Eight Cafes to Visit in Stockholm

Steve and I recently had a lovely weekend in Stockholm celebrating Midsummer. The trip had been booked for quite some time but it ended up nicely coinciding with our 'one year until we get married' date. Whilst this was a nice coincidence, booking a trip to Sweden during Midsummer, and booking our wedding for the Midsummer weekend were definitely not coincidences. It's a great time of year, a celebration of life and love, and I'm delighted that it'll become all the more special for Steve and myself.

Midsummer to the Swedes is a bit like Christmas to the Brits, everything shuts down for the weekend and locals head out of the city to celebrate with their loved ones. Stockholm is no exception. Most things close on Friday and Saturday with only a small number of places opening on Sunday. Fortunately we knew this in advance and planned accordingly. It did mean that on Thursday and Monday we had a lot to do and by that I mean we had a lot of pastries to eat.

Fika, another Swedish buzz word, involving a cup of coffee (juice in my case) and a little something to eat, all whilst in great company, is something I wish we took more time for at home. Stockholm has so many great Fika locations and Steve and I had a great tine discovering a handful of them.

My Guide to the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

I'm very lucky that I get to call Ireland my second home because it really is one of my favourite places in the entire world, especially the north of Co. Antrim where my family have a house. Every time I visit I get to check out favourite locations from my childhood, as well as visiting something new.

It's also given me the unique perspective of experiencing how Game of Thrones has had a dramatic impact on tourist numbers, something I have very mixed emotions over. Once quiet and tranquil spots where I spent my summers running around are now overrun with coach tours. The surge in tourism has had an amazing impact on the country's economy but does it come at a price? Cities like Amsterdam and Dubrovnik have complained about the growing stress of tourism, and this uncomfortable mass of people is something I recently experienced in Lisbon. Northern Ireland has a limit as well and I really hope we don't reach a point where the magic of this country is spoilt by vast numbers of visitors.

My Guide to Canggu, Bali

There was only ever one contender for where we would stay in Bali, and that was Canggu. My sister Helen has been living there for over two years and her stories of beach bars, cool cafes, and relaxed vibes instantly sold the town to me. Bali was never a huge wish list destination for me, the tales of drunk teenagers and raging beach parties isn't really the holiday vibe I go for, but Helen assured me that Canggu is not like this, and she's absolutely right. Once a secluded surfing spot, the town is now a busy haven of local businesses, whilst still retaining that relaxed and easy-going energy that makes SE Asia such a wonderful part of the world to visit.

Canggu, pronounced Chan-gu, is most definitely Bali's current slice of cool. It lacks the overrun resorts of Kuta and the hecticness of Seminyak, whilst boasting excellent surfing conditions, beautifully secluded accommodation, and some of the best food on the island. If I ever return to Bali I'll be back to Canggu in a blink of an eye.

Here's my guide for everything you need to know about this great, little town.

Memories of Indonesia

I'm not long back from a two and a half week trip around Indonesia, and boy what a whirlwind it was. The country is huge and we did our very best to see as much as possible, but now I'm yearning to return and see even more. Whilst we did travel around a lot, I found the trip pretty relaxing compared to our previous holidays, especially as the heat forces you to slow down. Island hopping isn't the most demanding of activities and save for a few treks and early starts I didn't return home feeling exhausted, which is quite often the case with the type of holidays I plan.

Out of Office: Indonesian Edition

Lovely new haircut from Dom at Rush Tower Bridge*

This evening Steve and I are off to Indonesia for just under three weeks. Obviously I'm excited. I'm excited to see my sisters, my friends, and to discover a new country. But I'm also a little scared. I'm scared of falling into the sulphurous blue lake of Mt Ijen, of being bitten by a Komodo dragon on Komodo island, and of not being able to protect my skin from sunburn. But hopefully I'll be ok and everything will go to plan.

HOTEL REVIEW: YOTELAIR, Gatwick Airport

I love an early morning flight, it means you arrive at your destination with an entire day of exploring ahead of you. However, I am not a morning person in the slightest and despite my 31 years of existence, I have yet to embrace the habit of waking up early feeling fresh. Fortunately for me I am willing to put myself through the discomfort of an early alarm if it means I get to jet off somewhere exciting. Nevertheless a 7am flight still fills me with a little dread so I've started to look for ways to make the experience of break of dawn travel a little easier. Say hello to airport hotels.

24 Hours in Maastricht, The Netherlands

Maastricht was the final stop on our whistle stop tour around the Netherlands. Despite it being a couple of hours away by train from Utrecht, it was en route to Brussels which is where we caught the Eurostar back to London. Maastricht is very different from the other cities we visited. Cultural similarities here are much more in tune with Germany and Belgium, compared to the north of the country which feels more Nordic in comparison. Because of this Maastricht ended up being my least favourite city but that's not to say I didn't enjoy our time here because I absolutely did. The city is traditional, picturesque, and full of history. Whilst you won't find concept stores, street food markets, or pretty canals like the rest of the country, you will find some excellent attractions and a sophisticated foodie scene. We spent just under 24 hours in the city and it was the perfect amount of time to see everything that took our fancy.

Here's my Maastricht city guide.

24 Hours in Utrecht, The Netherlands

Utrecht was the city that surprised me the most on our trip around The Netherlands. I didn't know much about it, except that it's the home of Miffy and my friend, Sarah. She always gives the city high praise and that was enough for me to add it to the itinerary. We had 24 hours to explore but it was not enough time, I definitely could have done with an extra day. But we squeezed a lot in and I'd love to visit again. Now that direct trains are running from London to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, The Netherlands is even more accessible. Utrecht is lovely, it's a small city that combines the the charm of the Amsterdam canals, with the alternativeness of Rotterdam thanks to a big student population.

Here's my Utrecht city guide.

HOTEL REVIEW: Mother Goose, Utrecht

The search is over, I've discovered my favourite hotel.

Three Days in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

I'd been looking forward to visiting Rotterdam, the Netherlands second city, for a long time and it did not disappoint. Completely different from Amsterdam, this urban jungle lacks romantic canals but makes it's own drama with modern architecture, big open spaces, and more than a touch of the alternative. Rotterdam is an ever evolving city with surprises around every corner. At first glance the city might look a little grey but once you've scratched the surface you'll find pops of colour everywhere, especially yellow, which is fine by me as it's one of my favourites.

Here's my Rotterdam city guide.

HOTEL REVIEW: Stroom, Rotterdam

The second stop on our Netherlands road trip was Rotterdam, and whilst accommodation in Amsterdam is expensive, Rotterdam is a lot more affordable. As always, I was in search for an affordable boutique hotel, and Stroom hit the bill perfectly. I was drawn to the minimalist, industrial design of the bedrooms, and despite the slightly 'out-of-the-city-centre' location, the hotel was a dream.

PHOTO DIARY: Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 2017

Amsterdam was amazing and most definitely lived up the hype. I'd been once before, when I was 17, but we didn't get much sightseeing done so I was excited to get back to the capital of the Netherlands and find out what makes it tick. Steve and I had four days in the city and we squeezed in as much as possible. Museums, cafes, food, beer, you name it. I left feeling like we had achieved a lot in a short space of time, but also that there was still so much to see.

DAY 1

Hello 2018

This time last year I said I didn't have many big plans for 2017, except to travel lots, and travel lots I did. The year started with Steve and I finishing up Christmas and New Year's in Ireland, visiting our family. Unfortunately we didn't make it back over in 2017 so a visit is definitely on the cards for this year. Maybe in the summer as winter in Ireland isn't the most pleasant of experiences.

HOTEL REVIEW: Generator Hostel, Amsterdam

When it comes to accommodation, Amsterdam is expensive. Space is at a premium so be prepared to splash the cash for those much desired canal side locations. After a lot of searching for an affordable, boutique option, I came across Generator Hostel. This small chain of upmarket hostels has locations all over Europe where they promise a boutique hostel experience. Located on the east side of the city, Generator doesn't exactly have a central location but it's close to a tram stop which makes travelling into the city centre a breeze. The hostel is situated in Oosterpark and with many of the rooms looking out onto the park, it's a lovely and tranquil atmosphere.

PHOTO DIARY: Roskilde, Denmark, June 2017

With our flight leaving Copenhagen in the evening we had to get from Aarhus to Zealand, whilst also managing to visit a ton of places en route. Of course we managed it, whilst also having a couple of great meals in the process.

DAY SEVENTEEN

PHOTO DIARY: Aarhus, Denmark, June 2017

I absolutely adored Aarhus but the day and a half we spent there was not enough time, especially as it rained a lot. The city is basically a mini Copenhagen, there's lots to do, loads of great food options, and an absolutely charming vibe. It's the perfect long weekend destination and somewhere I hope to visit again soon.

DAY FIFTEEN

Out of Office: Netherlands Edition

Tonight Steve and I embark on a 9 day tour of the Netherlands. We're getting there via the Dutch Flyer which means a train from London Liverpool Street to Harwich, followed by an overnight boat to the Hook of Holland, and then a train to the Amsterdam. Steve has always wanted to do this route so it'll be a little adventure and perhaps more exciting than a direct one hour flight...

I visited Amsterdam back in my sixth form days and have been dying to make it back ever since. Steve has never been but the country has been at the top of his travel wish list for a long time. I think Dennis Bergkamp has something to do with it. This will be a very different trip from the one I took in 2005 (has it really been 12 years), as we'll be spending more time taking in the sights and less time feeling light headed in a coffee shop. But it's Amsterdam, who knows what will happen.

We're spending three nights in Amsterdam where we have a jam packed schedule with sightseeing, restaurant visiting, and beer tasting. We're staying in the Generator Hostel which looks lovely. I was originally hoping for The Hoxton but at £900 for three nights it was a little out of our budget.

Our next city will be Rotterdam, were we will be spending three nights at Stroom. I have a thing for second cities so I'm really looking forward to seeing what Rotterdam has to offer. There's meant to be great architecture which is just my thing so I can't wait to take some photos. One day we're going to visit The Hague and Delft which I'm really looking forward to. Delft is meant to be absolutely charming plus The Hague has some impressive sights.

We'll be spending one night in Utrecht, staying at Mother Goose. I don't know a lot about this city but an old colleague is from Utrecht and she speaks so fondly of the place that I can't wait to see everything she's told me about. Especially the Miffy Museum.

Our final stop will be a night in Maastricht, where we'll be staying at Townhouse Design Hotel. Again, I don't know a lot about Maastricht about it looks quite quaint. From here we'll be catching a train to Brussels where we'll be getting the Eurostar back to London. I'm really looking forward to a holiday not involving a single airport.

If you have any tips about things to do and see in any of these cities please do let me know.

Follow me on: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin'

PHOTO DIARY: Skagen, Denmark, June 2017

The two days we spent in Skagen, the most northerly town in Denmark, were some of my fondest moments of the entire holiday. Skagen doesn't have much going on, but what it lacks in things to do, it sure makes up for in stunning nature. Beautiful beaches, moon-like sand dunes, and sand swept buildings, it was finally time to enjoy the summer element of our summer holiday.

DAY THIRTEEN

PHOTO DIARY: Aalborg, Denmark, June 2017

We spent less than 24 hours in Aalborg, and it rained most of the time, but the drive there was one of the loveliest on our road trip. I wasn't expecting much from the city, but even with the rain, it surpassed my expectations.

DAY TWELEVE

24 hours in Odense, Denmark

Odense is charming, it's the third largest city in Denmark, the main city on the island of Funen, and the birth place of Hans Christian Andersen. It's a 2-hour drive from Copenhagen and the perfect place to spend a couple of days thanks to a plethora of things to do.