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36 Things To Do In Brighton

I have dived into birthday party ideas in Brighton and the best options when working to a tight budget, but I haven’t really dived into the best things to do overall, whether that’s on a holiday as a couple, away with the family or just an activity or experience you and a mate can book this weekend.

Brighton is a city unlike anywhere in the UK (the closest resemblance is Bristol), with a youthful population, a positive attitude and hippy mentality, with lively streets to beautiful outdoor spaces and a thriving arts scene.

Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing day at the beach, an adventure in the great outdoors, or exploring quirky shops and hidden gems, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this seaside gem. In this guide, I’ll be sharing my top picks for the best things to do in Brighton, whether you’re here for a short trip or a longer stay. As someone who has lived here for 15 years, I’m proud to write this local guide and hope you find it useful.

1. Walk Through The North Laine

The North Laine has some unbelievable and unique shops which you should certainly check out on your visit to Brighton.

If you walk down from the station along Trafalgar Street, you should turn when you get to Sydney Street (look out for the Mad Hatters store).

From this first point, you will quickly see one of the first highlights, being ‘To Be Worn Again’. This two-floor store has some truly unique looking clothes, much of it appearing from the 60’s/70’s.

For any vaping or smoking friends, you’ll find Smokers Heaven just close by, before you reach We Love Falafel, an incredibly popular place for lunch.

Further along this street you will also find the legendary clothes store Dirty Harry, comic book dream Dave’s Comics, plus Bonsai Ko, where you can pick up an exotic plant.

If you then head onto Kensington Gardens, you’ll find a brilliant pub called The White Rabbit, as well as another To Be Worn Again, the peculiar artefacts of Snoopers Paradise and plenty of juggling gear in Oddballs. Bert’s is a cool shop to look for gifts for someone’s birthday or for some odd utensils for the kitchen as well.

My favourite restaurant of the North Laine is a bit of a hidden gem, the Balcony Café on Kensington Gardens, offering a number of your favourite meals from childhood, plus some incredible milkshakes.

Cost: Free

Address: Enter at Kensington Place, BN1 4EJ

2. Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is a Grade I listed building right in the heart of the city, surrounded by beautiful gardens which are worth relaxing in and having a picnic during the summer months.

The Royal Pavilion is also home to a number of highly lucrative items that were stored in Buckingham palace, but are being stored here in Brighton while building and decorative work takes place.

In the winter, you will also find the ice skating rank setup, which is perfect if you want to get into the festive mood.

It is cheaper for children (5-18) to access the Pavilion, while you can also get a family pass to save overall. Plus, if you can prove you’re a Brighton resident (a letter will do) then you can also get an improved price on the family pass, the same with students.

Cost: Free in the gardens, £19 for access to the building.

Address: Pavilion Building, BN1 1EE

3. Pendragon The Hunt

As a group of four, we tackled ‘The Hunt‘, an exhilarating spy-themed adventure in Stanmer Park. In this immersive challenge, you’re cast as spies tasked with uncovering vital information while staying alert for lurking “hunters” at every turn. The vast park setting adds to the thrill, and as we slipped into our roles, even passers-by took on a suspicious air!

This activity is versatile and can accommodate groups from 2 up to 100, making it a fantastic choice for corporate team-building events, birthday celebrations, or simply a fun outing with friends. While it gets your adrenaline pumping, there’s no need for peak fitness levels, as the focus is more on locating capsules and navigating the map than on physical exertion. You’ll still need to stay sharp to spot hidden hunters and the “silent observer.”

Adding to the experience, this is a not-for-profit social enterprise, and the staff are welcoming and enthusiastic. They also offer a game show-inspired option (featured later on the list) that’s equally exciting. The Hunt is high on my list as one of the best activities in Brighton, it’s an unforgettable experience in a city brimming with things to do!

Cost: £39 per person

Address: 8 Stanmer Village, Brighton, BN1 9PZ, UK

4. Cycle/Walk Along The Undercliff

When lockdown kicked in, we had to find some activities to try so that we could get out of the house for 30-60 minutes, so we didn’t go insane.

We quickly got hooked to hiring a bike and going exploring. The bike rentals are incredibly easy, all done via an app. You can also avoid the dangerous roads and go all the way along the undercliff path to Saltdean, crossing through Rottingdean. In the other direction, you can go on the cycle path to Hove, making quite a lengthy stretch.

You can pick either a pedal bike or an e-bike, useful if you’re not looking for a workout and you’d prefer to explore with energy at the end. Of course, you can make the walk as well, taking in beautiful views at the Marina.

Cost: Downbload the Beryl BTN BikesShare app, 16p per minute & £1 unlocking fee

5. The Rockery

The Rockery is located right alongside Preston Park, across Preston road, but it is seen as an absolute hidden gem in Brighton!

It was landscaped back in 1935, with a waterfall dripping down towards a pond filled with fish and frogs. You can also walk along the rocks to walk over the pond, before going up the pathways so you can get views of the entire city.

There are numerous different flowers growing, while there is also a flat area where you can sit down and enjoy a picnic, but please clean up after yourself.

You’re not allowed dogs in the Rockery, a warning as I was hoping to take my pooch here before spotting a sign.

Cost: Free

Address: Alongside Preston Park, BN1 6DQ

6. The Lanes

Not to be confused with the North Laine (no seriously, locals hate it when you confuse the two), the Lanes has a number of jewellery stores, swanky cafes and winding alleyways.

You can have plenty of fun just walking through the Lanes and I’d recommend a stop-off at the Duck House to pick up a rubber ducky! Knoops is great for a coffee or hot chocolate, while you can have a beer and a pie from the oldest building in Brighton (the Pump House).

There are also a number of great restaurants here, including Permit Room (my favourite), an Indian franchise from Dishoom which you can find in London.

Cost: Free, unless you buy something

Address: You might want to enter from North Street, via Riddle & Finns at BN1 1HB

7. The Pier

It used to be free to access the Pier, but they’ve started to charge £2 per person (£1 for children) to enter annoyingly, unless you have evidence you’re a local resident.

Forget computer games and virtual reality, something is truly magical about those 2p machines. Maybe it’s just an early gambling addiction, but it is way too much fun! Plus, even if you just change up a pound, those 2p’s still last quite a while, providing you actually win a few goes.

There are also a number of rides at the end of the Pier. Local tip, if you go online, you can buy a wrist band so you get unlimited rides for the day. This cost around £25pp, while each ride is around £4, so after 6 rides, you’ve covered your cost and made a saving. Me and Raquel have regularly done this and gone on the Waltzer a dozen times.

Cost: £2 entry

Address: Madeira Drive, BN2 1TW

8. Foodies Festival

Each year this has been held on Hove Lawns, however last year they moved to Preston Park, however I’m not sure if this is a permanent switch or a temporary change.

Either way, this is a must in our calendar, going every year for around 4 years now. You’ll see live music, a huge amount of food stands, small independent businesses selling their products and plenty of beverages available to get you a little tipsy.

This is hands down our favourite annual event in Brighton and is certainly worth checking out if you’ve never been before.

Cost: £27

Address: Preston Park, BN1 6SD

9. The Pendragon Gameshow

We had an absolute blast at The Pendragan Gameshow, and it’s difficult to capture just how much fun this activity truly is. Designed as an interactive experience, it’s a hit for team building, birthdays, or just an unforgettable day out with friends.

Led by two energetic hosts, the event is divided into rounds inspired by classic TV game shows, with each one tailored to suit the group. The games lean more towards fun than serious trivia, so you don’t have to be a quiz master to get involved. I won’t spoil the details, as the element of surprise makes it even better!

With a minimum group size of nine, The Gameshow can be hosted in your own space, but we held ours in the upstairs room at the Joker on London Road, Brighton. This was an ideal setting, as we could enjoy tasty food from downstairs and order drinks for the games. Each session runs for around two and a half hours, with breaks every 45 minutes to stretch, top up on drinks, and take a quick breather.

Whether it’s a hen do, stag party, or just an excuse for a unique day out, The Gameshow brings a refreshing twist on traditional activities. And as a social enterprise, your booking helps fund outdoor expeditions for young people facing challenges in the transition to adulthood, making it fun with a purpose.

This is one experience I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable time in Brighton!

10. Have A Drink At The Zip Bar

So many people grab a drink at the bars along the seafront, largely not offering much in regards to views, while they’re overpriced and overcrowded.

However, the Zip Bar seems to slip people by, with the upstairs often with tables available and with stunning views of the Pier.

Having a drink up here will get you in the holiday mood, even if you live here! Seriously, I felt like I was on holiday and I’d lived here for 15 years.

Cost: Free to access

Address: Madeira Drive, BN2 1TB (to the left of the Pier)

11. Devil’s Dyke

Whether you go for a walk or bike ride, Devil’s Dyke is an amazing place to go, plus it is just a short bus journey away. It is something you can do with the entire family or with a dog alongside, while it is also a good detox activity for the day after. Plus, there is a pub by the bus stop, I’m just saying.

There is a car park, while it’s a great place to take the dog for a walk, albeit expect to bump into hundreds of other dog walkers. The bus route from Brighton is the 77, which you can get from near the train station.

Thee Dyke valley is a long route, but it’s pretty hard to get lost so you don’t have to worry (albeit having Google Maps to hand is always useful). This is a National Trust site, so they have plenty of information before you go.

12. Visit The Beach

Well, I have to include some obvious tourist attractions in the list and this is easily one of the biggest attractions for Londoners wanting a day trip away.

The beach might be pebbles, meaning your feet will hurt a hell of a lot as you run towards the sea barefoot, but you can’t help but feel like you’re on a holiday when the sun is beating down in peak summer times and you jump the waves.

The main beach straight down Queen’s Road from the station does get pretty hectic, so I’d often recommend walking along toward’s Hove, where it can be a lot calmer.

Also, if you head in the other direction, there are some calmer beaches towards Rottingdean, but be aware there is a nudist beach along that way. Don’t want people getting ‘caught short’.

13. Komedia

There’s nothing quite like live stand-up comedy, and Komedia in Brighton delivers it brilliantly. Set in the heart of the North Laine, it’s a lively venue offering great shows, a relaxed atmosphere, and the added perk of food and drinks to enjoy during the performance.

We recently went to their ‘Kitchen Takeover’ nights, where instead of the usual burger & chip options, they have local restaurants take over the kitchen, which was fascinating.

Their “What’s On” listings feature a mix of established comedians, up-and-coming talent, and themed nights, so there’s usually something for everyone. A little tip: if you’re going on a Thursday, check Groupon, as they often run deals for two people that include tickets and a meal, making it an ideal midweek treat.

For a night of laughs, Komedia is THE best spot in town, making it a perfect addition to your Brighton itinerary.

Cost: Approximately £18-20 per ticket or £30 for the ticket and meal bundle
Address: 44 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN

Watch Here

14. Brighton Food Tour

We absolutely loved our time on the Brighton Food Tour, it lasted a few hours (3 hours from memory), while they took us around to a number of local, independent stores.

The food and drinks were incredible, while the store owners talked through their produce, before offering you some to try. It always feels nice to support a small business, while the food is so much better, made fresh that day.

This is done as a group together, but if you have eight people then you can book it as a private event.

Cost: £65pp

Address: You start around the Pavilion Gardens

15. Alcotraz Themed Cocktails

If you’re a fan of immersive experiences, you’ll absolutely love Alcotraz Brighton, an underground speakeasy where you’re not just a spectator, but part of the action. This is a prison-themed adventure that fully immerses you in the experience, with actors interacting with you and guiding you through the story as it unfolds around you. It’s a thrilling blend of roleplay, mystery, and delicious cocktails, truly a night to remember.

Situated beneath the seafront, Alcotraz is a secretive, hidden gem. Upon arrival, you and your group are transformed into prisoners, each led to your very own cell, where the mischief begins. Your task? Smuggle in your own liquor and, if you succeed, it will be mixed into bespoke cocktails designed just for you. This isn’t your average night out in Brighton, as each drink is crafted based on your preferences and the liquor you’ve managed to sneak past the prison guards.

While bringing your own booze might feel a bit strange at first, it’s all part of the fun, and with the guards on your side, you’ll have a bit of help in your smuggling attempts. The real challenge, however, is avoiding the watchful eye of the Warden. If you manage to keep your contraband under wraps, you’ll be treated to a night of personalised cocktails tailored to your taste.

Whether you’re after a fun group night, a memorable birthday, or a unique team-building activity, Alcotraz offers something special. If you’re not a drinker, their expert mixologists are just as skilled at crafting delicious mocktails, something that is commonly requested so don’t hesitate. This is not your typical Brighton bar, but rather a fully immersive adventure that will have you talking about it long after the night ends.

Watch Here

16. Upside Down House

Truly disorientating, the Upside Down House is located on the seafront, near to the I360, meaning you can tick both off in quick succession.

The Upside Down House has a number of rooms (as you’d expect in a house), all offering great photo opportunities. My tip would be to ask the staff to take a photo of you, as they’re better at getting the right angles, considering they spend all day here and they’re trained at this.

The entry is cheap, albeit you will complete it all very quickly, so don’t expect to be kept busy for long.

Cost: £7.95pp

Address: 42 Kings Road Arches, BN1 2LN

17. Admire The Street Art

I have written an article on the Brighton graffiti, and by Graffiti, I don’t mean the tagging which plagues the city. I mean the truly incredible pieces of art that coat several walls.

The creativity of many of these artists is unbelievable, while I had the good fortune of meeting a few of them and chatting about their work, as well as getting to see the Bruno piece through each step of the process.

The best pieces can be found on Trafalgar Lane, but there are so many spots around the city, it becomes a bit of an Eye-Spy game.

Cost: Free

Address: Trafalgar lane, BN1 4ES

18. Brighton Zip

A relatively new and thrilling addition to Brighton’s attractions, the Brighton Zip offers an exhilarating experience for adventure seekers. This impressive zip wire stretches a thrilling 300 meters along the stunning beachfront, providing breathtaking views of the coastline and the iconic pier below.

For those with a head for heights (unlike me, who battles a serious fear of them!), this is the perfect opportunity to embrace your inner daredevil. As you ascend to the launch point, anticipation builds, and when you finally take the leap, the rush of wind and adrenaline will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The experience combines the thrill of speed with the joy of panoramic views of the sea and cityscape—an unforgettable way to see Brighton from a unique perspective.

The zip wire is conveniently located near the pier, making it an ideal addition to a day spent exploring the seafront. And if you’re looking to unwind after your ride, you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar, where you can share stories of your adventure while soaking in the sun and scenery.

The Brighton Zip operates from 10 AM to 9 PM, ensuring plenty of opportunities for both thrill-seekers and casual visitors to experience this exhilarating ride. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, make sure to add this to your list of things to do in Brighton—it’s a fantastic way to create lasting memories while embracing the beauty of the coast.

Cost: £18

Address: Madeira Drive, BN2 1TB (to the left of the Pier)

19. Brighton Pride

Pride is an important date in the calendar, to celebrate equality and diversity and to show your support against discrimination towards the LGBTQ community.

Admittedly, nowadays most of the LGBTQ+ people I know are finding it a bit irritating as it’s just become a massive party for everyone, taking away the reasons why it was setup in the first place, which I completely understand.

You have the parade that goes through the city around 11am, starting at Hove Lawns, going along the seafront, up and along West Street and North Street, before heading towards London Road and ending in Preston Park.

The ‘main event’ is in Preston Park, but the crowds and queues are ridiculous, you spend about 20 mins waiting for a toilet, then 30 minutes waiting for the bar, it’s just too overcrowded.

The Pride Village Party is amazing though, found in Kemptown, on St James’s Street. Wristbands to enter were around £27.50, but the prices go up closer to the date you are.

20. The West Pier

I have briefly mentioned the West Pier, but I feel many tourists would see this as a must, so I wanted to highlight it separately.

The West Pier, designed by Eugenius Birch in 1866, was destroyed in an arson attack in 2003, while this was followed by a heavy storm that damaged the structure further, leaving it almost impossible to repair. There has been many bids to rebuild it, but the costs would be extremely large.

On the other hand, I find the derelict, dilapidated remains of the West Pier to be visually stunning, especially when sunsets behind it. It may never be repaired now, but it makes for a great view while relaxing on the beach, until it does finally completely collapse.

Address: Kings Road, BN1 2FL

21. Eat Some Fish & Chips

I personally would always go for a battered sausage and chips, but whatever you’d prefer, there are plenty of options in Brighton.

You could try BFC Fish & Chips, RYBKA, Lucky Beach Cafe, but my favourite is titled…Fish & Chips, based at 11 Ship street, hardly the most original names these places, I think they realised how to rank well on Google Local Maps.

Just be careful if eating them on the beach, the seagulls won’t attack you, but they will come close hoping that you’ll drop them and then they’ll fly in.

Cost: About £8-17

Address: The best one is maybe RYBKA, 41 Meeting House Lane, BN1 1HB

22. Brighton Carnival

This is not something I was aware of, despite living in Brighton for over a decade, but I moved to Kemptown and out of no-where this massive carnival started forming. For some reason, the rest of Brighton doesn’t seem to be aware of this event, maybe because it’s not commonly written about.

Expect to see live performances, musicians galore, plus everyone partying in the streets. This street festival takes place in June, normally when the sun has finally popped up for summer time.

There are a few workshops setup, as well as stands and plenty of food options, but the main attraction is the actual carnival parade with people dressed up galore. All the live music gets you into a party mood.

Cost: Free

23. Brighton i360

The i360 offers a 360 view of Brighton and Hove, allowing you to get a unique perspective from the seafront. Located right by the West Pier, the ‘burned down pier’, this is a popular option for tourists or people who haven’t been to Brighton before.

Knowing that tourism can only get it so far, they’ve broadened their product offering, such as a Sky Walk experience on the rooftop. While they have a bar on the i360, they don’t have a toilet, so be aware you will be up for 30 minutes. They do have a toilet at the bottom, so I’d recommend going before the ride.

The i360 did initially close down, so I removed it from this listing, however it reopened under new ownership.

24. Stanmer Park

I actually wrote a list of the best parks in Brighton, of which Stanmer Park I placed second, due to the beautiful scenery over 464 acres of land.

Stanmer park is a great place to walk the dog or take the family, whether you’re outdoor fans or you just want somewhere to have a kick about. You should also keep your eye out for a bat!

I’ve also included this on my list of the best free things to do in Brighton which is worth a read if you’re looking to plan your trip on a shoestring budget.

Cost: Free

Address: Falmer, BN1 9RG

25. Watch The Starling Birds

Whenever my dad visits, he can’t resist capturing the mesmerizing spectacle of the starling murmurations as they swirl together in perfect harmony, creating stunning patterns against the sky. This breathtaking display is not just a treat for the eyes; it’s a moment of pure magic that brings visitors and locals alike to a standstill.

To make the experience even more memorable, try to get a shot with the iconic West Pier in the background. The juxtaposition of the birds against the historic ruins of the pier creates a striking visual that captures the essence of Brighton’s charm. The starlings typically gather around both piers before making their way toward the Marina, so be sure to position yourself strategically for the best view.

Timing can be tricky, but if you’re hoping to witness this phenomenon, aim for late afternoon. During my last sighting, I found they took to the skies around 4:30 PM. It’s a sight that’s as enchanting as it is elusive, and it’s easy to see why so many people are captivated by it.

Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos of these incredible murmurations, showcasing how the starlings weave and dance through the air, leaving spectators in awe. It always feels surreal to pop open my window at the office and catch a glimpse of them flying right outside. If you’re in Brighton, make sure to take a moment to witness this natural wonder; it’s a truly unforgettable experience that will leave you spellbound.

26. See A Match At The Amex

When I first moved to Brighton, the local team was battling it out in the lower leagues against clubs like Bolton Wanderers, but oh, how times have changed! The Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, now competing in the Premier League, has transformed into a formidable force, delivering some of the best performances in the club’s history.

Visiting the AMEX Stadium to catch a match is an unforgettable experience. The state-of-the-art facility not only provides a fantastic atmosphere but also showcases the passion of the fans. From the moment you step into the stadium, you can feel the energy and excitement building as supporters come together to cheer on their team.

Getting your hands on a ticket can be a bit challenging, especially for high-stakes matches, so it’s wise to plan ahead. If you know a season ticket holder, that could be your golden ticket to a match day experience you won’t want to miss. Watching a game live at the AMEX, surrounded by fellow fans and the thrill of top-tier football, is truly a remarkable way to spend an afternoon.

Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just looking for a unique local experience, a match at the AMEX is a perfect blend of sports and community spirit. Grab your team colors, join the chanting fans, and immerse yourself in the excitement of Premier League action right in the heart of Brighton!

Cost: £135

Address: AMEX stadium, Village Way, BN1 9BL

27. Churchill Square

If you need to do a spot of shopping on your visit to Brighton then Churchill Square is a great place to go. It doesn’t have the magic of either the Lanes or the North Laine, but it has all the big shops you would expect, such as H&M and Next.

There is also a food court at the top with all the big chains, so you can stop off for some lunch. The area gets quite busy around Churchill Square, while its central location also makes it a great meeting spot. Plus, the buses largely go through here to where ever you need to go.

Around Christmas time, they normally kit-out the middle like Santa’s Grotto, which is nice for families to visit, plus you’ll get to visit Santa.

28. Volk’s Electric Railway

I’m sure I did this as a child, but I don’t remember going on it too well, but I always love walking past as it’s in action. Going from near the Pier up towards the Marina, the Volk’s Electric Railway is a classic Brighton scene.

A great quick activity for families, this will get the kids excited, while it can also make for a fun alternative way to get to Brighton Marina, where they can go bowling or to the cinema.

It’s worth checking whether it’s running before going along, as it doesn’t run through the winter months.

Cost: Adult single, £5.20. Adult return, £6.70. Child single, £3.30. Child return, £4.20. Senior single, £3.80. Senior return, £5.20.

Address: 285 Madeira Drive, BN2 1EN

29. See A Show At The Dome Or Brighton Centre

The Dome is so much more spectacular, but for big acts, the Brighton Centre is a much bigger venue and will most likely host the main events. The Dome was made famous by hosting Abba for Eurovision when they won.

You can find plenty of comedians playing at the Dome or Brighton Centre for the next 6 months, while I’ve managed to see Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Ricky Gervais here.

In fact, we managed to see Tenacious D recently at the Dome, a true childhood dream act, I never thought I would see Tribute live.

Cost: On average, about £30 depending on who you see.

30. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Located in the Royal Pavilion gardens, the museum and art gallery are a great option if you want to embrace some culture. Most of the pieces, combining art and fashion, are from the 20th century.

It costs £9 for a entry, however I’ve also heard you can get in for free if you’re a local resident, so you just need to bring along proof of residency. This includes anyone living in the post code areas of BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN41.

Cost: £9.50 for adults, £4.50 for children

Address: Royal Pavilion Gardens, BN1 1EE

31. Aquarium

Sea Life Brighton allows you to get a glimpse into a tropical coral reef, as you see all the different and beautiful coloured fish all swimming in unison. From the now famous clownfish, to seahorses and even an octopus, there are thousands of different creatures to see.

They offer package prices as well as the standard tickets, which would mean you can also try out the virtual reality experience which I did love! They often also have interesting events take place at the aquarium.

They even have a rainforest section where you can see frogs and terrapins, as well as feeling transformed with the wildlife sounds and fake leaves.

32. Speed Boat Ride At The Marina

Ok, here is where I admit it was a bit more scary than I thought. Even more shameful, Raquel was having the time of her life and didn’t find it scary at all, so maybe I’m just getting old.

The speed boat ride can be booked on the day at Brighton Marina, from Lagoon Watersports. The ride lasted around 30 minutes, as they smash against waves, but be warned it will probably be off if the weather is too bad.

Just in case you need to know, they will be driving the boat, you’ll be sat at the back trying not to fall off. The cost was around £35pp, while there are also a number of other water sport options.

33. Wakeboarding

Based over in Hove, there is a giant Wakeboarding course. Tied up and pulled from a machine, you can learn the skills before hitting the open ocean and trying it for real.

Even if you have never tried before, they will be on-hand to offer you some guidance. Plus this is a great laugh during the summer, but you might need to check the weather beforehand.

Based at Hove Lagoon, it’s a nice walk along the seafront away from the cars, while they also teach sailing here, plus paddleboarding and windsurfing, so you might be able to tick off multiple activities in one trip (depending on the size of your wallet).

34. Explore The Open Market

The Open Market is based half way along London Road and is best to visit on the weekend, when a number of stalls are setup for local small businesses.

This isn’t a huge market, it will take you a very short time to get from one end to the other, but markets are always fun to visit when in a new city.

I’d recommend checking out Smorls, where you can get some Thunder garlic humous, which tastes incredible with falafels.

There is a Facebook page for Brighton Open Market where you can find out about all the upcoming events and market stands.

35. Brighton Fishing Museum

This museum is free to enter, so a winner for the wallet, but hardly the most exciting. What you see in the picture is 90% of what you get, so you can complete this one in 5 minutes max, but if you happen to be passing the Kings Road Arches and have some spare time then why not pop-in and tick off another tourist attraction.

This is also a great activity if you have kids and want to show them something to keep them busy during the summer months, with boats outside the building which people love to take photos of.

It’s quite cool to read about the fishing history of the city and how much sealife we have right off of our shores.

36. Beach Volleyball: Fun in the Sun

If you’re looking for an active and social way to enjoy the stunning Brighton seafront, beach volleyball is the perfect option! Along the coastline, particularly towards Brighton Marina, you’ll find numerous beach volleyball courts ready for action. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a complete beginner, the atmosphere is always inviting and fun.

The YelloWave sports venue charges around £25 for an hour of play, which is an excellent deal considering that beach volleyball is typically a group activity. This means the cost breaks down to just £1-2 per person if you gather a group of friends, making it an affordable way to get moving while soaking up the sun and sea breeze.

Not only is beach volleyball a fantastic workout, but it’s also a great opportunity to meet new people or bond with friends. Games are often filled with laughter and friendly competition, making it a lively way to spend a sunny day.

If you or your friends prefer to watch rather than participate, there’s a café onsite where you can relax with a refreshing drink or a light bite while enjoying the beach vibes. So even if you’re not hitting the sand yourself, you can still soak up the energetic atmosphere.

With the beautiful backdrop of the sea and the fun of the game, beach volleyball in Brighton is an exhilarating experience that captures the essence of summer fun!

September 26, 2025
9 Things To Do In Alderney

Our trip to Alderney was short and sweet, but we managed to pack in a lot of activities and loved every second of it. We’ve included below our favourite experiences and activities we can recommend, whether you’re a couple, a family or just someone heading over for a few days.

How Do You Travel Around

From the Alderney airport to your hotel, you may want to book Michelle’s Taxi, who can take you to wherever you’re staying and they are incredibly friendly.

Around town, most areas are walkable, but if you want to venture around the island, then you can hire a bike (which I’ll cover in more info in just a moment) or rent a car.

1) E-Bike Tour Of The Island

The e-bike tour was completely guided by Roland from the Alderney Wildlife Trust, a beacon of knowledge, who knew everything from what animals you might find to the history of the island and what every building was and contained.

We visited the Hospital Bunker, which was slightly haunting when you think back to how scary it must have been during the German occupation.

We also visited sites like the Island’s main church, often referred to as the ‘Cathedral of the Channel Islands’, as well as the Mannez Lighthouse and Semaphore Telegraph Tower, just to name a few spots.

Half way along the tour, we stopped at Alderney’s Roman Fort Nunnery Heritage Site for a luxurious picnic, provided by the Blonde Hedgehog hotel, which included sandwiches, a cheese board, salad, fruit, desserts and water.

This is where I have to explain how good the brownies were! Seriously, they were unbelievable. I know I’m getting sidetracked from explaining the bike tour, but wow, the brownies were so tasty, me and Raquel are still dreaming about them now.

If you’d rather go on your own self-guided tour or just hire a bike out for your visit, then head to Cycle & Surf, where you can hire out an e-bike and they will also provide you with a map and list of the main sights to see. The Island cycle route is 8 miles, an easy challenge when boosted by the engine which really did have some decent power behind it.

2) Eat At The Blonde Hedgehog Restaurant

We visit numerous restaurants each month through the blog, but I have to openly admit that this was one of the best food experiences I’ve had in my life. Every meal at The Blonde Hedgehog restaurant was exquisite, I was beyond impressed, I’m just very jealous of locals who can visit here on a Friday night.

They predominantly utilise local ingredients so your meal is made from fresh produce. This means that the menu does change with seasonality, so what I cover off below might not match what you see on the day, but I wanted to highlight some of my favourite dishes.

Beef Tataki

Not to be confused with the French dish Beef Tartare involving minced raw beef, this is a Japanese dish where the beef is lightly seared. It was like eating the best steak ever, but over so quickly I had to order it again the next day as it was all I was thinking about.

The beef was served with Vietnamese pickles, sesame seeds on top and the Japanese zesty soy sauce Ponzu.

Local Sea Bass

Served with new potatoes, artichoke, chestnut & vegetable hash and a salsa verde, this beautiful dish was incredible, the sauce just worked perfectly with the fish and the potatoes. I don’t often order sea bass, but that’s about to change after this experience.

Roast Salmon

I do love roasting salmon at home, the crispiness of the skin is so good, while the flavours from the salmon were unbelievable. I also loved everything else on the plate, with crushed potatoes, butter roasted vegetables, greens and lobster bisque sauce.

Salmon Sashimi

My favourite dish in the world, it’s actually what I requested for my birthday from my family, that’s how much I love salmon sashimi. Seeing it on the menu, served with ponzu, miso and pickles, I was beyond delighted and it certainly lived up to the expectation. This was part of a taster menu, so I can’t guarantee it will be on the final menu when you visit.

Korean Fried Chicken Burger

I’ve highlighted a number of the glamorous dishes I loved, but Raquel isn’t a big fan of seafood and often prefers a burger, so she went for the Korean Fried Chicken Burger. The scent was unbelievable so I had to sneak a bite for myself. The burger was so succulent, while the chips were also perfectly crispy.

This is merely a list of some of our favourites, but they have a great selection to pick from, while you could opt for a deal on two or three portions, if you fancy adding a dessert, such as a sticky toffee pudding or a lemon posset. Also, if you’re looking to visit the island, you should definitely consider staying at the Blonde Hedgehog hotel.

They also have an amazing selection of cocktails that are worth a try. We loved a number of them, such as the Salted Caramel Mudslide, which was a bit like an espresso martini with added caramel. But the absolute favourite was the Midori Storm.

Derrick, the friendly bar tender at Blonde Hedgehog, told us how he had invented it on a stormy day when someone came in asking for a surprise drink. It had a beautiful melon liquor, the coconut hit from the malibu and the sweetness from the pineapple and kiwi.

3) Yoga Class

I might not have the greatest flexibility, but I actually really enjoyed myself. The meditation was incredibly relaxing, while it was brilliant to stretch out, especially after carrying heavy bags and sitting on planes and trains all morning.

The studio in their house is the perfect setting for the class, rather than in a loud and busy gym room, while the view of the garden was also very relaxing.

If you’re interested in booking a class on your visit then you should reach out to Yogalderney on Instagram. Clare and Natalie run an amazing class and have a strong focus on mindfulness.

I was also mesmerised by the mosaic section of the garden they had created. This was built by themselves, adding bits over time, ever since Covid broke out.

4) Sauna & Swim

I’m used to saunas being a side section of a hotel or hidden away at a spa, but this was something completely different. You walk into the mobile sauna room, with the wood fire heating the room up, before sitting yourself down and looking out at the view.

The placement of the sauna is right along the seafront, on top of a small hill, while there is a big window looking out at the sea, so you can calmly watch the waves crash in, or swimmers heading out.

Plus, once you feel warm enough, you can hop out, charge towards the water for a quick wild sea swim. This shock to the circulation system, from the heat widening the blood vessels and the cold sea constricting them, helps to improve blood flow and deliver oxygen around the body. There is also quite an endorphin hit, giving you a ‘natural high’, as well as helping with muscle recovery, which might be useful as we did this straight after the yoga class.

If you want to book a visit, reach out to AdriftAlderney on Instagram where they would be delighted to book you in.

5) Search For Blonde Hedgehogs & Bats

This is certainly a great activity if you’re coming to Alderney as a family, as kids will love searching for the little critters. Wildlife fans will also love the experience, as you search around once the light has gone down, seeing these majestic creatures.

We were also armed with tools, both traditional and modern, to help find bats flying through the air. It was fascinating to hear about how the knowledge of different bat species is constantly being expanded for the area as they learn about all the various bats which live here.

The bat detectors we had would convert ultrasonic to an audible sound that we could recognise and hear, when we aimed it in the right direction. Pipistrelle was the most common from memory, but he also spoke about different variations such as a long eared bat.

Beyond the blonde hedgehogs, we also saw a number of traditional brown hedgehogs as well, so half the mission was to spot what colour they were before they dashed away.

These activities are run by the Alderney Wildlife Trust, during the months of April to October, while ours was run by the incredibly knowledgeable Roland Gauvain, who also handled the bike tour of the island.

6) Les Etacs Gannet Colony

I always love to build in some wildlife aspects to every trip and I was so happy to be able to see the thousands of birds at the Les Etacs site just on the Western tip of the island.

This is one of the largest seabird colonies of the Channel Islands, while it’s also a must-visit for your trip. You can hire out an e-bike to reach this location, or drive and park up nearby.

There is also a bench where you can sit and admire them if you wish, as well as a free telescope to look out at them.

7) Victoria Street

For a small island with a population of around 2,000 people, the shopping area actually wasn’t bad and Victoria Street was a really nice road to walk down, reminding me of Lewes (for anyone who knows this area of Sussex).

There are a number of independent cafes, pubs, shops and galleries along this street, while the cobbled roads also adds to the old fashioned feel you get, which I loved.

One of our first stops was at the Wildlife Trust Shop, where they have a camera aimed at the gannets, which you can muck around with. Their team are on-hand to offer advice, while they also have a number of wildlife books, souvenirs and soft toys.

You’ll find the Alderney Visitor Information Centre at one end, where they have numerous brochures and guides which might prove useful for your trip.

There is also an Indian restaurant here called Nellie Grays. I didn’t visit, so I can’t speak of whether it was good or not, but a couple of locals said how much they enjoy it.

8) Visit The Beach

You will find around 10 sandy beaches in Alderney, while I come from the pebble beaches of Brighton, so this was nice to see. Even when it’s peak summer time on the weekend with 30 degrees heat, it’s still calm in comparison to beaches in the UK, so you can enjoy some space.

One of the most popular beaches is Saye, which is very close to the campsite. The campsite operates between May and September, hence this is the most popular time for tourists to Saye beach, while they also serve woodfired pizzas on Friday nights nearby.

I would give a word of warning to research the tides before jumping into the sea, it was a lot stronger than I’m used to, while the tides do change quickly here. You should also keep an eye out for the gannets and gulls flying overhead if you’re a keen birdwatcher.

Some other beaches you might want to check out include Braye beach, Corblets Bay and Clonque Bay, all with their own appeal.

9) Alderney Museum

The Alderney Society Museum is in an old school building and has numerous displays portraying the history of the island, the maritime heritage and also the local archaeology. One inevitable focus is around the WWII German Occupation, which is such an interesting area to learn about.

Open from 10-12 everyday and then from 14:30-16:30 from Monday to Friday, there is also a telephone booth book swap just outside, something we have here in Burgess Hill as well, so I quite like these, especially if you’ve just finished your book on the plane over.

September 8, 2025
Unique Activities To Try In Calabria

Italy is synonymous with certain activities, from beach days to eating pizza and pasta, not to mention all the famous landmarks in Rome, Naples or Milan. But Calabria is a lesser known area, offering all the beauty and magic of Italy without the intense crowds to battle with.

So what should you line up on your Calabria itinerary? Well we’ve put together a list of the best activities you should try on your holiday, but feel free to reach out if you’re curious and want some more details, we’re always happy to help!

If you’re looking to book any of these, we can highly recommend Sognare Insieme Viaggi who run some unbelievable tours and activities throughout Calabria. They were also the team that launched the Calabria Food Fest, something we were honoured to take part in.

Bread Making and Meal at Agriturismo Fassi

The Fassi farmhouse provided some of the best moments of our trip to Calabria. It started with a quick visit to Molino Squillacioti flour mill to see the local grains they grow and the process they go through. We also got a look outside at the gorgeous rolling fields, before heading on to the main hall where we were taught bread making.

On the way, we passed olive trees, prickly pears, as well as the Calabrian chilli, something I hadn’t been aware of, hence why this is really the only part of Italy that does spicy food. We then headed inside to the hall area for the bread making demonstration to start.

The yeast that they use is passed on family to family and they call the process ‘renewing’, meaning you add more flour and more water and those yeast enzymes actually never die. So there are families that use the same yeast for 3-4 generations and every family has their own. They’re also quite protective of it, you couldn’t just show up at someone’s house and ask for their yeast, because everyone has their own bacteria.

After we watched the process, we were all given a chance to make some ourselves, as well as some pasta making. Following this, we sat down at the tables alongside us for our meal, while it was served up buffet style.

This was hands-down one of the best meals of our entire trip, if not the best. It was incredible. The eggplant parmesan gave me a new obsession. The meatballs were so tender. The olives had their pips removed and were so tasty.

I must have gone back up to get more around 3 times, even though I was full after the first plate, it was just too tasty to walk away from. Of course, there was freshly baked bread, but not the ones we had been working on earlier as they would take time to make.

They also served up a number of jugs of red wine, which got us into a merry spirit, before trying a few after meal digestivos.

We then took off towards the petting zoo area. That’s right, this experience isn’t over yet! They had a whole farm area full of animals.

There was a gorgeous little baby goat, alongside a pony. There were goats, as you would expect, along with a horse and a donkey, pigs, geese, tortoises and even a peacock.

Not everyone made their way over to the petting zoo section, but I’d say if you’re a fan of animals then it’s definitely worth it. It was only a 2 minute walk from where we had eaten and it was incredibly cute seeing all the animals up close.

Cheese Making Demonstration At Rotiroti Farm

Have you ever tried fresh mozzarella or ricotta? It tastes so different to what you get at your local supermarket. For a start, it’s warm, while it tastes divine, whereas the mozzarella we get in our supermarkets is rather flavourless.

It was fascinating watching the process of curdling and transforming the milk into cheese at the Rotiroti educational farm.

They also had some really cute kittens running around the farm, while there were plenty of other animals, but I didn’t get the chance to see them as I rushed inside away from the heat.

It wasn’t long after the cheese making that we went through to their restaurant section, where they served us up an amazing lunch. There was a tree growing straight through the eating area room, making it look breath-taking both inside and outside.

Jason, our local friend, gasped in excitement as they brought out Fritelle di fuori di zucco, or courgette flower fritters as we’d call them, which apparently fly off the table normally when they’re brought out.

We therefore didn’t hesitate to grab one and they really did taste amazing, a little bit naughty and a perfect start to the feast.

We were served meats, bread and cheese, including all the amazing cheese that we witnessed being made.

This was followed by a gorgeous mushroom pasta meal. Seriously, the pasta is so nice in Italy, returning to dry pasta will be a shock to the system after all these freshly made goods.

Following this, we were served…What are we on…Our 3^rd course I believe…We were served copious amounts of meat. Seriously, how is everyone not humongous? The portions never end in Italy.

Pasta Making & Meal In Dasa

Dasa is a small commune of inland Calabria, located between the famous coasts of Tropea on the West and Monasterace Marina on the East. There is such a charm to this small village, with friendly locals and a growing list of activities thanks to Pasta Grammar, the local YouTube stars.

As well as pasta making, they also run cheese making classes, but it was the pasta experience we got to enjoy on the day. On top of this, you’ll also get a tour of the flour mill. At the end of your class and tour, you will sit down for a meal, of many portions, so make sure to work up that appetite.

The amazing chefs serving the food did such an unbelievable job. All the ingredients are locally sourced, unsurprisingly, cooked to perfection. From fresh ricotta, to sausages, the salty curujicchi plus amoretti at the end, it was all so exquisite.

Honestly, I wish I could have stuffed my pockets with all the desserts, I had to buy some amoretti from the market the next day to take home with me.

Of course, there was also a helping of pasta, as you want to eat what you have been working on (albeit I’m not sure our cuts would have made the grade, we might need a bit more practice).

Eat In The Gardens Of Tropp

Found up the hills in Montepaone, Tropp is an amazing pizzeria that uses fresh and locally sourced ingredients with so many tasty options, from the Calabrian to the Neapolitan (with anchovies), all of which were gorgeous.

But they also have a number of other food options, from Pipi e Patati (Calabrian peppers and potatoes, a favourite dish from our trip) to a salty cuzzopozzi.

You can also book a beer tasting session, as they have their own micro-brewery here, with a range of unique tasting beers. I’m a big fan of trying the local beers where ever I go and love finding micro-breweries, so this was right up my alley and a nice surprise on the day.

We also got to enjoy a cooking class on the day from the amazing nonna Barbara, who we also got to see again at the Calabria Food Fest. She taught us numerous dishes, my favourite being the potato croquette.

Relax on the Spiaggia Caminia Beach & Eat at Blanca Cruz

When it comes to beaches, this was certainly one of the most beautiful we’ve seen, while it also wasn’t too overcrowded, which was a pleasant surprise. However, we did go on a Monday morning, therefore I can’t speak for how busy it is on the weekends.

You can swim around to some small caves, or you can climb over the rocks, but it’s much easier swimming around. Don’t worry if you’re not an overly confident swimmer, you technically can tiptoe in the water near the rocks.

You can also hire out pedalos, a fun way to see more of the coastline while keeping yourself dry, but I prefer to dive in and cool down. I also saw some paddleboards which I’m sure you could hire out for the day.

After a good couple of hours swimming, we headed to the nearby Blanca Cruz beach restaurant. The first course was a beautiful blend of seafood, apologies for the photo as I was too tempted to dive in before remembering to take a snap.

The second course was an amazing seafood pasta dish, the first of many I had on this trip and I’m certainly not complaining!

Party at the Spox Beach Club

Located along the coast in Soverato, the Spox beach club was so lively, regardless of which day of the week it is and the time of day. But the biggest day you have to be there for is Sunday, when it’s completely booming and the drinks are flowing.

You’ll notice the ‘zona romantica’ sign outside the bar, an example of the humour they have throughout Spox, including some bizarre posters in the bathroom.

You can also book a table to eat here, while we ate an incredible lunch, which included a huge pasta dish being served up for us all.

If you want to see the full meal, then check out our Instagram reel showing the huge table set out for us and all the tasty food they made.

Visit The Soverato Market

Whether you’re looking for a nice souvenir to take home, a gift for someone (definitely check out the amoretti biscuits) or some cured meat to bring home, this is a great activity. Open every Friday, you want to get here nice and early to properly explore and try everything.

All of the stand holders are incredibly friendly, while they’re happy to offer a sample before you buy something.

One of my regrets was not picking up some Nduja, as the ones you can get back in England just don’t taste as good.

All of the food is organically grown, meaning no pesticides or chemical fertilisers. You’re getting healthy ingredients fresh from the farm, straight to your plate.

July 4, 2025
Calabria Food Fest 2025

We were delighted to attend the Calabria Food Fest, kicking off for the first time this year, as we walked along the red carpet with some incredible people we had made friends with over the past week.

I arrived clueless, unaware of much around the history and culture of Calabria, but I leave a convert, hooked to the cuisine and in love with the area. For such a small community of people, it’s incredible how lively it is, while I was captivated by how everyone knew each other, the constant ‘ciao’s’ as people walk through the streets. This is a place I could easily live forever. But anyway, on to the Food Fest…

Where Did It Take Place?

The Food Fest took place at the Squillace Castle, built in 1044 on the grounds of a former monastery after the Normans took control of Squillace. The castle is gorgeous, while it also delivers sunset views across Calabria, being set high up on a hill.

When Is The Calabria Food Fest Celebrated?

While next year’s dates aren’t set in stone yet, this year the event took place on the 20^th June. We arrived on the 15^th and explored Calabria alongside a number of influencers, journalists, actors and musicians all week, taking on numerous activities such as pasta and bread making.

As well as the big festival on the Friday, we also enjoyed a Gala event on the Saturday 21^st June, ending in a string orchestra playing while we ate dinner.

What Happens At The Calabria Food Fest?

This is an amazing chance to try dishes by local companies and chefs, delivering the best local cuisine. There were also alcohol tables setup, so you can enjoy wine throughout the event without having to pay extra beyond your ticket.

In case you’re thinking of attending, I have to give praise to one drink I loved on the day, Cream Cardus, a beautiful creamy liquor. I’m not a big fan of the Amaro that is common in Calabria as a digestivo, made from herbs and roots, but this was beautiful, close to a Baileys.

The event is a huge credit to Sognare Insieme Viaggi, the travel consultants who offer experiences in Italy and abroad. The whole event was magical from start to end, an incredible amount of work that went into it by the amazing dream team of Anthony, Angela, Alberto, Daniel and Giovanna (plus numerous others who undoubtedly worked so hard). Also, a personal shout out to Jason, who made our time so special!

So Who Attended?

There were numerous big names in attendance. The Columbian actress Ana Lucía Dominguez, the hilarious American actor Zane Phillips, Celebrity make-up artist Reynaldo Sandoval, Venezuelan travel blogger Veronica Weffer, Private chef Gianluca Ruggieri, the amazing Pasta Grammar couple Harper & Eva, just to name a few.

But I would give a huge shout out to journalist Patrizio Nissirio, Michaella Parkes (writing for Pasta Grannies), Travel editor Silvana Longo, Elisabetta Basile and her friend from The Italian Foodaholic, all of which we hanged out with and shared plenty of laughs throughout. But the biggest shout out once again has to go to Jason, our hero from the trip.

June 27, 2025
Paphos Travel Guide
This was my second time visiting Paphos and I loved every second of it, with such kind and caring people, great tasting food and unique experiences.

I’ve put together this guide based on all of the best activities we tried, how you can travel around and what you can expect from your visit.

If you have any questions, please do leave them in the comments at the bottom or email them over to me, while I’ll also be producing YouTube videos of things to do and see which are worth looking out for.

Best Time To Visit Cyprus

We visited in mid March and a number of people told us we visited at the perfect time, I certainly have to agree with them. The weather wasn’t too intense, being around 17 degrees during the day and 13 at night, far better than what we get in the UK.

Realistically it stays very warm from late April to early October, which just means you have to make the most of the mornings and tick off plenty of activities straight away, before returning to the hotel pool for midday.

For sunbathers and those that want some sun, sand and sea, those summer months are brilliant, with temperatures averaging 28-30c during July-August. But as I prefer it a bit cooler, I’d recommend March, April or May, plus November on the other end of the season.

How To Get Here

There are flights to Cyprus from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool in the UK. Our flights to Paphos were with Jet2, which takes off from Stansted and was a 4.5 hour flight.

My Favourite Things To Do

There are a number of amazing things you have to tick off when visiting Paphos, which might differ slightly based on whether you’re with family, as a couple or a group of friends. The Aphrodite waterpark is a huge attraction, while the flea markets are also a big draw, but I’ve listed below some unique and amazing options that should be top of your agenda.

House of Sofia and Andreas

This had to come absolutely top of my list of recommendations. Upon arrival, you’ll be able to watch her load the bread into the oven to be baked and fill the air with that beautiful doughy aroma, as well as the ricotta and halloumi being created, which you’ll get to taste.

You can tour through her house, while she has a number of tables at the back where you can have lunch. Everything is locally grown or made in-house, no ultra processed foods, just pure goodness.

So the business started with two tourists walking along when they spotted Sofia making bread outside the front of her house. They came over and asked if they could watch, so she welcomed them in and gave them some freshly made halloumi and bread. It all blossomed from there to quickly become a hidden gem of Cyprus.

The halloumi was incredible, it has changed the way I perceive halloumi, as it’s so different to what you get in the supermarkets. Sofia’s personality and positivity is contagious, happily walking through and greeting everyone.

As with everywhere in Cyprus, the portion sizes were plentiful, so we were absolutely full by the end. I have to say that I was mesmerised by the ravioli, a personal favourite of mine.

Aphrodite Trail

I love a good hike, but I have become a bit fatigued with the same routes through the South Downs in Sussex, therefore this was the perfect activity for me.

At the base, our guide explained this was a level 3 (out of 3), hinting at the difficulty being high, but I’ll personally say it wasn’t too intense at all, there were no dangerous pathways and the walk wasn’t too long. We did come in March and in the morning when the weather wasn’t too heated which probably helped, as I can imagine in the mid-summer sun it would be very hard.

Stretching 7.5 kilometres, we started near the sea front, where there were parking spaces and a public toilet, not to mention a cafe where you can purchase some bottled water if you forgot to pack any.

Along the way, you will pass an 800 year old oak tree that is still standing tall. We also spotted a number of goats climbing up and down the hillside.

This is a circular route, meaning you don’t have to walk back on yourself, getting some slightly different views as you go back down.

I’ve walked a number of treks and the top doesn’t always live up to the expectation, but the views from the peak were phenomenal. I wanted to stay here for hours (not a good idea if you want to get down before the midday heat arrives).

The trail is available on Komoot, something I often use for hikes, but you can equally hire out a guide, which is much better as they can talk you through the history of the area, all the different plants and trees you’ll pass and little tips and facts along the way.

Tsangarides Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is one of the best activities you can do across the Mediterranean, while apparently the wine from Cyprus has drastically improved over the past 2 decades as they’ve learned tricks from Italy to help enhance the wine.

The Tsangarides Winery is an ideal spot to visit on your trip to Paphos. Our trip started off with a tour of the winery, showing where and how the grapes are pressed and the wine is bottled. It was also captivating to learn about how they produce a red or white (I had no idea it was to do with whether you kept the skin on or not).

After this, we headed outside to the table area, where a cheese platter was laid out for us. I’m a big fan of cheese and this is the way to my heart!

We tried 6 different wines, being 2 whites, 2 roses and 2 reds. The first white wine was probably my favourite, it was so light and delicate, I believe it was the Tsangarides Xynisteri.

I was also a big fan of the Tsangarides Angels’ Rose, organically grown and with such a fruity taste.

The views of the hills and countryside were breathtaking; it just adds that little element to your experience.

We also had a couple of cute cats visit us, mainly hoping for a bit of cheese but who cares, they’re cute!

Craft Workshop at the Place

We had a demonstration from a master of pottery, but it was his entertainment skills and humorous nature that really made this a brilliant activity. He had everyone smiling and laughing within minutes, not something you’d necessarily presume with a pottery demonstration.

This was followed up by mosaic making, something I really enjoyed, plus it made for a great souvenir when I got home, especially as Raquel wasn’t with me on this trip.

Inside the store, there are also a number of other great souvenir items you can get as gifts for people, all utilising local produce, such as jams, honey and biscuits. This is on top of the art and pottery by local artists.

But it was probably the plates with Greek Mythological characters that I found the most captivating, I would love to have these on my wall!

Tombs of the Kings

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is nestled between two famous hotels in an expanse of land overlooking the sea, 2km from the Paphos harbour.

As we approached the tombs, there were stunning flowers growing throughout, which became a slight distraction for us initially.

Built in the 3^rd century B.C., it should be noted that no kings were actually buried here, but more high end figures and wealthy individuals of that era. The burial area continued to be used during both the Roman and Hellenistic eras as well.

You can pay for entry when you arrive and it’s very cheap, so easily worth the money. As with many other activities on this list, you should really arrive in the morning before the midday heat beats down, as we did a good 8,000 steps walking around.

You can walk through the tombs, looking up at the stunning pillars, as well as walking above and looking down on them.

The last view on our tour was the Nea Paphos Amphitheatre, built into the side of the Fabrica hill, carved out of limestone. It’s fascinating to ponder about the shows and acts that would have been put on here over thousands of years.

Where To Stay In Paphos

Both of my visits have been at all inclusive resorts and I’ve loved both of them equally.

Cali Resort & Spa

This 5 star resort was absolutely stunning, from the hallway to the pool area, it was beautifully designed and structured.

The food at breakfast each morning was expansive, while I’m a sucker for salmon, so I was delighted to eat some smoked salmon and cheese each morning.

In the evening we managed to book in the on-site Japanese restaurant, which offered some beautiful dishes, most notably the lemongrass soup and the egg fried rice.

The swimming pool outside was picturesque, while the cool water is ideal for those summer months, but if you arrive in March and find it a bit too cool, they also have an amazing inside pool and Jacuzzi, which looked like it was a cave rather than a hotel, I loved it!

While down by the indoor pool, you can also book yourself a massage or spa treatment, something we had to sneak in before we left, while I had a 20 minute back massage which left me so relaxed and at ease. This was even nicer after lugging around a rucksack and suitcase!

At the Cali Resort by Louis Hotels, you’re closeby to all the bars, shops and amenities you might need, just a walk away outside the front door, while there is also a bus out the front that takes you straight to the zoo.

You can base your order on what will work best for you, being half-board, or an all inclusive package, allowing you to sip cocktails by the pool. We certainly tried a good few cocktails, the champagne colada was definitely a favourite of mine.

They made so many nice little touches, like bringing up cakes and fruit each day to the room and having pods for a decent coffee.

Leonardo Plaza Cypria

This was a beautiful hotel right on the beach, with a good sized pool and plenty of daytime activities available. Being adults-only, it meant that there was a general buzz at all times around the hotel, everyone sipping on a cocktail, without seeing people being too drunk or irritating at all.

You could book watersports directly from outside the hotel near the beach, ideal if you fancy trying jet skiing or parasailing.

The buffet was amazing, but it was a bit frustrating not being able to book the restaurants, as they were all fully reserved by the day we arrived, so I’d do this on day one to avoid disappointment.

Each evening, they had live entertainment, such as a piano player, singer and a violinist, but the best was the bingo night and pub quiz.

The cats hanging out on deck chairs were so cute and friendly, highly used to people coming along to pet them.

Where To Eat

The food was such a crucial part of our holiday, trying so many amazing dishes cooked using traditional methods. I certainly ate more seafood that week than I’ve eaten in the past 12 months combined.

I’ve highlighted some of the best options that you have to include in your Paphos holiday itinerary. I know you may be tempted to stay in the all inclusive resort and eat there, but then you’re missing out on some of the best local experiences, so I’d recommend venturing out and trying some of these amazing options.

Sofia’s and Andreas

I’ve already spoken about Sofia’s house, so I won’t dive in too deep, but I can certainly say it was one of the best meals I ate while in Paphos. It’s also a unique experience, eating food from a local family rather than a restaurant and enjoying it from their garden.

The halloumi was unlike anything I’ve had in a supermarket, tasting perfect raw rather than being grilled. I was also completely addicted to the ravioli with grated cheese on, there was a bowl placed right near me and it didn’t last long.

Sofia’s personality shines through with an infectious smile and really positive attitude, welcoming us all in before providing us a feast.

Ah the potatoes, I almost forgot to write about these, they were served with chicken and were much longer than the shape we’re used to seeing back home, but they were so tasty. I had way too many by the end, it was hard to stand up.

Address: VG48+8JJ, Letymvou 8546, Cyprus

Antigo Mezedopoleio

Easily my favourite dinner of our visit to Paphos was at Antigo Mezedopoleio, where we also got to enjoy some live music by two guitarists.

Serving traditional Greek Meze and so many tasty cheesy dishes (I’m a bit obsessed with cheese), I wish I could have taken some of the food home with us!

Based in Paphos Old Town, there were so many good dishes I could highlight, from the garlic mushrooms to the steak and the peppers stuffed with cheese.

Address: Πάφου Χρυσάνθου 46, Paphos 8010, Cyprus

Y&P Latchi Hotel

We really earned our lunch at Yiangos & Peter Fish Tavern in Latchi after completing the Aphrodite nature trail.

If you’re a fan of seafood then they have such an expansive range, while we loved the garlic bread that came out first, the perfect starter.

I had never eaten sea bream before, but it’s certainly a dish I’d order again as it was so tasty and moreish.

The garlic sauce the prawns were served in was also the perfect dip for every other dish. We also ate some grilled octopus, not a dish I’ve had in a good few years.

With the view of the boats moored in the harbour, it was so nice to eat outside and enjoy locally caught seafood.

Address: Latchi Harbour, E713, Polis Chrysochous 8852, Cyprus

Laona Restaurant

On our last day we managed to sneak in one last meal before heading to the airport, based right in town after making a mosaic and exploring the shopping area.

There were so many great dishes, such as moussaka, black eyed beans, rabbit stifado, lamb kleftiko and some large meatballs.

As you can guess from that list, they predominantly served traditional Greek dishes, cooked to the highest standard.

Address: Votsi, Paphos 8010, Cyprus

Transport

You won’t spot any trains throughout Cyprus. In fact, unlike other big European cities like Amsterdam, you won’t spot a tram going through town. Instead, the bus is the main form of public transport.

Many people rent a car when they arrive, while you can also order a taxi.

There were bus stops outside many of the hotels or very nearby, meaning a short walk and they can take you right to the airport.

There are a number of main routes, highlighted below:
- 611: Tombs of the Kings to Aphrodite Water Park
- 615: Tombs of the Kings to Coral Bay
- 631: Harbour Bus Station to Petra Tou Romiou
- 603: Tombs of the Kings to Universal & Karavella Main Bus Station
- 603B: Tombs of the Kings to Universal & Alphamega Supermarket
- 610: Harbour Bus Station to Municipal Market
- 618: Tombs of the Kings to Karavella Main Bus Station
- 612: Paphos Airport to Tombs of the Kings
- 613: Paphos Airport to Karavella Main Bus Station
These are the main routes, but there are also buses for Latchi harbour, which may involve changing a couple of times.

As always, Google Maps is vital as it can let you know the best route for you, so just make sure your phone contract includes EU roaming.

Why Visit Paphos?

Well, if I haven’t convinced you enough already, then let me dive into all of the reasons why Paphos should be your number one destination this summer (or spring, or autumn).

The Weather Is Warm

Stuck in the UK, we can’t help but always be checking for the next place to go on holiday, while we’re also heavily deprived of Vitamin D, brought by the sun. They certainly don’t suffer with the same issues in Cyprus, where the weather is warm 11 months of the year (well, let’s just face it, even that 1 Winter month they have is considered nice weather back home).

The limestone in the ground actually means you’ll see greenery everywhere, as it retains moisture, ideal for plants to grow. This is why it’s not a desert area despite all the heat, so it’s absolutely beautiful where ever you go.

They Are Generous With Food Portions.

I love to eat copious amounts when I head abroad, but even I had to turn away food occasionally in Cyprus as their generosity outweighed my hunger. Whatever you order, you can be guaranteed the plate will be stacked completely full.

But the fact the food tastes incredible as well is just ideal. We ate out at so many nice restaurants.

Activities For Everyone

One thing I really love about the area is that it caters for everyone, from the sun bathers who want to relax in an all inclusive by the pool or on the beach, while it is popular with the hikers who want to climb hills and venture through numerous paths.

There are some amazing artefacts and tombs for the history buffs, while it also has numerous culinary options for the foodies.

If you’re a family then you’ll love the abundance of water slides in each of the hotels, not to mention a water park and a zoo, to mix it up from beach days.

Simply put, this isn’t a destination that pleases purely one type of customer, hence why they get such a broad range of visitors from all over the world.
June 1, 2025
Where To Eat In Huelva

From the captivating Christmas markets to the unique culture, Huelva was an amazing place to visit in Spain, however it’s the gastronomy I want to focus on next, something that left me stunned and incredibly happy.

One of the key aspects of any holiday is trying the local cuisine and so we tucked into food galore throughout the trip, therefore I want to give a shout out to all the amazing restaurants we can recommend.

Masero

The art on the wall stood out straight away, and while it was empty when we arrived, it was completely full to the brim within 20 minutes, with every table fully booked up, so make sure to contact them in advance to get a table reserved.

They have an expansive range of ‘Ibero-American cuisine’ on their menu, while they also have a tasting menu which is ideal if you want to try plenty of dishes in one sitting.

Every dish was visually spectacular, so I’ve done my best to capture this in photos below, while you should also check out our Instagram and YouTube clips on the amazing food.

Steak Iberico-Habanero

As soon as you see dry ice, it adds a level of mystery and magic to the table and instantly draws the eyes in, I just wish I could have had a bit more warning as I would have loved to have the cameras all setup for the moment they poured it on.

We were served an Iberian Presa steak tartare with green habanera sauce, yuca chips, cured yolk and broccomole. Broccomole? I had to ask as well, it’s a broccoli guacamole which was amazing mixed in with the steak.

The chips were also a lot healthier than the traditional option, being made from the cassava plant and tasting slightly similar to parsnip crisps I’ve had before.

Cheese Platter

Unlike some of the other dishes, which I have named appropriately and listed off the ingredients, I’m afraid I don’t exactly know which one this was on the menu, all I can say was that it was beyond magnificent. I kept coming back for more!

The cheese came with bread and some sweet dips, while the black cheese was simply to-die-for. I just wish I could order it back home, I’m going to have to return to Huelva for this cheese!

Tortilla Suflada

Translated, that means a ‘puffed tortilla’, while it had asparagus and truffle mashed potatoes, my mouth is starting to drool as I type.

The waiter pierced open the tortilla as the ingredients began pouring out. From what I understood, this is traditionally made with eggs, potatoes and onions, but he had managed to make the dish without any of these three ingredients. It was so creamy and delectable, a great dish to eat, but certainly filling.

Creole Empanadas

These Argentinean empanadas lived up to the original I ate in Buenos Aires, bursting with flavour and the broccomole was again an interesting addition and worked as a nice sauce.

The crispy pastry was full of mole sauce with grounded black olives scattered over the top. All three of us really enjoyed this dish, hats off to the chef.

Croquetas

How can you come to Spain and not eat croquettes? Unfortunately, back in England, we can pretty much only find a ham or a ham and cheese croquette, but here in Huelva they seemed to make so many unique flavours.

As far as I understood, ours contained prawns and kimchi. Well Raquel, who isn’t a fan of seafood, loved them, you couldn’t give better praise than that. Me, a huge fan of seafood, devoured them like my life depended on it.

Portichuelo

With a big outdoor seating area, a lively ambience and a trumpet player nearby, this was the perfect lunch time setting I could have imagined for our trip to Huelva.

Prawns

These aren’t just any prawns, they’re renowned around the world and sourced from right here in Huelva, the ‘pearl of Huelva’ as it is nicknamed.

It must be around 20 years since I last ate prawns at this point (which seems ludicrous by the end of the holiday as I had them around twice per day during the trip), but it instantly reminded me why I loved them so much as a teen.

Who cares how messy you get, this is about enjoying great tasting food and letting yourself go, while I was more than happy to tuck away and eat as much as possible.

Paella

Ok, I didn’t have a menu in front of me, but I’m pretty sure this is a paella and wow it was tasty. It burst with flavour while it didn’t take long for the plate to empty. I believe it’s a Valencian paella, containing chicken rather than seafood, but again I could be completely wrong about this.

Either way, the dish was gorgeous, it was so flavoursome, I could easily have just ordered a big plate of this and been very happy.

Steak

I missed the precise details, but I believe this was the beef tenderloin, while it came out sizzling hot and was cut in front of us. Both visually stunning and tasting impeccably good, I would return for this dish alone, let alone everything else we ate.

This was certainly the most eye-catching, coming out on the hot plate with the sizzling drawing everyone’s attention to this glorious masterpiece that tasted as good as it looked.

‘Deconstructed Omelette’

Ok, this isn’t called a deconstructed omelette, but it was the way it was explained to me and I couldn’t think of better wording for it. By far the most mouth-watering dish of them all, I loved this meal!

The gooey eggs, the soft potato, the little bites of meat and the creamy texture, you have to give this dish a go (my apologies for not knowing the name).

We also had some brilliant jamon slices which were so finely cut, it’s almost a talent in itself, offering the perfect starter and kept us nibbling away while talking about the local events that took place.

The owner came over to us who seemed friendly and thoughtful, while each person working here was a credit to the restaurant as they were always eager to help in any way they could. I’d definitely recommend heading here for some lunch on your visit to Huelva!

Juan Jose

Maria told us about a restaurant with the greatest Spanish omelette in the world and I immediately looked over at Raquel, whose smile was beaming from side to side, as this is her favourite dish in the world.

Raquel spent some of her teenage years growing up in Spain, while her mum is Spanish and she was brought up on this dish. However, whenever you eat it in England, it’s always a bit dry, but they make sure to cook the eggs for slightly shorter so it remains moist.

Well I can certainly say this lived up to the reputation, we were all politely eating a slice at a time, but I could tell Raquel was holding back when really she wanted to pour it all on her plate.

We also had jamon slices, because ‘when in Rome’, it would be rude not to eat jamon, especially when it’s this good!

The restaurant had a very traditional feel to it, with pig legs hanging up and red wine placed on the wall, as well as the occasional decorative plate.

They served a local delicacy of clams, which were cooked in plenty of garlic and oil, the perfect combination. I must have eaten about 15 of these and I can certainly say they’re worth trying if you visit Juan Jose.

Our final main dish was another seafood, now it’s a little blurry, but I believe Maria said it was monkfish, while it had a mild, sweet flavour. I was relieved it was on the mild side (not a fan of the smellier ones like mackerel), while it tasted somewhat similar to a thick piece of cod, but with a slightly meatier texture, another great dish from Juan Jose.

We might have been completely full, but there is always space for a sweet dessert at the end! They had a few cakes available and we had both a cheesecake and another which I can’t name but was like a flan. Both were gorgeous and were very quickly eaten, I don’t know how we walked back afterwards!

Mar De Altura

We ate at Mar De Altura on our final night, located on Av. Martin Alonso Pinzon, where all the Christmas lights were and the Christmas music blasting out at set times.

They had plenty of options, including salads, stews, montaditos, grilled meats and fresh fish, so plenty to pick from, while our kind and friendly guide María helped to pick some unique dishes we hadn’t eaten yet on our visit.

We ate a prawn potato salad, much like a dish I’ve commonly eaten back home, which brought back memories of the food I used to eat when I was younger, which was very nice.

Something that certainly stood out and was different to anything I’ve ever eaten before was a local fish cuisine, in appearance my guess would have been scallops, but I believe its grilled cuttlefish roe.

They were cooked in copious amounts of garlic (ah I love garlic), olive oil, a bit of lemon and I believe there was some oregano I tasted. I was captivated by this dish, certainly the star of the night. This is another dish I will have to look out for now I’m home, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen in England.

Eating steak is always a winner, while Raquel was craving something potato based so they were nice enough to make up some Iberian steak with chips for us.

Sizzling hot and cooked to perfection with the ideal amount of seasoning, this was a great dish that left us full and content.

Tarteria Las Alemanas

I’ve so far focused on lunch and dinner, but if you fancy eating breakfast out (or fancy a sweet treat), then you might want to head to Tarteria Las Alemanas, The German Tart Shop.

The fridge along the right hand side was full of cakes on show, all incredibly tempting if it wasn’t 10:30 in the morning. But it was the wholesome breakfast we came for.

Initially, our plan was to visit Le Petit Cafe down the road, but it was completely full, while this place was the perfect alternative and had room to sit so we were beyond happy.

Serving up toast with butter and ham, a great tasting coffee (I’m a harsh critic on coffee and this place passed the grade so all smiles from me) and a freshly squeezed orange juice.

Considering the 20,000 steps we had to come, we had actually already eaten breakfast at 8am but we were more than happy to tuck into this additional meal to keep our energy levels up.

I have done my best to guide you on all the best places to eat in Huelva, however you also may want to take a look at the tourist board’s recommendations, as they’re expertise on this subject is second to none and they’ll keep on top of new restaurant openings and events you have to look out for.

January 11, 2025
Múlafossur Waterfall

Easily one of the highlights of our trip to the Faroe Islands, the Múlafossur waterfall was so picturesque, I just hope my camera did it justice.

The water comes cascading off the side of the cliff, dropping a remarkable 30 metres, which is 100 foot, before landing in the sea.

How Do I Get Here?

For most, I’d presume you’re staying in Tórshavn, as we were, which is a 1 hour drive, going to Marknagilsvegur, route 11 to Traðarbrekka, then following route 45 to Inni á Bakka.

There was a boat trip which would have taken us here, however the waves were too big on the day, therefore we took the minibus instead which worked perfectly. The stunning views you get along the way make the time breeze by.

If you have just landed and want to visit straight away before going to Tórshavn, then you’re in luck, as Múlafossur is actually on the same island as Vágar Airport, just a 15 minute drive away along route 45.

You can easily park around the waterfall, with a parking lot available, just a 2 minute walk away.

Can You Stay Near The Múlafossur Waterfall?

There are a few apartments that are available to stay in, as well as the Gásadalsgarður guesthouse, at Gásadalur, which is a couple of minutes walk away from the falls. This guesthouse has four double private bedrooms, while it can be booked on AirBnB, costing £102 per night (at time of writing).

The guest house also has a cafe, ideal if you’ve travelled quite far and fancy some lunch, utilising local ingredients to make classic Faroese dishes. Expect the likes of roasted soup with fermented veal, rye bread with cold meat or fish dishes, as well as some tasty cakes for afterwards.

Of course, Tórshavn being just an hour away means it’s not too far to go, so you can keep your base in the city.

What Else Is There To Do Nearby?

I would recommend a visit to Bøur, a small village just up the road from the waterfall which was scenic and quaint, with views of the island which was used for the Peter Pan movie, the Tindhólmur Islet.

Here you can visit the restaurant Pakkhúsið í Bø, or even hire it out for an event, with a nice little beach area around the back, where you can listen to the waves crashing in which was incredibly relaxing.

The turf roofed houses were stunning, all in different colours to each other, with the water so steady and tranquil, it really did make Bøur seem very magical.

In fact, many people park up in Bøur and then hike to the Múlafossur waterfall, while if you head here early then you can watch the sun rise over the hills.

The famous hike here is known as ‘the path of the postman’, it is quite hilarious to imagine a postman having to do this journey by foot multiple times a week! They’d certainly be in good shape.

Also nicknamed the ‘old mail route’, you will see the Tindhólmur islet, as previously mentioned, as well as Gáshólmur Island, Drangarnir sea stack and Mykines Island.

This hike should take a couple of hours to complete, or 2.5 hours if you’re taking your time or snapping some pictures along the way.

You should also keep an eye out for the Faroese horses. Their aren’t a huge amount left on the Faroe Islands, but we certainly saw a few here.

We also went past Mjørkadalur Prison while on our way to the Múlafossur Waterfall, which is worth quickly stopping off at for a photo if you can, especially if you have a guide with you.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Múlafossur Waterfall?

As with many tourist attractions in the Faroe Islands, the best times are generally between May and August, when the weather tends to be slightly calmer, albeit you will still see four seasons in the space of five minutes.

If you do arrive during these months, you may also spot some puffins nesting in the cliffs, we unfortunately didn’t on our trip, but apparently it is quite a common sight, so you should definitely keep an eye out for them. As well as nesting in the cliffs, you should also look out to the sea, as they may be floating along the top.

You can find out more about the Múlafossur waterfall through Visit Faroe Islands, who are always available to answer any questions you might have before your trip.

September 21, 2024
What You Need To Know Before Visiting Japan

Unlike many of our other trips, we really did feel unprepared for a long time before heading to Japan. There were a number of aspects I wish I knew months in advance, so I wouldn’t have been so stressed, so I have tried to list them all in order to help anyone heading out there.

JR Pass

We ordered our JR pass in advance, while we received the voucher and receipt for it through the post to the UK.

Then, when we landed in Tokyo, you collect the actual pass from the JR East Travel Service Centre in the airport (terminal 2). It can be quite a long queue, they gave warnings of up to an hour but it only took us 15 minutes so we must have just got lucky.

Here they will print out your actual ticket which you need to keep on you and put in the machine for each JR line trip you take.

What I wasn’t aware of is that this will also cover a few basic trips, as well as your longer journeys. So yes, it covered us for our trips from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka, but it also covered some of our trains within Kyoto and Tokyo as well, which was useful. For the rest, such as the subway, you will need a Suica card, which I will get onto in a moment.

You can get a basic JR pass, or you can get the JR Green Car. We opted for the Green Car, as it didn’t cost a huge amount more and it meant we would have luxurious seats for our journey, well I’m very glad we did and I would recommend this if you’re travelling around Japan, providing it fits to your budget.

The seats could stretch back quite far, so you could have a good nap, although the bullet train goes so fast we were never on long enough for a snooze. Our longest journey was 3 hours, from Osaka to Tokyo.

To offer an idea of our journey, we took a 2 hour trip to Mount Fuji from Tokyo, plus 2 hours back at the end of the day. The next day we took a 2.5 hour train to Kyoto, stayed a few days, then a 20 minute train to Osaka, stayed a few more days, then it was a 3 hour train back to Tokyo.

At the Airport JR Service Centre, you can get your pass, but if you want to reserve your seat on all your future trips, you will have to do it elsewhere. They will let you book a trip that day if you wish, but for multiple reservations, you have to head to a local JR centre, of which there were many, such as in Shibuya or Shinjuku. We went to one and booked all of our seats very quickly and easily, but it’s worth doing on your first day so you don’t have to worry about being sat apart if you’re with someone.

Suica Card

This one we didn’t arrange in advance. We read numerous articles stating you should download the app, but the app kept showing it couldn’t be downloaded in our country. We also read they were out of microchips so we couldn’t get a proper card.

All the worrying was for nothing. Once we landed, we got a Suica Welcome card, which lasts 28 days, easily long enough for our whole journey. We ordered it in the JR East Travel Service Centre while getting our JR pass, but you can also get it at a separate section within the station, however it seemed quicker and easier to get it from the same desk as we were already there.

You can initially either top it up with 1,000 yen or 2,000 yen, we burned through the 2,000 yen in no time at all, so that was the better option for us.

It should be stated that you can’t get any money back after loading it onto the welcome Suica card, so you don’t want to put on too much, but it is really useful and you also don’t want to get caught short, so it’s worth checking at the machines how much you have on the card.

Much like tapping your bank card at home, you just tap the card against the machines on the barriers and they open straight away, meaning you don’t have to worry about buying individual tickets at a machine.

I think we spent around 4,000 yen each for a 10 day trip, which is about £22 each.

Language

When I started researching Japan, I saw multiple videos and read numerous articles that stated people in Japan didn’t speak a word of English.

I then set out a 9 month strategy of doing 10 minutes of Japanese classes per day. I learned Hiragana and Katakana (but slipped up with Kanji) and didn’t take a day off for the entire 9 months.

However, once I was out there, I quickly realised people did speak English everywhere I went. We did only go to the big cities, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, whereas if I went to a smaller village then it might have been needed more.

I am very relieved I did learn the language as it did come in use for trains and to generally understand what people were saying. But if you don’t want to learn the whole language, then below are some of the basics you have to know:

Ohayo Gazai Masu – pronounced ‘oh-hi-oh gazai mass‘: Good morning

Konnichiwa: Hello

Arigatou Gozai Masu – pronounced ‘arry-gateau gozai mass‘: Thank you very much (or just arigatou for thanks)

Hai: Yes

iie: No

Sumimasen – pronounced ‘sue-me-ma-sen’: Excuse me or sorry

Mizu – water

Kudasai – please – ‘Please’ can also be onegaishimasu

Many of the food names are recognisable as they have crossed over, such as udon, sushi, ramen, katsu and teriyaki.

WIFI Box

You have two options when it comes to using your mobile data while in Japan. Fortunately, me and Raquel went for different options, so we can demonstrate the two choices you have.

I opted to use my mobile data with a travel data pass. I’m with EE, so I had to message TRAVEL to 150 before flying out. This turns on your travel pass for when abroad, so you get charged a set price for each day you use data abroad. However, when you’re out there and it turns on, you still need to click on a link you get text to you and confirm you want to use it, each day, which is a bit of a faff.

The charge was £7.80, not exactly cheap, even worse when you consider they only give you 150mb of data, just enough to use Maps and to navigate us around the city but not to really use any apps at all.

The alternative option Raquel went for was the pocket WiFi rental service. You order this from home, then you can collect it at the airport, again at terminal 2 like the JR pass. It will be in a box and was annoyingly complicated to first setup and find all the codes, but once we got it sorted then we were good for the rest of the trip.

You also need to charge the battery each evening so it doesn’t die, so make sure you have enough chargers and adaptors. The amount of data we got was significantly more, but when it runs out it inevitably just switches off, so make sure not to have anything being backed up while using the WiFi and try not to upload or download anything, such as pics and videos.

One issue with the Wifi box was that it isn’t setup from the start, while we needed the internet to work out how we got to our hotel from the airport with Google Maps, so I turned on my data for day one, before gradually switching to the Wifi box after a couple of days (then I didn’t look back).

The cost for our trip to have the WiFi box was £80, so it works out as a similar cost to using your data, but with more data provided, so generally a better option, but it’s worth having your mobile data setup just in case it runs out or for people before it’s working.

At the end, you just post it back with the provided envelope, which can be done for free at a post box. We wanted to use it all the way until the end, so we posted it within the airport on the last day, with a number of post boxes in the airport before you go through security.

Neck Fans

This was a complete game-changer. I have been to a large number of hot countries and just had to deal with the heat, and not deal with it very well I should mention.

But before this holiday we had come across neck fans, which appear like headphones. You wear them around your neck and they blow cool air upwards below your ears. It made a huge amount of difference, I had mine on all day virtually every day in Japan.

The important thing to remember is that you want a strong battery so it lasts the full day. They were available for £12 on Amazon, but I went for one with double the battery life (4000mAh) and that worked perfectly. Of course, you have to charge them (via USB) each evening for the next day.

Smoking Booths

Neither of us smoke, so this didn’t directly affect us, but it is certainly something you need to know if you are a smoker. We didn’t see people smoking anywhere, it completely caught us by surprise.

People didn’t smoke outside at all, there were regulations in place so most areas we were in you would get a fine if you smoked there. This is especially true in busy public streets. You also can’t smoke while walking virtually anywhere in Japan.

Instead there were smoking rooms set out, which looked pretty tight for space, which people can go in and smoke. It really made it look very unappealing to smoke, so I guess a good deterrent.

It reminded me of the scene from IT Crowd where Jen has to walk for miles to find a smoking booth she can squash into.

Japanese Toilets

We were a little nervous beforehand, but we really didn’t have to be. Every single toilet had toilet paper, so if you don’t fancy using the crazy spraying machine, you don’t have to, but I’ll admit I quite enjoyed it once I got my head around it.

Every toilet did however use single ply toilet paper, the thinnest of the thinnest, even the posh hotels we stayed in.

The toilet spray machines were very easy to use. You have a button for the ‘front’ or the ‘back’, press it to get it going, then a stop button for when you’re done. You can then use the toilet paper to dab yourself dry.

They had toilet seat warmers, which Raquel loved, while they also had ‘deodorisers’ to tackle any bad smells. Some even had sounds or music coming out, not that I mucked around with that at all.

A few had buttons you could press so it would lift or drop the toilet seat, meaning you don’t have to touch it at all!

The hardest part was sometimes finding the flush, as they all seemed to have them in different positions around the toilet.

Cash Society

Just as we had read, it was very much a cash society, contrasting with back home where cash is almost extinct. For this reason, it is worth taking out quite a bit of cash before you head out there.

We took out a hefty amount and didn’t use our cards once. For the two of us, we took out £1,200 (£600 each), but we had £300 left at the end of our 10 day holiday, so £900 for two people seemed to be the perfect amount.

That works out as approximately £45 per day per person, but it should be highlighted that our accommodation and most of our travel was pre-paid, so that was food & drink, entry to attractions and general experiences.

Of course, the amount you require depends on what you book, how often you plan on eating out vs 7/11 and whether you plan on drinking a lot.

Also, it’s worth mentioning, tipping isn’t a thing in Japan, so you don’t have to worry about working out the exact amount. In fact, at one point I tried leaving a tip and she quickly shouted no (in a friendly way) and gave me my change.

October 16, 2023
9 Things To Do In Osaka

After spending a few days in Kyoto, we headed on to Osaka, the city of bright lights and oh so much food! There were a few clear winners and a few disappointments in Osaka, so I have only included the best highlights of Osaka so you know what you have to book.

If you haven’t picked your hotel yet, make sure to opt for somewhere downtown, not too far from the Dotombori district. This means you will have a short journey to almost everything you want to see (except Universal Studios).

1) Universal Studios Japan

The first step to explain is booking your tickets, as that was a bit of a nightmare, as you have to book them in advance and they’re really not as straight forward as you think. Of course, you can pay at the ticket gate on the day, but everyone recommends booking in advance to get access to certain aspects.

You pay for your studio pass, which gives you entry to the park, costing 8,600 yen per adult (or 5,600 yen for a child). However, you also really need to pay for an express pass, as otherwise you don’t get access to everything, including some of the most popular spots, so this is an added cost to the pile, making it all very pricey.

The Universal Express passes basically give you access to certain sections of the park at set times of the day, to stop it overcrowding (actually a clever idea, if it wasn’t purely based on increasing profitability). It also gives you queue jumps on certain rides, which is worth its weight in gold, as this drops a queue from 50 minutes to 5 minutes!

We started off with the 4D cinema, which was a little disappointing purely as it was in Japanese (obviously) with no English subtitles, so I’m not sure what we were expecting but we did get a little bored through the show. The 4D aspect also isn’t great, as you expect to move around quite a bit, but it really is minimalist.

So, here comes the good and the bad….I’ll start with the bad. The Nintendo World part, the main area I was excited about and wanted to visit for, was very disappointing. I mean, when you walk in it’s spectacular, it takes your breath away, you’re in a literal world of Nintendo with giant characters everywhere.

But the glamour quickly wears off, as it seems to be filled with 5 year olds who hog everything, so you won’t get a chance to try most aspects, well, unless you have a young child with you.

There were two rides, which were seemingly aimed at 5 year olds as well, so they certainly weren’t worth the wait.

I would then talk about the brilliant Spiderman ride, which has won numerous awards for being the best ride in the world, but it is actually closing down in a couple of months to be replaced by something else after 20 years being there.

But here comes the good, the Harry Potter world! This beat my expectations comfortably. You walk into this snowy scenery which truly makes you feel like you’re there, despite it being 30 degrees. They even have a huge Hogwarts building that left my jaw on the floor.

But even better, the Forbidden Journey was the best ride I’ve ever been on in my life! It’s not intensely scary, so if you’re looking for something absolutely horrific and with ten loop the loops then this isn’t that. But it combines a fun ride with 4D aspects and left me and Raquel, not to mention the others next to us, giggling and smiling by the end.

We got off and went straight back into the queue, if I could I’d still be riding it now!

In the same area is the less exciting Flight of the Hippogriff, not because it’s not fun, but because it lasted about 30 seconds, which makes the 40 minute wait seem a bit excessive!

We even stopped off for a pint of butterbeer (sadly containing no alcohol), while we also watched an immersive experience where a kid got to pick out their wand and see items fly off the shelves.

Beyond this, there is also a Minion park, which is good fun, but again aimed at a much younger audience, as well as a Jaws section, which is great entertainment even if I didn’t understand the language.

Oh, I almost forgot, the Waterworld section, here it’s not multiple attractions but one big show taking place. I was initially scared I was going to see something with animal cruelty involving dolphins, but fortunately it wasn’t. It was so much better than I could possibly imagine, with pyrotechnics and extreme acrobatic moves.

Sure, you don’t understand the words being said, but you don’t need to, it was so dramatic and over the top. It definitely wouldn’t pass health and safety in the UK, but that’s what made it so spectacular.

The food? Well, you can’t bring food into the park which is a shame, because it was all pretty nasty. They largely just offer burger and chips, or other basic dishes, all which taste really low quality and bland. I guess I shouldn’t expect much, while they’re clearly catering for a largely child-based audience.

2) Explore The Dotombori District

This isn’t just about finding somewhere to eat or to shop, it’s more about how eye catching it all is. Every building has some form of design, whether it’s a giant moving crab or a huge dragon, it was absolutely spectacular.

I would also recommend heading to the bridge in the evening at 1 Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0084, as you can get some great photos, as can be seen below.

Walking around at lunch time with all the hustle and bustle, people stopping to eat everywhere, it felt so lively and exciting, this was what I was hoping to see when I had arrived in Tokyo but found it in Osaka.

If you see a queue outside a certain restaurant, that’s normally a very good sign that it’s a great restaurant, but you may have to wait up until an hour to go in, so I commonly went elsewhere as we didn’t have time for queues with our busy schedule.

3) Enjoy Your Own Food Booth

While walking along Dontonbori, you will find a number of great places to eat, but I wanted to put forward somewhere that we absolutely loved and found by complete chance.

Ok, the restaurant name is クインソフト, but I know that might not help, so here it is on Google Maps. The address is 1 Chome-4-20 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan.

This is better suited for meat lovers if I’m honest, so you might want to skip this if you’re vegetarian or vegan, they have some alternatives but not a great selection.

You’re led over to your own private booth area, where you swap your shoes for slippers and they close the walling. You then don’t have to worry about confusingly ordering, as they have a machine in the booth, which can switch to English, where you can order anything you like as often as you like.

We ordered multiples cuts of beef, from sirloin to premium cuts of gorgeous wagyu beef. You are brought a heater, which goes in the middle and you then cook your own meat cuts.

Of course, if you’d prefer food cooked for you, they had a number of noodle and rice dishes, something Raquel enjoyed. But I was hooked to the high quality meat, it was some of the best I’ve ever had, each bite melted in my mouth.

We ordered a huge amount of meat, 4 pints, a noodle and a rice dish, while it all came to £40, which seems bizarrely cheap for the quantity we ordered. Back home I dread to think what we would have paid.

4) The Glico Running Man

This is one of those sights that you have to tick off, but you merely need five minutes there before heading on. People are captivated by this sign, sometimes it is hard to really tell why, but once you get there you find yourself getting in the moment and you have to get some pics.

This is arguably the most famous landmark of Osaka, just as you reach the Dotombori canal. If you’re already exploring the Dotombori District then this can quickly be ticked off.

If you want to get a photo without crowds then you should arrive early in the morning. Personally, I don’t mind a few people in our pics, it wasn’t too busy that you couldn’t get a good photo despite turning up at peak times, but for that glamorous shot of just you it could be easier in the morning.

This is actually just one of many amazing signs along the canal, which I’ll get into later.

5) Visit The Namba Yasaka Jinja

Jinja means shrine in Japanese, while this shrine is easily my favourite from our holiday in Japan, with the giant lion head and its mouth open and teeth on show. I actually thought it was a dragons head, it’s only a couple of weeks later writing this up that I’ve learned it was a lions head!

To get there, we just had a 10-15 minute walk from the Dotombori District, which was nice as you can escape the busy crowds and see a slightly different side to Osaka, walking through a small park and passing some interesting restaurants on the way.

The trees around the shrine are cherry blossoms, but they weren’t blooming at the time we visited, but you might just get lucky, making that incredible photo even better.

Just remember when snapping some shots, this is actually a place of worship, so you still need to be respectful and considerate to others.

Your closest station is Namba station, which was useful for a number of trips we took.

6) Try Some Cakes

The first recommendation I have to give is the raspberry macarons in the Dotombori district. I’ve always loved macarons, but Raquel hasn’t been so keen on them, but this was a game changer, with some jam in the middle, meaning we were actually hooked. If they weren’t cream based in 30 degree heat, I would have taken a pack with me to nibble on over the next few days, but I had to settle for just a couple.

There are also multiple stores selling strawberry based desserts, with everything from sponge cakes to popcorn. They also have these famous desserts everyone goes on about, I’ve included a photo below but I’m not sure of the name, but the one recommendation I would provide would be to avoid the matcha flavour!

7) Walk Along The Dotombori Canal

We thought we had seen it all along the famous streets, then suddenly we got to the canal and we realised we had only just scratched the surface.

There were numerous signs outside store fronts that were implausibly large. They also had numerous animal cafes along the area, but we didn’t have the best experience with this, as highlighted further on.

We also found some fun shops with plenty of souvenirs to bring home, not to mention every version of KitKat you can ever imagine. Plus, of course, there were a lot of food vendors, so you could try the 10-Yen cheese coins or the onigiri balls, whatever picks your fancy.

8) Tombori River Cruise

Ok, this is one I have to quickly admit something about, we queued up to do this but the queue was taking a bit long, so we didn’t go ahead with it in the end, but I wanted to write about it as it looked great fun.

We watched the boats go along the Dotonbori canal, guiding you across the famous sights. They did really pack the people on, which might have weighed in Raquel’s mind when she changed her mind part way along the queue, but I still think it looked like it would be great fun.

The boat ride lasts 20 minutes, while they pick you up from the Tazaemonbashi bridge boat dock. The price was 1,200 yen, which seems reasonable for what you’re getting.

There were also some more private boat rides, which I’d maybe prefer, but I’m not sure what the cost would have been.

9) Ebisu Tower & Ferris Wheel

Ok, this recommendation comes as a one or the other (or both). The Ebisu Tower along the Dotonbori canal looks stunning from the outside, so you may just want to admire it from the riverside and get some pics.

Along the outskirts you will see the ferris wheel pods, which you can ride, something I was keen to do but it was closed when I got there. A lot of travel guide websites were incorrectly listing it as open from 11am to 11pm, which wasn’t true. Instead, they had a break during the day, I think it ran from 11 till maybe 3pm, then they closed until 5pm, so I arrived at just the wrong time, same as many people around us who were trying to work out why it wasn’t running.

However, if big rides aren’t your thing, then I would still recommend visiting the building, as it’s a huge store with multiple levels, containing some great items whether it’s for you to snack on or as a souvenir. There was an entire floor just for chocolate bars!

They even had an entire section dedicated to Pokemon, which I couldn’t help but dive into.

Hidden Gem

I wanted to highlight somewhere we at for lunch, as it was away from the main tourist spots and we loved it.

I was really keen to get some sushi, while Raquel wanted to witness the conveyer belts, so we ended up going to Kura Sushi. Sure, there were places closer to where we were, but this one had the belt so we travelled a bit further.

When we got there, it was impossible to initially find, as it was on the second floor and had a side stair entrance, so unless you were directly looking for it, you wouldn’t know it was there.

You head in and go over to a machine to get given a ticket with a table number. We had table 17 so we headed on over, while we found a machine at the table which we could easily order from. This meant we could order as much as we like and as often as we liked, making loads of fun experiments.

You can just grab a plate from the conveyer belt, but it’s easier ordering from the machine. The item is then brought over on a higher level of the conveyer belt, with the machine beeping to let us know our order is coming in.

At the end, you put the plates in a whole on the table, which counts the plates on the machine, before ‘checking out’. You then take over your receipt to a machine, which reads the code and lets you know how much you owe.

We ordered copious amounts of food for us both, as well as 4 different drinks and the total price was £8…I thought there was some mistake initially. £8! That’s the best price I’ve ever witnessed in a restaurant.

What To Avoid

We decided to visit the Mama Shiba dog cafe, not something we had on our itinerary, but we passed the front and decided to pop in, next thing we knew we had paid and had a time scheduled. You book it on the second floor and it all takes place on the fourth floor of the same building, but they’re often quite busy so we were booked in for an hour later. They also have a cat cafe on the third floor.

Once you go in, there are about 15 people sat around the long room, with various dogs wandering about.

They tell you not to pick up the dogs, but to wait patiently for them to come over. The reality however is that the dogs aren’t interested at all in the constant visitors, they’re only interested in the people that work there with the treats.

You get 30 minutes with your booking, but after about 5 minutes of staring at a couple of dogs from afar, it became obvious to us both how ludicrous this was. We have a dog at home and hang out with dogs as much as possible, but these were dogs that just wanted to keep away from people and were irritated when you stroked them.

I found myself counting the seconds until this ended, I never thought I would say that about anything dog related, but it was abysmal.

October 9, 2023
6 Things To Do In Kyoto
Before arriving in Japan, I went through numerous lists of the best things to do in Kyoto and the consistent thing I found was that it was apparent most of the writers had never stepped foot in the area.

From inaccurate advice to bizarre tips, I wanted to provide a list of the things I truly felt were the best activities or experiences to try while there, as well as a real-life visitors tips for someone going for the first time.

1) Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Easily near the top of both mine and Raquel’s list of the best things to do in Japan, this activity really was one of my highlights of the whole holiday.

To get up close with wildlife is always a thrill, but I hate zoos or anything enclosed, while on a safari you still keep a distance, but this was the perfect opportunity to see them and feed them while still seeing them in their wild habitat.

The views at the top are meant to be the best you’ll get of Kyoto from above, capture one with a monkey at the front and you’ll be delighted!

Once you climb to the top, you’re instantly met with the views, as well as a banana bench for you to sit down on and recover.

To the side was the feeding room, where you go in and can pay for food items to feed the monkeys. It was 50 yen for each bag, consisting of cut up apples or peanuts, we went for a few bags of apples which they loved.

The feeding room has wiring so the monkeys can gather along the outside and put their arms through to grab the food from your hand. This is a safe way to feed them up close.

You can then also head out and further up the hill, to get views of the monkeys that aren’t chasing after food, with a little waterfall there.

There are certain warnings you must abide by, such as not crouching down when taking a photo.

Oh, there is a slide at the end going down a portion of the hill, I gave it a go but my butt got well and truly wedged in (watch our video on YouTube to witness the humiliation). Great if you have kids, but maybe meant for more slimmer people than myself. Still, great fun to try.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of entry was 600 yen per person, which isn’t too pricey and totally worth the cost. Remember they only take cash, so don’t expect to use a bank card. There are a few ATM’s dotted across the city, with the Bank of Kyoto at Kyoto station, where you can take out cash if needed.

Just a heads-up, we took out plenty of cash for the whole holiday as it is a cash-focused society still, so we didn’t once use a bank card.

How Long Does It Take?

A number of websites highlighted the hike up as being 40 minutes, I’m not sure whether they add on some time for slower walkers, but we were up there in 20 minutes. It should be said that it’s all up-hill, a combination of steps and just an upward path, so expect to sweat quite a bit.

How Do I Get There?

Once you have taken the train to Kyoto, the best route is via the train. If you bought a JR pass to get to Kyoto then you will be delighted to hear you should be able to take a train utilising the JR pass the whole way there, to Saga Arashiyama station. The entire trip can be as short as 30 minutes, but we took a bit longer with finding the right platform and getting our bearings, so more likely 40 minutes.

Alternatively, there are buses that go there, which some people preferred if they’re hotel was no where near Kyoto station, as it would take them longer to go back in and take the train than a direct bus.

Google Maps will be able to guide best on the different bus routes, but one of them people took was the 28 at Nishi Oji Shijo, which was 16 stops until it arrived at Arashiyama Koen, just outside the Monkey Park.

When Should I Get There?

We did a hike in the morning to a shrine, therefore we arrived in the early afternoon. There were certainly crowds and if you want to get pictures of the monkeys or the views without any crowds then earlier is always better, with the Monkey Park opening at 9am.

Personal Tip?

Make sure to pack water as you won’t be able to buy it further up and you will definitely get a little sweaty. I’d also highlight packing a neck fan, these things were an absolute game-changer in the warmer climate we’re not used to.

2) Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine

Wow, people don’t warn you about quite how many steps you’re going to take! The Shinto shrine is an amazing place to visit and always takes centre stage in any photos of Japan, easily the most recognisable scene of Kyoto.

This is one of those that you simply have to tick off if going to Kyoto, especially if you’re short on time and can only tick off one shrine or temple.

It’s such a short walk from the station, while it starts with a number of temple buildings, which did have some work being done when we arrived. You then head on through towards the never-ending steps through the orange posts.

You will also see a good few statues of the Kitsune foxes, which are worth keeping an eye out for.

How Much Does It Cost?

It didn’t cost a penny. Entrance fee is completely free.

How Long Does It Take?

This is one hell of a physical challenge, especially with it being around 28 degrees when we were there. Altogether, it took us about 80 minutes of continuous walking to go up and down, with the majority of that being up hill (you can walk down a hell of a lot quicker).

You should give yourself a good couple of hours, as we tried charging through it (hence the very sweaty armpits), but a lot of people needed breaks along the way, which does add onto the time. You also want time to get photos.

Much like the other recommendations on this list, you should definitely get a neck fan, as well as packing water, while make sure you’re wearing sturdy walking shoes for this.

How Do I Get There?

If you were to go from Kyoto station, which is what we did, then you need the Nara train line, going to Inari station. The station is right outside the entrance and absolutely everyone getting off here is heading in the same direction, so no chance of you getting lost once you leave the train station.

The Nara line train is going towards Local Joyo and takes 5 minutes, with two stops, initially stopping at Tofukuji station. The platform in Kyoto station should be 10, but double check on the day.

When Should I Get There?

We arrived for about 9am, which we thought was pretty early and already there were quite a lot of people and tour groups. But nothing could prepare us for how busy it was when we were down the bottom around 10:30, so we didn’t even see how busy it got midday and I can comfortably say this is an activity that has to be done early hours.

An added benefit of getting there for 7-8 in the morning is that the temperature is a bit cooler when walking up all the steps.

Personal Tip?

Everyone arrives and starts taking a thousand photos, with tourists all around you in the shot and the pictures aren’t all that great. As you head further up, people get bored of taking photos and not as many people make it up higher, so once you get 50-75% of the way up, there is plenty more space to get photos with no-one in them.

Basically, hold off spending hours taking all the photos at the bottom as you’ll get cleaner ones higher up. Admittedly, you will have sweat patches in the photos taking further up.

3) Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

If I’m honest, when we started planning out our short trip over to Kyoto, this one didn’t actually make the list. It then got sneaked back on due to its proximity to the Monkey Park, meaning it could easily be ticked off before heading back to the station.

This natural forest does look stunning as you walk in, while it stretches for so far, so again, don’t take all your photos near the entrance like the many other tourists do and instead hold off a bit and find yourself a more secluded area to get them.

There were also some shrines, where we watched people ring the bell, before bowing twice and then clapping twice and a final bow. This is the traditional form of worship in Japan, you need to bow quite low to show respect to the deities.

There was also a number rickshaw tours going on around the forest. I personally found them a bit weird and imperial, having someone pull you along, but the idea of a guide while skipping the steps after already doing 20,000 steps does sound intriguing, so I understand why people did it.

There aren’t too many rickshaws, so you don’t find yourself constantly moving out of the way, which is good.

How Much Does It Cost?

The entrance fee is free, again I was happy to see this! Your only cost is travelling here.

How Long Does It Take?

It depends how long you want to go, whether you want to walk the whole thing. If you want to do the whole thing, then 30-45 minutes is normally ideal, however after about 20 minutes, we felt like we had ‘completed it’ and decided to head off. It was spectacular, but there is only a set amount of bamboo we can see before we feel like we’re repeating ourselves.

How Do I Get There?

If you’re coming from Kyoto station, then you will need to take the JR San-In line, heading towards Kameoka, getting off at Saga Arashiyama station. You will then have a 10-15 minute walk to the entrance.

If however you did the monkey park beforehand, which I’d recommend, then you simply have a 15-20 minute walk, going across the bridge (with great views for some photo opportunities). It may be 20 minutes if you decide to stop at any of the shops you pass, as quite a few did look interesting, not to mention all the incredible food on offer.

When Should I Get There?

The forest is open all hours of the day, so it does mean you can arrive at the time to suit you and decide based on how busy your schedule is.

Unlike some of the other attractions on this list, this wasn’t too busy, there were certainly plenty of groups, but it didn’t feel overcrowded despite being the middle of the day, perceived to be the busiest period, so I’d focus your morning key quiet time on a different area and slot this between activities, possibly after seeing the Monkey Park.

Personal Tip?

I have briefly mentioned this, but tick off the Monkey Park and simply do this one straight after. It’s a short walk away and won’t take a huge amount longer, before you head on for another experience.

4) Nishiki Market

I love a market, they’re always an amazing place to visit on holiday, allowing you to try some local cuisine, get some souvenirs and test out your language skills.

The Nishiki market is downtown, the best place to stay, while it was lively throughout the day. The narrow street has been serving people for over 400 years, while there are about 140 vendors located across the market, with plenty of other shops nearby as well.

We even found a Snoopy tea house, which sold absolutely anything and everything related to Snoopy, such as towels, teddies and ice cream with snoopy’s face on.

You will also find the small octopus on a stick here, not my cup of tea, but a popular option it seemed. I did like the skewers of chicken they were cooking with a blow torch though.

We also bought the famous strawberry sandwiches from here. It’s basically strawberry and whipped cream inside two slices of white bread. What did it taste like? Well, exactly that, a little odd and not sure I’d have again, but I do love strawberries so there is that.

I also picked up some great souvenirs here, focused around Studio Ghibli. I wanted to mention the souvenirs, as I kept contemplating whether to buy here or not, but the prices for the same products were two or three times more expensive in Tokyo.

I mainly took clips of the market, so you can get a full idea from our video on YouTube, but I don’t have many pics (silly old me).

How Much Does It Cost?

The market is free to enter, but how much you spend on food and treats is down to you!

How Long Does It Take?

To walk from one end to another would only take 5 minutes, but as you’ll be looking at each stand, potentially going inside some stores and trying a few tasty bits, it should take about an hour to complete.

How Do I Get There?

If you’re going from the station, you can take a bus, being the Shiei 205 from the bus terminal right outside the train station. This will drop yuou off at Shijo Kawaramachi, a 4 minute walk away. Alternatively, this is a stop on the Sky Hop On bus route, which I will cover in more detail later.

You can also walk from the station, which takes about 30 minutes, but make sure to bring water for the heat.

When Should I Get There?

Well, we arrived for around 3pm and while it was busy, I don’t mind a market being relatively lively. It also meant my stomach was ready for some snacks and I certainly made the most of it, trying several options along the way.

Of course, the morning will always be quieter, but if you only have a short amount of time in Kyoto then you should prioritise the busiest attractions for the mornings, such as the shrines.

Personal Tip?

Don’t eat before you arrive, get here on an empty stomach, sure you might spend a bit more, but it means you will try everything possible. Considering a large portion of the stands and stores are food based, it would be a shame if you had just eaten lunch and didn’t really make the most of it all.

5) Sky Hop On Bus

I am a huge fan of hop-on-hop-off buses, trying them out all across Europe, but I haven’t really seen them outside the continent, so I was delighted to spot this in Kyoto, making it an unexpected item for the list. It also bizarrely doesn’t make many other lists, which I think is ridiculous.

It’s highlighted as an open top bus, which is maybe a bit cheeky, as we took 4 separate buses and not one was an open top bus, so maybe it’s just lack if you manage to catch one.

The stops include:
- Kyoto station
- Nishihonganji temple (Kyoto Tokyu hotel)
- Shijo Karasuma – the main stop for Nishiki market
- Nijo-jo Castle (careful with your timings, we got off and it was closed already)
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
- Kinkaku-ji temple
- Daitoku-ji temple
- Kyoto Imperial palace
- Ginkaku-ji temple
- Heian-jingu shrine
- Gion (Kotowa-Kyoto Yasaka)
- Gojo-Zaka – the stop for the Kiyomizu-dera temple
- Sanjusangendo – Kyoto national museum
One thing which wasn’t great in the slightest was the audio guide. I mean it was absolute trash. Firstly, they used a robot voice rather than a real person, meaning it lacked the natural up and down of conversational talk and left you day dreaming after a while.

Also, the audio barely played at all for each stop, predominantly just playing irritating music. There were no interesting stories or tales from the area. This is one area which they really need to improve.

I loved this activity not for the rubbish audio guide, but for the ability to quickly and easily be able to get around town and tick off so many activities with ease.

How Much Does It Cost?

For adults it is 3,500 yen, or 5,000 yen for two days. For children it costs 1,750 yen, or 2,500 yen for a two day pass.

How Long Does It Take?

The entire route around took about one hour, but if you plan on getting off at multiple stops then this will take 1-2 days to complete.

How Do I Get There?

The first stop and ticket stand are right outside Kyoto station.

When Should I Get There?

The first bus takes off at 8:40 am and it ends at…I’m going to say 6pm. They will give you a leaflet when you pay for it which will show you the times. Or you can pay for it online and have it all setup on your phone, but we were outside the ticket office (at Kyoto station) so it seemed quicker and easier just to pay them and get our paper tickets.

I would recommend getting up for the first bus, as time will quickly tick away and you may struggle to tick it all off before the end otherwise.

Personal Tip?

When I’ve taken hop-on buses before, they normally have a bus at each stop every 10-15 minutes, so you jump off each stop and get your photos before returning to the bus stop. However, these were far less regular, with a bus once per hour. This isn’t ideal if you want to take lots of stops.

Tip number two, the price for one day was 3,500 yen, while if you wanted two days it was 5,000 yen. It would be very difficult to tick everything off in one day, unless you plan on just sitting down and looking out at it all, so it might be worth getting the two day ticket if you have the time for it.

6) Eat A 10-Yen Coin

Ok, I say a 10 yen coin, they’re basically a pancake with melted cheese in the middle, need I say more?

Well, yes I should, considering this is a guide. People are obsessed with these in Japan, whether you look on Instagram or Tik Tok, travel guides or simply speaking to anyone.

One downside, there is no where near enough cheese. They place a slab in the middle, but you have to eat the doughy outside before you get to the cheese, which is a little frustrating.

Which cheese you ask? Good question! They use mozzarella, which means it’s extra stringy, like an advert for Dominoes. I do think other cheeses would be worth experimenting with, such as ones which could add more flavour (maybe some Red Leicester, just throwing it out there).

How Much Does It Cost?

It cost 500 yen to buy one, so not too expensive at all. This is hardly going to be a whole lunch, just a naughty snack after an intense hike, to keep you going that little bit longer.

Where Do I Get one?

These are sold at a number of locations, but we got ours from the exit-base of the Arashiyama Monkey Park. Once you get to the bottom, there was a stand setup selling them, so you can watch her work her magic and make them in front of you. The crowds aren’t too intense, so we got ours within about 3 minutes.

Hidden Gem

Sure, I should be highlighting Japanese food, but we ate Japanese food virtually every day and being English, we start to crave Indian food if we go too long without it. We looked around for a decent one and came across one purely by mistake.

It wasn’t effectively listed on Google Maps (the image is of a car park and doesn’t show up when you search for Indian restaurants) and they didn’t have reviews setup (albeit they are on Uber Eats), they were upstairs above a shop and completely hidden away. But my word, it was one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever been to.

The food was beyond words, the cheese nan was the best Raquel has ever had and the curry was simply spectacular. It was called Queens Restaurant & Bar. Not sure about the bar bit, maybe that was downstairs or next door, but we were sat in the restaurant upstairs and loved every second of it.
October 2, 2023
18 Things To Do In The Maldives

With some of the most beautiful islands in the world, and being the ultimate wedding location, the Maldives have always been one of the most popular holiday resorts in the world. Or at least for people with a fair amount of money in the pocket, as it won’t come cheap!

With its warm seas filled with tropical fish, this is a diver’s heaven. The sad truth about the Maldives is that scientists have said, with the sea level rising, the Maldives may only be around for another 20 years, so see them while you can.

Below I have outlined some of the top things to do in the Maldives, so see if you can tick off the entire list, or if you can think of any more, make sure to write them down in the comments at the bottom of the page.

1) Scuba Diving

This one was never going to escape the list, so might as well start straight away with it. There are believed to be over 3,000 coral reefs, so you won’t have to worry about being squashed next to hundreds of other tourists desperately trying to get a spot.

The thing that is so amazing about diving here is that the sea is so clear, you can often see up to 50 metres away, making spotting a sea turtle or a dolphin much more likely.

Please, whatever you do, do NOT try and break some of the coral reef to take home. Remember and respect the fact that this is where the sea life lives and if you destroy their homes, they will eventually die out. If you do go diving, you might be able to tick off something on my list of 100 things to do before you die, which is to swim with a whale shark.

by TANAKA Juuyoh

2) Surfing At Cokes

When we arrived at Thulusdhoo, we were completely unaware it was the key surfing spot of the Maldives, where people travelled from all over the world to take on the giant waves.

It was the Cokes bay, where you would have to climb over quite jagged rocks, but you get to the most ridiculously huge waves. This is one for the experienced surfers, but if you’re a beginner then there are plenty of other parts of the Maldives where you can get lessons.

3) Stay In An Overwater Bungalow

This is what we imagined before we visited. Sure, it cost a small fortune, but if you’re going all the way to the Maldives, you have to at least stay one night in an overwater villa.

To offer you an idea, it cost us £400 per night (phew that was a shock to the system), but that was considered relatively cheap compared to some of the options. On some of the other nights we stayed in a hotel, which charges around £120, so you can see the stark contrast in price.

The overwater bungalows have a stairway straight into the water, so you can pop in without having to leave your room! Some even have slides, while all of them are a really decent size.

4) Visit Male

This is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, while it is also good for a one day visit (not too much longer) to break up the holiday a bit, so you don’t spend the entire time on the beach. Chat to the locals, shop at the markets and have a pina colada.

by Mohd Althani

5) National Museum

While in Malé, take a quick tour around the National Museum, where you can see all of the former possessions of the sultan. It is located right in Sultan’s park.

You will find a gallery in the downstairs which is focused on the medieval period. The museum was established in 1952, however the Maldivian Royal Palace was originally built back in the 17th century.

by Cliff

6) Treat Yourself To Some Cocktails

Pina Colada, Margarita, or if you’re T-total, there are plenty of mocktails and great drinks you can enjoy, but there is something special about having a fun drink while embracing the sun and looking out at the most gorgeous beach you will ever see.

Plenty of the resorts offer all-inclusive options, but once again, double check the island you’re on allows alcohol, as many don’t.

7) Cycle Along The Pathways

Whether it’s cycling along the overwater pathways past all the bungalows and watching fish go alongside you, or going onto the mainland and exploring on two wheels, this is a great activity to try and a bit of exercise as well.

Have a watch of my video of our cycling adventures in the Maldives, on the Thulusdhoo island.

8) Watch Sunset

Growing up in London and then moving to Brighton, my experience of sunsets is a beautiful red sky, before it disappears behind hundreds of buildings, out of view.

However, being in an area where it’s just sea for miles, you can get some stunning views of sunset. A number of restaurants are also setup so you can have a direct view while enjoying some dinner in the evening.

9) Night Fishing

If this is your thing, you can go out on a boat trip at night and have a go at fishing. On almost every dinner table, you will spot fish, with not much choice when surrounded by the sea, so I hope you’re not a vegetarian.

You leave on a boat just before sun sets and the fisherman will find the perfect spot, where you will spend the next hour trying to catch anything you can. You can then head back to the island to cook it up on a barbecue.

by bettyx1138

10) Virgin Islands

The great thing about the Maldives is that there are more than 1,190 islands, meaning plenty are deserted, so you can be the only person on the desert island, completing many childhood dreams while reading Robinson Crusoe.

This is also a perfect romantic evening location, as the stars aren’t blocked by pollution, the sounds aren’t disrupted by sound pollution and the sand hasn’t been stepped on potentially in years (depending on where you step of course).

by Nattu

11) Shark Spotting

You go to places around the world and you get told you should try dolphin watching or whale watching, but the part that stunned me in the Maldives was being able to see sharks swim right past. I found it fascinating to sit on the bay and watch them glide past.

Of course, I did get a little nervous and sneaked out of the water as it got close, but I was assured by locals that they’re completely safe and won’t hurt humans with their small mouths.

12) Get A Spa Treatment

OK, I’ll straight up admit it, I’m a bit of an addict to massages ever since visiting Peru, where I could get them for as cheap as £1 per 30 minutes.

Now, the Maldives will cost a lot more, but after a day on the beach and scuba diving, the perfect end is a massage and a cocktail with the person you love. Make the most of the resort spa’s and get a complete rub down.

by Christian Jensen

13) Manta Point

If you’ve never seen a manta ray, here is one of the best spots in the world to see them in their natural habitat.

If you visit between spring and fall, they are most likely to be there, however this is monsoon season so there can be negatives. I have to be honest though, since getting stung by a ray, having my foot burst open and coating the beach in my blood, this one isn’t for me, but I can assure you I am definitely in the minority of people that actually get attacked.

by TANAKA Juuyoh

14) Safari Boats

There are a large number of boats available which do complete tours of the Maldives. If you’re happy to get up early, you can spend the complete day seeing everything this beautiful location has to give.

The boat will make regular stops for you to jump in and swim with any sea life that is spotted or to take a proper deep dive down. The boats can also take you to islands in the evening for a starry evening eating dinner. Writing this down, I can’t explain how jealous of you I am right now!

15) Submarine Ride

Ever been in a submarine before? You can easily book a trip through your hotel, just speak to someone at reception and they will connect you to a tour and excursion adviser. These trips normally last about 45 minutes and offer you a great view of the coral reef, especially if you aren’t comfortable with diving. This is normally a decent one to do at the start or end of the stay.

16) The Maldive Victory

This is a ship that sunk in 1981, which has now become a very popular tourist attraction, as you can see how it has been converted into a home to coral and giant schools of fish. A trip to the Maldives simply wouldn’t be complete unless you have had a deep sea dive tour of the sunken ship, the Maldive Victory, however this isn’t for new divers as the strong currents can catch people by surprise.

17) Relax On The Beach

We constantly try to spend our holidays ticking off activities and experiences, but when in a place like the Maldives, sometimes you need to sit back and relax and take it all in.

Every beach is slightly different, so you will get your favourite over time. I loved walking along the sandy beach and finding different areas and island hopping to see what they all looked like.

18) Grand Friday Mosque

I wasn’t aware before I started planning our trip, but the Maldives is a Muslim state, which means certain things, such as alcohol isn’t available everywhere. In fact, it wasn’t available in our first hotel or at all on the island we visited, people that wanted a drink had to take a boat trip to get a tipple.

One of the most stunning buildings in the Maldives is the Grand Friday Mosque, which can be spotted across the island. while the distinctive architecture will undoubtedly impress.

February 4, 2022
16 Things To Do In Sri Lanka
We went on a trip all the way across Sri Lanka in 2019, yet when I looked back over all of my Sri Lanka content, I was surprised to see we hadn’t once written a guide on the best things to do in Sri Lanka.

So, my apologies for this coming two years later than it should have, but say hello to the ultimate Sri Lanka bucket list.

1) Train Ride From Kandy to Ella

We’re not talking about a packed tube journey in London, this is quite a unique experience, recognised in multiple guides as the best train journey in the world.

The 7 hour train ride from Kandy to Ella (or in the reverse direction) takes you through the tea plantations and offers glorious views of untouched lands, as well as rolling rice fields.

The famous photos are taken from the open doorways, where as long as there aren’t too many tourists on your train, you can sneak a good spot and snap away the whole time.

Some even lean off the train to get a photo of each other, but I would strongly recommend being very careful and not doing this for obvious reasons.

2) The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

I wrote about this one in my guide of the best things to do in Kandy, placing it in number one spot for the city due to its popularity.

This is one of many Buddhist temples which are worth checking out on your visit to Sri Lanka, but this one is arguably one of the greatest buildings you will come across, with a very interesting history to match.

3) Surfing in Weligama

I might be absolutely useless at surfing, but for those that are eager to hit the waves or learn a new skill then this should be high on your agenda.

The waves were surprisingly big in Weligama, while every hostel and hotel was perfectly catered for surfing holidays, with surf boards available to rent all across the beach.

If this intrigues you, then I’d recommend having a read of my guide to surfing in Weligama.

4) Visit A Tea Plantation

Have you ever drunk Ceylon tea before? It’s one of the most famous sources of tea around the world, which is produced in Sri Lanka and is one of the country’s biggest exports.

It tasted incredible, but equally I loved walking through the beautiful plantation, taking a guided tour and listening to the farmers talk about their families, their lives and experiences.

5) Ella’s Rock

We had a guided tour to Ella’s Rock, as we walked along the train tracks, before venturing up the mountainside to get to see the beautiful views we had been hearing so much about.

The heat was quite intense considering the time of year we visited, therefore I’d recommend packing plenty of water and some sun cream lotion.

Certain aspects were relatively steep, not scary steep, but more a warning to wear appropriate shoes as we stupidly wore flip flops (I know, amateur hour) and we were slipping all over the place.

But these were easily some of the most breath-taking views of Sri Lanka we came across.

Several parts involved going right up to the edge, or at least for the brave soles that didn’t mind the steep drop, but I took photos from a safe distance.

6) Nine Arches Bridge

Another famous scene you will see in travel guides of Sri Lanka, the Nine Arches Bridge isn’t too far from Ella’s Rock, so both can be seen within a day.

You can walk between the two, however if you’re feeling tired then you can always take a Tuk Tuk, which won’t cost a huge amount.

Also known as the bridge in the sky, this was a colonial construction that is still in operation, so you do have to be wary when walking on the tracks that trains will come across.

Getting photos from the mountaintops above make for some great photos of the Nine Arches Bridge.

7) Learn To Cook From Locals

While in Ella, we went to a families hut, where they taught us to cook a Sri Lankan curry. The vegetables we pulled from the ground, while I had to make the coconut milk by rubbing the coconut husk against their self-built grinder attached to the chair.

One additional amazing aspect of this trip was that they had found a set of puppies that had been abandoned, so they had taken them in and looked after them, so we were surrounded by little puppies, making it really hard to leave!

If you do decide to visit a local hut (obviously arranged by a tour guide, don’t just walk into someone’s house and demand some dinner), make sure to tip a lot at the end.

8) See Stilt Fishing Up Close

Stilt fishing is beyond cool, I found myself fascinated as I watched these fishermen sat on top of a log in the ground, as the waves crashed past them, catching the fresh fish of the day for the local restaurants.

This is a dying tradition which isn’t so commonly seen anymore, however rather than travelling all over to spot this, I have one spot where I know you can see it directly from the resort (or at least you could in 2019, I assume nothing has changed since).

At the Mosvold Villa in Ahangama, along the South Coast of Sri Lanka, the fishermen were placed on the beach in front of the hotel.

The winds meant we stuck to the swimming pool over the beach, other than a bit of wave jumping, but it was also nice to relax with a cocktail in hand and admire the fishermen at work.

9) Sigiriya

Known as ‘Lion’s Rock’ or ‘Lion Fortress’, Sigiriya is found in the less commonly visited North Central province of Sri Lanka.

Surrounded by the forest is this ancient rock fortress which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I hope your fitness levels are top notch, because you have 1,000 steps to climb to reach the top, so pack plenty of water.

I’d recommend going early in the morning to avoid the main crowds. The rock is a massive 660 feet tall and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.

10) Watch A Cricket Match

I was sat in a Tuk Tuk in Colombo when the driver asked me about my favourite cricket team. I claimed I wasn’t a fan of cricket, I was a passionate football fan, at which point it all went silent.

I didn’t realise at that point how obsessively addicted to cricket everyone was here. It was like he had shown me a picture of his baby and I had insulted the child’s appearance.

But it’s hard not to fall in love with a sport when you’re surrounded by that much passion, so watching a cricket match live should certainly be on your agenda while in Sri Lanka, whether that’s a huge game between India and Pakistan or just a local match, you will see people watching and feverishly shouting whatever the scale of match.

11) Gangaramaya Temple

Considering how much there is to see in Sri Lanka, I would recommend keeping your time in Colombo to a minimum, however while here you should make sure to visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist temple.

It can be tempting to get a photo, but I was reminded beforehand that they don’t appreciate this and you don’t want to cause offence, so don’t take a photo when you’re there, you can take a photo of the building from afar though.

12) Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Another one of the most famous scenes of Sri Lanka, the huge state of Bahirawa Kanda is also known as the ‘Big Buddha’, probably as that’s what all of us tourists simply call it.

Being just 2km from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, you can definitely tick both of these experiences off within a day.

Standing an astonishing 88 feet high, placed on top of a hill, the white statue is something to behold up close, while you can spot it from most points in Kandy.

13) Udawalawe National Park

One of the best aspects about travelling is seeing the wildlife and this should be high on your list if you’re heading to the South of Sri Lanka.

A safari tour is quite pricey, so make sure to save up your money for this and book it in advance. You can stay in the accommodation in the national park, taking early morning jeep tours so you can see the elephants walking past.

There are apparently around 500 elephants in the Udawalawe national park, found wandering in herds of up to 100, so this is quite a sight to see.

Compared to the African elephants we saw, the Sri Lankan elephants are much smaller, but you still need to practice caution when nearby, especially if they have a baby with them.

14) Explore The Markets

I love checking out markets while abroad, plus Sri Lanka has plenty of options, including Jaffna market or Kala Pola Art market.

This can offer you a great opportunity to get a souvenir for someone back home, or potentially some curry leaves for when you have a go at making a Sri Lankan curry for friends after returning home.

You can also pick up some Ceylon tea to take home, some aromatic spices, or even a traditional mask if you fancy it.

Plus, if you haven’t packed some appropriate clothing and are struggling with the heat, you may want to pick up a sarees or a sarong.

15) Adam’s Peak

Found to the East of Colombo, Adam’s Peak is not for the feint hearted, involving 5,000-6,000 steps, not in great condition, plus plenty of trekking, however you don’t need to be an expert to make this climb.

Altogether, it should take around 3 hours to climb up and 2 hours back down, plus an hour at the top to admire it all, so make sure to leave early in the morning to give yourself plenty of time to do it all.

The altitude reaches 2,200 metres, while the area holds religious significant importance and should certainly be on your Sri Lanka tick list.

16) Ravana Falls

The water falls found in Ella were a nice sight, but it was quite a distance to reach by tuk tuk, were located alongside a road and were slightly underwhelming, therefore if you’re short on time, I’d potentially give this one a miss.

Having said that, I don’t want to put you off visiting, but they’re certainly further down on this list.

The Ravana falls are just one of many waterfalls you can see in Sri Lanka, dropping 82 feet along the mountainside. One highlight I will say is that we saw it in the dry season, but apparently it’s much better in wet season.

Where To Stay In Sri Lanka

We stayed at some gorgeous places while in Sri Lanka, therefore I’ve quickly highlighted our favourite hotel in each city below. If you’re after any particular recommendations, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us, we’ll always do our best to offer advice where possible.
- Best hotel in Ahangama – Mosvold Villa
- Best hotel in Weligama – We Escape
- Most luxurious hotel in Sri Lanka – Clingendael Boutique Hotel
- Best hotel in Ella – Ceylon Team Bungalow
Getting Around Sri Lanka

While in Sri Lanka, we travelled around a huge amount, getting to all sides of the island, however it did mean we spent a huge amount of time in tuk tuk’s. I will dive into the different forms of transportation available to you, as well as the pro’s and con’s.

Uber

When we arrived in Colombo, we were delighted to see Uber was in place, so we took this to all of the biggest tourist attractions.

On the day we planned to leave Colombo to go to the South coast, we got an Uber which was incredibly well priced and took the five hour journey.

However, upon leaving Colombo, we realised that was the only city where Uber existed, so be aware that it’s simply something you can take while in the capital.

Tuk Tuk

This will easily be your most common form of transportation while in Sri Lanka, plus if you have the time available, you can take the tuk tuk journeys between cities.

I will say honestly, I’ve never seen such reckless driving in my life, on day one your heart will be in your mouth as you prepare to die constantly. But once you get used to it, you’ll see the constant swerving between vehicles doesn’t seem to lead to many crashes and you stop getting nervous.

You should agree a price before taking the tuk tuk, so you’re not stung with a price you weren’t expecting, but they’re very reasonable here and you don’t get people trying to hustle you like you would expect in Thailand.

Private Driver

If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, you can hire a private driver, something we did on a couple of occasions, where you’ll be sat inside a car with air conditioning.

I would normally prefer to take a tuk tuk and see everything up close, but the tuk tuk’s can’t go very fast and if you’re taking a long journey between cities then you could half your time by going by car. There is simply no way we could have gone from Ahangama to Ella by tuk tuk.

Train

I’ve mentioned the train journey being one of the most popular options available to you.

Sometimes you might want to skip the train, as you have to fit around the timetable, the best tickets can be taken quite quickly and you might have to sit in ‘third class’ meaning no air conditioning and cramped spaces.

But the views you’ll take in are unbelievable, so a train journey should certainly be on your list at some point during your holiday in Sri Lanka.

Things To Remember Before You Go

Tap Water

I wouldn’t recommend drinking the tap water, we stuck to bottled water which is the general recommendation given out when visiting Sri Lanka.

Make sure the bottle you buy is completely sealed. There are also a number of water filtering systems you can use if you have to use tap water at any point.

Remember to use the bottled water when brushing your teeth, many people forget this. You also have to be aware that salads will be washed with tap water.
November 15, 2021
15 Things To Do In Corfu

Finally, after all the lockdowns and getting our jabs, we got a holiday and we couldn’t be more happy to say we went to the island of Corfu, which exceeded any of our expectations.

Booked up on a Jet2 flight to Corfu, we spent 5 days staying at the Aeolos Beach Hotel Resort, just south of the airport.

We tried our best to tick off as many things to do, despite being in an all inclusive resort which leaves you not wanting to leave the pool (or the bar), but we found some absolute gems along the way.

We’ve listed our favourite things to do in Corfu, in order of what we feel you’ll enjoy the most.

1) Aqualand

We are slightly hooked to water parks and this was easily one of the best we’ve ever been to. Aqualand Water Park didn’t seem to make many other people’s list, which we feel might have prevented other people of being aware there was a water park in Corfu, but we feel this is a shame as it was the best day we had during our stay, bringing us so much joy.

The rides came in all different sizes and ‘scare levels’, so you can pick the one that suits you. Hey, if rides aren’t your thing, you can easily chill out on the Lazy River and soak up those sunrays.

Aqualand was located not too far from the airport, in the centre of Corfu, however we had to take a taxi as it would have taken multiple buses from where we were based.

2) Watch Planes Land Right Above You

This might sound odd at first, but this is 100% one of the best things to do in Corfu. You have several different angles you can enjoy this from, but my favourite was Корфу смотровая площадка посадки самолетов.

Ok, quick translation, this was the little bridge that takes you across the water to the Café Kanoni. The plane goes right over your head and lands mere metres away on the runway.

The sound is immense and it is oddly exciting to watch, we ended up watching multiple planes going overhead for around 45 minutes. Watch our videos if you want some inspiration, as I loved them.

3) Old Venetian Fortress

The Old Venetian Fortress cost 6 Euro’s per person to enter as an adult, while it offered great views as you walk up to the top, seeing all over Corfu.

Considering the heat, you might want to take this slowly and appreciate each level, as we paced to the top and were pretty sweaty once we got there.

There are a number of cannons placed along the Old Venetian Fortress, old weaponry that would have been used throughout history to protect Corfu from sea attacks.

4) Eat at either Café Kanoni or Skybar

I previously mentioned watching planes land above you, well you can also stop off at the Café Kanoni, where a canon is placed at the front of the restaurant, to eat some lunch while watching planes land right in front of you.

Again, it sounds odd (like you’re in an airport), but it offers such spectacular views that you’ll feel like you could sit here all day.

One alternative I wanted to highlight was the Skybar. The Café Kanoni offered the best views and angles for the planes landing, however it was incredibly busy and we couldn’t spot a spare table.

On the other hand, we walked 1 minute up the road and found Skybar, offering great views and with plenty of free tables. The food was also amazing, I can highly recommend the cheesecake milkshake for anyone with a sweet tooth.

5) Visit Pontikonisi Island

Another spot located right near Café Kanoni, you can take a short boat trip across to Pontikonisi island.

It’s commonly known as ‘Mouse Island’ as apparently it looks like the shape of a mouse from above, however they wanted to highlight that there are no mice on the island, so no need to worry if you’re squeamish around these animals.

6) Hop-on Hop off Bus Tour

This recommendation comes with a slight downside. I’m a huge fan of Hop-on Hop-off buses, I believe they offer you a chance to easily get around a town to all the main routes without having to worry about getting on the right bus, learning about the culture and allowing you to tick off a lot of activities in a day.

However, there were only 7 stops on the bus route, most of which were a walkable distance from each other. There was apparently also a blue route, but that was closed when I visited. Considering we did Berlin last year, where the route had around 20 stops, all with plenty to do, this is certainly a location with a short number of items to tick off along the route.

I did however enjoy listening to the history and culture of Corfu on the headphones they provide, while the full bus route lasts one hour.

The cost was 19 euro’s per person, so a bit hefty when you don’t get many stops, but it’s a good way to tick off a lot of the tourist attractions in a day.

7) Visit Old Town – Bazaar of Corfu Old Town

This is something many people recommended before we visited. Specifically, they highlighted Old Town to walk around, however I most enjoyed the Bazaar of Corfu Old Town.

This is a marketplane that is open every day except Sunday’s, known as Campiello, with a range of shops and stands where you can pick up a great souvenir or something nice to wear on your holiday.

8) Go On A Hike

During the pandemic, unable to go on trips abroad, me and Raquel got really into walks up hills and throughout the country side, helping us to burn calories while take in beautiful views.

Corfu certainly has a wealth of views available, with various mountains dotted throughout the island. Whichever part of the island you’re on has local walking routes, so you may want to enquire with the hotel staff or concierge for recommendations.

We hiked directly from our hotel, being on a hill, but remember to pack lots of water, as you drink a lot more in that heat.

I’d also recommend avoiding the midday heat, so head up early in the morning, we went for around 8:30am, meaning the temperatures were certainly bearable, but by 11am it got quite intense.

9) Get A Boat Trip

There are a number of boat trips you can take in Corfu, including to the Blue Caves, whether you want a two hour trip, a half day or a full day. Many will provide you with lunch and snacks, while you may also want to enquire if they have a toilet on deck.

We even saw a pirate boat go past us several times and I cannot express how much I wish I had my Jack Sparrow costume on me…That’s right, I have a Jack Sparrow costume, I need another fancy dress party.

10) Cathedral of Saint Spyridon

The Saint Spyridon church was built in the 1580’s and seemed to attract quite a big audience, with people lighting candles in the Greek Orthodox church.

I couldn’t get any imagery or videos inside as they ban it and I don’t want to be disrespectful at all, but it was very pretty inside. I’m not a religious guy, but I admire the architecture and history of the building.

This Cathedral can be found in the Old Town, nearby to the Bazaar, making this all easy to tick off within a short time.

11) Eat at Spianada

One of the best areas to sit down for something to eat, the Spianada park in front of the sea made for a great view, while there were plenty of restaurants available, including The Address 92, The Meat Corner, Josephine and Kohlias Café.

After a day of trekking around town and ticking off tourist attractions, this is a great place to stop for lunch and to run through all of your photos.

12) Relax By The Pool & Stay All Inclusive

When you read a list of things to do, they’re often overly focused on things you can do outside of your resort, but relaxing by the pool, sipping a pina colada and joining in with the hotel activities was incredibly fun and much needed.

With all the stress of the past few months, it felt amazing to finally switch off and sit by a pool without thinking what I should be doing or answering emails to clients.

If you’re on holiday in Corfu, you might want to occasionally remind yourself to take a day off, spend some time by the pool and eat your body weight in naughty treats. Seriously, I had a crepe with lemon and sugar and I haven’t had that in years, it tasted scrumptious.

If you haven’t booked your holiday yet, you might want to check out the package Jet2holidays to Greece as they’re really decently priced and they include both accommodation and flights, plus you can add on transfers.

13) Snorkelling

image by Francesco

This can be done directly from most hotel beaches, or you can go on a boat trip where they will take you to areas where you can expect to see lots of fish.

In fact, we were simply jumping waves (well, mini waves) when we saw fish all around us, so you can expect to see them even when really shallow.

Of course, if you’d rather do scuba diving then this is available with a number of boat trips, but we kept ours basic as we haven’t got our PADI qualification yet, still on the bucket list.

14) Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank

Ok, when I highlight this one, I more mean the area than the bank. It was located in a beautiful square with a statue in the middle and beautiful buildings surrounding it, with the Ionian Bank museum being the most stunning.

The museum houses 2,000 items around their currency, dating all the way back to 1822, while it’s the only museum of its kind in the world.

15) Statue of Count Von Der Schulenburg

Located near the Spianada park and right alongside the Hop-on Hop-off bus stop, the statue of Count Von Der Shulenburg is a tribute to the man that helped to defend Corfu from the Turkish invasions.

The Hop-on Hop-off bus audio tape talks a bit about the history and the battles against the Ottoman empire, while this statue was created by the Italian artist Antonio Gorradini to recognise his achievements.

We may look to add more items to this list over time, so if there is anything you think should be added, please do let me know either in the comments or by email.

October 11, 2021
4 Day Maasai Mara Tour
You can’t come all the way to Kenya without planning a trip to the Maasai Mara, the kingdom of animals where you are certain to see some of the big five (if not all). Despite the vast size of the park, it is still one of your best shots of seeing all the animals, much more so than the Serengeti, while the views are profound and will leave a smile on your face.

Booking your Trip

We went with Sojourn Safaris, who were absolutely brilliant, I can’t recommend them enough. You can also find them on One Day Tours In Kenya

The trip included all transfers, guide, food, accommodation, water, park fees, all taxes/VAT. You may also want money for some alcoholic drinks, as well as tipping the driver. The driver is also your guide, who will be with you from start to end.

Day 1

We were stationed in Nairobi, however most people looking to take the tour are, so don’t worry about making your way over, this is all part of the trip, as they will pick you up from your hotel and drive you directly there. It is a bit of a hefty journey, so you will have to take off for 8am.

The drive there took around 7 hours, so make sure you have plenty of things to do in the car. During the journey, they will stop off somewhere for lunch (all included), which is served as a form of buffet, with all food included (drinks separately).

After a short break you head back on your way for the second part of the drive, until you eventually arrive at your chosen accommodation. There are various different accommodation options, as highlighted above, while we checked into the Enkorok camping lodge on our first night.
You will be given 40 minutes to drop your bags off and refresh yourself before you meet your guide at the door. You will then be taken on a late afternoon/evening game drive, which lasts around 3 hours.

You would think you might not get to see many animals in this time, well we certainly saw a hell of a lot! On our first day, we saw zebras, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, lions, wildebeests, a jackal and buffalos.

I’d recommend not spending too long taking photos of zebras, wildebeests or buffalos, as there are millions of them and you will see them non-stop throughout your visit.

The fascinating thing about the guides is they are all radio’d up to each other and speak constantly, so as soon as one spots an animal, they tell the others where to go, to increase your chances of seeing all the animals possible.

Once you return to the accommodation, dinner will be shortly prepared for you, so you will have 30-60 minutes to relax in your room or to make the most of the wifi in the reception/bar area before heading for a tasty meal.

Day 2

You’ll have an early start to the day, as you want to catch the animals while they are active. By midday, they are all hiding from the heat, resting in the shade and generally napping. For this reason, we met our guide at 6:20am to start our safari for the day, however I’d push for it to be even slightly earlier if possible. You will also have breakfast included, which will be setup from pretty early in the morning, as they are aware most will be heading off at the crack of dawn.

Unlike the day before where we ate at a local eating spot, this time they took us out to eat while in the Maasai Mara. This works from a practical point, as you’d have to drive pretty far to get to somewhere to eat, but it also felt nice to tuck into some great grub while looking around at the expansive landscape.

Day 3

Having gone to bed at 9:30pm, we were happily up bright and early for 5am, so that we could eat our breakfast early and be ready and washed for another 6:20am leave from the accommodation and on for another day of animal spotting. David, being a great tour guide, was ready and outside, waiting for the moment we were good to kick off and get the safari going.

Considering the extensive list of animals we had seen by this point, the last one on the list was the rhino. Considering they know the area they tend to hang out, it was actually quite a drive away, so we sat back as David drove us for a couple of hours to get near the area they have been spotted regularly in the past.

After a fair amount of time staring in bushes and discussing sights with other drivers, including spending some time staring at another leopard (the second we had spotted on our trip, supposedly a rare sight) we finally hit gold.

There was a black rhino, which was grazing on the hillside, occasionally coming down when the coast would clear. After plenty of photos and admiring this beautiful creature, we headed on for a few more drives to spot the animals once again, but we decided against an afternoon game drive. By this point we felt we had been very lucky and seen all the animals we could ever have hoped to see, so we headed back to our accommodation for some lunch and a good few beers in the bar (guilty).

Something Raquel had really wanted to do while in Africa was spot some monkeys, but it had seemed unlikely as they hadn’t been highlighted as a potential animal to spot by anyone. Therefore, we couldn’t believe our luck that some of them lived on the grounds of our accommodation! We headed back to the room to charge our GoPro when we saw a couple, which quickly became six, as they groomed each other just a metre away from us.

Day 4

We had the option on the final day to either try another drive around the safari or to visit the local tribe. If you try the visit to the local tribe, they will cook you their traditional dishes, dance with you and teach you about the way they live.

This sounded incredible, however we had already taken on this experience just recently so we gave it a miss, but it was amazing when we did it in the past and I do highly recommend it.

At the end, they will return you to where ever you like, so they drove us back to Nairobi airport so we could continue our Kenyan adventure and head on to Malindi.

Accommodation

As part of the tour, there are various accommodation options, from lodges to glamping (they call it camping but it certainly is a luxury tent). I’ve highlighted the main accommodation options below:
- Enkorok Camping Lodge
- Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
- Olmoran Tented Camp
- Sarova Mara Game Camp
Tipping

You need to remember to tip your driver each day. The general recommendation we received was to tip 500 Kenyan Shillings per day, however we went for 600 per day and 1,000 at the end. Tipping is always a personalised action based on your experiences and your budget available, therefore I don’t want to offer too much advice, more just a general guideline.

Animals You May See

I have written a separate guide on animals in the Maasai Mara which I recommend you reading to get a full idea of the potential creatures you will spot on your safari tour, as well as the chances and difficulty of spotting them.

The rhino is certainly the hardest to spot, while leopards are few and far between, but your chances of seeing a lion are surprisingly high! I never expected to tick of the entire big five, not to mention meerkats and ostriches.

The Vehicle

The vehicle we spent the 4 days of adventure in was a safari minivan, which is an 8 seater luxury open roof top van. There was plenty of space and some great leg room, while the top opened up meaning you can stand up and admire the animals properly.
November 3, 2019
5 Best Desserts in London You Have To Try

Growing up in London, I have inevitably written my fair share of blog posts around the capital, but I haven’t shared enough about the great food options on offer. The city has won a number of food awards, not because English food is amazing (it’s alright, it gets an unfair knock), but because we completely embrace the world’s food tastes. If I was to eat out, I would be struggling to pick between Thai, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Taiwanese or Iranian food, which says something about what is on offer down every main street. But desserts, that will be my focus for today, all those naughty treats which you have to tick off at some point during your visit to London.

The sad reality is I went to update this article from 6 years ago and 8 of the restaurants had closed down. I therefore will be looking to visit and try a number of amazing desserts so this article can be updated with some tempting options for you.

1) Gelato Croissants at Badiani

I was brought up eating croissants at Christmas (French ancestory I guess), therefore it has always been an exciting pastry for me, while combining it with ice cream is beyond creative. I loved the pistachio sauce and crumbles.

If you’re not big on croissants, then you can order a crepe, while they make an amazing crepe, chocolate sauce and ice cream dish. Plus they have gelatoshakes, if you don’t feel slightly ill by that point.

Oh, one extra note, Badiani are also dog friendly and have doggy ice cream they can sip on, so definitely bring your pooch along if you have one.

2) Cherry Bakewell at 1 Lombard Street

It should be highlighted that 1 Lombard Street has a number of tasty desserts, including a vanilla cheesecake or a sticky toffee pudding, but it is the cherry bakewell I opted for and was absolutely delighted with. Served with vanilla ice cream, there is something so tasty about a hot dessert accompanied by something cold like ice cream to contrast.

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3) Chocolate Glory at Bob Bob Ricard

Anywhere that has a selection of caviar on their menu is certainly a little more swanky, especially when they highlight ‘you don’t have to wear a tie when visiting’, but nothing on their menu compares to the chocolate glory. Costing £16 (it might be worth sharing with someone, if you can handle sharing) the BBR Signature Chocolate Glory includes a chocolate jivara mousse, chocolate brownie, berries and passionfruit and orange jelly.

I have to be honest, I also really want to try their sticky toffee pudding, as I love them, but I know it won’t have the same glamour…Who cares!

4) Citrus on the Rock at the Savoy Thames Foyer

If you visit the Savoy Thames Foyer, you can have a spin of the temptation wheel, a fun concept they have setup for their evening events. Probably the most unusual appearing option available is the Citrus on the Rock, placed upon a small iceberg. It’s a grapefruit filled with citrus mousse, candyfloss and meringue rocks, meaning you can mix sweet and sour.

They’re also famous for their traditional afternoon tea, an ideal option for something a bit classy.

5) Bubble Wrap Waffles

This restaurant is actually from Hong Kong, when in the 1950’s egg waffles first appeared. Utilising an egg shaped iron machine, there is a decent selection to pick from. I personally like the look of Oreo Crunch,
with strawberry cheesecake gelato and salted caramel.

January 1, 2026
The Best Restaurants in Brighton

I moved to Brighton in 2007, an absolute lifetime ago, while I have watched restaurants come and go, as others have stayed strong through the test of time, trying as many as possible along the way. I have split this out into different origins, as I know if you’re in the mood for a curry, then the last thing you want to hear about is the best Italian restaurant, or vice versa.

British & Steak

Whether it’s a small independent locally launched restaurant, a great steak house or a traditional British offering, we love to try it all.

Kindling

If you’re looking for a good steak then you’ve found it, as we were stunned with how nice it was at Kindling.

They also make an incredibly cheesy mac n cheese coated in crispy breadcrumbs. The brisket and jalapeno croquettes caught our attention from the menu straight away and they lived up to the hype.

Easily one of the best restaurants in Brighton, this one is a must-visit if you’ve never been before, ideal for a date night or a special occasion.

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Apiary

Apiary was launched by two beekeepers, who have introduced their passion for bees and honey into their recipes, with each dish and cocktail having a honey-aspect. They even do mead, so you can drink like a viking.

The feta cooked in honey is honestly mindblowing, I was hooked to it. I also have to highlight the chorizo croquette with extra mature cheddar and orange blossom honey. Plus the fried cauliflower was sensational. Ah so many good dishes!

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Burger & Lobster

We went to the launch of Burger & Lobster and then followed it up with a full review about a month later, where I was captivated by their truffle mac n cheese.

They run a number of cocktail deals on certain days, so keep your eyes out for that, while you should also check out their brunch menu.

The Wagyu beef croquettes were gorgeous, with cheddar cheese inside, however many people visit with the aim to eat the lobster, so you could go for the lobster croquettes, with prawns and mozzarella.

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The Ivy In The Lanes

We first went to the launch of the Ivy in Brighton a number of years back, which allowed us to try a selection of their dishes, albeit slightly tipsy on prosecco. I was therefore delighted to return again to have a proper dive into their culinary options.

The Shepherd’s pie is arguably their most famous dish and for good reason, it’s unbelievable. The Ivy Chocolate Bombe was also a very naughty treat which we loved, with honeycomb and caramel sauce on top.

They have a Sunday roast, something I’m yet to tick off, but that sounds like it would be unbelievable! They’ve got some charcuterie sharing platters if you’d rather something small to nibble on while having drinks.

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Social Board

Ideal if you’re craving a sandwich, therefore proving hugely popular with people on their lunch break from the office, the Social Board provides easily the best sandwich in town!

They even create unique options around the season, so we had a Christmas themed baguette, involving turkey and stuffing, with a gravy and cramberry dip.

The macaroni cheese bites and the beef brisket arancini balls were also amazing. I could certainly put on a fair amount of weight here!

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Asian

Easily my favourite food type, whether it’s Indian, Thai, Japanese or Vietnamese, I could live off Asian food for the rest of my life and be very happy. Brighton also has a very diverse range to pick from.

Coconut Island

We absolutely loved it at Coconut Island, they have made the venue look beautiful, they’re such nice people and the food is sensational. We visited Sri Lanka a few years back and loved the food, so we were delighted to see this open up and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

You should also try out some of their cocktails which were a great twist on some traditional options, including the pina colada from a huge pineapple.

It’s hard to truly land on the best dish, but the prawns were so tasty, as was the dhal. Kat’s favourite was the black pork, while Raquel was hooked to the Angry Bird curry. But for me, the dhal blew me away, it was so nice.

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Aberdeen Seafood

Located right along the seafront, turning right from West Street towards Hove, Aberdeen Seafood is an incredible restaurant with some great dishes such as the spicy Thai style scallops and the mesmerising wok fried seabass.

This is somewhere I’m excited to re-visit, while they also have some big screens set up and beer on tap, therefore I might have to head here with my dad the next time Liverpool are playing. Also, the owner is beyond kind, therefore you really want the restaurant to flourish.

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Ivy Asia

This restaurant impressed me from the moment I stepped through the doors, it’s absolutely beautiful, from the green marble floor to the bar area and the cherry blossom trees, it’s visually a masterpiece.

The food was also really nice, from spicy skewers to pork belly, we were captivated by it all. The Ivy Asia does run a number of lunch time deals, so if you’re locally based, you should definitely look into these, as it makes for a much cheaper option. They also run deals 4-6pm, in that ‘quiet period’, where you can get a set menu for cheaper.

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DAIU

I love a buffet, providing the food quality is good, so you often have to spend a bit extra for it to meet the quality standards. DAIU is a great buffet and offers so many different options, so nobody can moan that they don’t have something they want.

From hot pot, to BBQ with a wide selection of meats, to sushi or cooked foods, there are also vegetarian and vegan options dotted all through the buffet. Personally, I go straight for the salmon nigiri or sashimi, it just gets me every time.

You have your own heater and can cook up as much as you want, I have to say the highlight was the marinated beef, which I kept cooking up on my BBQ.

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Mr Wang Hot Pot

This was such a creative idea that I wasn’t used to, where you pick your ramen ingredients like you used to pick the pick’n’mix sweets when you were younger. They then price it up at the till and make it all for you.

There are also a number of dips and sauces at the side for free that you can add. This restaurant is located very close to Brighton station, making it ideal if you’re heading in and hungry straight away.

As you’re in complete control over what is included, I love that you don’t have to sacrifice on what you do or don’t want, no being forced to have an ingredient you’d rather avoid. I went a bit crazy with my combo, but I loved the end result.

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Italian

We recently spent a week in Italy and it really did remind me how much I love Italian food. There are so many options, including the traditional pizza and pasta dishes, but also the beautiful seafood and risotto dishes.

Rudy’s Pizza

If you’re specifically craving pizza, then this is the place to visit! I’d definitely recommend ordering the cheesy garlic bread as a starter, but be aware it’s a sharing dish, it was more like a pizza, but wow it was tasty!

The large building (in place of the old Chilli Pickle) means that there is plenty of spacing regardless of which day you visit.

The pizza dips are also really nice here, including garlic aioli, nduja aioli and chilli honey. We couldn’t pick so we ordered all three and I ended up bringing them home as they were so nice.

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Bella Italia

Bella Italia is a staple in Brighton, I remember first visiting the Brighton restaurant soon after graduating, while I remember going with my great aunt to Bella Italia in Ealing about 20 years ago.

The food has always remained a really high quality, I personally love the lasagne, while they also do some unbelievable desserts (for me it’s the sticky toffee pudding, but I always pinch a bit of the cookie dough or chocolate fudge cake off Raquel).

If you visit during the summer months, you should also check out their Spritz selection, having recently gone to Italy I have come around to Aperol and now love it in the summer.

Vegan

I might not personally be on a vegan diet, but I do love trying vegan restaurants, as I feel they’re more creative as they lose the fats and creams, therefore they look towards spices and herbs to enhance the flavour. Brighton is inevitably going to be a great city for vegan options, which I’ll aim to keep updating over time.

Bonsai Plant Kitchen

This restaurant is found just off London road, while it provides a blend of East Asian cuisine, all of which stunned us. The cauliflower bites were just incredible, we shared our video and quickly received comments from others who were addicted to them.

I also have to strongly recommend the dessert, which was a cherry ice cream and chocolate mousse, tasting similar to a black forest gateau.

They have a selection of unique cocktails, while they also have ‘specials’ to pick from, so you can enjoy some tasty tipples with your dinner.

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Nutriveo

An absolutely ideal option if you’re on a health kick, they also make an amazing latte, so it’s worth getting one when heading into town.

I often look for healthier options at lunch when I’m in Brighton, but you’re surrounded by fast food joints, therefore a place like Nutriveo was really needed. The quality also matches the image, with some unbelievable food available.

This is another small independent company which is great to support, while I also spoke to the owner who seemed incredibly nice.

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Greek

Using fresh ingredience, healthy fats and flavoursome herbs, Greek food is growing in popularity in the UK, with an increasing number of restaurants popping up around the place, as well as pop-up vans.

Whether you crave a moussaka, a gyros, baklava or even just a Greek salad, then I’ll try to highlight the best Greek restaurants in town.

Salt & Charcoal

Salt & Charcoal is found along London Road, one we had wanted to visit for a good while before finally getting the chance in February.

Prepare to fill up, as they’re not stingy with their portion sizes! They also had meat on a rotating spit, which looked mouth-wateringly good. All the meats were slow cooked and fell off the bone.

While some places give you a salad purely of lettuce and the occasional tomato or cucumber, I love how blended this salad was, plus the dips were nice to mix in.

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Latin American

Whether it’s something naughty from Mexico or a trendy Peruvian dish, or maybe a steak from Argentina, the Latin American restaurants always offer something fun for the tastebuds.

Wahaca

We have visited Wahaca a few times, trying a number of different options, while I have to give a big shout out for the cauliflower bites. This might be a reoccuring highlight, as I do love cauliflower bites!

The beef burrito is also inbelievable, plus I really enjoy the black bean and three cheese quesadilla, both will be on my future order list.

They’re also known for their margaritas, the picante one offering a nice kick to it. If you’re after something healthier then the sunshine bowl provides 30 types of plants, not bad when you consider you’re meant to get that in a week!

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Pub Grub

Pubs have a perception of delivering basic level food during the week and resurrecting their image on a Sunday with a roast dinner. But Brighton has always gone in a different direction, with the food being better than many restaurants. They often pinch the chef’s from famous restaurants in town, so it shouldn’t be surprising the food is always so good!

Boysterous Burgers

Housed at the Fountainhead pub in the Lanes, Boysterous Burgers is an amazing team creating unbelievable food, predominantly focused around burgers, hence their name.

The Korean cauliflower bites are unbelievable, while they also have the very naughty steak dirty fries, which is a meal in itself.

Don’t skip out on the dessert at the end, as they have their very own baker onhand with some unbelievable desserts.

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January 1, 2026
The Most Unique And Unusual Bars In Brighton

Sometimes a local pub just doesn’t cut it, fortunately, Brighton is home to a huge number of cool and quirky bars.

From arcade rooms to bizarre themes, I will do my best to list all of the unusual bars in Brighton and I’ll try to keep this up to date with new bar launches or changes in theme.

Blossoms

Found in the Lanes, near to the Coppa igloos is a beautifully decorated bar with flowers above the entrance and welcoming staff. Blossoms isn’t just a bar, it’s also a great place to eat if you love sushi, but it makes this list due to the stunning decor inside, from upside down umbrellas hanging from the roof to the giant bird cage.

Anywhere that sells salmon sashimi is going to get me excited, while the cocktails were incredibly creative. If you have friends or family visiting Brighton and you want to show them somewhere unique then this should be top of your list, while it’s also ideal for a birthday or a hen party.

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Barbara’s Bier Haus

Barbara’s Bier Haus has opened up on West Street, where Walkabout used to be, while it’s certainly one of the most fun bars we’ve been to in a long time. You can order a beer tower for the table (while we got ours filled with Aperol Spritz), while they have a huge karaoke room.

The whole venue has been decorated to feel like an apres ski resort, plus you can order a stein of beer (basically two pints). There are plenty of seating areas, while they will also be playing all the big live matches here. On top of that, you might want to keep your eye out for happy hour, plus they do some great pizzas in Barbara’s Bier Haus.

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Alcotraz

This was our most viewed video from our YouTube channel following our visit a few years back, an immersive experience, where you bring your own booze which they make into cocktails for you.

Being an immersive experience, this is a relatively expensive option, but is ideal for birthday parties or hen do’s. The whole show taking place around you and actively involving you lasted a couple of hours, so you’ll need a plan on which bar to go to afterwards.

It’s actually cheaper if you go on a Wednesday or Thursday instead of the weekend, so if that’s possible, it could be worth a midweek trip.

It’s also cemented itself on my list of things to do in Brighton.

Hotel Du Vin

The absolute top end in classy establishments, I’ve been to the Hotel Du Vin in Brighton and the Hotel Du Vin in Wimbledon and loved them both!

As well as the bar, there is also a really luxurious restaurant you can visit, serving French food. The exterior of the Hotel Du Vin building makes it instantly noticeable, leading onto their beer garden.

This bar is nestled in on Ship street, away from all the bustling crowds and often a bit more private, while it offers the ultimate in luxury. The frontal appearance, which you can see in the pic above, demonstrates one of the many reasons why people love this place.

The World’s End

The World’s End is located down the end of London Road, near the Joker and the Hare and Hound, which are both incredible bars as well, so you could turn your visit into a bit of a pub crawl.

The World’s End has virtual reality machines setup, however the real magic is upstairs. On top of the old school games arcade they have, the real gem in the crown is the 10 driver remote control racetrack.

The World’s Raceway is like a giant game of Scalextric, where you can all get setup into your driving seats and race each other, something me and my friends regularly do when they visit Brighton.

If you’re arriving through the week then you should be aware that the raceway doesn’t open until 6pm, but on the weekend it starts at 1pm.

UnBarred Brewery & Taproom

UnBarred is a brewery and bar in one, where you can get all their drinks freshly made, while snapping some pics of them being brewed round the back.

But this bar makes the list due to the incredibly unique drinks on offer. You can order a mango pale ale, mini bueno shake stout and a raspberry tea sour just to name a few.

Also, they allow you to either order 1/3 of a pint, ½ a pint, 2/3 pint or the whole pint. This is ideal when you want to try a lot of different drinks.

Ye Olde King & Queen

I was slightly reluctant to include this pub, as it is very much just a sports bar nowadays, however the décor and design of the Tudor style pub makes this a must.

The big screens come down for the football over the weekend, while there are also pool tables upstairs, plus a table football.

They do have function rooms that can be hired out, as well as a garden area around the side. The building has stood since 1779, so it certainly offers a huge amount of history and tradition.

Globalls Cocktail Bar

We previously went to the launch of the Globalls cocktail bar at Brighton Marina, extending on from their indoor golf course.

The UV themed venue has some bizarre wall coverings, while they plan on having a number of different events taking place, including live comedy and DJ sets.

They’re great at making neon style glasses and cocktails, which make it very Insta-photogenic, while if you can sneak in a game of crazy golf while you’re there then you can have a great time.

The only downfall is that they only have three unisex toilets, so the queues did get relatively long as the evening wore on.

North Laine Brewhouse

You may have seen Source pale ale in a bar somewhere in the UK, or Word, or Ripper, well these are all brewed at the North Laine Brewhouse, while you can see the brewing equipment behind the bar. In fact, you can also book a brewery tour and guided tasting experience.

But it’s not just the fact that it’s a microbrewery, they offer axe throwing, plus they have table tennis tables setup. They used to have bottomless brunch, but apparently that has stopped now, however you can bet your bottom dollar they will replace with some more fun activities and experiences.

The Gin Tub

It’s funny to think it was less than a decade ago that gin was ridiculed with the name ‘mother’s ruin’, yet it is the fastest growing drink now in the UK and easily one of my favourites. The Gin Tub has hundreds of different gins available to pick from, not to mention a lengthy menu of other beverages.

But the reason the Gin Tub is loved is because of their dial ‘o’ phones set on each table, where you call up to the bar to make your drink order.

There is nothing worse than queueing endlessly at the bar to get served, so being able to make a quick call without leaving your seat sounds dreamy. They also have a swing which is often featured on people’s Instagram shots.

The Paris House Le Pub

The French styled bar is designed to feel like you’re in Paris, while they often have a jazz band playing live music over the weekends.

But the reason I have to include this is, walking past this bar virtually every weekend for 2 years, there were always people doing 50’s style dancing and it seemed so incredibly lively. The atmosphere is always so friendly and it feels like something from a movie.

Plus how can I not include somewhere that offers cheese platters?

Shuffle Bar & Jukebox

Open from 5pm till midnight Monday-Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday, the Shuffle bar’s name hints to why it has made it onto this list.

You can sign into the jukebox via your phone and line up your favourite tunes, you’re in control of the music playlist, which is even better if it’s relatively quiet and you are your mates can put on your favourites.

The drink menu is predominantly cocktails, where they have all the classics, but also some very unique drinks I’ve never seen or heard of before.

Tempest

Found on the seafront on Kings Road, the Tempest is often nicknamed the ‘cave bar’ as when you take a walk inside, you feel like you’ve ventured into a cavernous area below the ground, with really cool and bizarre style booth areas.

The Tempest has a bottomless brunch, which you should book in advance, while the bar stays open till 2am on Saturday’s.

Lucky Voice

The Lucky Voice is a karaoke bar, where you can hire out booths and sing with your mates, while they have a bar area or you can order drinks directly to your booth.

I might not want to sing in front of a bar full of people, but hiring a booth means you have that element of privacy, so you can tuck into some prosecco and go for a lung bursting solo.

The Bee’s Mouth

On paper, this is a relatively small bar in Hove which you might walk right past, but inside they have a number of events, whether that’s poetry nights, life drawing or open mic nights, while they even have a cinema room downstairs playing old classics (free to watch).

I have made the mistake of forgetting where the toilet is and walking right into the cinema room, which is a little awkward, but instantly makes you want to join and watch a movie as a group.

December 21, 2025
Balancing Travel and Remote Work

The blog has been going since 2012, but it was back in 2018 when I quit my job and took on blogging full time, alongside marketing for a number of clients. I therefore had to work out how to blend travelling the world with working remotely.

Of course, that was before Covid, as the world has changed so much, technologically it’s a different place now. I remember when nobody would jump on a video call as it was too awkward, but we overcame that with Zoom’amania. But if you’re looking to mix travel and working remotely then I hope this guide will give you some tips.

Essential Tips

Working away from the office is incredibly difficult and there are a number of considerations you have to have in order to keep productivity levels high, while allowing you to experience new places and travel between destinations.

If you plan in advance for all possible outcomes, as well as backing things up for offline usage, then you can ensure your workflow remains uninterrupted even when the environment changes. Establishing consistent working methods, selecting suitable tools (I live for Trello), and preparing for logistical challenges form the foundation of successful travel-based work. Detailed planning (plus sometimes travelling at odd hours) reduces stress and enables sustained levels of performance for your boss (unless you’re the boss, then your clients) across multiple time zones and locations.

Those working in surface pattern design roles can benefit from locations that provide stable work settings and reliable digital infrastructure. Integrating opportunities such as surface pattern design positions into travel planning helps you to maintain a strong continuity of work while exploring new places.

Avoiding Burnout

Suffering burnout in my 20’s often led me to jump on a plane and explore the world. But even working while travelling, something people often wish for, can leave you excessively burnt out.

You have to fit your travel plans, exploring attractions and sights which often leads to 20k steps a day, balanced with a heavy work schedule.

It’s important to set out a realistic breakdown beforehand. If you’re working for a normal office job, see if you can switch to part time hours, they may accept just working the mornings, or you could drop to 2-3 days a week, therefore you’re still bringing some money in to fund your activities.

You also want to consider the accommodation you’re staying in. I often stayed in hostels while travelling, but if working remotely, I don’t know how I could handle the snoring and people coming back drunk and making noise. It’s fine when you’re all partying together, very different when you’re working alongside travelling.

Stop Always Thinking of Travel as a Holiday

Identifying the distinction between work travel and leisure prevents any unrealistic expectations that might sneak in. Travelling in a remote-work context demands time management, workspace planning, and task prioritisation, something I had to learn over time. I often stay in a hotel for work and my evening can disappear watching rubbish on TV, when I’ve forgotten to save my Netflix login, or plan for something entertaining in my evening.

Consider time zones

Having a client in the USA was a nightmare, fortunately they spent a lot of time in France so it wasn’t too bad for me, but when they were in the USA, one of us always had to take the meeting at an obscure time and more often that fell on me.

Understanding the time zone difference and working out an appropriate time in advance for calls is crucial. Say for example, Thailand is 7 hours ahead of the UK, so if you were over in Koh Samui and had a client in the UK, then you might want to state meetings can only happen in the morning, say between 9-10am, so that for you it’s between 4-5pm.

Home Exchange

A home exchange arrangement is an increasingly popular option, but you simply don’t know what facilities they may have in place, from desk space (they may have their own desktop there or simply not have a spare table) to WiFi facilities. Having said that, a kitted out home tends to have better facilities than a hotel, especially when it comes to internet connection in most countries. The environment should support focused work, including desk availability, noise levels, and reliable connectivity. Understanding the logistics of another person’s home enhances preparation and ensures a consistent workflow.

Get A Decent Phone Contract

Make sure you have a good option for roaming, mine offers it for free in the EU but I had to negotiate to get that included and I have to re-demand it every year which is annoying. Also, having a decent amount of data is critical when you don’t always have access to WiFi. You’ll be using it for both your worklife and your travelling life, so it will be double-important.

Maintain a routine and schedule.

Easier said than done, but setting up a level of routine and sticking to it is key. It can be tempting to let the work slip when on the road, but you don’t want that sneaking in, as it can be a hard habit to get out of. Treating it like you have set work hours, like back home, means you don’t allow it to pile up on you, leaving you stressed and again feeling burnt out.

Equally, you should build in breaks like you would when working at an office and needing a lunch break or a coffee break.

December 2, 2025
Hiking In Sussex – The Best Routes

The moment I turned 30, something changed in me, I went from a country walk being something my mum forced us to do every Christmas, to being something I loved, as a way to get away from a screen, catch up with an old mate and clear my head of stress while embracing some beautiful views.

Now over the past 8 years, me and my mate Matt meet up once a month to head for a hike and Sussex has some amazing locations for this, whether it’s Ditchling Beacon or heading up to the Ouse Valley Viaduct.

Below I wanted to share some tips around hiking in Sussex, from what to wear to where to go.

Jack and Jill Windmills

A short distance from us is the Jack and Jill Windmills in Hassocks, a beautiful area and a relatively easy walk. You can go right up close to the windmills, while if you fancy it you can walk along the Ditchling Beacon, meaning you double up and tick off two great scenes.

This is a great circular route, while if you don’t have a car then you can take the train to Hassocks station and you can easily reach this route in no time. You’ll also pass Dew Pond with the lone tree, a famous spot along the route, as seen in the pic above.

Bolney

Bolney is a small village in West Sussex and it provides a great spot for a country walk, dropping your car off near St Mary Magdalene church.

Plus, once you reach the Bolney Wine Estate, you can always stop off for a few drinks or to pick up a bottle. The one issue we had was not wanting to carry a bottle all the way back to the car, so you could always make this your start and ending point.

We walked North from the church until we reached Mill Pond in Slaugham, which is a nice view to look out at. You walk through hills and fields around Warninglid, the most bizarre name for an area I’ve ever seen.

Seven Sisters

The Cuckmere river trail takes you down from the bus stop, which you catch from Seaford, down towards Cuckmere Haven Beach, where you can look out or climb uip Seve Sisters, somewhere I visited regularly a few years back.

This isn’t just a great place to walk, we also tried kayaking along the river which was so calm and serene. Being able to combine a hike up hills with relaxing on the beach is quite a contrast to most of the walks I’ve done around Sussex and certainly is a big appeal to visiting the area.

If you really want to push yourself, you can then walk up to the more wooden area around Westdean and through the Cuckmere Meanders.

Getting The Right Gear

When I first started out, I was wearing old trainers where the base was damaged and they had no grip as I walked up muddy hills. I had a rucksack with no straps meaning I would get back ache. I also had jackets that were either too thick and heavy, or I’d bring something light and get chilly at the top. I’ve learned a lot since then and now see the value in getting specialist items, something I often ask for Christmas.

When it comes to a bag, this SpeedPro race pack might be built for runners, but I think it’s ideal for hikers. I hate having to chuck water in a backpack and constantly stopping to get it out or keeping a small bottle in my pocket, so being able to have a sip at any point from keeping it on the handles is amazing.

It also folds up incredibly small, ideal for when you want to bring it somewhere, such as on holiday. Being waterproof, it’s ideal with the British weather which is never fully on our side. Also, as you strap it around your chest, it moves the weight from being on your lower back and means you finish your hike without aches and pains in your back, something I used to struggle with.

The next consideration is the jacket. You want something that will keep you nice and warm, especially once you’re up the peak, as the wind speeds pick up. You want something that can handle all types of weather, but you also want something light-weight in case it gets warmer and you have to hold it. This is a bit of a headache as it’s hard to find something ideal for every weather. But the Ultralite by Mac in a Sac is just that.

It’s breathable, something you really need when walking for hours, while it handled all the weather conditions that were thrown at me. Being windproof, it meant it never felt that cold, which is ideal for a thin jacket. It can also fold up very small, ideal if you want to pack it away afterwards when it gets a bit warmer.

They have an option for men and women, Raquel loved her navy blue one, while it’s also available in neon watermelon pink or white.

You can also get matching Ultralite trousers, which are lightweight and again windproof and waterproof. In case you end up venturing into the night, the trousers also have reflecting detailing, so people can spot you from their car lights. The fully taped seams also helps to prevent any heat from escaping or the wind sneaking in.

While I’m not someone that wears hats or caps, Matt always does, as the sun can burn his head in the summer and it gets colder in the winter months. While his main option is often a toasty beanie, this Ultralite Cap is a great warm weather option, as it folded up so small and barely weighted a thing, while it was waterproof and unbelievably breathable.

November 23, 2025
Free Things To Do In Brighton – Brighton On A Budget
So you’ve come down to Brighton for a nice break away, but you’re wanting to keep the purse strings tight. Well I can certainly help there! Brighton has a huge array of activities and attractions you can see and get involved with at zero cost.

So welcome to the budget guide of Brighton! Of course, if you’re not working to a budget and simply want to see the best activities and experiences the city has to offer, then check out my guide on the best things to do in Brighton.

The Rockery

This is our ultimate hidden gem in Brighton. Most people visiting Brighton for the day will stay within the centre, not going as far as Preston Park, but if you do take the 19 minute walk North (or get off at Preston Park station and walk down), you will find a beautiful garden called the Rockery.

Landscaped by Captain B Maclaren in 1935, the Rockery has a lake with stepping stones going over, while you can walk up to the top to see views across city.

There is even a little waterfall going down the rockery, leading down to the lake. You will also find a little bridge half way up, which makes for some great photos.

In the lake you will find frogs and newts, while the lack of crowds here means you will often have the entire Rockery to yourself, something I hope doesn’t change by me advertising the area.

The Rockery is right alongside Preston Park, which is a mega sized park in itself, so you can tick two birds with one stone (plus it includes a public toilet).

Explore The Harbour At Brighton Marina

When we were going through lockdown, me and Raquel loved getting the rental bikes and going from central Brighton along the seafront on the Undercliff, where there are no cars, along to Saltdean.

However, during our bike rides, we’d always stop off at the harbour, as it was a really relaxing place to visit, while if you’ve never been before then it’s definitely something that should make your list.

As it’s a little bit out of town, the majority of people I meet who visit Brighton claim they’ve never been to the Marina, so I’d like to push more people to head over and give it a try.

You can walk along the coastline to the marina, but if you don’t mind spending a bit of money, you can catch the 7 bus from Brighton station to the marina.

The Lanes

The Brighton Lanes is the swankiest area in town, containing pretty little cafes, a few traditional pubs, twisting alleyways and for some reason, a bizarrely large amount of jewellery stores (this is where I bought my own wedding ring from).

The Lanes are a great place to walk through and explore, with no cars around. You don’t have to be a fan of shopping, it’s purely about exploring the bizarre store windows.

Sadly, Choccywoccydoodah has shut down, which was arguably the highlight of the Lanes, but I wanted to point out my best bits:
- The street art, including the giant Alice in Wonderland
- Kindling – an amazing steakhouse
- The Pump House – a pub which is the oldest building in Brighton
- Permit Room – Indian restaurant based on Dishoom
- Burger and Lobster – Great for meat & seafood fans
Of course, my highlights are purely around places that will cost, but you have to stop somewhere to eat and I can highly recommend the above options.

Street Art Tour of Brighton

I’m not talking about messy graffiti and tags, I’m talking about the stunning street art that coats many of the walls in Brighton, which help to express people’s creativity and talent.

I have tried to include the main roads below which I know about, but it feels like every day I walk past a different key piece of street art.
- Trafalgar lane
- Prince Albert pub – Trafalgar Street / Frederick Place
- A270 road from Hobgoblin pub
- St Peter’s street
- Kingsbury street – Seascape Hen House Bruno Mural
- Viaduct road – Family Guy house
If you want to see what some of it looks like, have a read of my guide to street art in Brighton.

Table Tennis

There are a couple of table tennis tables dotted across the city, but the best are at Brighton Marina. You do have to bring along your own bat and balls, but the tables are in good condition and this is a great calorie burner while having fun.

Me and Raquel got in a habit of doing this on our lunch breaks after a quick cycle over. You also never have to queue for a game, I’ve never really seen them used (except by us). If you’re visiting the Marina then make sure to check out our list of the best things to do in Brighton Marina.

Booth Museum

The Booth is a natural history museum, including fossils, butterflies and birds, found alongside Hove Green on Dyke road.

With over half a million specimen available to see, this is a bit of a hidden gem in Brighton, great for a family trip. It comes at zero cost, but they do accept donations of course.

Founded in 1874, this building has stood the test of time, previously a private collection of Edward Thomas Booth, who was fascinated by birds.

The museum is closed on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, while it’s open on the weekend from 10am till 5pm. Your best route is normally to walk here, but you can catch the 27 and 77 bus if you’d prefer.

The Open Market

Found half way along the busy London Road, the Open Market hosts a number of local businesses and on the weekends you will see stands setup by businesses with sustainably sourced products.

It’s a great place to explore, but it won’t take you long to get from one side to the other, however you should stop off at Smorls to get some Thunder houmous and falafels.

We first came across Smorls on the Brighton Food Tour, highlighting it as a local, independent business, while the garlicy houmous had us hooked instantly.

This one won’t take you that long, while I wouldn’t go massively out of your way to visit if you’re not planning on heading this way, as it is a little disappointing as markets go, but you can stop off here on your way to the Rockery, passing through London road.

Brighton Music Hall

Found at the Kings Road Arches on the seafront, the Brighton Music Hall normally has a live performance if you visit over the weekend in the summer.

Whether you want to get some beers from the bar or just want to relax nearby at no cost, this is a relaxing way to spend some time near the seafront.

It was also the common scene of local legend Disco Pete, who would rave it up to the music each weekend, however he sadly passed away at the age of 84.

You can now order your drinks on the app, it’s not the quickest service, so you can just walk up to the bar and order directly, but it’s nice to have both options.

The Beach

The biggest attraction to Londoners wanting to escape for the day with a short one hour train journey, the beach offers a feeling of being on holiday without having to jump on a plane.

If you walk straight down from Brighton station along Queen’s Road and West street, then you will be at the most busiest part of the beach, but keep walking along in either direction and it does get a bit calmer.

I’ve always loved going along to Hove beach, near Hove Lawns, which is an equally nice place to relax in the summer.

With the Pier standing in the water, holidaymakers enjoying fish and chips, people pretending the water isn’t freezing and jumping in, the i360 slowly lifting up and the view of the derelict West Pier, Brighton beach is certainly that little bit magical…If you don’t arrive when the crowds have completely taken over.

I’d recommend avoiding a Saturday in the middle of the summer, try to get down to the beach early in the morning on a weekday, it will be much calmer.

North Laine

Notice the different spelling between the Lanes and the North Laine, for some reason it is a massive pet peeve for people in Brighton, something I have tripped up on a few times since I moved here 16 years ago.

But I have to say, I much prefer walking along the North Laine, as the shops are beyond bizarre. Below are some of the best:
- Bonsai-Ko – if you fancy taking on a tiny plant which requires a lot of maintenance then I tip my hat, but I prefer just to pop in and admire them. Simply stunning.
- Snoopers Paradise – Found on Kensington Gardens, this bizarre store contains seemingly anything and everything over 30 years old, from old-school cameras to jewellery and paintings of someone you don’t know. This store is incredible to wander around, you find yourself lost in it all.
- White Rabbit pub – a great place to stop for some lunch and a pint, or maybe a Sunday roast.
- Bert’s – Sure, this isn’t one of the independent stores, but Raquel loves Bert’s, with all the little gadgets and kitchen utensils that are fun to sift through.
- Oddballs – Juggling balls, skateboards and rollerskates, this shop certainly ticks the unique box.
- Brighton Sausage Co – an independent store selling locally sourced meats and cheeses, with some award winning cheese in store.
- Dave’s Comics – If you’re a child, a grown-up child or looking after a child then this is worth a visit. Each time I walk past, I feel like a kid again and just want to buy it all.
- Dirty Harry – set over two floors, this store often has the clothing rails outside with shirts on it, but I would recommend going indoors and looking through the entire collection.
- To Be Worn Again – another interesting clothing store based on Sydney Street like Dirty Harry, again, this is set over two floors and I’d recommend walking around inside.
- Mad Hatters – Because how can you visit Brighton and not buy a hat? A huge collection of hats, from all different eras and styles.
- Oliver’s Brighton – For the little budding wizard in you, Oliver’s Brighton will bring out your inner child as you look through all of the magical items available.
- Komedia – Brighton’s biggest comedy club, you can get a great deal for Thursday’s on Group-on, or at least you could back in the day, I used to go a couple of times per month, watching small time comedians having their big breaks.
Brighton Pier

Warning, I’ve included this one, but there is now a £2 charge to go on the Pier (still comes under ‘budget’ but not ‘free’). However, if you’re local and bring along evidence such as a bill with your address, you can still go on for free.

At first, I was reluctant to include this one, as everything on the Pier costs money, but the reality is it’s free to walk on the Pier and you can walk around having plenty of fun taking it all in without spending a penny.

The biggest attractions to the Pier are the arcade games and the big rides at the end, however you could easily just walk through and get some great photos of Brighton beach.

If you do feel like spending a bit, you can get a wristband for the rides online, which will give you unlimited goes. As a ride costs £5 and the wristband is £26 (£21 for children), you can quickly get your moneys worth if you keep going on them. Having said that, the prices have shot up, considering I paid £17 about 5 years ago, a jump of 52%, a bit naughty in my eyes.

Undercliff Walk

I covered how we get to Brighton Marina at the start, using the undercliffs, however even if you don’t stop off at Brighton Marina, the Undercliffs offer a great walking route away from all the crowds.

You can walk along the front with no cars, passing by Rottingdean and then it finally ends in Saltdean.

Many people spot seals as they take this walk, but despite going along here hundreds of times, I’m still yet to see one, damn my luck!

You can rent bikes at the start, which can make the journey a bit quicker to get from one side to the other.

Brighton Flea Market

The Brighton Flea Market is found on Upper St James’s Street in Kemptown, to the left of the Pier, where you can look through the bizarre mismatch of items.

The stock seems to change regularly, while the staff are really friendly, so don’t hesitate to ask them any questions about what they have in store.

If you do head over this way, you’re also nearby Sawadee, therefore you could stop off there for lunch, or get a pint at the Sidewinder.

Pavilion Gardens

The Royal Pavilion is a beautiful part of Brighton, often used as the symbol to represent the city, while the gardens surrounding the Royal Pavilion is a great place to stop for some lunch or to explore if you’ve never been before.

Also, in the summer time, there will often be live music being placed by local artists, or sometimes whole percussion groups are setup here.

The Grade II listed building holds some unbelievable art, which is normally housed in Buckingham palace, while the gardens are free to walk around. There is also a café in case you fancy stopping off for a coffee.

Brighton Fishing Museum

This independent museum doesn’t charge for entry, but as always, they would hugely appreciate your donations when visiting.

Considering the fishing industry background of Brighton, this is a museum that highlights the seaside history and contains a 27 foot boat, as well as various photographs and prints.

Found at the Kings Road Arches on the seafront, the museum is open between 10am and 5pm each day.

Martlets Hospice Art Trails

I remember these snails being placed all over the city, it was a very curious thing when you didn’t know the context. These giant statues, all with different designs on them, were placed everywhere in the city and maps popped up online so you could explore and see them all.

The year after, it was dogs with art on them, then we had Shaun the Sheep. After they’ve been up a period of time, they’re normally auctioned off, with many companies in Brighton then bidding and keeping one in-house for people to see when they visit.

It’s a really nice community project and it’s a great family friendly activity, plus it gives you a chance to see areas of Brighton you might not have seen before. Plus it gives the kids a very important distraction and aim for the day.

Basketball Near The Beach

I annoyingly didn’t turn my camera and take a picture (who knew I needed one), but there is a basketball court near the beach which is always popular. I can’t say I’m any good, but if this sounds fun, you’d be delighted to know there is no charge at all to play, just bring your ball along.

You may have to wait your turn or ask to join in, as it normally has 3-8 people on the court, but they’re not playing proper games, just throwing into the net for fun.

Stanmer Park

There are a good few decent parks that could be put on this list, but I’m highlighting Stanmer Park due to the size of it, seen as the ‘gateway to the South Downs’.

Designed in the 18th century, you’ll also find the Grade I listed Stanmer House in the grounds, while there is also a café you can relax in for a coffee and a wee break (yep, public toilets too).

The area is around 5,000 acres, while it’s located West of Sussex University, meaning it is on the brink of leaving town, so you’ll need a bus to get out here from the station, being a 25, or you can take a train to Falmer and walk for 16 minutes to get there.

It’s free to enter Stanmer Park, while you can enjoy a homemade soup at the café with some sourdough bread. You can park your car around here, but it does cost (I’m not a driver so I don’t know the specifics, but people moan about it being pricey).

The walks are normally pretty quiet, except for the occasional dog walker, which is a contrast to most areas in and around Brighton.
November 22, 2025
Why a Motorhome Is Tempting Us
A long time ago I was a backpacker, staying in hostels for incredibly low prices. As I turned 30, this became hotels, as I started to enjoy the finer things in life. Every trip revolved around booking stays, scanning ratings, checking in and out like clockwork. They always started with a confirmation email and ended with a checkout bill. However, recently we have been contemplating whether something like a caravan might offer a different way of having a UK holiday, especially now we have dogs.

We bought a motorhome, hit the road, and haven’t looked back. This isn’t a travel trend piece; it’s our story of how swapping hotels for a motorhome changed how we live, work, and see the world. Let me tell you why it became one of the best travelling decisions of our lives and can be yours as well!

Why a Motorhome Could Change Our Travelling Experiences

For us, a motorhome could unlock a life where travel and home are the same thing. We could give up the predictability of hotels for the unpredictability of the road, and that unpredictability has been tempting with two dogs, one of which is very anxious and we hate leaving at home with a dog sitter.

We could wake up in places we choose, not places we booked because they were available or near to a station or airport. Our expenses could go towards experiences rather than lavish hotel rooms and overpriced breakfasts consisting of croissants and fruit.

So below are some of the main motives for us:
1. Freedom To Travel On A Budget
One of the best things when swapping to a motorhome is that you’re able to travel whenever you want, not sticking to off-season around school holidays or avoiding popular dates in the calendar (e.g. Edinburgh Fringe Festival sees a 1,000% increase in hotel prices). It’s not just the room charges, but meals, laundry, tips, and parking. Every new city meant starting over.

In contrast, a motorhome is a one-time investment that keeps paying back in experiences. The expenses shift from ‘nightly rates’ to manageable monthly costs, which includes fuel, campsite fees and occasional maintenance.
1. Freedom To Travel At Your Own Pace
This was another perk of travelling in a motorhome, where there is the liberty to travel slowly, without rushing to hotel checkouts. So, we get enough time to explore towns at our own pace and get enough time to explore and connect with local culture (I do love a cooking class as well when visiting a new place).
1. Get Home-Like Privacy And Comfort While Travelling
Initially, we were nervous about the idea of giving up hotel comfort, but with two dogs we can’t always find one that’s dog friendly. Would we miss the clean sheets, the room service etc? We worry that living in a small motorhome would mean living cramped, maybe getting stressed at each other or feeling like we can’t do our own things.

Instead of worrying about limitations, we are focusing on designing a motorhome according to our aesthetic tastes and comfortable sections for sleeping, cooking, and even a tiny living room section. Every meal could taste like home because it was cooked at home (sort of). It isn’t luxury in the traditional sense, but it does mean we can make health meals that are tasty and don’t have to spend a fortune in restaurants every night.
1. We Could Work While Travelling
This is a big appeal (providing we can get the internet to work). We both work remotely, so the idea of heading to a new place, then setting up our laptops and working, but then getting to do what we want from 5pm in a new town is quite exciting. Especially if that town happens to be filled with hills that we can take the dogs. We could stop at places during our lunch break, enjoy views, and then start to travel and work simultaneously. This kind of freedom is quite thrilling.

Most motorhomes have a small desk where we could sit and work while enjoying the outside views. While sometimes the Wi-Fi drops or the weather turns tricky, but honestly, we’d still pick this over hotel conference rooms any day.

What Problems You Might Face While Swapping To A Motorhome And How To Fix Them

While travelling in a motorhome has its own perks, we cannot overlook its potential shortcomings. Well, these challenges can be solved with smart planning and actions if we consider them from the start. There are flat tyres, leaky sinks and times when finding a good parking spot takes hours. We hadve to learn basic maintenance skills, understand our vehicle’s limits, and plan routes more carefully. Some days might be tiring, but the satisfaction of solving problems on the road is something no hotel could ever teach us.

Another important thing is that when your home moves with you, insurance becomes your lifeline. It makes sense to get a comprehensive Motorhome Insurance in 2025 to ensure everything is covered, from basic fixes to the really important bits.

We compared multiple plans, checked exclusions carefully, and have found a good few that fit our travel pattern and what we require, but it is certainly worth doing the research beforehand. Having that safety net lets you travel with true peace of mind, knowing that if something unexpected happens, your journey won’t end there. It doesn’t just cover accidents but also protects your personal belongings, roadside assistance, and even third-party liability if something happens at a campsite.
November 12, 2025
Having A Vegas Experience Outside Of The USA

Ever since the USA became a bit…Well, let’s just put it this way, I don’t know anyone who plans on visiting until they remove their leader from power. What that does mean is that many people’s travel plans has to change. No more partying in New Orleans, no more nature around San Francisco and no more casinos in Vegas.

So I wanted to highlight some great options available to you away from the USA, so if you want that Las Vegas experience or stag do destination, then hopefully you can still find the right spot, even if you can’t find an Elvis to marry you off.

Monte Carlo

This isn’t a new spot, far from it, as the Casino de Monte Carlo actually opened its doors back in 1863, which is actually before Vegas even existed! You heard that right, up until 1905 it was just a desert, when the railroad brought people in from LA and Salt Lake City.

But the image of Monte Carlo is drastically different. This isn’t an area where you spot people wandering into casinos in their shorts, Hawaiian shirts and loose flip flops. You will most certainly get rejected at the doors if you’re not dressed up smart.

Think tuxedos and cocktail dresses in most places, like something out of a movie. But as Monaco isn’t very big, it also makes most of this walkable, meaning you can hop along from place to place and tick them all off within a day or two. You’ll also be a close walk from your hotel.

This location shoots up in price around the Formula 1 season, when it comes to Monaco, so you may want to consider this if you don’t want to be shafted on price with hotel rooms.

Monte Carlo also won’t have the famous clubbing scene that people think of with Las Vegas, there is more of a focus on the beautiful architecture and Michelin restaurants.

Prague

Prague is another great spot to consider. The prices are exceptionally low, whether we’re talking about accommodation, food & drinks or transport. But they have a wealth of casinos and activities available to you.

The dress code is certainly slightly more chilled here than Monte Carlo, they still expect you to look relatively smart, but you’re not required to turn up in a suit or tuxedo. They do prefer you wearing a shirt though.

The whole city is walkable, while you can enjoy some really unique experiences during the day, such as a beer bath or admiring the bizarre statues. In fact, I’d recommend you have a read of my list of the best things to do in Prague if you’re going to visit any time soon.

The main sites include Casino Admiral, Banco (in the Old Town), King’s in the Hilton and Atrium in Hotel Ambassador.

Malta

If Europe has a digital Vegas, it’s Malta. In fact, it has even been nicknamed the Silicon Valley of iGaming, which should tell you everything you need to know. It’s this mix of physical locations and the online industry that makes this a great spot for those that like to have a flutter on some games.

But why Malta is so great is it’s also such a beautiful area. You could combine these activities with a trip to the beach, snorkel around the Blue Lagoon, dive to a shipwreck or even see the scenery used for Gladiator.

In fact, Malta has been a hubspot for a lot of movie and TV sets, including Game of Thrones, Troy and World War Z.

Going back to the gaming world, the big global conferences also take place here, including SiGMA, iGaming Next and the ESG Summit.

While the prices are very low here compared to the UK or USA, they’re still a step up from Prague. There are also a number of Poker games and live events going on throughout Malta.

The Digital Casino Culture of Europe

Travelling across Europe today, you will most certainly notice a pattern. The casino culture is expanding and growing exponentially. London is inevitably high on many people’s list if they want a reputable casino and everything that comes with it, including the lights and glamour, plus a lot of champagne.

Latvia is also becoming a popular spot for stag groups who want to try something a bit different and like to visit a casino on their big weekend away.

Maybe the surprise package for gaming seems to be Sweden, where it’s going through the roof. This is a mix between digital and physical locations, with regular gaming events now taking place. I do like that these locations all have responsible regulations in place though, such as deposit caps and restrictions in place.

Tips for Travellers Who Want The Vegas Experience

I get it, you wanted to go to the USA along route 66. I did it when I was about 24 and loved every minute of it, staying in Hooters hotel and hanging out with my close friends. Europe is a great spot, as previously discussed, while the rules vary drastically across areas of the Middle East, so make sure to read up before you go so you don’t get yourself in any trouble.

I find it crazy that so much of it is now streamed on Twitch, that feels like a whole new world to me that I haven’t yet come round to, but I get the appeal.

If you want to really build some atmosphere, some of the best non UK casino sites even stream from studios styled after real European venues, giving you the sound, lighting, and atmosphere of a classic casino without leaving your hotel room.

You could also setup your own themed night with your pals at home. You can get fun sets for around £20-£40, then kit yourself up and tell everyone to dress up smartly. If you really want to push the boat out, you could even hire a mixologist for the evening! Of course, that only works if you fancy covering the drink costs for everyone.

November 3, 2025
Exploring Ireland on a Tight Budget

I spent my University years living with Irish people, who kept insisting I come over to visit them in Mayo, something I wish I did more, as Ireland is such an amazing place with friendly people and captivating sights, with all its emerald fields, wild cliffs, and packed pubs.

Ireland might not seem like the cheapest destination in Europe, especially if you’ve ever drunk in Dublin (wow the beer is pricey), but if you know where to look and how to travel around, you can stretch your budget quite comfortably.

This isn’t a luxury guide filled with five-star hotels and fancy tours, albeit I do love a bit of luxury now I’m in my late thirties. This is the scrappy, real, slightly muddy, and wonderfully unpredictable side of Ireland.

Travelling Without Breaking The Bank

Transportation is usually what eats up the majority of costs when you head to a new country. Well, if you plan on travelling around. It’s not like you’re visiting South East Asia and can stay on overnight coaches for £1. But in Ireland, with a bit of careful planning, you can get around for a fraction of what you’d expect.

If you’re visiting the big cities, such as Dublin, Cork or Galway, then long distance buses like Citylink, Aircoach, or Bus Éireann can cost as little as €10–15 if you book them early. For even cheaper options, try FlixBus, which now connects smaller towns on their routes, or you can also hop on community-run bus lines, but I can’t tell you what those are like from personal experience.

Another great option is to use a Leap Card. The TFI Leap Card is reusable, while you pre-pay for your travel and it’s valid for multiple transport modes including buses, trains, trams and some commercial operators. You just top it up at the start and then can tap away, while it will work out the best price for your journey, or you can pay for a set period, such as a monthly travel pass.

I mean, if you want to embrace the 60’s, you could try hitchhiking. My old Uni mate does this regularly on the way to festivals, but I’ve never been brave enough to give it a try.

Cycling also works perfectly, plus it allows you to look out at the sights and take any route you fancy that day, rather than being stuck to the limitations of bus or train routes. Many towns in Ireland offer bike rentals for a few euros a day, such as DublinBikes in the capital. Of course, that one is limited to staying within the city rather than travelling around the country. At least you can feel good about your carbon footprint and the calorie burning if you do rent the bike over a car or train.

Where To Stay

Alright, I love a cosy bed with lavishly soft pillows and a nice breakfast in the morning, but you really don’t have to be fancy.

Staying in hostels during my travels has been some of the best fun I’ve ever had. I have done this in countries across the world, including at home in Brighton while waiting to move home. You get the chance to mingle with other people travelling in the community area, allowing you to make friends who you can enjoy a few drinks with that evening or adventure out together during the day.

Prices for hostels are very low, generally around €15–20 per night, sometimes including breakfast and almost always with free Wi-Fi.

In Dublin, there are a few good options, such as Latroupe Jacobs, Generator and Gardiner House Hostel. If you head over to Cork, then you should check out Sheila’s hostel as a great low cost option, or you might want to stay at the amazingly named Bru Bar & Hostel, which gets pretty wild at times, so only ideal if you plan on drinking and staying up.

In Galway, you’ll find Woodquay hostel, which has a nice atmosphere, or Galway City Hostel with identical prices and high ratings, while being very central.

If you don’t mind mosquitos and fancy bringing a sleeping bag and tent then you could look into camping and glamping spots. Ok, maybe not glamping if on a tight budget, as some of those options are more than a 5 star hotel! But camping has and always will be a great option if you’re working to a small budget. This also offers you the chance to get in touch with nature and cook outside.

Back in my youth, I also used to use Couchsurfing. I would always stress caution, as you don’t know truly if you’re meeting who it says or what the scenario is, as I’ve been messed around before. But I’ve also met some great people and it has been nice meeting people in a new city while also not costing me a penny.

Food Costs

Whether it’s a Boxty, Colcannon, Champ, a full Irish breakfast or a stew, Irish food is amazing, but also it doesn’t have to cost much either. I mean, when you look at those meals, they’re largely made up of basic low-cost ingredients, meaning the prices can drop quite low if you search around.

As mentioned earlier, you can find places to stay which include breakfast, removing one aspect of your costs.

You can also raid some supermarkets for their meal deal offers, or even head there in the evening to pick up some options from the reduced section. The food won’t be past it’s date, while you can often get a sandwich for 10 cents! The hard part is cooking facilities if staying in a hotel, but if you’re in a hostel then you should have access to a kitchen, as most offer this amenity.

In fact, hostels will often have left over food available, which I used to make the most of in my travelling days.

One great option if you want luxury without a huge cost is to check the prices of a carvery. Some aren’t too pricey and you can go up multiple times for the side dishes, meaning plenty of potatoes, carrots and parsnips to fill you up.

Low Cost Activities

Well you’re not going to travel all the way over to Ireland and not try anything! You want to embrace every experience possible while there.

Walking along the cliff paths is also amazing, something I love doing along the South Coast of the UK. You could do the Howth cliff walk in Dublin, the Bray to Greystones walk in Wicklow or Westport Greenway walk in Mayp, all are free and offer stunning views.

Inevitably, museums are a brilliant option, as many are free, but remember they survive on donations which you should really give, even if it’s not huge.

Start with the National Museum of Ireland, which has free admission and beautifully curated exhibits on archaeology, natural history, and design. Then you might also want to check the National Gallery of Ireland, as well as Chester Beatty library while you’re in Dublin.

You could also check out the Spanish Arch & Galway City street buskers for a truly historic spot.

Depending on what time of year you arrive, there may be a festival taking place, which can include street shows, parades and live events.

If you want to try winning some money and seeing if it can fund the whole trip, then you could try €1 deposit casino Ireland sites, where a single euro can stretch the night’s fun.

Just remember the golden rule: keep it light. Online gaming, like travel itself, is about the experience, not the outcome. The joy is in trying something new while you’re far from home.

After a long day of hiking, visiting plenty of attractions and sights, as well as eating absolutely everything possible, most backpackers just want to relax and recover. Maybe you’ll be sitting in the hostel lounge, the rain tapping against the window, your phone in hand, and that familiar travel buzz still in your veins.

Some grab a deck of cards and play with their new found mates, some join a pub quiz at a local pub to test out their knowledge, while others may just want to watch sunset. Whatever you pick, I hope you have an amazing holiday in Ireland!

November 3, 2025
The Best Steakhouses In The UK

Ever since visiting Argentina, I’ve been fascinated by steakhouses. The USA was also home to a huge number of steakhouses in almost every city I visited, but I came back to the UK and could barely find any.

So after much investigation, I’ve written up a list of the best steakhouses in the UK, so you can get your meat on!

1) Flat Iron – Brighton (and London)

Available in 15 locations across london, plus in Newcastle, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Cambridge, while the London Bridge venue is arguably the most illustrious. However, I’m delighted to say they recently opened their doors in Brighton and it truly lived up to the expectation.

They have a Wagyu steak of the day, while we went for sirloin which was beautifully done and so tender. The beef they serve has been ‘grown in extensive or regenerative systems’ from UK farms. They also have some scrumptious sides, such as the garlic mash and truffled macaroni cheese.

I also have to say their Aperol Bellini was devilishly nice, I really want to return and try out a good few of the cocktails as the Drunken Mule does sound nice as well, plus I need to give the homemade beef dripping chips a try when I go back.

Founded by Charlie Carroll in Shoreditch (of course, it seems to be the birth place of the best steakhouses in London), the prices are very reasonable compared to some of the alternative restaurants in London. As they say, ‘remarkable steak, accessible to all’.

2) Kindling – Brighton

Raquel highlighted this as her favourite steak of all time, therefore it inevitably had to come high on our list for the best steakhouses in the UK.

Using premium cuts of British beef and cooked to perfection, the team at Kindling are masters of the arts, while you can order a sharing roast if you’d rather feast with your partner or friends. It’s also worth highlighting their sides, which are mouthwateringly good, I was hooked to the macaroni cheese with sage crisps and pangrattato.

Found on East Street in the Lanes, this beautiful restaurant is a must visit if you’re heading to the South Coast.

3) Hawksmoor – London

It should be stated that Hawksmoor can be found in a number of locations, including Edinburgh and Manchester, however it has a number of famous restaurants in London which are known to be incredibly glamorous.

Starting off in Shoreditch, it quickly became the leading steakhouse in London, which isn’t a small claim to fame when you consider how many the big city has!

Offering a fillet, rib-eye, sirloin or rump, the prices will vary between £22 and £36, depending on what you pick.

4) The Quality Chop House – London

Sorry Northerners, this is another London based option. The Quality Chop House can be found on Farringdon road, known for a great Sunday roast.

Opened in 1869, the restaurant has quite remarkably been standing for over 150 years.

They still have the same head chef in the kitchens from 2012 (Shaun Searley), ensuring a consistent level of quality. You’ll find an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, as well as a cellar list of wines. You can also get a voucher for here as a birthday present for someone special.

5) The Wild Boar – Kendal

If you’ve gone for a summer holiday exploring the Lake District then this is the perfect venue after a full day of walking to rest your feet and try some exquisite food.

The Wild Boar also has a hotel, so you can stay directly along the Gilpin Valley, before heading down to the Grill and Smokehouse.

You can pick yourself a fillet steak, a ribeye steak, a porterhouse dry aged for 40 days, a T-bone steak or even a 35 day dry aged beef Tomahawk.

This venue can also host weddings, conferences, plus you can enjoy afternoon tea here.

6) Pasture – Cardiff

The Pasture Restaurant has a location in both Cardiff and Bristol, however it’s the Cardiff venue that has the huge reputation as one of the best steakhouses in the UK.

They staff are happy to showcase the ‘house cuts’ directly to the table, guiding you on the best cut for you, depending on what you’re after.

With a coal and cherry wood fire, the steak is beautifully cooked and the taste will blow your mind. I’d recommend booking a table in advance if you’re heading there for a Friday or Saturday evening.

7) Cowshed – Liverpool

Open from 4pm-10pm on week days and until 10:30pm on the weekend, the Cowshed is a favourite for Liverpudlians looking for a high quality steak.

You can enjoy a flat iron or fillet along with a great tasting side of sweet potato mash or garlic mushrooms with truffle butter.

The venue feels very luxurious, with cosy purple seating and some truly bizarre art behind the bar.

8) Rio Brazilian Steakhouse – Newcastle

Now with a venue in Middlesbrough that has performed just as well with Geordie locals, the Rio Brazilian steakhouse takes you on a South American culinary journey.

Serving a filet mignon, or a variety of other cuts, they also cater for the members of the group who are less keen on beef, with lamb, pork, chicken and vegan dishes available.

The meat is carved table side, while you get to choose how much you want, giving you control of what your stomach can handle.

9) Mugshot Restaurants – Bristol

This is a 1920’s themed British steakhouse, with some really cool décor. I heard the name Mugshot and didn’t think it would be great, but wow did I get this place wrong. It’s beyond classy, while you can get some scrumptious beef dripping steak sauce along with your steak.

I love the fact that you can pick the butter of your choice, including honey, garlic, smoked cheddar, Dijon & chive, mint or onion.

You can also pick the sauce of choice, including beef dripping, wild mushroom, gorgonzola, peppercorn, red wine, or my favourite, chimichurri.

But another that caters for those non-beef fans of the group, they also have a range of pizzas

10) Miller & Carter – Glasgow

This Scottish venue offers 30-day aged British and Irish beef, while they’ve also adapted to the pandemic by offering delivery, meaning you can enjoy that gorgeous steak from the comfort of your sofa.

Depending on your budget, you can pick the steak of your choice, including a sirloin, fillet, ribeye, T-bone or rump.

Of course, my eyes drifted to the garlic bread with melted cheese, the perfect accompaniment to a great steak (if you’re not too full).

You can even finish off with a Banoffee pie or a gigantic chocolate fudge cake!

November 2, 2025