😍🌅 #Italy #visitflorence #nofilter #takemeback

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The prettiest cathedral I've ever seen 😍🇮🇹 #duomo #florence #firenze #italy #ig_italy

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Hi everyone,

Last month I spent some time in the charming city of Florence, somewhere I hadn’t really thought of visiting until I started planning my Italian Escapade ! Three nights/ four days is a perfect amount of time to spend soaking up the typical Tuscan atmosphere, and you could even plan a day trip to a nearby city if you’re wanting to explore a little further afield. Here’s my ULTIMATE guide to visiting this beautiful city…

Arrive by train

 

firenze-smn

Photo credit: www.acprail.com

 

 

Arriving by train is a really easy way to begin your journey to Florence. The city is well connected to other major cities in Italy, just 2hrs from Venice, 1hr30 from Rome and 1hr 40 from Milan, with up to 40 trains a day running between them. The Santa Maria Novella train station is centrally located and easy to navigate. Taxis are waiting to collect you as soon as you exit the station, so you’ll arrive at your accommodation in a matter of minutes, depending on where you’re located. We found all the trains to be high speed, very clean and quiet and extremely efficient, as well being a great stress-free alternative to flying!

 

Cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge

 

 

Perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in the whole of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio bridge is one of only 4 bridges left in the world with shops built in to it on either side. Accessed only on foot, the medieval bridge is popular with locals and tourists looking to buy authentic souvenirs, expensive jewellery and quirky handmade gifts. At night when the shops have closed, the bridge is lit up beautifully and is fairly quiet, apart from the occasional band or busker playing on site. Famously, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence to survive the German bombings in 1944, with Adolf Hitler claiming it was ‘too beautiful to destroy’. One of my favourite things to do during my time in Florence was to grab some proper Italian gelato (ice cream), soak up the sunshine and perch on the edge of the bridge gazing down to the River Arno below – bellissimo!

 

Jump on the Hop on Hop off bus

 

Panoramic views over #Florence? Yasssssss 🙌🙌 #Firenze #michaelangelo #italy #ig_italy #sundayfunday

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So this is a pretty touristy thing to do, and it might not appeal to everyone, but a CitySightseeing Hop on Hop Off bus is a really great way to explore Florence and beyond. It’s a large city, and not everything can be reached within walking distance, so using the bus allows you to see just about everything whilst giving your legs a rest! An adult ticket costs €23 and there are three routes in which to explore. Line A is a great one to start with as it lasts for just an hour and you can see everything  you need to without getting off – it’s good just to get your bearings and see where everything is. Lines B & C run for 120 minutes each, but they cross over a lot in parts, so between all three lines you’ll see just about everything. I’d highly recommend getting off at Michaelangelo’s Piazza for stunning skyline views across the city, as well as stopping off at Fiesole, a pretty town high on the top of a hill, just a few kilometres out of Florence, which is worth a visit in itself.

 

Purchase a 5 in 1 church pass

 

 

Florence is quite a religious city, and there a number of important buildings that should be seen on your visit. Queues can be extremely long, so I would recommend purchasing a 5 in 1 combo ticket (€15) either from the ticket office in piazza San Giovanni, or online if possible. We actually just turned up on the day to purchase but had to queue for around 40 mins first! The 5 in 1 pass is great as it gives access to 5 fantastic buildings; The Dome, The Basilica (although entry for this is free), Giotto’s Bell Tower, The Baptistery & The Opera del Duomo Museum. You can climb both the dome and the bell tower for spectacular panoramic views across the city, but be prepared to climb a significant number of steps at both! We climbed the bell tower and were treated to some amazing views, including a close up of the dome itself which, in our opinion, was arguably better than the view from the top of the dome! No visit to Florence is complete without visiting these fantastic buildings.

 

 

Eat dinner in the piazza

 

 

Florence is all about the food, and what better way to enjoy the famous Italian pizza, pasta and Prosecco by sitting in one of cities beautiful piazzas and soaking up the Florentine atmosphere?! There are a vast array of restaurants to choose from in the city, many of which are centred around some of the most picturesque piazzas. You’ll often hear musicians playing in the squares, or see buskers performing their talents and offering some light entertainment whilst you’re dining. Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria are great places to enjoy typical Italian dining and the prices aren’t extortionate either. If you’re not on a budget and you fancy eating in front of the beautiful cathedral head over to Piazza del Duomo, although it’ll cost you a little bit more, the setting is truly stunning.

 

Plan an excursion

 

 

Florence is perfectly positioned to explore some of the finest hotspots in Italy, so why not wander out of the city and take a day trip somewhere new to satisfy your wanderlust cravings? Tour operators such as CitySightseeing and Viator offer some fantastic half and full day trips to a whole host of nearby destinations. Why not take a tour of Pisa and the Leaning Tower? Hike the Cinque Terre for some spectacular scenic views? Or enjoy a unique Vespa tour of the Tuscan hills? Italy offers so much choice, and there are a multitude of things to see and do in this beautiful country, so go and explore it while you’re in Florence!

 

So there we have it, my top tips on exploring Florence! Immerse yourself in the true Tuscan charm of the city, visit the sights and learn about its fantastic history. Hopefully this post inspires you for your trip to the city and helps with that all important planning!

Have you ever been to Florence? Tell me what you thought of it, I’d love to hear your comments!

Love Jess x

 

😍🇮🇹 #Florence #duomo #visitflorence #italy #ig_italy

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48 hours in Venice

So we've made it to #Venice and it is BEAuuuutiful 😍😍😍

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Ok so I can't leave #Venice out – just LOOK at it 😍🇮🇹 #Italy #ig_italy #venezia

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Ciao bellas!

On my recent Italian Escapade I had the chance to explore beautiful Venice, somewhere that had been on my bucket list for YEARS! We only had two full days to explore, but we definitely made the most of our short time in The Floating City, and it certainly lived up to our high expectations! Two full days actually gives you enough time to see the sights without the need for another night’s stay, so here is my list of must see’s and my guide on how to make the most of your time in the city…

Arrive in style by private water taxi

 

Arriving in style by private water taxi! Bonjourno #venice 🙋 #Venezia #Italy #wanderlustwednesday

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If you’re going to Venice, you’re going to want to arrive feeling like a VIP, and taking a private water taxi from Marco Polo airport into the city itself makes you feel exactly that! We had pre-booked a private water taxi, or Vaporetto as they are known locally, with HolidayTaxis for a hassle free journey to the centre of the city. Although there are public ferries leaving every half an hour, they are crowded and take up to 80 minutes to reach the centre, so splashing out on a private water taxi is definitely worth the money and will get you there in just half an hour, crucial if you’re limited on time!

 

Explore the beautiful Basilica

 

The focal point of the city; the beautiful basilica 💒 #Venice #venezia #ig_italy #italy

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One of the focal points of the city, Basilica di San Marco is a popular tourist attraction right at the heart of St Mark’s Square. Entry to the Basilica is free, but visitors are encouraged to leave donations and light candles. A small charge is made to access the altar and a further small charge is made to access the roof terrace which is well worth doing! You can climb to the top of the terrace for views across to St Mark’s Square and entry to the historic museum is also included.

 

Take a gondola ride

 

Ride a gondola in Venice – TICK! ✅✅ Next stop Florence 🚂🚂 #bucketlist #italianescapade #tourists

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No trip to Venice is complete without taking a ride on a gondola! Although it is expensive, it is one of those bucket list experiences that must be enjoyed during your trip. A ride on a gondola will set you back 80 euros (half an hour trip) but you’ll explore the city from a whole different perspective and it is worth the money. As a tip I would definitely recommend catching a gondola from the Rialto Bridge, as opposed to the Grand Canal waterfront or anywhere else in the city. Riding under the Rialto Bridge is pretty special, and gives you a fantastic photo op! Boat rides around the Grand Canal waterfront looked fun (although I think you have to pay extra to go underneath the Bridge of Sighs), but you won’t see much of the city with its little canals and waterways, so catching one from the Rialto Bridge is definitely recommended.

 

Soak up the ambience in St Mark’s Square

 

Listening to live #Italian music whilst in #Venice – grazie, grazie! 🇮🇹🎶

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Venice is quite a small city, so it’s nice that you can see everything you want to within just  a couple of days. If you’ve done everything and are stuck for something to do, why not just park yourself in the middle of St Mark’s Square and soak up some typical Venetian atmosphere?! There are a number of bars and cafe’s dotted around the Square, and it gets busy at night-time with people enjoying dinner and drinks. It can be expensive to eat out in the Square though; some bars charge a fee just for sitting at the table whilst listening to the resident live music bands! If you’re on a budget why not grab some plastic glasses and a bottle of wine and sit on one of the benches in the Square? You’ll still be able to enjoy the atmosphere and listen to the fantastic Italian music without paying for the privilege! If it’s bright sunshine in the middle of the day though, grab a creamy gelato and enjoy the warm weather whilst people watching in the Square!

 

Visit the city’s many museums

 

La Piazza 🇮🇹 #sanmarco #venice #venezia #italy

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Venice is home to a number of different museums, the most famous being the beautiful Doge’s Palace overlooking the Grand Canal. Dating back to the 10th century, the Venetian Gothic landmark can be toured with or without a guide and boasts stunning architecture throughout. If you’re looking to visit as many museums as you can during your time in Venice, I’d recommend purchasing a museum pass at one of the tourist information centres which allows access into a number of important and historic buildings across the city, perfect especially if the weather isn’t great!

Climb the Campanile for a birds eye view

 

Campanile di San Marco: 323ft high and showcasing #Venice from every angle! 😍🇮🇹 #tbt #italy #ig_italy

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Seeing Venice from above is pretty special, and the views across to St Mark’s Square and the city’s neighbouring islands and waterfront is breath-taking. Climbing the 323ft bell tower is easy as you can take an elevator straight to the top, and you can spend as little or as much time as you want exploring the city from every angle once you’re up there. If you’re lucky enough to look under 18 you can get away with paying half price for your ticket too – a nice little money saving tip!

So there we have it, my top tips on exploring Venice in a whirlwind 48 hours! Immerse yourself in the romance of the city, visit the sites and get around on a gondola for the full Venetian experience. Hopefully this post inspires you for your trip to the city and helps with that all important planning!

Have you ever been to Venice? Tell me what you thought of it, I’d love to hear your comments!

Love Jess x

Arriverderci #Venice – you've been beautiful! 🇮🇹 #Italy #venizia

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This place tho 😍🇮🇹 #Venezia #venice #italy

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Discover Dallas in a Day

#Dallas 🇺🇸🎉

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Hey Y’all!

Sorry, American accent again, but this is a Texan themed blog post so I figured it would be ok to speak accordingly! On my Contiki adventure this summer I was lucky enough to explore different areas of Texas, including Amarillo and Fortworth, but my favourite by far was beautiful Dallas. I only spent a day there but it was enough to make me fall in love with it! If you’ve only got a short time in Dallas this guide will help you make the most of your visit…

Get your Cowboy boots on

#Dallas… The only time I've ever been BIG! 🙋 #tbt #grandsouthern #noregrets #throwbackthursday

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When in Dallas you MUST get yourself a pair of cowboy boots and fit in with the local Texan crowds! There are tonnes of shops selling all sorts of leather goods, from belts to bags to jackets, but getting your cowboy boots on will help to embrace your inner Texan spirit and will let you make the most of your short time in Dallas. I got mine from Wild Bills Western Store in the downtown area of the city and got a real bargain – $50 for a pair of size 3 kids boots! Ok, so most of you normal people won’t be able to get quite a good a deal as that (I bet you don’t have freakishly small feet like me) but the store sells boots for fair prices and I guarantee that you’ll find the style you’re looking for at Bills!

 

See the exact spot where JFK was assassinated

 

This was really moving and one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Dallas. Starting at The Sixth Floor Museum, I learnt about the history of JFK, how he first rose to power as US President and then how he met his demise when he was assassinated on 22nd November 1963. The museum is so informative and really gives you an insight into the life of one of the world’s most famous men. After the museum tour is over, ride up to the sixth floor and look out of the window to see where JFK was assassinated. You’ll be able to locate the exact place where he was fatally killed, an X marks the spot, and you’ll feel as if you’ve taken a step back in time to that fateful November day.

 

Visit the AT&T Stadium

Located in Arlington, just outside of the city centre, The AT & T Stadium is home to one of the most famous football teams in the world, The Dallas Cowboys. The 80,000 seat stadium is also used as a concert arena and hosts other major sporting events throughout the year. Upon our stadium tour we were taken around the conference boxes, stands and private dressing rooms and even played a bit of football out on the field itself. If you’re not a sporting fan this tour might not appeal to you, but don’t do what I did and expect the Dallas Cowboys to be a rodeo show, instead of a football team – I can guarantee you’ll feel disappointed! (duuhhh Jess!)

Check out the museums

I miss you #Dallas 🇺🇸🇺🇸 @contiki @statravel #grandsouthern #contiki #USA #america #traveltuesday #texas

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There are no shortage of museums in Dallas, from the African American museum to the Art museum and the museum of Nature and Science, there’s something for everyone. Many of the museums are free and are open to the public all year round, but it’s advised to book your tickets online or arrive early to avoid queuing. You’ll also find exhibits and other points of interest scattered around the city, such as the Dallas County Courthouse and the JFK memorial square.

 

Explore the zoo and aquarium

 

As if there wasn’t enough to see and do already, Dallas also boasts a huge zoo and large aquarium, both of which are two of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Situated in the downtown area of the city, Dallas Zoo is set on over 100 acres of land and is home to over 8000 animals, whilst Dallas World Aquarium looks after thousands of different species of fish as well as sharks, mammals, birds and reptiles. Both the zoo and the aquarium are the largest in Texas and offer a fun day out for all the family!

 

Climb the Reunion Tower

Ummm how beautiful is this sky, y'all?! I'm obsessed with Texas sunsets! -The Ball 📷: @hellabrassica

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One of the biggest tourist attractions is the iconic Reunion Tower, allowing visitors to experience Dallas in all its glory from 560ft up in the air with 360 degree panoramic views across the city. The tower is home to a restaurant, café, observation deck and gift shop and is popular with tourists from all across the globe. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to visit the tower during my short time in Dallas, but its on my to-do list for my return visit!

So there we have it, your ultimate guide to discovering Dallas in a day! Have you ever been to Dallas before? Is there any where you think I’ve missed that should be on this guide? I’d love to hear your feedback!

Love Jess x

 

 

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