Cairo
A city dissected by the mighty River Nile, boasting skyscrapers contrasting with souk markets, and more chaotic than anywhere else we’ve ever been, Cairo is not for the faint hearted. At first, the noise, smells and scenes around you can feel like a punch to the face, but the more time you spend in this city, and the more you surrender to the rhythm, you’ll find yourself delighting in the chaos. This is our guide of top things to do in Cairo.
24 hours in Luxor, Egypt
Almost 700km south of Cairo lies the mesmerising and historical city of Luxor. Having been a centre of power in Egypt over 5000 years ago, the city is bursting with archaeological discoveries of temples and tombs. One of the most famous tombs is that of Tutankhamun which you can still visit today. If you’re looking for the best way to maximise your time in this incredible place, this guide is for you.
24 hours at the Pyramids of Giza
If there’s one place we’d recommend you go whilst you’re in Egypt, it’s the mighty pyramids of Giza. A place oozing with history, myth and legend, this is somewhere you simply don’t want to miss. We arrived unsure of what to expect, and left feeling full of wonder and awe at this incredible place. This blog post will guide you on how to maximise your time whilst at the pyramids – especially if you only have a day there like we did.
Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Have you ever wanted to step into a real life fairy tale? That’s what it feels like to walk through the streets of beautiful Mont Saint-Michel. Ancient cobbled walkways, protective city walls and moats are just some of the features of this place. The abbey that rises into the sky as if placed there by angels is a sight to behold and even more incredible to tour the interior of. Read our guide for a one-day itinerary as well as our top tips such as where to park for free, how to avoid the crowds and how to visit Mont Saint-Michel like a pro!
Everything you need to know before you visit Sarandë, Albania
A blog post about our favourite place in the world: Saranda, Albania. A stunning city set on the waterfront and bursting with things to see and do nearby as well as cheap accommodation and food. Read our top tips for Saranda as well as how to travel in Albania like a local. We’ve visited countless times over the last decade and lived in Saranda for 2.5 months last year to immerse ourselves fully in the city so we have great insider knowledge for you which will help you plan your trip and save you time trying to find the best places to eat and drink!
Brno, Czech Republic
Czech Republic’s second and little known city, Brno is a great place for a city break as it has a lot to offer and is easily explored on foot, tram or bus. Bursting with historical buildings, interesting culture and a bohemian atmosphere, as well as accessible by train, bus and plane from the UK and Europe, Brno needs to be added to your list as a must visit! Here’s our top tips and what we got up in the city.
A day in Budapest
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary and bursting at the seems with sights to see, culture to soak up and fun to be had. Perfect for a city break as you can get there cheaply by train, bus or plane from most of Europe, you could spend at least a week soaking up Budapest’s historical past and thriving, bustling present day. We only got to spend one day in the city although we both really enjoyed it and would have loved to stay for a weekend at least. Here’s our top tips for how to maximise your time in the city without breaking the bank!
12 hours in Bratislava
Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, is a very small city compared to other capital cities in Europe. This makes it perfect for a day trip or weekend city break. We did this trip in a day, but I loved the city and would have happily spent an entire weekend getting to know it better. A city that is full of history, culture and tantalising cuisine, Bratislava should be on your radar as a city break that delivers everything you could want and more, for a fraction of the price of cities nearby such as Vienna and Budapest.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Bukhara is a city full of history, culture, art and incredible architecture; with mosques, minarets and madrassahs to explore at length and a great range of eating and drinking options. The city is small enough to traverse on foot which makes it all the more enjoyable and fun to explore. Here is my 3 day city guide - what you should prioritise, where to eat and drink, and my favourite parts of the city.
24 hours in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s second city and old capital city Almaty is well worth a visit - bursting at the seems with culture, history, museums and great food, the city feels very liveable due to it’s several parks and green spaces. These are my top tips of what to focus on if you only have a short time in the city!
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is the largest city in Central Asia and having been conquered by different dynasties and countries it has a colourful history. The city has a significant amount of historical and cultural sights as well as offering fine dining and several lovely parks. It is a great base for exploring Central Asia.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Ancient city of the Silk Road trading route and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, Samarkand has been a cultural hub for hundreds of thousands of years. A must-visit when in Central Asia, the city boasts some of the finest and grandest architecture in the world. On arrival you will feel as though you’ve just stepped into Aladdin’s cave and when you leave you will be daydreaming of all the incredible buildings you marvelled at whilst there.
Barcelona
A city full of vibrancy, Barcelona has everything from parks, beaches, architecture and art, alongside incredible dining options and a lively music and dance scene. With something for everyone, it has long been one of my favourite cities in Europe. This is my guide on what to do when you visit and how to get the most out of the city in a short time.
Brussels
The capital city that is often overlooked in Europe - used as a transport hub to get to and from other European cities - Brussels is a delight for all types of visitor. With incredible architecture, entertainment, great shopping and a thriving food and drinks scene. A city bursting with museums, galleries and green spaces and home to the European Parliament. Take a look at my five day itinerary for Brussels as well as our top tips for you to get the best out of your time in the city.
24 hours in Cologne
Here’s my top tips on how to spend 24 hours in Cologne, the best sights to see and what not to miss. We only had a short time in this city but this guide shows that you can make every minute count and see the top attractions without making your day too hectic!
Verona
One of my favourite cities in Italy, Verona has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for world class Italian food, winding pedestrian walkways, history and architecture or great shopping and markets. Situated west of Venice and perhaps often overlooked, this city guide will invite you to choose Verona as your next Italian city break.
Copenhagen
Your guide to getting the best out of your visit to Copenhagen; whether you’re there for just a short trip or a long holiday. This guide gives you tips on where to go, what to do, where to eat and sights that you cannot miss!