Here are the best books I’ve read so far in 2020. Historical fiction, memoirs and romance novels included. Although I love escaping to different cities, I have also always loved escaping through books. In case you don’t follow me on Instagram, I created a bookstagram account in May to allow me to share my love for books with fellow book lovers. I already love having a different creative outlet and the bookstagram community has been very welcoming. Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to do a round-up of the best books I’ve read in the first six months of 2020. Like many others, I’ve definitely read more since this pandemic began – my total currently stands at 33. Here are the five-star books I recommend adding to your to-be-read pile. There are also a lot of romance reads mentioned #sorrynotsorry. In case you’re looking for further inspiration, here are my favourite contemporary romance novels and the best Australian books. The best books of 2020 so far 1. The Flatshare The Flatshare is now one of my favourite romance novels. We hear from both Tiffy and Leon – two strangers who share a bed in his London flat. With Leon working night shifts, the pair don’t officially meet for months. However, they become friends through a series of handwritten notes they leave around the flat for each other. I love when romance novels have depth and complex characters and I’m pleased to say The Flatshare fits the bill. While Leon deals with family issues, Tiffy deals with her manipulative ex-boyfriend. Together with a series of interesting supporting characters, I highly recommend reading The Flatshare. The Flatshare on Amazon 2. The Bride Test I loved Helen Hoang’s first novel, The Kiss Quotient. Hence I was excited to get my hands on The Bride Test. It’s told from both Khai and Esme’s perspectives. Khai is an autistic Vietnamese-American guy, while Esme is a young Vietnamese mum. Khai’s meddling mum heads to Vietnam to try and find a wife for her unsuspecting son and meets Esme. She convinces her to come to live with her son in the States over the summer, in the hopes they fall madly in love and marry. Of course, there are plenty of ups and downs as Esme tries to settle into American life and Khai tries to accept her unsettling presence in his life. I loved the dynamic between Khai and Esme and could not put this book down. If you’ve also read The Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test has just as many steamy and cringe-worthy scenes. The Bride Test on Amazon 3. The Switch The Switch is Beth O’Leary’s second novel. I was hoping it would be just as good as her debut, The Flatshare and I was not disappointed. The Switch is quite a different story though, but still just as charming and heartwarming. It’s told from the perspective of two Eileen Cottons. Leena is a 20-something Londoner struggling with her sister’s death and Eileen is her nearly 80-year-old grandma from the Yorkshire Dales. After a workplace meltdown, Leena takes a two-month sabbatical and convinces her grandma to swap houses and lives. So Eileen moves into her granddaughter’s Shoreditch apartment and navigates the London dating scene, while Leena becomes a part of the local community and heals her broken relationship with her mum. The Switch features refreshing angles, an interesting cast of supportive characters and focuses on the importance of family, friends and community. (Disclosure: I received a review copy through NetGalley but all opinions are my own). The Switch on Amazon 4. Autoboyography Autoboyography is the best YA book I’ve read in years. The main character is Tanner, a bisexual Californian teen living in a small Utah town with overly supportive parents. We meet him in his last semester of high school, which is when he meets and instantly falls in love with Sebastian, a Mormon prodigy. It follows their secret blossoming relationship and Sebastian’s identity crisis. I have always been a fan of Christina Lauren’s writing style and it’s no different in Autoboyography. However, in this book, I feel like they handle sensitive topics like religion and sexuality in a careful but nonetheless eye-opening way. With dashes of humour alongside heartbreaking moments, this was another book I couldn’t put down. Autoboyography on Amazon 5. Into the Darkest Day Into the Darkest Day is one of the most surprising books I’ve read so far this year. I didn’t know what to expect but I ended up absolutely falling in love with this historical fiction novel. The author, Kate Hewitt certainly has a gifted way with words. Her descriptive writing style only got better as the book progressed. Into the Darkest Day is set in World War II London and present-day America. It begins with a British teacher, Simon reaching out to an American woman named Abby. He explains that her late grandma (Sophie) asked him to return her late grandfather (Tom’s) Purple Heart. While the pair begin to unravel how their grandparents knew each other, they learn to forgive their own past mistakes. In the meantime, we travel to World War II London, where sisters Sophie and Lily meet American soldiers Tom and Matthew. The book takes an unexpected turn as it focuses predominantly on Lily and Matthew’s blossoming relationship. It also sees us follow Matthew into battle, which will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings. I found myself unable to put this book down as I needed to know if Lily and Matthew got their happily ever after in the end. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, definitely check out Into the Darkest Day. (I also received a copy of Into the Darkest Day for review purposes through NetGalley). Into the Darkest Day on Amazon 6. City of Girls In May, I finally decided to embrace audiobooks, as my library has a free audiobook app available. Now I’m kicking myself for not looking into them sooner, as they make morning walks so much more […]

A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Athens in November

Welcome to my guide to visiting Athens in November. I cover everything from the best things to do in Athens, my top foodie recommendations and where you need to stay in Athens if you’re on a budget. I didn’t know what to expect when I visited Athens in November 2019. But it was such a fascinating city that I can’t wait to return… someday. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that there were so many ancient sites throughout the city centre. Like you could visit an ancient attraction and then pop into H&M 10 minutes later. Here are some of the best things to do in Athens in November, plus some additional Athens travel tips. How to get to Athens Athens is located right at the end of Europe, so the best way to get there is by plane. I flew into Athens from Munich and flew out of Athens to Singapore via Scoot. I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest flight deals, then buy tickets on the airline’s official websites. Scoot is 100% a budget airline, but you can’t argue with the price. Once you arrive in Athens, you can follow my lead and hop on the metro from the airport, which will take you directly into the city centre. From memory, it cost about €10 for the ticket. The one downside is that the train only comes every 30 minutes. But otherwise, the metro is a great way to get around Athens. Honestly, any metro with luggage racks wins points in my book. Here are a few other cheap cities to visit in Europe and my tips for travelling across Europe on a budget. Where to stay in Athens in November If you’re a fellow solo or budget traveller, I highly recommend staying at Mosaikon. Firstly, it’s in a very central location. It’s walking distance from Monastiraki Square and its metro station, as well as the main shopping street and the Plaka neighbourhood. Secondly, the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly. I chatted to a couple of the girls who were so lovely and helpful. Now, onto the hostel itself. It’s a very modern facility, with a kitchen and a rooftop with Acropolis views. I stayed in a four-bed female dorm and each bed came with a shelf, light and privacy blind. The ensuite bathroom was also incredibly spacious and clean. Definitely check out Mosaikon when looking for budget accommodation in Athens, as it’s one of the top-rated Athens hotels on Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Hostelworld (I found Booking.com had the cheapest price when I booked). If you’re interested in other Athens hotels, other top-rated properties on my beloved Booking.com include Acropolis Stay: modern rooms, great location and hello, nine breakfast menus. Then there’s the reasonably-priced Ederlezi Boutique Hotel and Still Athens, which is a bestselling hotel. By the way, here are my top hostelling tips Why is November a good time to visit Athens? I believe November is a good time to visit Athens because the weather is great and there are fewer crowds. Honestly, the November weather in Athens was perfection. The temperature was warm but not too hot, so I could comfortably walk around the city in jeans and a t-shirt. November is also one of the best times to travel to Greece as it’s in the shoulder season, which equals fewer people, good weather and cheaper prices. Other shoulder season months: April, May, September and October. What to pack for Athens in November If you’re wondering how to dress in Athens in November, I just wanted to reiterate that I was comfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt and it seemed to be what most people were wearing (tourists and locals). I paired my outfit with my beloved Allbirds, a.k.a the best travel shoes ever. I also wore my light jacket on the Greek Islands day trip mentioned below, as the breeze on the deck was a little brisque at times. Hopefully, that helps you decide what to wear in Athens in November. My autumnal packing list & my travel essentials Best things to do in Athens in November Ok, now you’re set to visit Greece in November, let’s dive into what to do in Athens in November. I just wanted to note that Athens is home to a plethora of ancient attractions and I haven’t mentioned them all below because nobody has time for that! However, you can easily view many of them, including Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Library, for free just by walking around the city. Go on a walking tour Soak up that perfect Athens weather on a walking tour, which is one of the best ways to learn more about Athens. I joined Athens Free Tour and my guide was a lady affectionally known as Princess. I chatted to her as we walked between stops and she was an incredibly interesting woman in general. But her tour was also fantastic. Starting from Hadrian’s Arch, she told us so much information about Athens, the military and the current political climate. We past through the National Garden (definitely visit even if you don’t do a free walking tour), stopped to see the changing of the guards and then finished in Plaka. This is hands down one of the best things to do in Athens. Do a Greek Islands cruise from Athens in November I did a Greek Islands day tour from Athens and it was awesome (a long day, but awesome). You can read more about the tour in this blog post, but we visited three islands and my favourite was Hydra. Although heading from Athens to Santorini is a popular route, unless you fly you can’t really do a day trip to Santorini. I also think Athens in November is superb, but you will want to visit the Greek Islands in warmer weather. Stroll through Plaka, Athens Plaka is one of Athen’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. Its main thoroughfare, Adrianou Street, is home to lots of shops and […]

13 Top Things To Do During a Weekend in Belfast

If you’re wondering how to spend a weekend in Belfast, you’ve come to the right place. Follow my itinerary to discover the top things to do in Belfast in two days – day trips from Belfast included. We’re travelling back to autumn 2017 today, which is when I spent a solo weekend in Belfast. I know, this post has been sitting in my drafts folder for way too long. Anyway, I had heard mixed reviews about Belfast before my visit. Some people said it wasn’t anything special, while others offered rave reviews. I decided I needed to visit to draw my own conclusion. What I found in Belfast was a gritty city with a heartbreaking history that’s surrounded by beautiful natural attractions. As it doesn’t have an overwhelming number of tourist attractions, it’s the perfect UK weekend destination. If you’re also looking to travel alone to Belfast for the weekend, here are my top recommendations for things to do in Belfast. General weekend in Belfast travel tips How to get to and around Belfast Firstly, you’re probably wondering how to get to Belfast. I got the bus from Dublin to Belfast, which leaves from the city centre and only takes about two hours. Several bus companies operate between Dublin and Belfast, including Dublin Coach, Aircoach, Bus Eireann and Expressway. Other transport options include flying into Belfast or getting the ferry from Glasgow. The Stena Line ferry and bus option was the route I took when I left Belfast and it was definitely a unique mode of onward transport. As for getting around Belfast, I did use the public bus system on a few occasions and simply paid on board. I recommend visiting the official Translink website before boarding to work out the exact fare. Check out my tips for travelling alone in Europe and for travelling across Europe on a budget. Where to stay during a weekend in Belfast I stayed at Vagabonds, a hostel located about a 10-minute walk from the bus station. Although it isn’t in the most central location, it is walking distance from the Botanic Gardens and Queen’s University. A cosy and welcoming space, I stayed in a six-bed female dorm, which was small but the mattress was extremely soft. There were shared bathrooms down the hall, which were always kept clean too. With comfortable communal spaces, friendly and helpful staff, and free breakfast, I would recommend Vagabonds to other solo and budget travellers spending the weekend in Belfast. If you don’t fit into either of these categories, there’s an ibis Hotel in Belfast City Centre, which is always an affordable option. Alternatively, two of the best hotels to stay in Belfast are the Grand Central Hotel and the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel, as they each have amazing reviews. Here are my top tips for staying in hostels and my other favourite hostels across the UK and Europe. Solo travel in Belfast I also wanted to quickly mention my thoughts on solo travel in Belfast. After hearing mixed reviews about the city, I didn’t know how comfortable I’d feel visiting Belfast. But overall, I’d recommend the city to fellow solo female travellers. It was easy to catch public transport, although I did find the city centre very compact and walkable. Furthermore, there are enough things to do in Belfast in two days to keep you busy. I also did end up walking back to my hostel at dusk one night along the main road and didn’t feel unsafe. However, always follow your instincts in these kinds of situations. Check out this post for my entire Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary for fellow solo travellers, which features a few places not to miss in Ireland. How to spend a weekend in Belfast – top things to do in Belfast in two days 1. Do a day trip from Belfast I know, you may not want to do a day trip with only a weekend in Belfast. However, I saw everything I wanted to see with only one day in Belfast, so I highly recommend looking into day trips from Belfast. When I arrived in Belfast, I headed to the Irish Tour Tickets shopfront near the bus station and organised a day tour for the following day. I did this Giants Causeway Tour from Belfast. It was a big bus tour, but there were a guide, a bus driver and plenty of interesting stops. You begin by driving along the famous Causeway Coastal Route to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway. Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark, Giant’s Causeway is a geographical marvel. It’s home to 40,000-plus hexagonal-shaped stepping stones and basalt columns, which were formed some 60 million years ago by volcanic activity. Hugging the Atlantic Ocean, I recommend join a locally-guided tour once you reach Giant’s Causeway. Our guide, Mark told us a lot more about the area then I would have gathered from Wikipedia. The next stop is lunch at the Old Bushmills Distillery before you arrive at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. You may not want to cross the bridge if you’re afraid of heights, but I thought it was a cool experience. With pitstops at places like Dunluce Castle, Carnlough and Carrickfergus Castle, I really enjoyed this tour. Along the way, the guide also told us a lot of interesting facts about Northern Ireland’s tumultuous history. After doing two tours with Irish Tour Tickets, I highly recommend the company. Here are several more of their day trip options, as they organise different Games of Thrones tours if that’s more your vibe. 2. Visit Queen’s University and the Botanic Gardens Down the road from my hostel was Queen’s University (hello, pretty main building) and the Belfast Botanic Gardens. If I have time, I don’t mind a wander through botanic gardens when I visit a city. Visiting these botanic gardens also happens to be one of the best free things to do in Belfast. The public park is home to numerous walking routes, as well as the historic Palm […]

The Ultimate Aussie Battle – Should You Visit Melbourne or Sydney?

I’m weighing in on one of the biggest Australian debates – is Melbourne or Sydney better? When it’s your first time visiting Australia and you only have limited vacation days, the age-old battle between Melbourne or Sydney might be on your mind. Do you spend a few days in both cities or base yourself in one or the other? Alternatively, do you skip them altogether and head to my current state of choice, Queensland – home to the Great Barrier Reef? Well, I’m here to impartially settle the Melbourne versus Sydney debate. Melbourne versus Sydney – commonly-asked questions Let’s start with some commonly-asked questions, before answering whether Sydney is better than Melbourne. Is Melbourne near Sydney? In Australian terms (it takes approximately six hours to fly from coast to coast), travel between Sydney and Melbourne is relatively short. Melbourne, in Victoria, is about a nine-hour drive or a 1.5-hour flight southwest of Sydney in New South Wales. However, these two Australian cities couldn’t be more different, which you will discover for yourself below. Are Melbourne and Sydney in the same time zone? Yes, Sydney and Melbourne are both in the Australian Eastern Standard (AEST) time zone. Is Melbourne or Sydney bigger? Sydney is slightly bigger in terms of population, with over five million residents. Meanwhile, Melbourne has just under five million residents. Sydney also receives nearly double the number of tourists versus Melbourne. Is Melbourne or Sydney more expensive? Sydney is more expensive than Melbourne in terms of cost of living. In fact, rent in Melbourne is estimated to be about 30% cheaper in Melbourne versus Sydney. This blows my mind because I paid a lot of rent to live in Melbourne 😂. Melbourne or Sydney – let the battle commence! Here, Melbourne and Sydney battle it out across 13 categories to help you decide whether to visit Sydney vs Melbourne. Sydney has better beaches Let’s start with an important question you will inevitably ask before visiting Australia – does Sydney or Melbourne have better beaches? Well, Sydney wins this section hands down, as it’s home to over 100 beaches. Its best beaches include the world-famous Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach, Shelly Beach and Palm Beach – where Home and Away is filmed. Melbourne does have good beaches like Brighton Beach and St Kilda Beach. However, the downside is that because of their location on Port Phillip Bay, the water is pretty cool year-round. Melbourne is Australia’s culture capital If you want to be submerged in cultural attractions during your visit to Australia, I highly recommend visiting Melbourne over Sydney. One of the (many) reasons why Melbourne is Australia’s culture capital is that it’s home to a plethora of art galleries and museums. This includes the National Gallery of Victoria – Australia’s largest and most-visited art gallery, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. There’s also Melbourne Museum, the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere. I actually worked at the Melbourne Museum and it has a selection of family-friendly interactive displays. Furthermore, it features exhibits on natural history, indigenous culture and fashion and technology. Melbourne also wins points in the culture department for its burgeoning theatre scene. Finally, as a street art addict, I have to mention that both cities have some cool street art displays. In Melbourne’s central business district (CBD), start in Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane and Union Lane. Related posts: Here are over 50 things to do in Melbourne and free things to do in Melbourne, which will undoubtedly keep you busy! Both cities host great festivals It’s difficult to determine whether Sydney or Melbourne have a better festival scene. This is because they both host a slew of fun annual festivals. Let’s start with Sydney, which hosts the light spectacular that is Vivid Sydney; music festivals like Electric Gardens and Field Day; and Sydney Festival, a major three-day arts festival that happens each January. On the other hand, Melbourne hosts annual events like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and St Kilda Fest, a free one-day music extravaganza. Take a look at this page to see an exhaustive list of Melbourne festivals. So although Sydney has better music festivals, Melbourne probably wins for cultural festivals. Melbourne is also Australia’s sports capital Melbourne and Sydney both have AFL, NRL, cricket and national soccer teams. However, Melbourne gets to wear the crown in this instance. This is thanks to the fact it hosts major sporting events like the Australian Open (I’ve also worked there 😂), the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Boxing Day Cricket Test. There’s seriously a sporting event happening in Melbourne year-round. Sydney has more outdoor adventures There are definitely more outdoor adventures waiting for you in Sydney. Water-based outdoor adventures include open water swimming pools like Bondi Icebergs, snorkelling at Gordons Bay and Shelly Beach, and surfing at Bondi or Bronte Beach. Then there’s the legendary coastal walk stretching from Bondi to Bronte Beach. Back on dry land, Sydney is also home to multiple urban parks, like Centennial Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Sydney. As for Melbourne, it also has urban parks and coastal walks. I recommend walking from Port Melbourne to St Kilda Beach or walking around Albert Park Lake. However, compared to Sydney, they just aren’t as scenic. Melbourne has a more diverse nightlife scene The biggest difference between Melbourne vs Sydney when it comes to nightlife is that Melbourne has more nighttime options. Both cities have pretty strict lockout laws (rules dictating when bars and nightclubs can no longer serve/must close). However, Melbourne has plenty of local live music venues, like 170 Russell, the Corner Hotel and the Northcote Social Club. This is where you can see Australian musicians at affordable prices. It’s also known for its rooftop bars, cocktail bars and hidden bars. Basically, if you want a unique night out in Australia, you’ll find it in […]

10 Reasons to Add “Visit Edinburgh” to Your Post-Lockdown Bucket List

I have been fortunate to visit Edinburgh twice now and it’s one of my favourite cities. Here are all the reasons I love Edinburgh and why I recommend visiting when it’s safe to do so. For some ridiculous reason, I never wrote about Edinburgh after my first time in the city two years ago (shame on me). So here I am today, ready to tell you all the reasons why I love Edinburgh. After falling instantly in love on my first visit, I was wondering if I would feel the same way two years later. Well, in case it wasn’t obvious, I needn’t worry because Edinburgh is still firmly one of my favourite places. So much so, I hope one day to call it home (for a little while, anyway). Okay, keep scrolling to listen to me gush about Edinburgh like a lovestruck teenager. How to get to Edinburgh Firstly, let’s cover some important bases, like how to get to Edinburgh. You can fly to Edinburgh, but I’ve personally arrived by bus from Glasgow and train from York. Both times I left Edinburgh, I hopped on a train to London. When in Edinburgh, it’s pretty easy to use public transport. However, as you’ll see below, one of the reasons I love Edinburgh is that it’s a very walkable city. I caught a public bus once in two trips. For more information, here are my Europe budget travel tips and my tips for travelling alone in Europe. Best time to visit Edinburgh I have only visited in October, which is actually a lovely month to visit Edinburgh. Temperatures may be cooler, but I was also graced with predominantly sunny days. Nonetheless, May is the driest month of the year, closely followed by September. I recommend heading to Edinburgh in the shoulder season months of May and September, as the summer months of June to August are B-U-S-Y. Where to stay in Edinburgh Both times I’ve visited Edinburgh I’ve stayed at Kick Ass Greyfriars (formerly Budget Backpackers) in a four-bed female dorm. It’s in a great location near Victoria Street and just down the road from The Royal Mile. With modern and spacious rooms, I’d say the only downsides are that there isn’t a common area as such (instead there’s a chill room and bar) and the showers could be better. But for the price and location (and the fact there’s a kitchen), I’d return for a third visit. Alternatively, if you’re searching for Edinburgh hotels, there’s a Holiday Inn centrally located on the Royal Mile, which has good reviews. Otherwise, if you’d like a luxurious stay in Edinburgh, check out The Balmoral. Defined by its clock tower, The Balmoral is a five-star property with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Its notoriety comes from the fact it’s where J.K. Rowling famously finished writing the last Harry Potter book. You can stay in her suite for around £1000 per night –that’s all 😂. Speaking of hostels, here are my top tips for staying in hostels and my other favourite hostels across the UK and Europe (yes, Kick Ass made the list). Why you need to visit Edinburgh 1. The locals are ridiculously friendly One of the many reasons why I love Edinburgh is because the locals are so friendly. As a solo traveller dining out in Edinburgh alone, I never once felt self-conscious, as the staff were always welcoming and many even had a chat with me. This friendliness also extended to tour guides, bus drivers and hostel staff. Coupled with that irresistible Scottish accent, I want to become friends with every Edinburgh local. 2. There are many day trip opportunities Whether you want a different city escape, a water-based adventure or to go hiking, there’s a day trip waiting for you when you visit Edinburgh. You can head to Glasgow, an hour’s drive away, visit legendary Loch Ness or Loch Lomond National Park, or see St Andrew’s by the seaside. Here are plenty more Edinburgh day trip options from Visit Scotland. Personally, I’ve done two organised day trips with Rabbie Tours. The company is great, as they offer small group tours at very reasonable prices. There are also plenty of photos stops along the way, so you don’t spend hours at a time stuck on a tour bus. The two tours I’ve done are the Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highland tours, and the West Highlands Lochs and Castles tour. Don’t make me choose which one was better, as I thought they both included interesting stops and beautiful scenery. 3. Visit Edinburgh for the delectable food scene I’m going to write a guide to my favourite places to eat in Edinburgh, as I have had some amazing meals during my two visits. The way to my heart is truly through my stomach, guys. Some of the meals that made me love Edinburgh more include the Nutella and hazelnut French toast at Mimi’s Bakehouse Leith. The cakes and slices available at Mimi’s Bakehouse are also insanely delicious. Then there is the pulled pork sandwich from Oink, the jumbo pizza slices at Civerinos Slice and the homemade ice cream at Mary’s Milk Bar (complete with Edinburgh Castle views). Seriously, you will love Edinburgh’s food scene. 4. There are plenty of free things to see and do in Edinburgh Even after two Edinburgh visits, I still have attractions to tick off my list. Edinburgh is made for tourism, so it’s overflowing with free museums, family-friendly attractions and things to do. Some of my favourite free things to do in Edinburgh include visiting the National Museum of Scotland and The Writers’ Museum, walking along the Royal Mile, relaxing in Princes Street Gardens, and taking photos of Dean Village and Victoria Street. One of my favourite memories (and one of the reasons I love Edinburgh) is when I woke up around sunrise and wandered up to Edinburgh Castle. There were only a couple of other people around and the castle was glowing in the rising sun. It was an […]

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also walking distance from two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better. Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames. I’ve included some options from GetYourGuide below. 2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are plenty of magical photos from London at Christmas time 5. Wander […]

The Best Places to Visit in 2020, Based on My 10 Favourite 2019 Destinations

Let me help you plan your next vacation! Here are the best places to visit in 2020 (a.k.a my 10 favourite destinations in 2019). My epic 2019 adventures already feel like a dream. As I type this in mid-December, I’ve only been back in Australia for two weeks. But so much has happened since then that I really can’t fathom that I visited 16 countries in 2019! As I was deciding how to do a brief end-of-year recap of my travels, this post idea came to mind. I thought I’d attempt to pick my 10 favourite destinations, out of over 40 I visited in 2019. So here we are, the places I think you should visit in 2020. I also wanted to note that I visited all of these destinations solo too. Let’s go! My favourite destinations in 2019 (and where you should visit in 2020) Edinburgh I fell in love with Edinburgh when I first visited in 2017. So much so, it instantly became one of my favourite cities. I was scared that it might not live up to my expectations the second time round, but fortunately it exceeded them. Seriously, if you haven’t visited Edinburgh, remedy that immediately, as it’s a city filled with beautiful historic buildings and amazing eateries. I highly recommend heading up to Edinburgh Castle and along the Royal Mile in the early morning to take photos without crowds. A few of my other favourite things to do in Edinburgh include visiting Dean Village, checking out the free museums (yes, plural) and enjoying the delectable French toast at Mimi’s Bakehouse. I really need to write about Edinburgh sometime soon, don’t I? Where to stay: I’ve stayed at Kick Ass Greyfriars (formerly called Budget Backpackers) both times. It’s in a great location and my dorm room was so cheap. Here’s everywhere I visited in the UK and Europe during my three-month adventure in 2017. Hallstatt Hallstatt is the first of two Austrian destinations on my list. I did a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg and all I can say is… WOW. It’s a very small town, but it sits on a lake and is surrounded by mountains, so it is the definition of picturesque. Fortunately, I visited after the first snowfall of the year, so the combination of blue skies and snowy mountains made for beautiful photos. I could honestly look at photos of Hallstatt all day, but I should probably keep writing 🙃. London I’m so glad I decided to spend over a week in London in 2019. This has to be one of the best places to visit in 2020 (or any year, let’s be real). I don’t think I could ever live in London, as it’s just too big and busy for me. But I hope I can manage to visit every couple of years. That would make me very happy indeed. A big blog post about London is coming up, but some of my favourite things to do include doing a day trip to Oxford, seeing a musical (or two), shopping along Oxford Street and spending the day in East London. I loved checking out the street art in Shoreditch and having lunch along Brick Lane. Where to stay: Definitely stay at Wombats (I didn’t like Astor Victoria personally). Gothenburg Gothenburg was the second destination I visited on this trip, but it left a lasting impression. It’s one of the best places to visit in 2020 as it’s still a bit of a hidden gem (a.k.a there aren’t hoards of tourists). Gothenburg didn’t have a lot of must-see attractions, but I loved just wandering and eating. Don’t miss seeing the view from Skansen Kronan, eating a massive cinnamon bun from Cafe Husaren and a brownie from Brogyllen, and walking through the park. Where to stay: Backpackers Göteborg. Although it’s located out of the city centre, it was easy to get a tram directly to the bus station and then I walked everywhere else. Wrocław Okay, Wrocław was a complete surprise to me. I basically chose it as it was in between Berlin and Warsaw. But as it turns out, I liked it so much more than both of those destinations. Its Old Town is filled with the most colourful buildings, everyone I spoke to was very friendly and the food was delicious (and SO cheap). Don’t miss the perogies at Pierogarnia Stary Młyn. Where to stay: I highly recommend checking out TOGOTO, which is right next to the Old Town. It’s brand new, so everything is modern and clean, and the private rooms were so cheap! Vilnius Vilnius exceeded my expectations and was my favourite destination in the Baltics. I’ve already written a blog post about Vilnius (look at me go), but definitely check out Užupis, do one or two walking tours, and head up to one of the city’s many viewpoints. Where to stay: I really liked my stay at Old Town Trio. It was walking distance to everything, the room was big and very comfortable, and the breakfast was delicious. Athens One of the most interesting places to visit in 2020 has to be Athens. I didn’t really know what to expect from Athens, but I was really surprised from the moment I stepped onto the metro at the airport. The city was this interesting (and captivating) combination of old and new. Like you can casually walk past an ancient site on your way to shopping at Zara. My top recommendations for things to do in Athens include this walking tour, devouring loukoumades at Lukumades, wandering around Plaka, checking out the street art and views in Anafiotika, and enjoying a burger at Mama Roux. I did not have a bad meal in Athens, just lots and lots of good ones. If you, like me, also want to visit a Greek island while staying in Athens, check out this post for a look at the tour I did. Where to stay: I stayed at Mosaikon and I would happily […]

The 10 Best Places to Visit Alone in Australia

I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based off my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂 Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. However, I chose these Australian solo travel destinations as you can visit them without hiring a car and still have an unforgettable vacation. The best places to visit in Australia for solo travellers 1. Melbourne Let’s start with my current home, Melbourne. Thanks to the immense amount of things to do and its great public transport network, I believe Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia if travelling alone. However, I would recommend spending more than just a solo weekend here. Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne include visiting St Kilda, having brunch and a browse of the boutiques in Fitzroy, spotting street art in the CBD and going for walks through the city’s many gardens. You also shouldn’t leave Melbourne without doing a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I did an organised tour a few years ago and thought it was excellent. Where to stay in Melbourne: I have a post on where to stay in Melbourne. But my parents have stayed at the Atlantis – great location, good price and comfortable beds. I also recently stayed at Space Hotel, which has dorms and private rooms. The central hostel is fantastic and has a rooftop deck, lounge and gym. I’ll be back on return visits to Melbourne for sure. Read more: Where to eat in Melbourne, free things to do and general things to do, where to take the best photos and other day trips to check out. 2. Magnetic Island This may be a surprise entry, but I had to include Magnetic Island on this list of solo weekend getaways in Australia. Located a 20-minute ferry ride from my hometown, Townsville, this is where my parents live. It’s one of the best solo travel destinations in Australia because it’s made for tourists. With public buses and two great hostels located in different bays, Magnetic Island is one of the best places to visit in Australia if you’re travelling alone. On Magnetic Island, I recommend doing the Forts Walk, seeing the sunset at Horseshoe Bay, feeding the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay and swimming at Alma Bay. You can get to Townsville by flying or taking the Greyhound bus from two other destinations on this list: Cairns and Airlie Beach. The bus even drops you directly at the ferry terminal – now that’s convenience 😉. Where to stay on Magnetic Island: Bungalow Bay or Base are the two hostels I mentioned. Bungalow Bay is probably my favourite though, purely because it’s located in Horseshoe Bay. Read more: Things to do on Magnetic Island and where to find koalas (I share my secret spot). 3. Sydney Ah, Melbourne’s rival and Australia’s biggest city. Sydney is another one of Australia’s best solo travel destinations. Although I think Melbourne has more things to do, Sydney does have the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. However, I found that it takes longer to get places in Sydney when using public transport, so be prepared. You can get the bus to Bondi and do the Bondi to Bronte Walk. Then you can hop on the train to Instagram’s favourite place: The Grounds of Alexandria. Where to stay in Sydney: Can we talk about the epic views from both Bondi Backpackers and Sydney Harbour YHA?! They’re also top-rated on Hostelworld, which is what matters most to me. Read more: Fun things to do in Sydney As you’ll see with these places to visit in Australia, I only recommend hostels for solo travellers. Read this post for my top hostel tips and check out this post for great ways to meet people when travelling alone. 4. Hobart I know Hobart isn’t the first place you think of visiting on a solo weekend getaway in Australia. But if you have the time, it’s a short flight from Melbourne and a totally different city. It’s home to beautiful architecture, Australia’s most unique museum and some delicious food. I recommend visiting Mount Wellington, getting up close to Aussie animals at Bonorong Sanctuary and wandering around Salamanca. Where to stay in Hobart: I stayed at The Pickled Frog and wouldn’t recommend anywhere else. They offer free day trips to both MONA and Mount Wellington, and the hostel is conveniently located in the CBD. Read more: A visit to Mount Wellington, top things to do and where to eat in Hobart. 5. Cairns So Cairns is located a five-hour drive north of Townsville (the two cities have been frenemies forever). Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the fourth most-visited destination in Australia. Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, Cairns is also one of the best places to visit in Australia when travelling solo. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, and there are plenty of tours available. Top attractions near Cairns include Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda and Fitzroy Island. You could easily spend a week enjoying Cairns and its surrounds. Where to stay in Cairns: I’ve stayed at Gilligan’s before for a friend’s 21st and it’s a total party hostel (there’s an onsite nightclub). If that’s not your style these days (I feel […]

10 Top Tips For Travelling Alone in Europe

We head back to Europe this week as I let you in on my top tips for travelling alone in Europe. It’s a great destination for both first time and frequent solo female travellers. Sorry for the radio silence around here this month. With my 30th birthday and subsequent trip to New Zealand, life has been a good kind of hectic. But I’m back at my desk in Melbourne and ready to share this week’s post with you. I think Europe is a great place for solo travellers and I personally can’t wait to return. If you’re unsure about travelling alone in Europe, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover my top 10 tips for safe solo travel in Europe. Before we dive in, here’s my entire itinerary for travelling alone in Europe, if you’d like some specific solo travel destination suggestions. My top tips for travelling alone in Europe 1. When travelling alone in Europe, stick to daytime travel To travel between destinations in Europe, I used a combination of buses, trains and planes. However, FlixBus was the main transport I used in mainland Europe. It was cheap and it always got me safely to my next destination in daylight. Being able to make my way to my accommodation during the day and via public transport made my life so much easier. A bonus is that public transport is always quieter during the day, so getting to your accommodation with your luggage is breezier than trying to get your suitcase onto a peak hour train. This makes me anxious just thinking about it. I got one night flight from Ljubljana to Brussels and getting from the airport to my accommodation was a struggle. No solo female traveller wants to be trying to figure out public transport and wheeling her suitcase through a nearly-empty station at 11 pm at night. 2. Learn language basics For every city I visited, I tried to learn the basics: hello, goodbye, please and thank you. Sometimes in Eastern European cities, this was difficult, but a danke in Austria and a merci in France can go a long way. As does a smile – it’s universal 😊. 3. See how safe you feel at night I avoid walking around some places in Melbourne alone at night and I’ve lived here for over two years now. So when I’m in a foreign city, I’ll usually assess the situation and whether I feel comfortable being out after dark. In Budapest, I wanted to take night photos and because I visited at the end of autumn, the sunset early so I could do this at 6 pm. There were plenty of people walking around checking out the nearby Christmas Fair so I felt fine. But in Amsterdam, I stayed at the Generator, which was located within Oosterpark and a 10-minute walk from public transport. I wouldn’t walk through a park alone at night back home, so I tended to head back to the hostel before dark. This is one of those situations where you should 100% trust your gut. For me, my comfortability changes from city to city. 4. Travel with a crossbody bag Before visiting Europe I’d heard and read too many pickpocket stories. So I decided to use a crossbody bag as my everyday bag. I felt better having all of my important possessions in front of me, instead of on my back in a backpack. In saying that though, I always kept my passport under lock and key at my hostel, along with a different debit card just in case. If you’re looking for what to pack for an autumnal trip to Europe, I’ve got you covered. 5. Use public transport This may just be a personal preference, but I never feel too comfortable using taxis/ridesharing services in new cities when I’m alone. I’ve also heard horror stories from friends, so I’ll always use public transport wherever possible. Public transport across Europe is incredibly efficient and cheap, and Google Maps makes it easy to figure out how to get from A to B. A quick Google search will tell you any public transport tips as well. But if you have any questions, ask the hostel staff for tips and tricks. Which leads me to… 6. Stay in hostels when travelling alone in Europe I may now be in my 30s (😱) but I will still stay in hostels on my next solo trip to Europe. Although I may try and book more single rooms when possible, I believe hostels are the best accommodation option when travelling alone in Europe. They’re cheap, usually located in central and convenient locations, and they’re a great way to meet people. If you think you’ll get lonely travelling around Europe alone, stay in hostels. I hung out with my hostel dorm mates in Edinburgh, Brussels, Amsterdam and more. I also stick to female-only dorm rooms as well. For more tips regarding staying in hostels as a solo female traveller, check out this post. 7. Go to the supermarket Another great thing about hostels is that most of them have kitchen facilities available to guests. Like I mentioned, I don’t really enjoy walking around cities alone at night. So I’d usually have a traditional/must-eat meal for lunch and then buy something from the supermarket to have for dinner back at the hostel. Supermarkets are filled with traditional food as well, you know. I totally had a bread and cheese feast one night back at my hostel in Paris. Then I’d usually try a local sweet, because when in Rome/Zagreb/Bratislava 😉. 8. Don’t be afraid of dining solo As I said, I’d usually eat one meal out a day to sample the local delicacies. Back home I regularly dine out alone and pass the time either reading a book or scrolling on my phone. I did the same thing while travelling around Europe alone, or I’d plot my afternoon activities. Tourism is such a big industry in […]

My Awesome Guide to Amsterdam – aka The Perfect City For Solo Travellers

My next solo travel guide takes us to Amsterdam. Keep reading to discover why I believe Amsterdam is the perfect city for solo female travellers, plus all the top things to do with three days in Amsterdam. When I first visited Amsterdam as an 18 year-old, I thought it was a totally eccentric place. I remember the constant smell of pot in the air and locals dressed haphazardly in bright colours. I basically wasn’t in a hurry to return. But 10 years later I did just that and man, what a difference a decade makes. I’m now a total Amsterdam convert and recommend it to everyone, particularly fellow solo travellers. The city is full of friendly locals, beautiful architecture and a very impressive food scene. So here’s what I recommend you do with three days in Amsterdam. HERE’S THE ENTIRE ITINERARY FOR MY UK/EUROPE SOLO TRIP THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM RETAIL THERAPY Like many European cities, Amsterdam is a shopping hotspot. For souvenirs, I recommend checking out Dam Square Souvenirs. I also randomly walked past By Popular Demand one day and it was stocked full of so many interesting postcards and gift ideas. For the usual shopping suspects, check out Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat Streets. The Primark here stocks Amsterdam-inspired products as well. Finally, head inside Magna Plaza Shopping Centre and visit the very cool The Cool Collective. During the holidays there’s a HUGE Christmas Tree here too. VISIT THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE I visited the Anne Frank House during my first visit to Amsterdam. I’d read Anne Frank’s Diary in high school and it was incredible to see where it all took place. If you haven’t read the book, I recommend learning more about her story before visiting. GET READY TO WANDER I took an embarrassing number of architecture photos in Amsterdam, but it’s just such a photogenic city! I even found the crooked buildings charming. So fair warning: be prepared to spend a lot of your three days in Amsterdam wandering. I recommend strolling through The 9 Streets, the Canal District, Jordaan and De Pijp. You should also check out Magere Brug, which lights up at night. HOP ON A BIKE We all know about Amsterdam’s bike culture. There are bikes everywhere in the city and specific bike lanes too. If you want to be like a local during your three days in Amsterdam, check out MacBike or Discount Bike Rental for (you guessed it) bike rentals. FREE WALKING TOUR Guys, I have a confession to make – I did not do a free walking tour in Amsterdam. I know, who am I? I was thinking about it, but decided to just wander myself instead. Nonetheless, you know I always recommend doing a free walking tour. I did a SANDEMANs NEW Europe tour in Brussels and the same company operates in Amsterdam. They also have paid walking tour options as well. Otherwise, Freedam Tours is the top-rated free walking tour company in Amsterdam. GO ON A DAY TRIP I obviously spent too long wandering during my three days in Amsterdam, because I ran out of time to do a day trip. But I had written down quite a few things to do in nearby Haarlem. This includes dining at Stadsstrand de Oerkap (perfect for summer visitors), visiting the Grote Kerk and checking out Dessertbar. Another easy Amsterdam day trip option is Volendam. But if you don’t mind a long day, you could even visit Brussels. CHECK OUT A MUSEUM This city has so many museums, you’d definitely need more than three days in Amsterdam to experience them all. Museumplein is where you will find quite a few options, like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Moco Museum. I visited the area while the famous iamsterdam sign was in existence, which has now unfortunately been removed. But I had the weirdest toilet experience at the Cobra Cafe in Museumplein. The doors were translucent, but became less translucent when you turned the handle to engaged. I say less translucent because when I walked out I could see someone else next door to me and it was extremely awkward. Carrying on… Other museum options include the Rembrandt House Museum, NEMO Science Museum and the Hermitage. The most unique museum in Amsterdam must be Electric Ladyland – Museum of Fluorescent Art. It’s the first and only museum of its kind in the world. SEE THE SUNSET FROM PLLEK I’ve heard Pllek is worth a visit, particular at sunset. It’s home to a live stage, yoga classes and a menu that’s 75% vegetarian. RELAX ON A CANAL CRUISE This was another thing I did during my first trip to Amsterdam. We did an evening canal cruise and I loved seeing the city not only lit up at night, but from a different perspective. However, I know a daytime canal cruise would be just as good. I mean, it’s Amsterdam. GET THE FERRY TO AMSTERDAM-NOORD There are free ferries from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Amsterdam-Noord. The quick route from Centraal to Buiksloterweg is perfect for people who want to visit the A-DAM Lookout and the Eye Film Museum. I feel like this is another great sunset option as well. SPOT THE FLAMINGOS AT ARTIS I love including random suggestions in my guides. But one morning I was walking into Amsterdam with my dorm mates when we happened to walk past the ARTIS Royal Zoo and saw this flamingo enclosure. It was so random but so cool. HAVE A PICNIC IN THE PARK I stayed at Generator Amsterdam, which was located in Oosterpark. I enjoyed sitting outside and people watching while eating an early dinner. Amsterdam’s most famous park is Vondelpark, but another option is Westergasfabriek. BEHOLD BEGIJNHOF Begijnhof is an enclosed courtyard in the middle of Amsterdam. It’s filled with historic buildings that date back to the 14th century. It was originally built as a sanctuary for the Begijntje, who were a Catholic sisterhood that lived like nuns. Today, single women still live in the […]