Siena to the Sea

We're headed to the coast today, to Porto Santo Stefano. This is the wild card of our Tuscan tour, none of us know much about it, or what to expect. I'm hoping for lots of fresh seafood, and a very welcome sea breeze.

Florence to Siena

Today we're driving south to Siena. Even though it's only a few hours drive, we're allowing the whole day for it, with the expectation that we may stumble across some places that need exploring. We're in the Chianti region, so maybe we'll see some vineyards. We'll be staying in an apartment for a few nights, then moving on again. Bring on the rolling hills and more lovely weather :]

To Florence

Summer's done a runner. Time to take drastic measures. 

Off to Florence with the Fam today, really excited. We'll be doing a bit of traveling around Tuscany over the next ten days, so i'll keep this up to date with where we're moving. Very much ready for some sun, sea air, interesting little streets, cathedrals. And food, of course.

Time For Travel

Things have been lovely and busy over the last week, parties to attend, work to do etc etc. I have felt a bit guilty about the lack of regular blogging, but to be honest, it's been a nice little break. Tonight/early tomorrow morning i will be heading to the airpot with my bags (that are yet to be packed) and flying off to Barcelona. Only it won't quite be Barcelona, it'll be Gerona airport and then a bus to Barca. Ah the joys of budget air travel. I'll be meeting a fairly Scottish lot when i get there and staying in an appartment in the city. We're going to Primavera festival, which i'm so excited about (have a look at the extensive line up).

I love Barcelona so much, it's probably my favourite European city. Last time i went was in the summer of 2009, and even though it rained a lot of the holiday, i had the best time. Because most of the music will be on at night, it means we'll have a lot of free time in the day to explore the city. I'm really hoping to go back to the great food market on La Rambla, and maybe go round some galleries too. Below are some snaps from 2009...

view from the cable cars

inside the food market

wonderful pastries

Very excited to go back and find new places! Just need to pack...

Back to Blighty

Back from my Berlin adventure, with plenty of stories, memories and photos. I had a wonderful time exploring the city and seeing so much history. Even the sub zero temperatures (highs of -1) did not deter our chilled bodies from having fun. We did too much to tell you about in one post, so over the week i'll post in more detail. For now, i'll leave you with my top 3, while i try and return the feeling of warmth to my extremities.

1. Museum Fur Fotografie

On a recommendation from a tutor, we decided to visit on Thursday afternoon. There was an exhibition on of the life and work of Helmut Newton, and the whole of upstairs was taken up by photographs taken by his wife, who works under the name of Alice Springs. Her work stood out to me, it made me want to leave the exhibition half way through and go outside to take pictures. It was the most inspiring thing that happened on the trip. On the off chance you're in Berlin, GO.

2. R.S.V.P and STOKX

Two shops. One for stationery, one for books. We spent about an hour (or possibly more) in each, over numerous visits. Both were like Aladdin's cave, filled with handmade treasures waiting to be bought. Those who appreciate these kind of places will understand that no more needs to be said, you just have to go. I bought a beautiful card and envelope from R.S.V.P with the intention of posting it home, but i couldn't bring myself to write in it just yet. Will post a picture soon.

3. Walking Tour of the City

On Tuesday morning, layered up and raring to go, the group went on a three hour walking tour of the city in -8 degrees. It was a bit of a shock to the system, and took a while to get used to that kind of dry cold, but the sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Our tour guide did brilliantly at keeping us all interested despite the cold, and showed us some fantastic sights around the city, whilst telling us about the history of the area too. It was very eerie to walk over Hitler's bunker, and the Holocaust memorial site was breathtaking. If you go to the city, i think a walking tour is far better introduction that a tour bus ride, although maybe go when it's a tad warmer.

Wonderful holiday

Berlin

I am flitting off to the wonderful city of Berlin today with my graphic design chums. I haven't been since i was thirteen so i'm really looking forward to discovering more about the city. 

Expect many photos on my return.

Packing

i wouldn't mind packing if my suitcase and contents looked like this...

As much as i'm looking forward to going away tomorrow, i can't feel excited until i've got passed the packing. I hate packing, the only thing worse is unpacking when you come home. I've been so busy this week thinking about various Topman feedback sessions, and Ian Anderson hand-in dates, Berlin has sort of crept up on me. It's going to be very very cold (highs of minus numbers), and i feel the cold. There might have to be a cheeky hot-water-bottle-down-the-top manoeuvre, or else my extremities will drop off. I'm really looking forward to being a bit of a history geek, and going round all the museums and seeing the sights. Get ready for absolute tourist-mode.

p.s Is it wrong to want to lay everything out that i'm packing, in a neat, folded, organised way and photograph it before i actually pack it? I might do that...

Glasgow Snow

Quick visit up to Glasgow for a few days with Fran. On Tuesday morning we went for a frosty walk round Kelvingrove Park, which is 5 minutes from her flat. It was so pretty under a blanket of snow, although extremely chilly. It was nice when the sun came through the trees and warmed your legs a bit. Love love love Glasgow.

Home Again

Back from my New York adventure, completely worn out and in need of a few days recuperation, sadly everything's full steam ahead so i'll just have to keep my head down and power on. I though NY was a fantastically diverse city, my head's been on a 360 degree rotation for five days, there was so much to look at in every direction. We walked pretty much all day every day so i hope that counteracted the vast amount of food we ate...probably not, we did eat a silly amount. Here are a few snaps of my favourite bit, Central Park - the weather was perfect and the leaves were beautiful, we even took a picnic there one day for lunch.

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

There will be an absense of blogging for the coming week as i am flitting off to New York with the Man Candy tomorrow, i'm giddy with excitement i can't stay still. I don't know how near an internet connection i'll be, but if i can, i'll post some lovely photos of our trip. See you soon xxx

Utter! Fringe

I have spent the last few days up north doing a mini tour or Glasgow and Edinburgh. My friend Paolo and I caught the train up on Thursday and met Fran, who lives in Glasgow. We had a nice evening of large amounts of food at Ketchup in the West End, followed by a fair few drinks around and about the city. At Ketchup they served a selection of fairly mega milkshakes, presenting them in milk bottles with straws. i thought this was a pretty simple but nice idea.

On Friday we caught the train over to Edinburgh to experience a day at the Fringe Festival, something i've wanted to do for a few years now, but never got round to. With two family members having taken part in it  at some point or other, i was quite interested to see if i could find the venues where they'd stood and performed. We saw two shows, both free, one with a bumpy start and turbulence throughout, the second was fantastic. It was a Spoken Word competition called Utter! Spoken Word, and all of the 9 performers were fantastic to listen to. I was one again left feeling largely jealous of all the acts, and their confidence at performing on stage (some of you will know my general fear of being on stage). Below is Clare Whitehead (i think that''s right) mid-poem looking completely unfazed by the room full of critics.

confidence through curls?

North East Adventure

Please excuse the lack of blogging this last week, i have been exploring the north east of England with the Man Candy and his parents. I have had fish & chips (how they're supposed to be) in Whitby, explored Durham Cathedral and seen where my parents first met, and spent a happy few hours wandering round the Baltic art gallery in Newcastle. There have been a few fairly spectacular meals out and in, and a lot of general fun has been had. Despite only understanding every third word spoken, the Mackems were very welcoming hosts, and i would like to go back soon...especially since the beach is just on the Man Candy's doorstep.

Top 5: Budapest

The best things that happened in the beautiful city of Budapest.

St Stephen's Basilica. It was so extravagantly decorated inside, it reminded me a bit of a smaller St Peter's in Rome. I think i will always enjoy wandering round enormous cathedrals, churches and such like.

The attention to detail. Even the street lights down the small streets were beautiful. This photo reminds me of the crows in Dumbo.

The staircase leading up to our hostel, and the hostel itself. It was a large old building really near parliament, with cold echoing walls. The hostel itself had a really friendly atmosphere, and comfy beds (which were far more appreciated on the way back from camping for 7 days).

I loved the old fashioned looking trams that scooted up and down the river bank. Sadly we didn't have time to go on one, but every time one trundled past they made me smile.

The beautiful buildings and view of the city. I think Parliament (the large building on the right bank of the river) is such an impressive building, it looked like a fairytale castle from certain angles.

I would most definitely jump at the chance to go back to Budapest to see some more of it, possibly in the spring when it's a little cooler outside.

Back to Blog

It's been about 2 weeks since i've sat down and blogged as usual, it feels like much longer. The number of times i've wished at the end of the day i've had a laptop with the whiff of on internet connection to write about the exciting things that have happened. Since there's been too much going on to catch up properly, i'm going to post the top five photos from each place i've been so you get an idea of the best bits. I'm in great danger of getting the post-holiday blues, so will be tirelessly trying to get excited about things at home...that or booking a last minute escape route to somewhere like Berlin (next on my list).

Next Stop: Novi Sad, Serbia

We have done a whistle-stop tour of Budapest, and now it's time to move on further into the depths of eastern Europe. I've absolutely loved everything about Budapest, it's a fantastic city and i'm quite sorry to be leaving so soon. My favourite bits included sailing up and down the Danube river at night, eating traditional Hungarian food and drinking champagne and seeing the city all lit up. I also loved spending yesterday evening in a thermal spa, floating in a hot outside pool during a thunderstorm and watching the forked lightning, it was peculiar! We've eaten really well, and fitted as much in as was possible in the few days we've had here, but i'd really love to come back and spend a week exploring the city more.

We now have to head off to Nyugati station to catch a train to the airport, where we'll hop on a coach and drive for 6 hours to Novi Sad. It's exciting to be going somewhere new, but the prospect of putting up a tent and finding any form of shaded area is looming overhead somewhat. I doubt i'll find any form of internet connection (..or electricity maybe?) whilst i'm in Serbia so there may have to be a mega catch up when i'm back.
Bye for now.

Good Morning Budapest!

We arrived in Budapest last night with no difficulty whatsoever and only a minor flight delay. The hostel has a really good atmosphere about it, it's bright and airy, and there are a few european travellers milling around who are all pretty friendly. By the time we'd unpacked and sorted ourselves out it was getting on pretty late, and we thought we might have a bit of trouble finding somewhere that would still be serving food. After a 15 minute stroll round, we came across a side street still very much awake. We seated ourselves outside at a restaurant called Boheme that had a string band serenading us under a fairy-lit canapy. The food was lovely, although we all felt full half way through our portions. The thing i'm finding most difficult to get my head round is the currency. A very rough exchange rate is 1GBP equals about 300HUF, so you feel like you're handing over huge amounts of money whenever you pay for something.

This morning i woke up early, when one of the other travellers staying in our dorm woke up and was getting ready. The hostel has no locks on the dorm doors, and because it's warm, it's better to sleep with the door open a bit so there's a breeze. I wandered into the common room area and read my book and had a cup of coffee while i waited for the others to surface. Today i think we're going for a bit of an explore, and perhaps a look round the cathedral.

Off On My Jollies

To St Davids in Pembrokeshire 

I'm going with my parents and a friend to stay in a remote cottage 5 minutes from the sea. We're there till Thursday, and our visit happens to coincide with Pembrokeshire's Fish Week. I am hugely looking forward to sandy, coastal walks, nice food and a homely cottage far away from anywhere (pretending i'm Keira Knightley in 'The Edge of Love', see previous post). What i'm not looking forward to is the 6 hour train journey to get there which clashes horribly with a rather important England v Germany knock out match.

Serbia Check List

Goodbye money.

Home Again

I have returned home from a whirlwind tour of my new favourite city, Rome. We had perfect weather, and got to see everything we'd hoped to in that space of time, eaten far too well, and drank some rather nice vino. The best thing I learnt is that if you give the language a go and look like you're trying to make some effort, the locals enjoy this and are extra nice, and in our case, throw in a load of free stuff. I think my favourite bits of the holiday were the coffee and pastry breakfasts, and the day we did the Colosseum and ruins. I would very much like to return one day.

For the time being, i really must get on with the vast amount of work that's built up over the Easter hols, it's hanging over my head like a rather threatening looking cloud that seems disinclined to shift. Right, off i go. 

Morning Paris!

The Man Candy and I have just arrived in Rome, stopping off for a spot of lunch in Paris on the way. Usual blogging will resume after i return on the Sunday, however i thought i would leave you with this photo taken out of the window of the plane. Them snowy peaks are Les Alps don't you know.

Ciao xxx