A WEEKEND IN ICELAND | TRAVEL GUIDE

Iceland had always been on of these placed I had dreamed of going, kind of like Australia but, as it often happens with the places you want to go the most, you never find a good time to go. Even though most of my friends had been dying to go too, we kept always pushing it back. To be honest, it most likely was because we knew it wasn't one of those holidays where you booked flights and a hotel and you're ready to go - you had to do research, hire a car, plan your itinerary, etc. 

Last Christmas, I was surprised with flights to the most magical place I have ever been to - Iceland. For a weekend, we swapped grey rainy London for bright and snowy Iceland. 

Day 1 - Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon

I have never been as confused as when I woke up one Saturday morning at around 8-9AM and it was pitch black outside. At first, I thought my phone was wrong or that, maybe, it was very cloudy. Then I checked my weather app and realised that the sun was not going to rise until 11AM. Bizarre. 

Anyway, we quickly got out of bed and, after picking up the car rental, drove into Reykjavik. We stayed in a cute little town called Sandgerdi - which was about 40min away from the capital. 

Reykjavik surprised me - it felt more like a big town than a city, a really beautiful one though.  The streets felt very Christmassy, with. many small shops, cafes and christmas lights. The snow also helped to give it that festive vibe. The Tjörnin lake near the city centre was completely frozen - to the point were you could walk over it, jump even if you were feeling brave, and it wouldn't crack. Walking across the lake felt both super cool and terrifying at the same time - I'm just glad it didn't break.

After grabbing some nice lunch - can't go wrong with some fish and seafood, we walked around the town for a bit and then we drove to Perlan, which is just outside the city. We did not only get some stunning 360˚ views of Reykjavik, but you also get to walk around an underground ice cave and learn about the Northern Lights - which I found so interesting. 

At around 4PM we started heading to the well known and famous, Blue Lagoon. There's probably not much that you haven't already seen on Instagram. It is as magical, relaxing and beautiful as the photos   make it look - it is probably one of the best places I have ever been to and definitely worth going. My only tip is to definitely  put your hair up in a bun - the silica in the water, whilst it's very good for your skin, it's incredibly drying to your hair. My hair was damaged for days after and it had never felt that dry in my life. So, do yourself a favour, and don't soak it in that water for two hours like I did. Despite that, it was the perfect way to end the day.

Day 2 - The Great Geysir and Gullfoss Falls

We started day 2 by grabbing the biggest breakfast of my life in Reykjavik, at a cafe called The Laundromat Cafe -  a really cute and Christmassy cafe with huge portions. 

Once our stomachs were filled, we quickly stopped at the Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland - it was indeed very large, specially compared to the relatively low buildings in the capital. We also managed to get some beautiful lighting. After all the mandatory photos - we got on the car and got ready for our very long long drive to the Great Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfalls.

The drive there was, by far, the most beautiful drive of my life. It was so quiet, tranquil and relaxing (specially because I wasn't the one driving). Because we went to Iceland in early December, the sun rised very late in the morning and set quite early in the afternoon. This meant that the 4-5 hours of sun were constant sunset... essentials a 4 hour golden hour. The golden light reflected on the snow and the frozen lakes and made everything looked straight out of a Christmas movie. Halfway through the the Great Geysir we stopped on the side road to admire the scenery right by the Thingvallavatn lake in the Thingvellir National Park.

A few hours later, we made it to the waterfalls which were pretty much completely frozen. It was definitely something unlike anything I had ever seen before.

After taking the mandatory photos for the gram, we made our way to the Great Geysir. I found the geyser really fun, mostly because you never really knew when it was going to explode, so it was a fun guessing game. It also meant my hands got completely frozen when trying to get a slow-mo video of it exploding,  but #content. We stayed for a good 15-20mins just watching explode over and over again.

Eventually, we decided it was time to leave if we wanted to make our evening flight. On the way back, we stopped at the farm/hotel/restaurant Efstidalur II to have lunch. We had the most delicious burgers and ice cream, all with ingredients they grow right there!

With a full stomach, we got back into the car and drove to the airport to make our way back to London.

It was by far one of my favourite trips, it was so different to anything I had ever seen before as I usually more for a city break kind of holiday so I would definitely recommend it, as I can't wait to go back! 

3 DAYS IN NEW YORK | TRAVEL GUIDE

"Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand: Serena van der Woodsen"

That's the one line that started my love for New York. It was 2012, and I have been dying to walk around the Upper East Side since. 7 years later, I finally got the chance to go to the city that never sleeps and oh my god did it leave up to the expectations.

We were there for only three short days sadly, but it was more than enough to 1) make fall in love with the city (cliché) 2) make me want to go back ASAP 3) make me spend all the money that I don't have. 

Here's a run down of what we got up to in the Big Apple.

DAY 1 - UPPER EAST SIDE

We started off our first day by consuming a ginormous bagel with cream cheese (because you must when in New York). It was honestly shocking to see the variety of bagel and cream cheeses they have. 

After eating a bagel as big as my head in Bryant Park, we headed to Grand Central Station - where a big old photoshoot was due. And I low key expected to bump into Chuck Bass, sadly it didn't happen. The station was exactly what I was expecting and what I had seen on numerous films throughout my life. And I feel like that was a recurring sensation in New York - everything I saw, I felt like I had already seen it before. Because I had. But never in person. 

We then made our way to Central Park going via the Rockefeller Centre. It was a very warm and sunny day so we decided to spend a good few hours walking around the lower side of Central Park, sitting on the rocks to try and get some sort of tan for a bit.  We walked up Central Park up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where we had a much needed photoshoot on the steps (please notice all the Gossip Girl references). 

After walking around the Upper East Side for a bit we ventured back into Central Park making our way down whilst eating a surprisingly food New York hot dog. 

It is honestly mind   how big the park is - you could very easily spend the entire day exploring. But we had tickets to go up the Top of the Rock during sunset so we quickly walked back to our hotel to freshen up a bit.

Top of the Rock was the only skyscraper we went up, as everyone told us it was the best one to do. If I remember correctly, the ticket was a good $45 (they charge you extra if you want to go during sunset) but it was so worth it. The views were spectacular, specially at that time of the day. The only annoying thing was how busy it was but I guess that's inevitable. 

We quickly grabbed some dinner at Chick-fil-A (classy, I know) before taking an Uber to SoHo. After all, it was Saturday night and we were in the city that never sleeps. We found a decent bar with a terrace where we got some drinks (I can't remember the name of it for the life of me) and then we ended the night at 1 Oak, because where else would you go during your first trip to New York. 

DAY 2 - BROOKLYN 

We started our day quite late on Sunday, by eating yet again another big bagel and a huge (and much needed) coffee in our hotel room to recover from the night before. 

Once we felt human again, we got on the metro and made our way towards the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. If you go to New York and go to the bridge, my tip is to walk all the way across it and only turn around to admire the views when you're at the very end. They're breathtaking. 

Only about 10 mins away is the very famous street in DUMBO: Washington Street. It was surprisingly hard to get a good photo though as the street was packed - but we still tried of course. 

After sitting (and trying not to get heat stroke) in Brooklyn Bridge Park admiring the views, we decided to walk around Brooklyn and we stumbled upon a great vintage flea market where I got a really cool (in my opinion) t-shirt from the VMAs for just under $10. 

After doing enough damage, we got the metro back to Manhattan and walked along the High Line - one of my favourite spots in New York, where I had (randomly) the most delicious cinnamon ice cream sandwich.

We were meeting a friend for dinner, so we headed to Murray Hill to have a drink on her building's rooftop before dinner. That's the one thing I wish London had more of: rooftops. It was so nice to sit there as the sun set having a beer and chatting, with the New York traffic and the sirens as our background noise.

We ended our Sunday with a very delicious dinner at a random Italian restaurant in her neighbourhood. 

DAY 3 - 9/11 Memorial AND SoHo

We started our final day in the Big Apple by having a big and delicious American breakfast at a diner called Brooklyn Diner, just off Broadway. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day,  I decided to start off strong by having a huge plate of buttermilk pancakes and a fat slice of cheesecake on the side - and a skinny cappuccino because #health.

As if that breakfast wasn't enough - I decided to stop by the famous Levain Bakery in the Upper West Side to try one of their giant cookies. It did not disappoint - easily the best cookie I have ever had. On my way from the diner to the bakery I spotted the Empire Hotel (I essentially went to New York to live my Gossip Girl dream) which got me very excited. 

With a very full stomach and basically unable to walk, I got on an Uber and made my way towards lower Manhattan to see the 9/11 Memorial - which was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. 

I then walked towards Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange which was also one of my favourite things I did. Not exactly why because I am not really into finance or stocks but I found it very cool. 

The last half of our final day was, obviously, dedicated to shopping. We headed back to SoHo to explore all the stores I had been dying to go to (i.e. Aritzia, Reformation and Glossier). I am very glad I don't live in New York, because I would be beyond broke if I did. SoHo ended up being my favourite neighbourhood I visited, it was such a nice vibe and it kind of reminded me of the Covent Garden area in London. 

To finish off our trip strong we had our final dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner, where all the waiters are Broadway singers and they randomly break into songs whilst serving your food. 

It was such a happy and incredible way to end such a wonderful trip! 

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at The Martinique Hotel on Broadway The hotel itself was really nice, with a big spacious room and all the staff were beyond friendly! But the best thing about the hotel was its location, a 5 min walk from the Empire State, right next to a metro station and 20min walk to Central Park. 

It was honestly ideal, and we could have not asked for a better hotel! 

24HRS IN SINTRA, PORTUGAL | TRAVEL GUIDE

So, from my last post, I think we already established I absolutely loved Lisbon. After spending 3 days there, we spend out last day in Sintra -  a quaint small town near Lisbon in the foothill of the Sintra Mountains.

It used to be a royal sanctuary, which essentially means there are endless castles around the town and in the mountains. You could easily spend a few days just visiting different castles; however, since we only had a day we decided to only visit two and take it easy. 

The first one we visited was Quinta da Regaleira. Whilst there are buses that can take you from the train station to most of the castles, we decided to take an Uber as it was very cheap (genuinely less tan 5€) and much easier! 

Quinta da Regaliera is a massive estate with a castle, a chapel, a lake, grottoes and, most importantly, a really cool well called the Initiation Well. You can walk down it and it looks like something you would fine in Narnia or another fantasy movie. I was expecting to find the Upside Down once I reached the bottom but, unfortunately or fortunately, I only found some spooky underground tunnels. Still cool though. 

After we had walked around the estate and taken all the necessary Insta pics, we headed back to the town centre to have some lunch. We went to this place called Incomum which had some really amazing food - especially if you like seafood and fish. 

After, we walked around the town a bit which was absolutely stunning - it's full of narrow picturesque cobbled streets with little boutiques. We also went to the famous bakery Piriquita, where you have to try the traditional travesseiros, made with puff pastry and almond cream. Definitely a must try if you're in Sintra! 

Once our stomachs were full and content, we took another Uber to what now is my favourite place I have ever visited: Pena Palace. There are no words to describe how beautiful and mind blowing it is. It looks fake and you will definitley feel like you're in some sort of film. 

The palace is at the top of a hill which means that, unless you go on a very clear day, it is very likely to be foggy which adds to the film-like experience. The palace is so colourful and with the most intricate carvings on the stone. It was honestly something out of this world. I would try and describe it better but a picture is worth a thousand words so just see it for yourself! 

Overall, Sintra was absolutely beautiful and definitley worth a visit if you're in Lisbon! 

TRAVEL GUIDE: 48 HOURS IN LISBON

Lisbon was an absolute dream. 

I think I am still in shock by the beauty of it. Stepping into the city felt like being stepping into a complete different world, and definitley not somewhere in Europe. Somewhere only a 2 hours flight away from home. It has such a different vibe to any other European city - so relaxed, so culturally rich and so majestic in an almost antiquated way. 

We spent three days in Portugal, two in Lisbon and one in Sintra (a small town near Lisbon, stay tuned for another post coming your way very soooon!). Realistically,  three days are enough to get to know the city. However, it is the kind of place where you kind of want to stay forever. You know, quit your job and open a hotel à la Mamma Mia.

What I loved the most about Lisbon is that it has so many quirky neighbourhoods that are perfect to wander and get lost in, you never know what's going to be just around the corner. So, get lost with me. Here's where we stayed, what we did and (most importantly) where we ate.

where we stayed

We stayed in a beautiful apartment in the centre of Lisbon, near Praça do Comércio on Rua da Padaria. It was a great location as it was very close to the metro, the tram and within walking distance to many restaurants, markets and also the ocean (which is always an added bonus).

The apartment was very Portuguese - very colourful but not in an obnoxious way, and very modern. It basically looked pretty much like what I want my future house to look like - clean look with a rustic touch and some colour

what we did 

There is a lot to do in Lisbon, but at the same time there isn't. Whilst you could easily spend two days visiting all the touristy sites, the best way to get to know the city is to simply wander around and explore the city by foot.  

That being said, there are a few things you should definitely check out whilst you're there. 

On the first day, we visited Praça do Comércio which was very near where we were staying and then took the tram to Belém, one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Lisbon.

Belém

The main thing Belém is known for is the famous Pastéis de Natas (or custard tarts), which are quite literally heaven on Earth. If you don't know what they are, think of the standard British custard tarts but more cinnamon-y and just a hundred times better.

Whilst you're there, definitley go to the bakery called Pastéis de Belem - you won't miss it, as there is usually a very long queue. Definitely worth the wait. Best custard tarts I have ever tried, and I have tried quite a few.

Near the bakery you will find the Jerónimos Monastery, a stunning white building with very intricate designs. If you have time, try to go inside; it's not cheap, but definitely worth it!

From there, we walked towards the ocean/river and then walked to the Tower de Belém. At that point I had eaten too many custard tarts so I was in a diabetic coma and could barely move. Therefore, I didn't pay much attention but it was a pretty tower... and we also saw some giant jellyfish. And when I say giant I mean bigger than my face. 

LX Factory

If you are into Shoreditch (in London), Berlin and this kind of vibe... what some would call edgy, then LX Factory is your place. 

It's an old industrial complex of house turned into restaurants, shops, libraries, hairdressers, tattoo parlours, everything. A very creative space which can only be described as the Shoreditch of Lisbon. 

Alfama

Again, another very famous neighbourhood in London. Every day they have the so called Feira da Ladra, a massive flea market which I guess it started off being for the locals but has now become very touristy. It is nice to walk around and you might find some interesting stuff, and a lot of people selling tiles, but I don't think it's worth spending too much time there. 

Once you have seen the market, just walk around the streets of Alfama. There isn't anything specific to see except the beautiful tile houses and random colourful streets. 

There is also a great viewing point called Miradouro Santa Luzia, it doesn't only have great views but the place itself is also stunning (and great for photos... because you gotta get that Instagram).

Bairro Alto & Chiado

This was probably one of my favourite areas of Lisbon - probably because it was more "city-like" and lively. It's a very central district, where all the big shops and many restaurants are. Even though it definitely has a city vibe, it is still very picturesque and there is no lack of narrow quaint streets.

It is great to walk around in the evening or late afternoon. It's also a very hilly area and where the classic Lisbon photo is taken. You know the one: uphill street, yellow tram and colourful houses? 

Chiado is another are that is very similar to Bairro Alto but a bit more structured and with bigger wider streets. And also more commercial. It is more modern and what feels "less" like Lisbon if that makes any sense. 

Still beautiful, though. I just can't say no to a house with pretty tiles.

where we ate 

If you're a foodie, Lisbon is your place. They have countless types of pastries (all equally delicious) and so much seafood. 

Breakfast

We had breakfast at the same bakery near our apartment - Portela Cafe. My favourite pastries (which you can find at most bakeries) were pao deus (sweet dough with some sort of coconut-y paste) and, obviously, pasteis de nata. But I honestly didn't try a bad pastry during my entire trip, so everything is delicious. 

Lunch

The only noteworthy place we went for lunch was TimeOut Market. A food hall where every "restaurant" has been chosen by TimeOut - so you know it's good. I was a bit skeptical first because it just looked very touristy but everything we tried was really good and there is so much to choose from.   Anything from oysters to croquettes - the latter being my absolute favourite. 

Dinner

For dinner we went to A Casa do Bacalhau, which is a restaurant that specialises in cod. In Portugal (or Lisbon at least), it is very common to have a few smaller sharing dishes - sort of like tapas - rather than one big dish each. However, they only bring on at a time - they wait until you have finished and then they will bring the next one. It is a bit odd but I kind of prefer it, you get to try so much more food! 

We also went to Taberna Rua dos Flores - a very traditional Portuguese restaurant. It is a very small restaurant and you can't book in advance, instead you have to go to the place at around 6-6:30pm and they will put your name down and tell you to come back in about an hour or so (depending on availability, it is an extremely popular restaurant). So you don't really get to choose when to eat but it's definitley worth the small inconvenience. 

Their menu is very traditional and everything we tried was absolutely incredible. Again, they also serve tapas style dishes for the table to share instead of big plates. I would recommend you try as much fish and seafood as you can as that's what I found to be the best! 

Desserts/Pastries

I have a big sweet tooth, so Portugal was my heaven on Earth - the amount of pastries and little sweet treats that hey have is mind blowing and they are all equally delicious. 

The number one place you have to go to if you're in Lisbon is Pasteis de Belem - I can't even tell you how good their custard tarts are. So good that I had too many too quickly and then felt sick for the rest of the day - but I still don't regret it. Expect a big queue, but 100% worth the wait. 

We were walking around Alfama when we stumbled into this little bakery called Fabrica Pastel Feijao - a very traditional and small bakery that specialises in Pastel de Feijao, a white bean and almond pastry. I was not expecting much of it as I didn't know how I would feel about white beans in a pastry, but it was so good. If you're in the neighbourhood, definitley try one! 

Finally, another dessert worth mentioning is the éclair we had at the TimeOut Market - not very Portuguese but still delicious. I can't remember the name of the stall but there is only one place that sells éclairs so it's hard to miss!