I recently travelled to Jersey for a wedding and had the pleasure of staying in an apartment right on the beachfront at St. Brelade’s Bay. Having spent two and a half days exploring this small slice of Jersey I wanted to share some tips on what to expect whilst you are there.
How long do I need in St Brelade’s Bay?
As long as you want, really! Can anyone have too much beach? One day would have been enough if we weren’t so happy chilling out and exploring the rocks for the entire stay. Allow a minimum of one day to chill here before exploring more of Jersey during your stay.
Just one beautiful spot in St Brelade’s Bay
Where can I stay?
We stayed in Beau Rivage. We had a top floor self catering apartment consisting of two bedrooms (one double room, one family room with a double and additional single), a large kitchen and living room, and three bathrooms. The living room and family bedroom faced out onto the beach which offered incredible panoramic views of the bay. Downstairs is a private balcony for residents, and on the ground floor there is a lounge, pool table, and restaurant/bar with indoor and outdoor seating. This Beau Rivage apartment was cheap as chips and with all the extra cash we saved we were able to eat out for breakfast lunch and dinner.
A room with a view!
If you are looking for a different place to stay, perhaps somewhere that is not self catering, look online for your best options as there are other hotels in the area.
Where can I eat whilst there?
Stand on the beach with your back to the sea and look left. You will see the Crab Shack and the Oyster box there if you are looking for seafood. Don’t fancy fish? A 30 second walk from the crab shack is a little place called Mid Bay Cafe where you can grab a snack and a coffee or tea to go. Next along is Pizza Express, and another 1 minute walk will bring you to the Beau Bistro and Bar which is where we ate for most of our meals as I’m not a fish lover. The portions are HUGE so order conservatively!
Giant salad, anyone?
What can I do on the beach?
There is a cute trinkets/souvenir shop next to the Beau Rivage where you can buy all of your beach toys, beach shoes and general Jersey related memorabilia. Kit yourself out with bats and balls for a fun time on the beach. Next to this shop is a lovely little ice cream shop for you to enjoy.
Don’t want to play on the beach? Scramble on the rocks instead!
Swimming and water sports are permitted at St. Brelade’s Bay so get your swimming costumes out! The sand is gorgeous with a mix of soft fluffy sand and compact sand so get building sandcastles… If you prefer the rocks, walk over to the huge cliffs and delve into the many rockpools that form at low tide. Be safe, be careful of slippery surfaces, and follow safety signage.
Playing bat and ball on the beach.
Are there any other places of interest?
Churchill Memorial Park – This beautiful park is unmissable thanks to it’s well kept lawn and bright display of flowers and towering palms. Don’t miss this lovely little park just behind the sea front shops and restaurants.
Visit the Parish Church of St. Brelade – Take a stroll up to the church and go inside when allowed to do so. This enchanting church is small but very pretty.
Yes. Yes. And yes. This place makes for a lovely day trip or a perfect base during your stay. The people are friendly, the water is warm, and walks are picturesque. I cannot wait to go back to see what more Jersey has to offer.
I live a 10 minute drive from Windsor, and wanted to share a few ideas with you as to how you can get the most out of your time here. Sure you can spend all day trying to spot the queen, but there’s so much more you can do!
Windsor Castle:
Let’s start with the main attraction. This castle is the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II who loves spending time here. This means that although you can go inside, you won’t be able to explore it in it’s entirety as some of it is shut off for the queen. There is plenty to see and explore and the ticket price I feel is justified. A perk of visiting Windsor Castle is that it contains St. Georges Chapel which is usually open for visitors (unless a private event is being held, or there are renovation works.) If you go inside the castle you can expect to spend a decent amount of time staring at the impressive Queen Mary’s dollhouse.
Book Ahead – When visiting the castle you can expect queues to get inside, unless you book ahead. On three occasions I have tried to get into the castle to show my friends around, only to see that the queue was over 2 hours long to get inside. On more successful visits I have booked ahead. Book tickets for the castle here: Windsor Castle – Visit Windsor
How Long?: Allow 3 hours minimum to look around
The Long Walk and Windsor Great Park:
This scenic path runs straight from the main gates of Windsor Castle and up to the Copper Horse Statue of King George III. The walk is…. you guessed it, long. Along the way you are sure to see plenty of deer in the surrounding fields grazing and resting.
If you start the walk from the castle you may want to take the dog for a walk at the same time. Dogs are welcome to join you on your walk, and if you are both well behaved you can let them off the lead. Once you reach the green gates, you are entering into deer territory, at which point your dog should be placed back on the lead and not interact with the deer at all.
How Long?: The Walk is around 2.6miles so take water with you. Allow a couple of hours maximum to make it there and back if you’re not in a rush. ALSO if you have prepared your parking then add an extra hour onto whatever you think you need because you won’t want to run back!
Windsor Royal Station:
‘The Queen’ Locomotive can be found here next to the main train station and is a stunning piece of history from the Victorian age. Great for a quick selfie and just a quick look to say you’ve seen it. Aside from this you can spend half an hour exploring the market stalls and shops inside the shopping centre.
Diamond Jubilee Fountain:
This fountain is a lovely spot unknown to many tourists. Visit it at night to see it all lit up, or swing by during the day to enjoy the river views with the fountain splashing beside you. This is a perfect lunch spot. There is a cute bowls court next to it and tennis courts just opposite for some free entertainment.
Windsor Guildhall:
This enchanting little re-purposed museum is a small but interesting way to learn about local history. The museum is great for all ages and frequently hold small events for families and individuals to take part in.
Shopping:
Plenty of clothes shops available to spend all your hard earned cash! High street fashion shops and luxury brands are available.
The River:
The river is a great place to take a walk whilst in the area and may be preferable to those not wanting to trek down the Long Walk. Swan feed can be purchased from the small cafe where the swans nest. You can also rent a small boat and take a ride on the river or join a duck tour .
Escape Rooms:
Fancy a challenge? There are a couple of companies super close to the high street offering this fun experience simply google “Windsor Escape Rooms” and take your pick. An hour of indoor guaranteed fun for all the family.
Eton College:
As an operational college you can’t just expect to receive a full tour when you arrive here. The external architecture is worth the short stroll down the road and there’s nothing quite as British as seeing the students walking between classes in their traditional tails.
Eton High Street:
Much quieter than Windsor High street, Eton’s main road is arguable more charming with a church set back away from the road that is almost un-noticeable. Eventually you will reach Eton College, but before you get there, take a look at the quaint and quirky shops that line the street. Also… Look how pretty it is at Christmas!
Legoland:
Who hasn’t heard of Legoland?! Whether you have kids or are a big kid yourself be sure to visit if you love Lego before you leave. Expect to spend at least an entire day here, or maybe two if you want to spend the night in the Lego hotel!
Windsor Leisure Centre: If you would like a serious lane swim or a fun day out in the family pool then this is the best place to go. Look at the website before visiting for more price and time information: Windsor Leisure Centre (leisurefocus.org.uk)
Windsor On Ice:
Ice skating!!! During the winter you can expect to find a Christmas extravaganza in the form of an ice rink, charming food stands selling traditional bratwurst and candy treats opposite the jubilee fountain at Alexandra Gardens. You can get your tickets here: Welcome to Windsor On Ice | Windsor on Ice
Hungry in Windsor & Eton
Food for those on a tight budget these are some of my favourite foody places: McDonalds / Honest Burger / Weatherspoons / Starbucks / Krispy Kreme / Manny local restaurants! If you want to take a picnic to the long walk or by the river then this is not prohibited.
Food on a slightly bigger budget:Flaming Cow Eton / Gourmet Burger Kitchen / Bella Italia / Many more restaurants right on the castle’s doorstep or by the river.
Getting There
By Train: There are 2 train stations in Windsor. They are a 10 minute walk from each other so whichever one you choose it won’t matter because you’ll end up more or less in the same place! Here is how to get into Windsor and Eton via each one –
Windsor and Eton Central – To get to this station you will have to connect at Slough. The train journey from Slough is very cheap and takes around 5-10 minutes. If you are commuting from London Paddington you will connect at Slough before boarding the short journey to Windsor.
Windsor and Eton Riverside – This station connects Windsor to other areas of London such as London Waterloo. The train has many stops and may be less convenient time-wise than if you are able to get the fast train from Paddington to Slough and on to Windsor and Eton Central.
By Car – If you are driving from Slough/M4 come up the dual carriageway and take the first exit to the castle. DO NOT park near the castle or the river unless you don’t mind paying extra. Try Victoria Street Car Park for more reasonable rates. It’s a three minute walk from the shopping street.
Where to stay:
It’s nice to stay in Windsor… It’s also quite expensive to stay in Windsor. Opt to stay in Slough instead. There is a Moxy hotel, Premier inn, Travelodge, and many bnbs that will save you a heap of money. There are buses and taxis into Windsor for less than £10 so you do the math! If you are fixed on staying in Windsor then you will find plenty of options available online.
The decision of whether to stay in a hotel or not whilst on holiday is not usually at the forefront of many people’s minds. Most holiday goers will book their flights and then the top recommended hotel without even a second thought as to where else they could stay.
Why are so many of the population failing to remember that there are alternative, cheaper, more immersive and entertaining options available. Or maybe they just haven’t been informed yet. Well in that case, let’s begin.
At crazy affordable prices – Anda Venice offers comfy private sleeping areas, bar and kitchen areas, and a communal space that spans the entire ground floor.
Hotels: What are you paying extra for? Absolutely nothing.
If you enjoy late night strolls around a resort, listening to a British expat performing Whitney Houston Covers, and fighting other holiday makers for the sun lounger closest to the pool then hotels are definitely for you. Hotels are notoriously safer, and offer heightened security for families with private lockable rooms with en-suits and balcony areas. Great! But this is not the say that the same quality can’t be found elsewhere.
To offer some tangible evidence of what Hotels offer lets look at ibis hotels.
Whilst staying in an ibis hotel I couldn’t fault the breakfast service, the room, or anything else for that matter really. Although, the common area was less of a common area and more of a standard entrance area into the hotel.
Ibis hotels make good on the buffet breakfast and provide you with all your breakfasty needs from cereals to continental meats you’ve probably never thought to eat for breakfast.
This is all well and good you might say, but why oh why am I paying £50 – £100 (or more) a night. One person, one room, one bed, one breakfast, and you are asking for £60. Call me a cheapskate (because I am) but I say this pricing is totally unnecessary!
At over £50 a night Hotel De Pauw offers a breakfast buffet, close proximity to the main square, and a nice view of a church…
To be completely fair to ibis hotels, I searched the going rates across 10 countries in Europe, even ‘cheap’ countries and the prices were pretty similar across the board. Ibis hotels aren’t the only offenders of high prices for little in return, Premier Inn, Travel Lodge, Best Western, Hilton, Marriott… You name it, it was all a little too overpriced for me.
In my opinion, if anyone is paying £50-£80 per night, this is the least you should be asking for:
Blackout Curtains
Sound Proof Walls
Breakfast and Dinner
A fun, free, functioning common room
Outdoor seating areas
Comfortable bed and en-suit
Tea and Coffee in your room
If your paying over £80 for a hotel room then firstly – what on earth are you thinking? And secondly, there had better be a huge heated pool and a sauna with onsite creche for the kiddies to play in.
Hostels: It’s not all doom and gloom
Once you understand that not all hostels are as grubby as they seem in the movies your holiday savings will increase, and your holiday experience will change forever.
Hostels are available in almost every country in the world, and at a fraction of the price of booking a hotel you’d be silly not to consider it. Some of the nicest places I have ever stayed have been hostels costing no more than £13 a night WITH breakfast included. For more information about what staying in a hostel is really like read Myth Busting: Hotels – To stay or not to Stay.
This is one of the most enchanting hostels in Bosnia. The host is friendly, helpful, and fun. The location is excellent and the vibes are chilled.
So, let’s address 3 of the main issues that people talk about when I suggest that they stay in a hostel.
1- “I don’t want to stay with 10 other people with no privacy or bathroom to myself.”
2- “It won’t be a safe environment for the kids to sleep in or to be able to walk around in.”
3- “I’m not sleeping in a dirty room where the sheets are gross and the bathroom smells”
I am happy to report that for the most part I have found none of this hearsay to be true. Read
Overall I have found hostels to be more welcoming, friendly, cleaner, entertaining, and helpful than any hotels I have previously stayed in. Private rooms are always a little pricier, but you get what you pay for after all. Booking is easy with sites like Hostelworld and HostelBookers offering a transparent efficient service to users.
Home Stays: Living like a local
Staying in someone else’s home can feel daunting, especially if the family are still in the vicinity during your visit. Unless you had selfish plans to trash the place there’s no reason to feel nervous at all, provided that you have done your research beforehand.
Me with my incredible host family in Nicaragua. 3 months together and we were part of the family.
Whilst in Vietnam we stayed in a host home – accidentally. The family had advertised their home on a hostel site. We were pleasantly surprised as, luckily, we got on well with the family. They were knowledgeable and friendly, and we learnt a lot from the experience.
Whilst some host family / home stays are advertised on the usual hostel sites your best bet is to head over to sites such as Homestay.com or simply type ‘host family stay’ into Google and check out the many country specific results available.
Another option is the increasingly popular Airbnb which offers a wide variety of options depending on your needs. You can rent a whole home, a room, or shared accommodation. The majority of places you find on Airbnb will be self catering, so you will miss out on the luxury meals you are used to at the hotel, but with thousands of yummy restaurants around every corner why not sample the real local cuisine in the streets. This also cuts out all of the moaning about the lack of diversity on the hotel menu.
When booking with Airbnb be sure to tick the ‘whole house’ option if you don’t fancy meeting the homeowners each day. Another mistake we made whilst in Paris was not ticking this. We didn’t mind ultimately, but we did find it strange that the owner was still at the house. That is, until we realised we hadn’t ticked the all important ‘home alone’ button.
Despite any booking errors we may have faced in the past, staying with a host family is always a very enriching experience. I’ll admit that it’s more of a solo traveller / couples travel option, but if children are welcome then why not just book the whole house instead for a fun family experience?
Will you take the plunge?
I think it’s clear to see that I am a hostel kind of girl. Be it a private room, or a communal room, it’s all good to me. Don’t forget to read my blog ‘Myth Busting: Hotels – To stay or not to Stay‘ for a real insight into why I view Hostels as being the best.
Why not push the boat out and stay in a hostel camp site!? Camping Serenissma in Venice offers private bungalows or tent space, and even has a restaurant and pool!
Next time you book your accommodation for your holiday perhaps you may take a step back and consider just how much you could save to spend on enjoying expensive foods or activities, rather than on the £100 room that you could have got for £20 elsewhere.
A significant part of your travelling experience lies in the places that you choose to call home each night. Whilst you may not return home with wondrous stories about the incredible comfort levels hidden within the mattress, or the delicious breakfast you ate each morning – the chances are that you will always recall the things that made the accommodation terrible.
When booking my stay anywhere in the world I look at five factors. 1. Is it close to the main attractions. 2. Are the rooms clean and comfortable. 3. Am I paying a decent amount for what is on offer. 4. Will I have somewhere other than my room to hang out in the evening, and 5. How well has the space been rated by past experienced travellers.
I hope that by confronting some of your doubts and answering some of your questions with real experience I can bring you to book your first hostel stay somewhere.
1. You said: I’m not sharing a bedroom with anyone I don’t know. So I might as well just stay in a hotel room anyway.
I say: If you really don’t want to stay with anyone random then the answer is simple, don’t stay with random people. Booking a private room in a hostel is easy and will still save you a large amount of cash. Let’s look at an example I have stayed in –
Where we stayed: The Secret Garden Hostel – Krakow, Poland. 5 nights, two beds for £160 total.
For just £160 we stayed in a lovely private twin bed room with ensuing, TV, cleaning service, common room, kitchen area, and free city maps.
This hostel has family vibes – meaning you are unlikely to be awoken by noisy party goers at 2am in the morning. If you like your privacy and like being slightly out of the centre of town then The Secret Garden hostel is an excellent choice.
If you want breakfast included then you only need to pay a small fee for this, or why not pop to the grocery store just a 2 minute walk away and make your own?
If you opt for one of the many Hotels in the area you will notice ( with a quick search on booking.com ) that you will be lucky for find a room for 5 nights for two people, and under £350.
Choosing a private twin room in a hostel in Krakow saved us £190.
This homely hostel got mums seal of approval with its pristine, pretty, and private rooms.
2. You said: Hostels are for young people.
I say: No they’re not!
Where we stayed: Basecamp Bonn – Bonn, Germany. Suitable for all ages.
This quirky hostel offers a very varied environment, and by varied I mean – you can stay in the train carriage a private caravan a tour bus and more, all housed in a giant warehouse of fun.
Whilst younger visitors might opt to stay in the entirely cramped tour bus, older travellers can opt for the privacy and spaciousness of a private caravan for the night. The hostel offers traditional fun boardgames for the younger visitors (not that it stopped us from playing) and a mature atmosphere for the older ones.
If staying in a caravan isn’t your thing then there are plenty of other options available for all the travellers in the world of hostels. All you have to do is set your preferences wisely when searching, and if mobility is an issue then check the facilities and the location before you book.
In the peaceful town of Bonn, Germany is this bonkers hostel. Housed under one huge warehouse sit a renovated train carriage, private caravans, and tour buses to sleep in!
3. You said: I’m not sharing a bathroom!
I said: Whilst it can be hard to find, hostels with private bathrooms do exist.
Where we stayed: Villa Varich – Chumphon, Thailand private ensuit.
Ok, ok, so this hostel isn’t on Hostelworld anymore because it wasn’t technically a hostel, but as the owner was just starting out these private villas were placed on Hostelworld and for bargain price. It’s just so great not feature it here. This does however raise an interesting point about being meticulous in your search for the perfect private bathroom.Once again I urge you to set your preferences to private ensuite and searching for a decent hostel with a private bathroom. Who knows you might just stumbled upon something is great as Villa Varich!
With the villas on the river front it would have been rude not to take a self on the swing.
4. You said: I don’t want to party all the time. I just want to read with some light entertainment.
I said: party hostels are all around but if you search with the correct preferences you will find a hostel that suits you perfectly without all the loud music.
Where we stayed: Easy Tiger is an incredible hostel located in Phong Ngha, Vietnam.
Whilst from the booking websites this may seem like an incredibly rowdy hostel you couldn’t be more wrong. You’ll also be pleased to know (for those of you that wanted a private bathroom recommendation) that rooms with four beds in one private bathroom or available.
Upon entering your room you will be greeted by tiger print walls, floors, bedding – you name it! The rooms have thick walls keeping all outside noise out. Scheduled musicians and other interesting acts play in the evenings for your entertainment whilst you grab a bite to eat from their yummy restaurant.
I also recall there being a pool, pool tables, and a theme of supporting good causes.
The entire hostel is surrounded by incredible 360 views such as this. You also get an awesome wrist band upon entry.
5. You said: I’ve heard stories. Hostels just aren’t safe!
I say: To date, I have yet to be robbed of anything, nor attacked in some dark hallway. I’ve thought that I’ve been robbed a few times by then realise I just dropped my things next to my bed.
Where we stayed: Asta Venice, Venice, Italy. The locker is under your bed, and bag storage options are available.
some hostels have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to security, but we were pleased to see that Asta has nailed the locker system. Although Asta has done a good job, always travel with a minimum of two padlocks as most hostels or not supply them for you free of charge.
Many of the newer hostels you will notice have cameras around the building and outside rooms (which by the way most hotels only have cameras in the lobby). If you notice any suspicious behaviour, notify the staff (as you would anywhere else) and you will be just fine.
Anda Venice is the trendiest hostel inVenice offering security, young fun vibes, and funky decor.
Flying into Berlin is a pain free, quick, and easy process that is truly reflective of that good old stereotypical German efficiency .
Shame about the train stations… The train stations that baffle and bewilder many a tourist ruin the efficiency illusion in an instant and, if you don’t speak German, will have you wishing that you had listened more in German class (if you even had the option to learn it).
Unless you have arranged a pickup, I strongly recommend that you research the route to your chosen destination BEFORE you get on the plane. If you are staying in Berlin then you will probably find that the S Bahn is your best option. Type your route into google maps and print it before you leave home. Google maps has a tendency to be rather incredible without shoving your stupidness in your face.
When to go:
Berlin is a city that can be visited all year round with no real limitations to activities due to weather conditions. Just bare in mind that if you want to climb a tall building (because there are so many here) to get a great view, this is not going to happen when it’s poring with rain or foggy outside.
Remember that Sunday afternoons and public holidays can be quieter, with many museums and shops being closed.
Money:
The currency is Euro. Berlin can be expensive in and around popular tourist sites. Despite this, it is easy enough to find cheap food if you venture into the suburbs. Kebab shops, burger stops and chippies are never more than a five minute pace away.
Getting around:
The Sbhan is the easiest way around the city. If underground trains aren’t for you then grab a map and explore on foot. Many attractions are close to each other so you shouldn’t have to walk too far between sights. Typical to most European cities, Berlin’s inhabitants do fall prey to telling tourists that “it’s too far to walk” and that they should “take the train because it’s faster and easier”. At least once I challenge you to ignore the nice citizen and go on foot to see if it really is too far. And if come back and it was too far… Well, I’m sorry and I’m sure you made memories that made it worth it anyway right!?
Things to do:
Reichstag dome – Tickets must be purchased online in advance of your visit or you will be refused entry. Allow 15-20 minutes to get through the quick security checks before you enter. Upon entering through the mini airport security you will be transported by an elevator up into the huge dome that sits on top of the reichstag. Audio guides are free and automatically feed you information as you scale higher and higher into the sky. If you are scared of heights you may want to think twice as the majority of the dome is glass, so not looking down is not really an option!
Brandenburg Gate & Around – The gate is situated near some of Berlin’s other main sights and is usually tourist heavy. Before heading here have a walk through the Jewish Monument situated a ten minute walk away. Both the gate and the monument make a big impression at night when the lights come on.
History:
It is almost impossible to go to Berlin and not learn a little about the history it possesses. Going down to see the remaining wall is an interesting visit along with Checkpoint Charlie (be warned that it gets very crowded with tourists), and free museums such as the Topographie des Terror (a highlight of our trip).
Not so central – Venturing out of the centre is highly recommended. Just in the train and explore outer Berlin for some spectacular sights and entertaining things to do. Parks, museums, and more are easy to find.
A place to stay:
If you are looking for a decent place to stay then Plus Berlin Hostel is great. The hostel is by far the biggest hostel I’ve ever stayed in, and with a swimming pool, family friendly rooms, common rooms, restaurant, gardens and even its own art exhibition,it’s as though this hostel made love to a hotel and produced this huge beast. Staying in a dorm here was strange. The rooms were cleaned daily with cute chocolate pieces left on your pillow. Fresh towels were on the foot of the bed when you came back from a days adventures ( see! Just like a hotel right). The pool was a great addition. On one of the days when it was raining we opted for a swimming session which was totally worth it. The food was reasonable for dinner, and the all you can eat breakfast buffet was delicious. Every smart traveller knows – get up a little later and make the buffet a brunch instead of a breakfast for optimum money saving.
Extras:
Vibes- The general vibe in Berlin is a friendly yet equally standoffish vibe. Kind of like London but with less rushing and more chit chatting. An example of the humour and lightheartedness of Berlin was when I asked a guy if he would take a photo of us. He joked saying that he could not… I didn’t get the joke and stood apologising for even asking, embarrassed. My boyfriend, the comedian, and his friend found it hilarious and laughed at my expression.
Bears, green men, and red women-
If you really pay attention to your surroundings you will notice things that people often miss. Sadly for the unobservant (and I’ve asked around) many people return from Berlin having not seen a single bear statue. Considering its significance here it is sad that they have not one photo or memory of seeing one. Sadly, these same people also have no idea what I’m taking about when I ask them what they thought of the traffic light people. They stare at me blankly… “There are entire shops dedicated to the little people inside the traffic lights! How could you miss them?!” It turns out they just weren’t looking hard enough. Therefore, my recommendation is to pay close attention.
Overall thoughts:
Berlin for me is a standard city of art, culture, history, business and pleasure. Personal preference sways me to feel no real urge to return. A controversial feeling I am aware. Personally, having seen Potsdam, Dresden and Bonn I find that I prefer these smaller jewels for reasons of which I’m not quite sure. But why does it matter? Make up your own mind and get to travelling!
Getting in: Arriving in Croatia was a complicated mess of passport control, unoccupied help desks and tourists eager to get into the country before the other tourists. Luckily the airport is small and getting lost in it would require considerable effort on your part. If you are staying in or near the Old Town then work your way (unaided by no one other than equally baffled tourists) to the bus ticket shop.
The shuttle bus takes you down the beautiful coastline from a great height. Eventually after fretting over your drivers ability to drive on the edge of a cliff you will gain an incredible view of (cue Game of Thrones music) King’s Landing!!!! – I mean, The Old Town. At 40 croation kuna for a one way ticket this is the best way to head into town from the airport.
When to go: April was a strange time of year. With not many tourists around it was great to be able to walk round without having thousands of people pushing you out of the way or photobombing every shot. In the evenings however the atmosphere in Lapad, Gruz and other surrounding areas was non existent. The locals were all at home and, the tourists seemed to have gone to bed. Perhaps summer is the better time to experience night life.
Money: Anything within the walls of the Old Town is expensive so we ventured a little outside of the vicinity for cheaper goods. Most places accepted Kuna and Euro. When paying with Euro we learnt to expect to receive change in a well calculated (yet highly confusing) mix of Euro and Kuna.
Getting around: Bus tickets can be purchased on the bus for 15kuna or at a ticket shop. We were tipped off that if you buy the ticket from a shop the price is 12kuna. Score! Money saved!!
The transport staff were notably miserable I’m sorry to say. We found no word of politeness from any transport staff. Whilst we knew that they owed us nothing, it was still a shock to be grunted at every time we jumped on the bus.
If you were slow entering or exiting the bus you would be either left behind or shut in the bus doors ( I was shut in the doors no fewer than two times ).
Fun Activities and things to do:
Walk the walls – If stairs are your thing then head for the walls and keep walking up. You will need to pay to do this and your fitness will need to be at a good level to get up the never ending steps. If you don’t fancy climbing your way into an asthma attack then opt for staying at ground level and following the wall around from the lower levels.
Cable Car –
How Long: Fast and Furious – If you intend to take day trips to Montenegro or Bosnia ( p.s. 1 day in Bosnia is not enough) then consider 5-6 days. If you are just intending to stay in Dubrovnik then 4 days in perfect.
Slow and Steady – If you tend to spend an hour or two a day people watching, or drinking a bottle of wine at dinner then you may want to add a day onto the fast and furious itinerary.
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4 Day ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrive midday to see the old town lit up. Find somewhere on the Main Street for dinner before heading to your hotel. The further away from the main street, the cheaper the food – is a good general rule to go by.
Day 2. Grab a bus to Pile gate, walk around the back of the fortress and jump aboard the cable car. You can spend a good few hours exploring up here. Have breakfast in the restaurant before looking around the museum taking selfies and staring into the distance. Head back down before lunch and walk to the old town. You can spend the entire afternoon and evening here trekking in and out of the hidden alleys. Gasp at the Game of Thrones locations, walk the walls and marvel at the curious items in the museums. In the evening you can stay in the old town or head to Lapad for a quiet meander and a drink.
Day 3. Islands are on the itinerary for today. If you want to see a few then opt for the three island tour. A less common (and less rushed idea) is to grab a boat to Lokrum island. Lokrum is a beautiful diverse island full of peacocks and rabbits. Wear your swimming costume under our clothes if you intend to swim in the mini cove on the island. Stroll around the monastery, botanical gardens and park before scrambling through the rock pools. You can also find the Iron Throne which is somewhat of a hidden gem as there is little advertisement to suggest it is even on the island! Following your visit to Lokrum head to the old town to revisit any areas you missed on the previous day.
Day 4. If you aren’t planning any onward travel or day trips use today to take the three island tour or a day trip to Cavtat. Enjoy the Game of Thrones Scenery, the crystal blue waters and, the historic fortress. Have an incredible time in Dubrovnik.
If you’re planning your next holiday or backpacking trip in Europe then take a look at my brief overviews of the places I’ve been.
Some travel advice can be all waffly with more information than you really need. The whole point is that YOU find your own way and do what YOU want to do.
You can save the images, or you click the location from the list below to read the full blog.
So without further chat, here are the good and the bad about the places I’ve been…
(Updated every time I venture out)
Here you can find the following mini reviews and links to my full reviews:
Bosnia & Herzegovina – Mostar – (Read the Mostar blog)
The Reichstag building is beautiful, combining old and new architecture. It provides amazing views of the city. If you can tear your eyes away from the architecture of the building itself. You must register on the website here to get in.
Checkpoint Charlie is an interesting place to peruse around. This historical landmark will usually be manned by people in military uniform.
Street Art is everywhere. It’s easy to spend half a day looking at the many pieces of art.
Topographie des Terrors is a necessary trip if you are interested in history. This was a memorable stop during our time there.
Berlin Wall – no need to plan for this. You will 100% bump into the wall when aimlessly wondering around.
Eating and drinking is much pricier here than other parts of Germany. Set a good budget so you don’t over spend.
Getting out of Berlin to see the rest of the country is super easy with the SBahn.
BONN
Thing to see and do:
Drachenfells and Schloss – hike up the big hill or grab the tram and get ready for spectacular forest views and a view of the mini Disney lookalike castle.
Feeling Outdoorsy? Bonn is the place to go. There are trees aplenty and lots of places to hike around in the great outdoors.
Quirky Accommodation – Basecamp Bonn is where it’s at. Ever wanted to sleep in a converted car? Or a train? or maybe a Chinese tour bus? Check them out here.
Botanical gardens and the zoological museum are another couple of nice laid back activities during your time in Bonn.
Overall, Bonn is super chilled so you may just want a couple of days wind down time here.
COLOGNE
Thing to see and do:
The Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is unmissable. If you are arriving by subway you will be greeted by it as soon as you emerge from the underground. It is stunning to look at, outside and in. Entry is free.
The River Rhine is a lovely backdrop to the city. Take a ride on it or walk down it at your leisure.
Partying is easy in Cologne. The nightlife is booming and there are many local festivals. Be sure to check the German calendar before you go. I still have no idea what festival we were celebrating whilst I was there but we had a laugh.
Eat, eat, and eat some more. You will never be without naked good in Cologne.
DRESDEN
Thing to see and do:
One of my top destinations in Germany. Very beautiful and historic.
Frauenkirche Dresdenis a giant feat of gothic style engineering that should not be missed. Visit at night to see it beautifully lit up.
The Dresden Zwingeris impossible to miss. The grounds are huge and a few hours should be spent walking around it. The gardens and walls are well kept and well worth visiting
Siempre Opera House is stunning. If you have the cash and time I would recommend getting inside under the beautiful ceilings.
Markets, museums and more – Dresden is full of things to see and do. Allow a couple of days minimum here.
DÜSSELDORF
Thing to see and do:
Düsseldorf is another really chilled place to visit for when Berlin’s fast face gets the better of you.
Film Museum – as a film lover I was keen to visit here and it was not disappointing. Check out the website to see it’s diverse exhibits and take an hour or so to stop by. Well worth the money!
Rheinuferpromenade is a lovely chilled place to take a walk down the river. Start from parliament and stroll down from there.
The Rhine Tower is recommended for those unafraid of heights. To enter you will need to buy a ticket when you get there which varies depending on the time you arrive. Allow between £5-£12.
Shopping on a high-end budget is definitely doable here. Get the credit card out for some expensive brand shopping.
FRANKFURT
Thing to see and do:
(Altstadt) Frankfurt Old Town is enchanting with it’s Römer (old town hall). Take a seat to admire the old buildings and grab lunch.
Street Performers seem to be everywhere here, and they were all generally pretty good. Allow a few hours to get swept up in the random entertainment that the streets provide.
Beer is really good here. I’m not a beer lover but I enjoyed it here. Hard not to after the twentieth gulp from the GIANT glass.
MEIßEN (MEISSEN)
Thing to see and do:
Fairytale territory – This tiny town is a lovely day excursion from the cities.Peaceful and friendlywith lots of little places of interest like the Dom Zu Meissen below.
Comfy shoes needed – Although it is small, you will need comfy shoes to navigate the cobbled streets. Have fun getting lost here in the bending streets.
Markets and the river – Not too bountiful on this front, but if there is a market then do stop to take a look before heading to the river.
POTSDAM
Thing to see and do:
We did a day trip here. It’s a quick train ride out of Berlin (around 45 minutes) so nice and easy.
Sansoucci Park – This park is massive and with plenty to explore including Sansoucci Palace. Allow a day here and bring snacks.
Botanical Garden – flowers within a beautiful building. What’s more to say.
New Palace – tickets are cheap and the building is just another example of Germany’s impressive gothic architecture. Extend your day by booking to go inside.
As I explore more of Germany I will update this post. Hope you have a fabulous time there!
TravelJems 