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Copenhagen Calling

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Copenhagen – home to probably the most photographed setting in Europe…I was lucky enough to visit this beautiful city last Easter. Competing with Amsterdam for the city of cyclists, Copenhagen has a bustling culture and is great destination for a long weekend. Here are a few favourites from my travels…

The famous Nyhavn

Places to go

Nyhavn
If you didn’t take a picture of Nyhavn, did you even go to Copenhagen? The old port has a row of beautifully coloured buildings (the best food and drink spot), waiting to pose for the perfect picture. There’s a great ice cream and waffle parlour (Vaffelbageren) on the corner next to the road bridge – enjoy a scoop (or two) as a reward from all your picture posing!
Top tip: Walk down towards the harbour front and turn right – it might seem like you are walking away from all the action, but hidden away along the front are some mini trampolines: great fun after a day of sightseeing!

Tovehallerne

Whenever I book a holiday, one of the first things I do is look up the best food spots – especially if it involves anything sweet! Tovehallerne is a great indoor food market, with stalls selling a variety of food and drink – whether you’re the sweet or savoury type, you won’t be disappointed! It this tickles your taste bud, you can find out more at http://torvehallernekbh.dk.

Now, I know some of you may think I am crazy recommending porridge, but I can honestly say Grød (translating as ‘mush’) takes the porridge game to a whole new level! The trendy porridge bar has a few venues around Copenhagen – I visited their bar inside Tovehallerne and was happier than Goldilocks with my apple-caramel combo; definitely worth a visit.

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The famous grød!

King’s Garden

On my final day in Copenhagen, I had time to relax in this beautiful garden in the heart of the city. A perfect place to spend a chilled afternoon, King’s garden is the oldest park in the city. Puppet theatres and other events are often held here during the summer months; the park is also home to a range of statues, including the popular Hans Christian Andersen (who lived on the Nyhavn street!).

The extended to-do list:

  1. Tivoli Gardens – unfortuntely, I didn’t have the chance to visit the famous theme park, but i’ve heard it’s well worth a visit for any thrill seekers!
  2. Hire a bike – Live like a local and make use of the plethora of cycle paths around the city – it’s probably safer to ride than walk and get in the way!
  3. Amalienborg – The Queen’s Winter redidence; time it right and you can see the marching of the guards!
  4. The Little Mermaid statue – based on a character from the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, you can find the mermaid perched on a rock along the water front. For me, I wouldn’t be disappointed if I had missed it, but it’s a popular sight!
  5. Freetown Christiania – a community that live by their own rules…
  6. Malmo, Sweden – Less than 30 minutes from Copenhagen airport, the Swedish coastal city offers the perfect day trip from busy city life! Plus, you get to tick off another country all in a day!

Copenhagen is the perfect city break and somewhere I would love to visit again one day. We managed to get very cheap flights from London through Ryanair so it’s worthwhile checking for any deals in the new year.

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Trampolines: fun for all ages!

Happy travels! K x

Innsbruck Insights

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After making the move to Bavaria, I have had the luxury of being able to visit Austria with ease. One of my favourite discoveries is the city of Innsbruck: surrounded by snow-capped mountains and insta-perfect views, it should definitely be on your Europe bucket list!

These shoes were made for travelling

Natural wonders

Innsbruck – the capital of the Tirol region – is beautifully protected by the Austrian Alps. Nordkette, the mountain at Innsbruck’s core, is easily accessible from the city centre. Take the Nordkette gondola and enjoy panoramic views over Innsbruck – there’s even a café at the top so you can take in the views in style! On ground level, be sure to walk or cycle (take your pick) along the river Inn…the colourful houses that line the river make for a wonderful backdrop! The crystal clear waters are quite spectacular.

Taking in the view along the river Inn

Sights to see

If the mountains are not enough reason alone to visit Innsbruck, there are some bucket list sights to tick off. Below, I have included 3 sights that I managed to see:

1 – The ‘Goldenes Dachl’ (Golden Roof): probably the most famous picture spot in Innsbruck. A beautiful golden roof designed for Emperor Maximilian 1, it’s worth a trip to see it glimmering under the sunlight!

2 – Bergisel Ski Jump: fans of the Winter Olympics should definitely make a beeline for the ski jump! Towering in the distance as you travel into Innsbruck, the climb to the terrace is worth it for the incredible views. Sport enthusiasts should aim to visit in January, when Innsbruck hosts the annual Four Hills Tournament.

3 – The Hofburg: beautiful both inside and out, the ‘Imperial Palace’ was once owned by the famous royal Habsburg house.

Cafe Culture

No trip is complete without a visit to a blog-recommended cafe! Unfortunately, I have not made it into every cafe in Innsbruck, however here are a few recommendations from the places I have sampled!

Coffeekult

Cafe O’clock

 

I’m not normally one to recommend chain cafes, but Coffeekult hits the spot – great coffee, presented simply on an adorable little tray: you can’t go wrong! I especially liked the unique decor with coffee machine tables and bags of beans hidden in corners. There are 5 venues in Innsbruck to choose from and they also sell their own coffee packs!

 

 

Hitt und Sohne

A favourite discovery of mine, I was fortunate enough to visit Hitt and Sohne during the winter – a warm oasis above the bustling city of Innsbruck. Take the Nordkette bahn to reach the cafe and enjoy coffee up above – there’s a great range of sweet treats on offer too for any sugar addicts (like me!).

The Breakfast Club

Exactly what it says on the tin – a great stop for breakfast (or any other meal for that matter) just off the main shopping street of Maria-Theresien-Strasse. The menu offers a wonderful range of omelettes (I can highly recommend), as well as a variety of vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

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As far as omelettes go, this place is a must!

Innsbruck isn’t a city that takes long to explore, but it’s certainly a city well worth visiting, even just for the incredible views.

Happy Travels, K x

Planning to a budget

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With a world full of wonders, why are we not constantly travelling? Aside from other factors (such as earning a living and trying not to drive my parents too insane with another holiday), money seems to be the unwanted relative that holds many of us back from seeing the world.

Constantly on the lookout for the cheapest way to see the sights, I have picked up a few tips of over the years- hopefully you will find them useful in making your next adventure possible!

Planning and preparation is key!

 

Top Tips

#1 – Keep an open mind for travel destinations

If you’re anything like me, your list of places to visit will grow continually and it’s a challenge to decide which place to go next (#firstworldproblems). I found that concentrating on just one destination meant that I was missing out on amazing deals elsewhere on my bucket list. When planning my next trip, I like to use Skyscanner’s ‘everywhere’ option – simply type in your starting airport, then put ‘everywhere’ as your destination and it will bring you the best flight deals! You might just find a dream destination that you had never planned to visit…

#2 – Consider all forms of transport

Although flights are convenient, there are sometimes other options which can save us a huge amount, especially if you are travelling to more than one destination on your trip. Don’t be put off by coaches – I’m not a fan but I have to say my experiences to date have all been very positive! If you are travelling around Europe, look into Flixbus for cheap and easy travel all across the continent. If you are in Australia, Greyhound buses provide a much cheaper alternative – save even more by travelling overnight!

#3 – Pack savvy

When it comes to packing for a trip, do you really need that extra pair of jeans? Is it essential that you bring the chunky jacket, ‘in case it rains’? Grab an umbrella and save space in your bag! By reducing the amount you take on a trip to hand luggage, you will save money on hold luggage – I found this to be extremely important when I was making several flights through Europe, as I did not want to have to pay for extra luggage every time! With the modern travelling climate, most places have washing facilities so you can recycle your outfits. The trips are about the memories you make, not what outfit you wore for dinner on a Tuesday night – so embrace the 2 euro ponchos and save your money for a coffee or two!

#4 – Don’t say no to a hostel

I’m sure we would all dream of a 5* holiday in the Maldives, but for some of us, we might have to wait until the lottery numbers roll in…there are some wonderful budget accommodation options all over the globe with fantastic facilities! My advice would be to spend time doing some research and reading reviews on various places. I find booking.com really useful and for most places you can have free cancellation if you find a better option. If you are worried about staying in a packed dorm, most hostels offer private, twin or female only rooms – they will be a bit pricier , however still cheaper than many hotels. The great thing about hostels is that they are always placed in the most convenient of areas too! Out of all the hostels I have stayed in (there have been a few), Sydney Harbour YHA has to be the best – modern facilities, amazing views and all for a great price!

#5 – Do your research beforehand

Once you arrive in a new country, you can often be left with an empty purse before the first 24 hours are up – ridiculous airport-taxi prices and not knowing where to go for food place a huge dent in your holiday budget. I have found that getting to know the public transport system beforehand has saved me a lot of money. Most cities have direct links to the airport, saving you a tax fare and awkward conversation with the driver. It’s also worthwhile looking into the transport offers, such as multi-day or weekly tickets if you need transport to get around. I have also found that reading blogs and insider tips have been really useful to me in the past – the locals know where to find the best food at the cheapest prices, so read up and listen to the experts!

Wherever you choose to go next, I hope you find these tips useful in saving a few pennies! Maybe then, you can afford the deluxe breakfast on the last day…

Happy travels, K x

Expat Edition #1: making the move

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Having the opportunity to live and work abroad has been an aspiration of mine for a while now. With my travel bucket list increasing at a rapid pace, I thought it might be wise to move abroad and have new countries to explore! This section of my blog will give you the ins and outs, ups and downs and round-abouts to expat life!

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A home away from home: Munich’s Rathaus

Location Location

If you are thinking about moving abroad for a while, location is key. Within my job role, I had a broad range of places to choose from and the world literally was my oyster. Taking such a big step solo, I was unsure of how expat life would work out for me – I felt that staying in Europe provided me with a safety net, being relatively close to home. As mentioned in my Venice blog, I have an unhealthy obsession with Italy and always imagined myself moving there. However, a chance arose for a job role in Munich and the capital of Bavaria soon came to be the place I’m fortunate to call my ‘second home’.

As with any major move, there have been ups and downs to expat life so far. However, I can honestly say that the decision to move to Munich was possibly the best decision I have ever made – in my opinion, where you choose to live massively impacts your experiences and feelings towards expat life; if it’s something you choose to do, take the time to find the best location for you.

Chosen nation – now preparation

Once I knew I was moving to Munich, my to-do list suddenly doubled. There is a lot to sort prior to a move abroad and it can feel extremely daunting. A typical teacher response to anything, my advice to you would be to make lists: lots of them! I found that breaking each job down helped me to prepare both physically and mentally for the biggest adventure of my life. Start early with document preparations (changing address, bank account and the stresses of student loan), then you will not be left feeling so overwhelmed when the moving day arrives.

The final countdown

One thing which I felt very nervous about was meeting new people – growing up in the same area all my life, I had my home comforts. My top tip would be to arrange meet ups with others before you arrive. If your work offers an induction programme or a ‘buddy’, snap up their offer! Before I moved, I asked my work to share contact details with other new starters – I ended up filling my first week with cafe trips galore (I might have mentioned my love for cafes) with new faces. For me, having the opportunity to meet people going through the same experiences as me helped me to settle in to expat life.

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Meeting new people is the best thing about expat life

For anyone considering a move abroad, I can honestly say it will be an experience of a lifetime. Do you research, decide on the right place and take a leap into the unknown!

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K x

Ventures in Venice

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Over the years, I have developed an unhealthy obsession with Italy (I even had an Italian-themed birthday one year!). Out of all the countries I have visited so far, Italy holds a firm place in my heart – I truly believe you could close your eyes, pick a point on the map and be amazed by the outcome. A country with so much to offer, Venice is by far my favourite and a must-see destination!

Gondolas waiting on the Grand Canal

 

Highlights

Bridge to somewhere

To me, the most magical aspect of Venice is spending time in a place without roads – no cars, no buses, no Sunday drivers! Ventures around the island can be taken by foot or boat. With over 400 bridges on the island, you may take a few wrong turns before you get your bearings! However, everyone needs to get a little lost in order to find their way!

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The famous Rialto Bridge

Be sure to experience the boat taxi, hopping on and off to find a new wrong turn. It’s especially cool to see this during school time, when the children use this as their form of transport to school!

 

 

Giddy for Gondolas

When you think of Venice, many immediately dream of the picturesque ride through the canals on a gondola. Whilst this is an experience I can truly recommend, it is a steep price and therefore not always achievable. For a gondola experience that won’t break the bank, head to the grand canal and pay 3 euros to cross from one side to the other – cheap and convenient!

Gondola ride
Gondola ride through the canals

Day trips

If you fancy a day away from the hustle and bustle, Venice has great connections to three beautiful islands: Murano, Burano and Lido. Whether it’s the shopping and glassware of Murano, handmade lace of Burano or the beach life of Lido, be sure to take a trip to one of these islands during your stay in Venice! My personal favourite is Burano, with a line of brightly coloured houses along the waterfront: a photographer’s dream!

Coffee kicks and travel tipples

Cafe del doge
A hot chocolate experience you will not regret!

When in Italy, one must embrace the café culture! A country famed for their coffee, you won’t go thirsty in Venice! Coffee and croissants are a staple morning delicacy – something which I was extremely happy about! If you’re feeling brave, visit one of the smaller café bars and take a standing shot of espresso before starting your day.

If you’re like me you may wish to enjoy a leisurely drink and soak up the Venetian way of life. Piazza San Marco has an array of beautiful cafes (varying in price) where you can enjoy a morning break whilst listening to the pianist playing in the square. If you are a fan of hot chocolate, then Café del Doge should be top of your list! Thick, creamy hot chocolates with a variety of flavours – you can’t go wrong!

If wine is more your tipple of choice, be sure to visit Cantina do Mori – known to be the oldest wine bar in Venice! With wooden stools and copper kettles lining the ceiling, Cantina do Mori sums up the Italian culture. You can even enjoy some bar nibbles whilst sampling the plethora of wines on offer.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy in the near future, be sure to include Venice in your plans – you won’t be disappointed!

Happy Travels, K x

Top 5 travel tips: Venice

  1. Plan wisely which month to visit – Venice can flood a lot during the winter months; late Spring or early Autumn provide the perfect conditions for sight-seeing.
  2. Scout out Gelateria Alaska for ice cream – a wide range of interesting flavours, all made by hand.
  3. Take an evening stroll along the grand canal and enjoy a beautiful sunset!
  4. Climb the Campanile (St. Mark’s Basilica Bell tower) in the evening to avoid heavy crowds and a wonderful view of Piazza San Marco under the evening lights.
  5. Don’t be afraid to take a wrong turn – you might just discover something truly amazing!