Barcelona is a popular destination, no doubt about it. It is a great mix of urban modern city, old gothic charm, beach town and Spanish culture with a Catalan twist. It's a unique city, and there is a reason it keeps drawing in tourists and visitors by the thousands! If you are planning a trip there, keep reading to get an idea of what to see, do, what to eat, and overall how to have a blast in this amazing Spanish city! Here are my 10 suggestions:

1- Visit the Gothic Quarter

This is a spot I love returning to every time! The Gothic Quarter is so neat and different from the rest of Barcelona, with it's tiny, winding streets preserved since the middle ages, the cathedral and little squares, all etched in old and fascinating history! This is a part of the city you want a tour guide for!

2 - Eat Seafood Paella

Barcelona is a coastal city, so you will see a lot of seafood around! If you're not allergic, then I highly recommend you combine two typical dishes of the city: Paella and seafood! It comes with rings of calamari, little clams, and half a lobster! Yum!

3 - Walk Down Las Ramblas

This is where the hustle and bustle never seems to end! We loved walking down this street from Placa de Catalunya and occasionally meandered off to the side streets before making our way back to Las Ramblas. This is also a potential hot spot for pickpockets, so keep your belongings well-secured! This is also a great street to make some typical souvenir shopping. From here you can also go to Plaza Real, Santa Maria del Pi Basilica and the Boqueria Market.

4 - Be in Awe of the Sagrada Familia

Two visits later, and I still am in incredible awe of this magnificent structure. The outside might seem very impressive and interesting, but the inside is really where the artistry and reverence is revealed. You could spend hours looking at all the detailed elements and admiring the beauty on every column, window or wall. There is seriously nothing like it in the entire world!

5 - Fun Day at the Beach

Barcelona didn't always have a beach! In fact, that's Egyptian sand you're tanning on! The beach is a very popular destination, and yes it can be fairly crowded and touristy, but it's still a fun way to beat the Spanish heat in the middle of summer! The water is so lovely and warm, but still refreshing. The waves can get fairly strong, so surfing is definitely a possibility!

6 - Watch A Football Match

It's no mystery where the Barcelona team is based. If you are lucky to be visiting during a game, be sure to book tickets in advanced. If you love futbol, you'll love the experience of watching one of the most renown club teams in the beautiful stadium, Camp Nou, filled with energized fans!

7 - Explore Gaudi

A Trip to Barcelona would not be complete if you did not see more of Gaudi's work, besides the Sagrada Familia. There is Parc Guell, which I recommend bringing a picnic, water and comfy shoes along. There are two Gaudi 'houses', one called Casa Batllo and the other La Pedrera. If you appreciate artistic brilliance and architectural beauty, you will fall in love with Gaudi's genius mind!

 

8 - Go on a Tapas Tour

What are Tapas? If you don't know, it's basically snacks! Usually finger food and usually accompanied with a beer. There are good tapas places, and bad tapas places. To hit up a few and try about 5 different tapas or so, look for a Tapas Tour. Imagine dozens battered shrimp, spicy meatballs, savory puff pastries and sausages on toothpicks. Yum! Veggie people, don't be discouraged, good tapas bars will have options for you too!

9 - Taste Delicious Sangria

Before I had Sangria, I only really liked white wine. Crazy, right? Sangria was what transitioned me into a 'red' person. If you are travelling with someone, then you can easily split a pitcher and have a few glasses with your meal. One of the best Sangria's I had was in Plaça Reial. Enjoy, and take your time! Spanish people don't eat, drink and leave in a rush.

10 - Enjoy Museums for Free on a Sunday

Who doesn't like free things? And hopefully you like museums too! If you like Picasso or Barcelona History, there is the Picasso Museum and the Museo d'Historia de Barcelona, that are free from 3pm until 8pm on Sundays. Other museums also are free at least once a month, here is a list of those museums for reference.. So be sure to check out their websites in advance.





If you did just these 10 things, you are already having a great time in Barcelona! There are definitely more things to do, so stay tuned for a more detailed guide to this popular Spanish city!

Have you been to Barthelona? What did you think of it? Is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!

Tourism is slowly improving in Egypt now that people realize it's actually pretty safe in spite of the events that hits the news once in a while. Even Will Smith came with his family and had a great time in Cairo! So it's probably time for you to start planning your trip! Whether you come for a weekend or a month, I have multiple itinerary plans that you can customize to make the most of your stay.

Cairo (3-5 days)

You have to begin in Cairo, the largest capital in the Arab world. Filled with over 22 million people. Yes, it will be crowded, smelly, and hot, but it's Egypt! Come in the winter and then at least it won't be hot.

What to Do & See:

1. Pyramids & Sphinx - you didn't really come all the way to Egypt to skip this wonder of the world, did you? Of course not. Do not go without reading up on what you need and what to expect when visiting the pyramids.


2. Khan El Khalili - If you know how to barter and want to get souvenirs at a bargain, this maze of a bazaar is the place to be. Careful not to get lost!


3. Felluca on the Nile - what could be more romantic and relaxing than a little boat cruise on the Nile? This may be one of the best ways to end off your trip in Egypt. You can head to Zemalek island, go down Left Bank and hire a felluca. Don't pay much more than 150 Egyptian pounds for one hour.


4. Mall of Egypt - if you like malls, this brand new structure is the one to beat! Gorgeous interior and is the twin to the Mall of Dubai - since they are built by the same owner. You can try out the indoor ski park, VIP theater (yes there are English movies!) a range of delicious cafes and endless shopping for whatever your budget is.


5. Coptic Cairo - if culture, religion and architecture interests you at all, you can do a walking tour of Coptic Cairo, which has the famous Hanging Church. And in its near proximity, the Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque, where both men and women can enter, just through different entrances!

Red Sea Coast (3-5 days)

Probably my favourite part of Egypt! We have been to the Sinai peninsula coast 3 times now, and I love it every time! If you like the beach lifestyle, turquoise-blue waters and many outdoor activities and sports, this is a must-see!


 

What to Do & See:

1. Sharm El Shiekh - an hour from the airport, or 7 hours by the Superjet Bus, this city is one of the best spots along the Red Sea. 5 star resorts for as low as 40 US$ a day, incredible blue water, Old Town, Farsha Cafe, desert safari, I could go on and on about all the things you could do that would easily fill up your days. Read more about what to do in charming Sharm.


2. Dahab - If Sharm is too resort-like or big for you, Dahab is a tiny beach town just 1 hour north of Sharm. While low tourism has made Dahab feel a bit shabby and ghost-like, it is THE spot of snorkeling and diving! With the famous Blue Hole and Three Pools coral reefs, you can really enjoy the water life here. Find out more about this small beach town and fun to be had!

Aswan & Luxor - The South (3-5 days)

There is one very popular way to visit both Aswan and Luxor, which is by cruise along the Nile (with a short flight from Cairo to Aswan first) although it automatically take 4 days if you do so.

The Itinerary for Nile Cruises:

1. Begin in Aswan: Philae Temple and the High Dam


2. Stop over in Kom Ombo City: Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple


3. End in Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon

Check here for more information about Nile Cruises and see if there is a package right for you.

North Coast & Alexandria (2-4 days)

The city of Alexandria alone can be done in 1-2 days, but if you have time, you should squeeze in a trip westward along the Mediterranean for some of the softest white sand and gorgeous blue water!

What To Do & Sea:

1. The Citadel - a fort-like structure that is hundreds of years old with a great view of the Mediterranean in the city of Alex. If you like castles and the like, you will enjoy a jaunt through here.


2. Library of Alexandria - not the original I'm afraid, but this library was built in the memory of the old world wonder and is considered in the top most beautiful libraries in the world. There are also a couple smaller museums inside, including one with ancient, preserved texts from ancient times!


3. North Coast Hotel or Resort - if you are coming during May-early September, then you can enjoy the coastal life on Egypt's lovely north coast! Soft white sand, beautiful warm turquoise water, just watch out for the jelly fish!

ITINERARY OPTIONS:

All of Egypt: If you like to evenly pace your trip and have a lot of time to travel, you could do Cairo, the Red Sea, the South, and North coast in 21 days. If you rush through quickly, you would need a minimum of 2 and a half weeks, but it would be very tight.

2 Week Recommendation: If you only have two weeks, then I recommend Cairo, the Red Sea and then Aswan & Luxor with about 3-4 days for each location.

1 Week - 10 Days: If you only have a week to ten days, then I would recommend only two of these locations, unless you cut it down to only 2-3 days per location, but instead of Aswan & Luxor, Alexandria would be more doable.

Less than a Week: You can do what Will Smith did, and simply spend a weekend or so in Cairo! A day trip to Alexandria is still very doable as well if you are visiting for 4-5 days.

Whatever your time frame is, I hope you visit enough of Egypt to have seen at least 3 of these 4 locations to really get a taste of what this country has to offer. Now, if time is the least of your problems, here are some extras you can throw into your plans!

Extras

Here are some honourable mentions that you can do if you are staying for an extended period of time, because you could spend a whole month in Egypt and have it quite filled with activities, exploration and fun!

1. Sandboarding in Fayoum - a lot warmer than snowboarding! You can also camp out in Fayoum, which is a couple hours south west of Cairo.


2. Kayaking on the Nile - rent a kayak and get more personal with the popular Nile and see Cairo from another perspective. Just don't go swimming in it!


3. Hiking in Wadi Degla Pectorate - this protected desert area is just outside Cairo, and is great for hikers. You can bring a picnic and portable BBQ if you like!

If you were at a loss when it came to planning a trip to Egypt, I hope you feel inspired and ready to plan out your itinerary with the places and outings that suit you!

Special thanks to Zach for his great photos from Fayoum!



Have you been to Egypt before? Or is it still on your bucket list? What is stopping you from visiting? Let me know in the comments below!

Yes, even avid travellers makes mistakes. One of the humbling things about being a regular traveller is that no matter how many times you've flown, travelled, and adventured about, you still mess up. I feel like every travel has taught me a new lesson, sometimes ever re-taught me. But I would rather avoid any future slip ups.

A trick I use to get by through life less clumsily is to learn from other people's mistakes! So we're spilling the beans on all out travel mishaps as well as mishaps we have seen other travellers make, and how you can avoid them on your next trip. Here we go!



1.Losing Stuff by Not Double Checking

Whether it is a wallet in an Irish restaurant or a cellphone on an airplane, the time you are most likely to lose something is in transit, usually right as you are leaving somewhere. Always have a mental checklist that you go over before you leave a place. Take the extra 30 seconds to check your seat and pockets. It can make all the difference! And yes, I have accidentally left both my wallet and cellphone behind...twice. Only lost a cellphone on a train that never returned.

2. Not Drinking Water

When you are always on the go, or if it is winter time, you can forget to drink a proper amount of water. In the summer you might cool off with a beer or lemonade, but water is the best for a mobile traveller. In most places, tap water is not potable so it is important to get your water from a clean source or to have a bottle that filters for you.

3. Not Validating Tickets

The system of validating tickets is not common for some people but it is extremely common in Europe in one degree or another. Pay attention to signs that say “Validate”, or for machines sticking out of the ground just before your platform. It might seem like you can just walk in and no one would be the wiser (because it’s true), if you do get caught, it’s a sting in your wallet. Maybe you simply didn’t know how it works, your innocence and good intentions won’t persuade the control officers, so try to be aware and ask for help if you need to.

Read more about Europe Travel Tips

4. Not Checking Exchange Rate

As soon as you arrive in new place, one of the first things we want to do is exchange money. Usually, the first place you want to exchange will likely be the one closest to where you got off, and it will likely be the most expensive or the one that will give you the worse rate.  This is especially true of most airports.

Know your rate as close to the day you arrive as possible, and don’t be desperate to exchange at the airport by being prepared and already having some local currency on you! If you know the rate, then you will know if you found a good place to exchange the rest of your cash.

5. Forgetting to Pack Something

There isn’t much quite as annoying as being on your way only to realize you forgot to pack something useful or important. I have a whole blog post dedicated to exactly that, which includes a travel list you can download and use yourself for your next trip to make sure you don’t forget to pack something!

6. Packing Too Much

This has only happened to me once or twice, and is not a huge issue, but if you are on a fairly long travel and moving about, it can cause a nuisance. I have managed to come up with a formula to know if I have enough clothes for my journey.

If you are travelling for 1 week:

• you only need 3-4 outfits in colder seasons


• 4-5 outfits in warmer seasons.

If you are travelling longer than 1 week:

• you need 5 outfits for winter


• 6-8 summer outfits

The reason I pack more in the summer is because I find I sweat a great deal more in hot weather and it wears out my clothes that much faster. Also summer clothes take up much less space than bulky sweaters. Even if you are travelling for a month, you don't need to pack more outfits than that, because each outfit should have 2-3 wears or more. The key is to find the time and place to do your laundry, and also to have room in your luggage for any new items you might fancy on buying as a souvenir or just because.

7. Not Resting

For those new to travelling, it is very easy to think of it as a sport or marathon, or how it is in the movies. What they don’t show in the movies is the downtime, the day you sleep for 12 hours straight to recover from a hike, or the half day you spend in your hostel doing laundry and catching up on emails. While life might feel a bit surreal when you just saw the Great Wall, don’t wear yourself out in a desperate attempt to ‘not waste time’. Time taken to rest and relax will help you keep going longer than dragging yourself around with sore blistered feet, possibly a cold, and smelly clothes…

Read more about how to feel refreshed after an overnight flight!

8. Cutting It Close

It’s been said that being ‘on time’ means you’re already late. When it comes to catching transportation, it never, ever, EVER hurts to arrive early. Now, don’t arrive 3 hours early. A minimum of half an hour for things like buses and trains will help make travel that much less stressful. You never know if you hit traffic or realize the metro stop you were going to get off at is currently closed off. I have yet to miss something, but we have had close calls, and all the running, huffing and puffing could have been avoided. Those being said, if you are late, RUN! Run like your life depends on it. You just might get lucky, and our odds have been pretty good!

9. Staying Only 1 night

Nothing taught me more of the disadvantage of staying one night more than our recent stop in Bratislava, where (you guessed it) we stayed only one night. Something to always keep in mind is the time it takes when in transit. The time it takes to figure out how to get from point A to point B, to get to the hotel or hostel, to set up or settle in. So if you only stay one night somewhere, you’re not really exploring the whole day.

Also, unless the city or town is strictly a connection point, I find there is always enough to see to take two days. If you have things pre-booked and arranged, it is very hard to change your plans suddenly, so do a 2 night rule and explore what could be a diamond in the rough.

10. Worrying

There are many things travellers have to worry about: timing, money, and safety being the biggest ones. I have a blog post dedicated to how not worry or stress about safety as you travel, some simply tips to put your mind at ease. Life is already not meant to be lived with worry or stress, much less your travel experience. Have faith, do some planning, be aware of your surroundings, and embrace the fact that the road might be bumpy, that there might be detours, or hiccups along the way, but remember this ever cheesy quote: “Travel is not about the destination, but about the journey”.

Read more advice on how to travel worry and stress-free.

11. Wasting Time in Lines

This is especially painful if you are travelling during a high season and only staying somewhere for a short amount of time. While it may seem wildly romantic to travel purely on a whim and go about as unplanned as possible, unless you are a full-time traveller on a 6 month journey, you're probably like the rest of us who have limited vacation time.

12. Keeping all Money in same place

If you stay in a hotel, use the safe that comes with your room. We try to budget how much we will use in day's outing, and leave the rest, along with passports and other important things behind. Bad things happen sometimes, and at least this way you minimize the damage. Should something get lost or stolen, it's best to not put all your eggs in one basket.

13. Not Picking a Good Travel Buddy

Avoid this overly common travel mistake. Going with someone that isn't going to be a compatible travel partner is something that happens ALL the time. Fortunately for me, I have always had great travel friends, but it did take a while for my husband and I to find a good rhythm and develop a similar travel style. Travelling with your spouse is not the same as with a friend, so make your choice carefully.

Read more about what not to do when travelling with a buddy

14. Forgetting to the Call Bank

If you plan to pull out local currency or use your MasterCard abroad, make sure you let your bank know before you leave. Doesn't have to be much more than a couple days before your trip, but it definitely saves embarrassments , hassle and long-distance phone calls.

15. Not Checking Visa Requirements

Barely 3 weeks before our trip to Russia, I suddenly remembered about Visas. Being Canadian, we're fairly spoiled when it comes to travel in that there are not many places that we require a visa for, but Russia is not one of them! Between limited working hours the Embassy (they only had specific days of the week for visa applications) and the fact that the school I work at is 45 minutes away, it was a miracle that I was able to steal away from work and make it to the Embassy to apply. Unfortunately, I missed a document, so we had to run around a bit in downtown Cairo to get it all. Our visas were ready just days before our flight!



I hope you feel super prepared for your next trip! These won't guarantee it will be flawless, life never is. But now you can keep some key things in mind to make sure you are not the reason your trip is full of bumps along the way!

Have you done any of these mistakes? Do you have some travel wisdom you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below or ask some questions!

We don't always use AirBnb, but it is an option we usually look into before deciding on accommodations. What's really neat about AirBnb is that it can appeal to a wide-range of travellers and fit most budgets, whether you are tight on finances, or looking for luxury.

It can feel like you're taking a risk when booking with Airbnb, but there are ways to pick a place that is a good fit for you. I will share you two simple tips on choosing your Airbnb, some examples of our best stays AND stay tuned for a 40$US/50$CAN coupon on your first Airbnb booking!

Why Do We Use AirBNB?

1. Can Beat Hotel Prices: depending on the city, AirBNBs can offer a whole apartment for less than what a hotel costs. If you're a budget traveller, this alone makes it appealing.


2. Out of the Tourist Zone: sometimes being away from the hype and tourist traps can give you a totally different perspective on the city and culture you're staying in.


3. Autonomous Living: You can cook, do laundry, walk around in your underwear to get a bowl of cereal or meet your neighbor out on the balcony!


4. More Immersive Experience: You can imagine what it would be like actually living in that city with local neighbors, a local shop across the street, and local cafe beneath your apartment and a quaint neighborhood to explore. You see a more down-to-earth side of things.

Honestly, AirBNB is simply a great way to make the travel experience just a bit more memorable and authentic! But if you are smart about booking the right one.

Two Elements to Finding a Good Airbnb:

Budget-Minded: First off, be reasonable with your budget. If you're on a shoestring budget going to Paris or London, then you will get what you pay for. In places like Brussels or Krakow, you can find incredible apartments or rooms for very reasonable prices! So keep destination in mind.

Good Host: Secondly, read the reviews! Never stay somewhere that has no reviews. Some people have had a great experience, but it's not something I would do personally. Be sure to ask the host any questions about the location or place itself. If the host replies fairly quickly and is being very helpful, that is usually a pretty good sign, because communication with your host can be pretty critical to your stay.

That's all there really is to it. If you want a more authentic-feeling experience that goes beyond a plush hotel or a cramped hostel room, then give AirBNB a try! With these strategies, we have been able to find some very nice Airbnb apartments.

Now and we'd like to share our top 4 experiences in 4 completely different locations! I think the experience speak for themselves.

Our Top 4 Experiences with AirBNB

1. Brussels, Belgium (2015)

For our honeymoon, we went to Paris and the Belgium. To save a bit on hotels, we looked into AirBNB and the place we found had the most romantic view!

Before we get into that, our host met us just outside the apartment, which wasn't too difficult to find. He brought us up and gave us a lot of information about the area. One useful tidbit was that there was a laundromat just around the corner, and since we were nearly a week into our honeymoon, we made use of it!

The kitchen was small but quaint and functional. It has all the basics if we wanted to cook some simple meals or drink coffee. He even gave us a complimentary bottle of wine! Which was so sweet of him. The room was large and had a sitting area, it was almost like a studio. We were very excited that there was a full bath! We definitely relaxed in there during our stay. The bed was stiff, the only real downside, so we gathered many pillows and cushions to try to make ourselves more comfortable. Oh, but the VIEW!

One whole wall was a window facing the balcony, you were high enough to see beautiful sunsets over the main part of Brussels.

Read more about our time in Brussels.

2. Porto, Portugal (2016)

One of our most memorable stays was with the lovely Fernanda in her super modern apartment in Porto! She wasn't just an incredibly friendly and lively host, but also very helpful and friendly roommate! She has this apartment with a section for herself, so there is both a spare bedroom and full bath as well. The furniture and decor is all modern but still homey. The kitchen blew my husband's mind, because one wall was entirely glass! It made the narrow kitchen feel much larger.

Fernanda made us fresh lemonade, gave us towels and of course plenty of tips about what to see or do in Porto. She was so personal and casual that this actually felt more like a couchsurfing experience than AirBNB, which made it all the more positive!

The only downside is the lack of air conditioning in the summer, but Fernanda bought a fan to help keep cool at night in the middle of a Portuguese heat wave! The location was nice as well. Not central, but literally a 3 minute walk to the metro and in 10 minutes you're in central Porto!

3. Rome, Italy (2012)

This was from a trip with two girlfriends, years ago! The apartment is no longer available, but this was actually our very first AirBNB experience, and the reason I still do it to this day!

We found a place that, while it wasn't central, it was literally on the same corner as a metro stop. It also had a marker place across the street where we got all our groceries from. The lady who owned the place met us just outside the metro stop and greeted us with a warm Italian hug and kiss. She wasn't old, but she was very motherly in how she guided us up to the apartment. She couldn't speak English, so we conversed in Spanish/Italian as she showed us around the small apartment. It has a teeny tiny balcony facing a courtyard. Let me tell you, we never felt more like 'authentic Italians' than when we gazed out that balcony into the lives of other ordinary Italians who were cooking, doing laundry, smoking or watching TV.

The bathroom was very nice and there was a gorgeous queen sized bed along with an interesting single bench-like bed with a hide-a-bed underneath. We ended up using all three beds and all of them were comfy!

This place was nothing short of 'homey' and some of my favourite memories from the trip were simply coming 'home' and making dinner with the girls, laughing and talking while simply enjoying life...

4. Santorini, Greece (2016)

Once again, a very different Airbnb experience. This is actually a hotel in the southern part of Santorini. The owner and workers are all so helpful and kind! They picked us up from the airport and even drove us to the port when we were leaving. They helped us find 4x4 rentals and even helped us book our tickets for the boat to Mykonos. We never felt helpless!

The rooms were very simple, but comfortable and in typical Greek fashion of white and blue. The only downside was that it was very cold at night and there are no heaters, so we had to ask for extra blankets! Our cleaner/breakfast lady was so polite as well, we gave her a well-deserved tip!

There was a very nice pool, but we opted for the beach that was 10 minute walk away. The area is very quiet since it is facing the mountains, which we had fun climbing on our last day!

We stayed for 2 nights, and even though it was on the southern part of the island, we were able to make the best out of our time there thanks to how helpful and efficient the hotel was with our needs and questions!

Read more about our stay in Santorini.



It seems like there is a never-ending debate about AirBnB and whether it's worth using or not. It is very easy for a bad experience to spread really quick and make travellers hesitant to even try it.

Hopefully these four very positive experiences show that you can have an incredible experience with Airbnb! These four stays stood out because they weren't just a decent place to stay, but they enhanced the trip one way or another, and are part of what made the trip memorable! Now, onto free money! Who doesn't like free or discounted things?

Haven't joined AirBNB yet? You can get a 40$US/50$CAN coupon off your very first stay! Just click on the coupon below and follow the steps to becoming part of the AirBNB community! Enjoy your next travel and stay on me!




Have you used Airbnb before? Did you have a good experience ? Do you have any questions about Airbnb? What kind of accommodations do you normally look for in your travels? Let me know in the comments below!

Our first destination this winter holiday was the capital of Hungary, the re-known Budapest (pronounced Budapesht). For me, it was the second time visiting the city and I still love it!

You can check out my top 10 reasons to visit Budapest if you are not yet convinced, but here I will give you a more detailed guide to make the most of your trip, as well as a blurb about why this city is worth visiting more than once!

The Basics

STAY: Budapest has much to see and explore, so I don't recommend anything less than a 3 day stay to get a good idea of the city, but you can easily stay a week! What's more, you can hop on a bus or train and in less than two hours be in either Vienna or Bratislava. While late December and January tend to be a bit cold and humid, just about any time of the year is a good time to visit!

MONEY: While Hungary is part of the EU they have not been able to switch to the Euro, instead they use Hungarian Forints which currently converts to about 1 USD = 266 HUF,  though check closer to your travel date for accuracy. So don't freak out when a meal costs 2000 fl! But do be aware of the costs, since you  did notice the price of dining go up between my first visit 5 years ago and our most recent visit.

TRANSPORT: Public transportation is pretty accessible, but for goodness sake, don't forget to validate your ticket and do it correctly! We got busted for accidentally validating a receipt instead of a ticket (which very quickly looks very similar) and got a fine that we had to pay on the spot of 800o ft. I suppose you can say you don't have the cash, in which case they will mail it to you. We got very frustrated since we didn't mean to cheat the system and it seemed so unfair when we clearly had tickets. To avoid this unpleasant situation, don't make our mistake!

LANGUAGE: Hungarian language isn't easy to pick up, but the basics are not difficult. Szia (see-ya) is "hello" and koszonom (kosonom) is "thank you". Igen is "yes" and nem is "no".

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The city is divided by the famous Danube river that we all know the name of thanks to the popular classical song. The flat side is Pest (pesht) and the hilly side is Buda.

What to see in Pest: this is the side of the city that was, in more modern times, the richest part of the city so this is where a great deal of the tourist attractions are.

Budapest Parliament - this is the most beautiful Parliament building in the world, it is simply exquisite and worth visiting. You can get a very nice view of it on the bank from the Margaret bridge just to the north. The inside is quite beautiful too. You can go but only with a guided visit that you can to reserve but tickets are not pricey. The one downside is the tour is barely 30 mins and there is so much to take in!

Danube Shoes- if you go from the Parliament down to the river bank and make your way down, you will find one of the saddest and most powerful monuments of WW2. I will let you find out the story from a walking tour guide, it is worth hearing from in person.



St. Stephen Basilica - the only other building in Pest with the kind of presence and stature as the Parliament is this beautiful Basilica. It is richly decorated with fine materials and has one of the most beautifully painted domes I have ever seen. At Christmas time, is has one of the best markets. If you stay after dark, there is a light show  on the facade every half hour!

Castle Hill - This is on the hilly side of Buda, and unfortunately there really isn't a true castle, but more of a palace and some museums. It is,however, THE perfect place to take pictures of the opposite bank and where you can have a sweeping beautiful view of Pest. From here you can truly appreciate how dynamically different the two halves of this unique city is. It's just another quality that adds to Budapest's charm.

St. Matthias Church - After you make the climb to Castle Hill, to the right is Trinity Square, home one of the most photographed churches in Budapest. The St. Matthias Church has a very interesting history, as it had been turned into a mosque at one point, before returning to the Catholic church. The decorative pattern of the rooftop stands out from the white stone of the church, which makes it irresistible to the eye. Inside you will find the decoration style to be drastically different than that of St. Stephen.



Fisherman's Bastion - Beautiful architectural piece that semi surrounds St. Matthias. These white turrets are some of the most iconic places of Budapest! This is a great place for a photo op and a very nice view of the Parliament from across the water.

Chain Bridge - The iconic bridge of Budapest. Not the original, sadly, but it was built using the exact same technology that the original used, so it still retained it's original look. Just about every walking tour will take you across this bridge, from where you have a few options and paths to take to get up the hill.

Walking Tours - I highly recommend a general walking tour as well as at least either the Jewish walking tour or Communist walking tour. Because Budapest is quite large no tour can truly give you the whole picture or even take you to all the hotspots in the city. I personally recommend New Sandemans tours (not a sponsor!) they have rarely let me down!

Metro Line 1 - Chances are, you will end up using this metro line during your stay, but it is worthy to note that this is the oldest metro line on continental Europe! While it has been renovated and restored, you can tell there is a bit of old time glory in the architecture, and an hint of old charm that makes this line fairly different from the other lines.

MUSEUMS

National Art Gallery : As an art lover, I greatly enjoy late 19th century work and early impressionism. You can find these and many other pieces from a large range of historical periods. You can also take a peak out of the windows towards the Danube river and have a great view!

House of Terror : If you are not faint of heart, you can go into the House of Terror for a load down of what Communism did to Hungarians. It is not a happy or cheerful museum, but it has some important lessons of history that we should never forget.

OPERA HOUSE

Now, you can either do a guided tour of the Opera House, which is absolutely stunning and most definitely worth it, OR you can book a performance ahead of time! We were very unlucky in our timing with the Christmas season and popularity of the Nutcracker, but during my first visit I went to an opera performance and got to see the gorgeous interior that makes the Opera House a popular attraction.

BATH HOUSES

You probably have heard the bath houses that the Turks brought to Budapest, the largest and most popular is the Szechenyi Baths, built by a wealthy aristocrat family. I love this bath and this time my husband treated me to an hour long message as well! It was the perfect way to relax after 3 non stop days of walking and climbing.

WHAT TO EAT/DRINK

Goulash - Everyone knows Goulash is a typical meal of Hungary and the region. It is basically a stew, but there are different variations to try out. Some have potato, some have gnocchi, some have large cubes of beef, others come inside a bread bowl!

Pork Knuckle- the best pork knuckle we ever had was in Budapest. This plate is eaten simply, with bread, horseradish and mustard. It was phenomenal...I can't stop thinking about it!

Strudels - perhaps an Austrian influence, but the Hungarian strudel (also known as Rétes) here is quite different and the flavours are fairly particular. I personally love the cottage cheese ones, though poppy seed is very popular too.



Langos - This is a greasy snack that you can try a variety of. It is deep fried dough normally topped with sour cream and cheese. Very popular in the winter time, and other toppings include garlic, spring onions or even ketchup. I highly recommend you try with garlic!

Stuffed Cabbage Wraps - While I usually associate this dish to Ukrainian cuisine because of my grandmother, they make they yummy in Hungary as well! Imagine a burrito stuffed with rice, ground eaf, and possibly onions and carrots, and instead of tortilla it is boiled cabbage. Might not sound appetizing but it is actually pretty yummy, especially when its smothered in a semi-sweet tomato sauce and decorated with a dollop of sour cream!

WHERE TO EAT

WHERE TO STAY

This is our third travel fashion advice installment for those travelling in Europe, now in the winter season, which is upon us!

Are you touring Christmas Markets, drinking hot wine and counting down to the new year? Or maybe you're skipping the craze of the Christmas holiday travelling and going in January-February, one of the coldest months of the year. Either way, we've travelled quite a bit in the winter, and we are doing it again this year! We've made mistakes and learned from them and now are sharing those fashion tips and outfit suggestions with you!

I love winter, but I HATE feeling cold. It's uncomfortable, unpleasant, and usually leads to colds and sinus problems. So, if you're like me, you love keeping warm and toasty as much as possible. But if you're very much like me, you also want to manage to look stylish and cute in your travel photos. Let's figure out how to do both, because the beauty of winter in Europe is that you don't have to choose between stylish and warm!

So grab a hot cup of cocoa, a warm blanket, and stay tuned for wardrobe ideas AND a brand new packing travel list that is perfect for this winter season that you can download for FREE!

I may not have ever told you this, but Portugal was almost our honeymoon destination besides Paris. Even though we changed our mind and did Belgium instead, Portugal had been on our list of quite some time, and it was exciting to finally go there!

Lisbon is the bustling, charming capital of Portugal. It is a coastal city with all kinds of amazing sites and beautiful scenes to witness, and probably an ideal place to begin exploring the country of Portugal. If you haven't already, take a look at the photo essay we did, which visually captures a taste of the wonderful character of this city.

We loved this city, though we had little time there, and we hope to go back one day to explore more of it! Let us give you a quick breakdown of what to see, do and try in Lisbon.

The Basics

Lisbon is a coastal town. So when it comes to weather, it is fairly humid and windy. We went in early August and it was quite warm, but a pleasant hot, not the kind where you feel like you're melting as soon as you step outside. In the winter it can get fairly chilly, so be sure to dress appropriately, and not show up in board shorts and flip flops!

Portugal is part of the EU, so they use euros as currency like most of Europe. Prices in Portugal are also relatively cheap compared to many countries in Europe, we especially noticed the difference when we later went to Barcelona, where food and lodging is a lot pricier. So that makes Portugal budget friendly!

The national language is, of course, Portuguese, so brush up on a few key words and phrases to be a polite traveler. If you know Spanish pretty well, you should get by without too much difficulty.

Things to Do

Walk down Augusta street: This is a long pedestrian street that begins at Plaza Dom Pedro IV and goes all the way to the Praça do Comércio, a large square you enter through the archway of Augusta, and faces the coast. Along rua Augusta there are are shops and restaurants galore, as well as churches and attractions near by. Meanwhile, the Praça do Comércio is surrounded by museums and is where large social events and parties are held.



Visit the Castle:

I hope you're in good shape, because this is quite a climb from the city to the mount the Castelo de S. Jorge sits on. Strap on your best sport shoes, bring some water, and make your way up the many, many stairs, but don't go too fast! Not only because you might pass out, but because there are many neat things to see as you go up. Beautiful streets, charming little restaurants, and eye-catching urban murals. There is a tram that gets you you most of the way there, so if you can't physically make the trip, then you can take the tram from the city center. Be warned, it runs a schedule and there are dozens of people lined up to get on, so you might have to wait a while longer to get on the tram.

Once you do get the castle, the entry is 8,50 euros, not bad! The area the surrounding the castle grounds are breathtaking. Luscious, crawling greenery and crumbling architecture of an era gone by, along with an incredible 180 view of the city from above. It certainly makes the work out worth it. There is more climbing of stairs as you tour around the castle to the different towers and sections, but take your time and discover all the little nooks and crannies!

 

Walk down the shore: There is a beautiful coastal walkway with gorgeous views of the water, bridges and land masses on the other side. There are museums and some drink carts, restaurants, and many people taking advantage of the relaxing atmosphere.

Visit Cathedrals: No one can deny the architectural beauty that are cathedrals, and each one is so distinctly unique and of their own character that you really can't say that if you've seen one, you've seen all. The Jerónimos Monastery is an exquisite piece of gothic and renaissance beauty, and is listed on the World Heritage site, and therefore definitely worth a look.

Walking Tour: While we didn't get a chance to do a walking tour in Lisbon, there is one through Sandeman's New tours, and if you've read enough of our posts, you know we are big fans of this walking tour company! Always fascinating, always fun, always a great way to get to know a place.

See Belem Tower: If medieval times are your passion, you can take a quick little trip along the coast to see this medieval defense tower. We could see it while on our way to Cascais, but sadly could not simply hop off the train to take a picture and hop back on.

Where to Stay

Lisbon is not short on hotels, hostels and airbnb options that meet all kind of traveller styles and needs. We chose a an airbnb that was like a personally run hostel. The location was great, very close to the metro and to Barrio Alto, but the room was terribly warm at night and the bed was not the most comfortable (but we are very spoiled when it comes to our bed back home...).



We did have our own full bath, which was great, as well as a shared kitchen where we could store our snacks and cook if we wanted. Once we discovered a fan, the nights became much more bearable, and Yasemin, the young lady who runs the place, is extremely sweet and helpful. I had made no real research before arriving to Lisbon, so she gave us a lot of direction and suggestions. So if you're made of tougher stuff and not travelling in the middle of summer, I do recommend this place if you are travelling in a pair or group.

If you're looking for budget-friendly options with a social atmosphere, you can check out these top rated hostels in the city.

Places to Eat and Drink

Restos in city center - We ate in a small resto right along rua Augusta, and while it didn't blow us away, the meat and beer were good, which is what any active tourist needs on a hot day. If you are looking for Portuguese cuisine, you can try Restaurante Belcanto, known for its chic haute cuisine. Or if you're in the mood for a gourmet burger, have a go at Cafe de Rio. Just beware of 'siesta', a time of day where many restaurants close down for a few hours before opening up again in the evening, usually between 4 and 7 pm.



Breakfast Brunch - With a hike to the castle and a second beach day in mind, we went on the hunt for a good breakfast place to give us the energy we needed. We found an adorable brunch restaurant named Breakfast Brunch. It had bright and cheerful decor, and a relatively large menu. Everything was delicious and we noticed many tourists coming in, so it is quite popular as well. Probably because it is merely 3 blocks away from the Arc de rua Augusta! So it's convenient and easy to find!

Drink cart - Just want to relax by the water, watch the sunset go down while the waves turn from a bold blue to a seafoam green as they crash on the shore? You can do this all with a yummy drink in your hand. There is a neat little drink card called "Pitcher Cocktails" where you can buy a hard lemonade that is fresh and makes you feel just a little bit fancy, and super chill.

Day Trips

Cascais: We have already told you about this precious little beach town that stole us away for most of the time we were in Lisbon! You can read all about it here in our previous post.

Sintra: If you have time, please book in a day trip to this gorgeous town at the foot of the mountains. It takes a little longer to get to than Cascais, but it is quite a stunning and charming city with some fascinating pieces of architecture and a castle of its own! If you want a country-side, small town feel to your holiday, this is the place to visit! This place is one the reasons Portugal is high on our "must-return to" list.



That's the quick scoop on what to expect when you visit Lisbon! Stay tuned for one more Portugal post from the northern city of Porto!



Is Portugal on your bucket list? Have you been to Lisbon? What did you love about it? Let me know in the comments below!