I spent the last week in Greece, hanging out at the Michelangelo Resort and Spa. Mummy decided a dissertation break was more than needed and as she conveniently had a week booked off work we hopped on a plane on Tuesday evening.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Whiling away the days in Zagreb
This week I've been in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, with the boy for a few days of relaxation and exploring! We booked it at Christmas when EasyJet had a sale on and neither of us were stressed with Uni work but knew that we probably would be after a 15 week term!
We decided to book an apartment, right in the centre of the old town, as our base and AirBnB has some incredible choices - well worth a look if you haven't used the website before. Individuals rent out their apartments and villas meaning you find great places for a fraction of the price, in our case even cheaper than the Croatian hostels and definitely nicer!
So we set of on Monday, arriving in the city mid afternoon, and headed straight to the apartment to collect the keys. I didn't take any photos but it was clean, modern and perfectly central. We headed straight out for ice cold beers on Tkalciceva, a road in the Upper Town renowned for its choice of bars, and after a wander, onto supper at Nokturno, in the centre of the old town. Diners can sit inside or out and the theme is a mix of traditional Croatian dishes and Italian. I went for the squid and fries which was yummy.
The next day we continued our exploring if the old town, discovering tiny roads, each leading to something new. The Dolac market is filled with fresh produce, old farmers each trying to sell you something new and traditional Croatian souvenirs which we somehow managed to resist! Everything looked gorgeous in the 22 degree sunshine though and it was amazing to be in a little summer dress and not feel chilly. I wished I could have bought the sun home with me!!
We continued our wander around the old town, stopping to take a picture or two en route - with that background how could anyone resist!
After a few hours of soaking up the sun and another beer or two - how can we say no when it's £1 a bottle! - we decided to head south of the city for supper to a pizzeria that had been recommended by a local we'd got chatting to. When we arrived we weren't quite sure what to expect. The restaurant was set pretty much in the middle of a housing estate but we went with it, it was a recommendation by a foodie so we had to give it a try... And we were so glad we did! My pizza was bigger than me, I'm not even exaggerating that much! With the dough freshly rolled in front of us and cooked in a traditional pizza oven it was fresh and crispy. George said the lasagna was pretty good too but for me it was all about the giant pizza!!
Wednesday was set to get even hotter so we decided it was the day for a trip to the lake. A 20 minute tram ride outside of the city centre, the man made Lake Jurun wasn't quite what we expected - very Eastern European was the only way to describe it!- but it was lovely to just have a chill out day in the sunshine with the occasional paddle. I think it was just what we both needed. We came away smiling and sun burnt, more than ready for ice lollies and some more beers for supper!
The best thing about Zagreb is the price of things. It hasn't yet hit the European costs, although likely it will in years to come having just joined the EU, and a good meal can cost from as little as £3/£4, that for the equivalent in England would be closet to £10 or £12. So for supper we decided to push the boat out and headed to a slightly more upmarket restaurant back on Tkalciceva. I went for the asparagus and fennel risotto which was fresh and delicious and George chose a Zagreb steak with crispy potatoes. It was a really chilled out evening, the perfect finish to our lake day, only to be topped off watching Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund. Zagreb seems to sleep early so it was nice to be somewhere with a bit of life after 10pm. We decided we liked the history bar!
The next morning, our last full day in the city we had a lie in before wandering out for breakfast for pain au chocolate and pretzels. We headed back to the old town, up past the cable car and to St Marks Square. We planned to go to the museum of Croatian History and after wandering around the side streets aimlessly looking a nice police man pointed us to the doors right in front of where we were standing!! Being a tourist is difficult sometimes!
The museum was a little bit of a let down unfortunately as had no permanent collections on display so we only got to learn about one minister which didn't really give us much of an insight! For 50p entry we couldn't complain too much though and headed off for ice cream and a chilled out afternoon in the park close to the apartment. At 28 degrees it was a gorgeous day and it would have been use to not have joined the locals for a beer in the main square to bask in the sunshine!
On the way back to the apartment we stumbled across a little alley way, with a sign for a shop, made out of a suitcase at the entrance. With our severe lack of the language I couldn't resist a little look and was really glad we did! The alley opened out at the bottom to play host to a gorgeous vintage shop. Laid out similarly to British vintage and with props such as record players around the shop it really was gorgeous, even if the Croatians haven't quite caught up with the difference between vintage and simply 'old lady'!!
Supper on the last night was at Boban, a renowned pasta restaurant. Said to be better than Italian pasta I went for the tagliatelle with shrimp, salmon, tomato, vodka and cream and George chose the same but with veal and garlic. The food was really delicious and I was too tempted by the pancakes so came away well and truly full, just in time for a cocktail or two back at the History Bar.
I've visited lots of European cities but this was my first experience of Eastern Europe and I can't recommend it enough. I think three full days was the perfect amount of time to see Zagreb and with the cheap prices, sunshine and perfect choice of company it really was a pretty good way to spend a few days away from the Uni bubble!
We decided to book an apartment, right in the centre of the old town, as our base and AirBnB has some incredible choices - well worth a look if you haven't used the website before. Individuals rent out their apartments and villas meaning you find great places for a fraction of the price, in our case even cheaper than the Croatian hostels and definitely nicer!
So we set of on Monday, arriving in the city mid afternoon, and headed straight to the apartment to collect the keys. I didn't take any photos but it was clean, modern and perfectly central. We headed straight out for ice cold beers on Tkalciceva, a road in the Upper Town renowned for its choice of bars, and after a wander, onto supper at Nokturno, in the centre of the old town. Diners can sit inside or out and the theme is a mix of traditional Croatian dishes and Italian. I went for the squid and fries which was yummy.
The next day we continued our exploring if the old town, discovering tiny roads, each leading to something new. The Dolac market is filled with fresh produce, old farmers each trying to sell you something new and traditional Croatian souvenirs which we somehow managed to resist! Everything looked gorgeous in the 22 degree sunshine though and it was amazing to be in a little summer dress and not feel chilly. I wished I could have bought the sun home with me!!
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| I couldn't help but smile at the United Colours of Benneton window display on the walk to the Dolac! |
There are layers of architecture and history in the city and climbing the watchtower in the centre of the old town only served to emphasise this. Heading up to the old town in the 60m cable car shows Croatia at its finest - sunshine, architecture and gorgeous
buildings such as the impressive cathedral.
We continued our wander around the old town, stopping to take a picture or two en route - with that background how could anyone resist!
Wednesday was set to get even hotter so we decided it was the day for a trip to the lake. A 20 minute tram ride outside of the city centre, the man made Lake Jurun wasn't quite what we expected - very Eastern European was the only way to describe it!- but it was lovely to just have a chill out day in the sunshine with the occasional paddle. I think it was just what we both needed. We came away smiling and sun burnt, more than ready for ice lollies and some more beers for supper!
The best thing about Zagreb is the price of things. It hasn't yet hit the European costs, although likely it will in years to come having just joined the EU, and a good meal can cost from as little as £3/£4, that for the equivalent in England would be closet to £10 or £12. So for supper we decided to push the boat out and headed to a slightly more upmarket restaurant back on Tkalciceva. I went for the asparagus and fennel risotto which was fresh and delicious and George chose a Zagreb steak with crispy potatoes. It was a really chilled out evening, the perfect finish to our lake day, only to be topped off watching Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund. Zagreb seems to sleep early so it was nice to be somewhere with a bit of life after 10pm. We decided we liked the history bar!
The next morning, our last full day in the city we had a lie in before wandering out for breakfast for pain au chocolate and pretzels. We headed back to the old town, up past the cable car and to St Marks Square. We planned to go to the museum of Croatian History and after wandering around the side streets aimlessly looking a nice police man pointed us to the doors right in front of where we were standing!! Being a tourist is difficult sometimes!
The museum was a little bit of a let down unfortunately as had no permanent collections on display so we only got to learn about one minister which didn't really give us much of an insight! For 50p entry we couldn't complain too much though and headed off for ice cream and a chilled out afternoon in the park close to the apartment. At 28 degrees it was a gorgeous day and it would have been use to not have joined the locals for a beer in the main square to bask in the sunshine!
On the way back to the apartment we stumbled across a little alley way, with a sign for a shop, made out of a suitcase at the entrance. With our severe lack of the language I couldn't resist a little look and was really glad we did! The alley opened out at the bottom to play host to a gorgeous vintage shop. Laid out similarly to British vintage and with props such as record players around the shop it really was gorgeous, even if the Croatians haven't quite caught up with the difference between vintage and simply 'old lady'!!
I've visited lots of European cities but this was my first experience of Eastern Europe and I can't recommend it enough. I think three full days was the perfect amount of time to see Zagreb and with the cheap prices, sunshine and perfect choice of company it really was a pretty good way to spend a few days away from the Uni bubble!
Monday, 1 April 2013
Easter Weekend
Easter weekend has been the best kind of weekend. On Friday, I spent the day with mummy, pottering around the shops and eating. Lots of eating!
The boys had planned a night out in the evening and as much as I despite Colchester for a night out - its an army town and always crawling with both squaddies and underage children (my Essex snobbish-ness comes out to play, sorry!!) - I couldn't resist a catch up. We decided that we had to do it properly, dressing up and with lots of pre-drinks so the girls all headed over to mine for a getting ready sesh and some silly pictures!
It was so lovely to just have some time to catch up. Its so rare that we're altogether these days with uni and job commitments (some of them are already in the big grown up working world!!) so coming home is a treat that we all really savor.
The copious g&t's and wine combo definitely aided the silly pictures...
We headed into town and seeing the boys was lovely. There were only a few of us out which I think made the night even better!
And this was basically how the night ended...!!
The next day, (feeling fresh, ahem!) we headed to the races after the most incredible hangover breakfast. Pain au chocolat, strawberries, and orange juice, followed by smoked salmon & poached eggs on rye bread toast. Incredible!
Higham point to point happens a few times throughout the year and its the perfect excuse for more catch ups, lots of Aspalls and some occasional bets. Its always full of lots of giggling and gorgeous puppies and is the perfect way to while away a Saturday, despite the freezing cold and occasional snow showers!
Its weekends like this that really sum up how amazing it is to be able to come home and spend time with the absolute favourites that I was at school with over 4 years ago. Roll on summer adventures, road trips and afternoons in the pub post exams!!
The boys had planned a night out in the evening and as much as I despite Colchester for a night out - its an army town and always crawling with both squaddies and underage children (my Essex snobbish-ness comes out to play, sorry!!) - I couldn't resist a catch up. We decided that we had to do it properly, dressing up and with lots of pre-drinks so the girls all headed over to mine for a getting ready sesh and some silly pictures!
It was so lovely to just have some time to catch up. Its so rare that we're altogether these days with uni and job commitments (some of them are already in the big grown up working world!!) so coming home is a treat that we all really savor.
The copious g&t's and wine combo definitely aided the silly pictures...
We headed into town and seeing the boys was lovely. There were only a few of us out which I think made the night even better!
And this was basically how the night ended...!!
The next day, (feeling fresh, ahem!) we headed to the races after the most incredible hangover breakfast. Pain au chocolat, strawberries, and orange juice, followed by smoked salmon & poached eggs on rye bread toast. Incredible!
Higham point to point happens a few times throughout the year and its the perfect excuse for more catch ups, lots of Aspalls and some occasional bets. Its always full of lots of giggling and gorgeous puppies and is the perfect way to while away a Saturday, despite the freezing cold and occasional snow showers!
Its weekends like this that really sum up how amazing it is to be able to come home and spend time with the absolute favourites that I was at school with over 4 years ago. Roll on summer adventures, road trips and afternoons in the pub post exams!!
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Triptease
Coming soon.
This is the only information that has been available over the last couple of weeks when you click on the Triptease Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest pages and there seemed to be nothing at all when you do a Google search.
So what is it that's being created, behind the mystical and oh so teasing name, Triptease.
Launched yesterday, it was definetely worth waiting to find out!
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| The home page of the website - providing categories to allow the user to 'have a browse' rather than searching for a particular location or venue |
I'm sure I'm not the only one that finds trawling through awfully written, and for the most part unhelpful Trip Adviser or Hotel Finder reviews dull - in fact I know I'm not - and that's where Triptease steps in.
A glamorous alternative to the traditional hotel, restaurant or experience review site, the website allows people to post their own reviews but is focused on high quality images. The majority of hotels are high end and catered to the higher budget but restaurants cover a whole range of budgets and there are also reviews on countries and cities as a whole - a great first read if you fancy a spontaneous trip and don't know where! All of the reviews are extremely well written by 'normal' people and fear not the site certainly doesn't appear pretentious in it's content.
With each member of the Triptease community having their own 'Pinterest-like' board of reviews, the site is easy to navigate, and you can comment on and favourite other people's reviews. Working in the form of a social networking community but for reviews ensures the site appears personal and you can even find out a little about each reviewer by checking out profiles.
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| 40 Winks - a boutique hotel in East London and an example of one of my reviews |
I've been contributing to the site prior to its launch and reviews have focused on hotels and restaurants from Dedham in Suffolk to Udaipur in India. Its great being able to upload your own images or use those from the web and it is this feature that really sets the site apart from other review websites. The site will be launching over the next couple of weeks and it is definitely worth checking out. Follow @Triptease on Twitter to be kept up to date with the launch. You can also check out my profile by clicking the link (or searching Ali-Moss-Thomas once the website launches. I'm looking forward to it!
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| My Triptease board |
“Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear.” - Freya Stark
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