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Cultural Vacation: Tips for Attending the Opera in Italy

Getting out of the country can allow you to experience more of what the world has to offer, giving you an authentic look into how different people live, as well as the history they come from. Should you decide to go to Italy, you might already have a list of things you might like to see.

One aspect you might want to consider may be to visit the opera at least once. Whether you are already a lover of classical music, or simply like to try new things, this can allow you to experience some brilliant, strong voices and hear a story at the same time.

Be prepared

While some opera performances may be ongoing, others might only be available for a short amount of time. Due to this, it might be a little harder to get tickets the closer it gets to those performance dates. This may mean that, by waiting until you arrive, you either cannot buy tickets or have to sit apart from your companions.

If you wish to see Opera in Verona, you may instead benefit from booking this before you go. As a general rule, you may have more seating options available to you the earlier you book. This can also allow you to better plan out the rest of your stay.

Putting safety first

Travelling abroad can come with a number of dangers. Therefore, you might want to prioritize your safety above all else. Should you be travelling alone, or even have your concerns while travelling with others, you may want to adapt your plans to make you feel more secure.

For some people, this might mean ensuring you are back at your accommodation by nightfall, especially if you aren’t confident in manoeuvring around a foreign place. While a number of opera performances occur in the evening, you may also be able to find some that are scheduled for the afternoon. Known as matinee performances, these can allow you to still experience the wonders of opera and still be able to leave long before it gets dark.

Consider your dress

Although dress codes for the opera may not be as formal as they were a few centuries ago, this can still be a good opportunity for you to dress up, look nice, and enjoy an afternoon or evening dedicated to culture. While you may not need to spend a lot of money on designer gowns or suits, looking smart can be important.

That being said, should you wish to dress more casually, you may be able to do so. However, you might find that some items, such as mini skirts or tank tops, look out of place within this venue. Some people might find that dressing to look elegant can add to their experience of viewing an operatic performance, especially if they haven’t been before.

When spending time in Italy, it can be a good idea to venture out of your comfort zone and take in experiences that you may not have had the chance to do when at home.

March 1, 2023

6 Essential Tips for Backpacking in London

Budget Tips

London, the nation’s capital and largest metropolis, sits on the beautiful banks of the Thames River. More than 14 million people call the city, and its surrounding region, home; thanks to the city’s continued expansion.

It’s not hard to see why tourists should flock to London. Many notable museums and historical landmarks call this metropolis home. The top ones are parks, galleries, marketplaces, museums, restaurants, bars, and sports teams.

You’ve found the right spot if you want helpful tips for backpacking in London. If you’re planning a trip to the British capital, you must not skip the below essential backpacking tips:

Purchase an Oyster Card

When it comes to public transportation, London has it all. Please don’t think it’s bragging when we say that it’s pretty decent. As with most desirable items, it will set you back a pretty penny, which is a big concern when backpacking London.

Using an Oyster Card is a simple and effective method to reduce the cost of travelling within London. It’s more economical to use this pass than to buy individual paper passes. This is because you can simply purchase one and fill it with money before you travel.

Get Your Fill of Free Things

If you do everything that costs money in this metropolis, your money will disappear. While there aren’t many museums that are free to enter, the permanent collection at the British Museum is completely free every day. Also, the museums dedicated to the study of nature are equally fascinating.

Likewise, merely passing Buckingham Castle on foot is a treat. Numerous exciting pursuits can be enjoyed while backpacking in London without spending a single pound.

Get a London Pass

A visit to London is likely to add up when it comes to costs. Whether it’s the price of a motel room or the price of admission to a major attraction, a trip to the city can quickly drain your savings, which is a big problem when backpacking London.

Seeing many of London’s famous attractions without paying astronomical prices is a good idea. All you need is the lucky London Pass. Although the pass is pricey, it could be valuable if you are planning to visit several of the city’s top sites in a short period of time.

Go on an Adventure to Camden Town

Camden is London’s alternative hub. In simple words, it is home to a wide variety of record stores, unique boutiques, parties, and eateries. It’s a great spot to enjoy cuisine, music, drinks, and people-watching, among other activities, and is popular among backpackers in London.

You can also witness and enjoy a full-size monument of Amy Winehouse here. It is also a good place to find hotels for budget travellers while backpacking London.

Try Out Some of the Regional Specialities in the Borough Market

Just steps away from Big Ben, the bustling Borough Market is London’s finest food market. It is loaded with international flavours alongside fresh, local fare. It’s a fantastic activity for wet London days because it takes place primarily under shelter.

The historic district is a maze of winding streets and alleys that have hosted a market since the 12th century. The current building, however, was constructed in the 1850s.

Stay in the City Centre if You Can

Some people will tell you to take advantage of London’s excellent public transportation system and find a place to remain further out.

One of the London backpacking tips we keep repeating is to remain as close to the city centre as possible, obviously within your budget. To see as much of London as possible in a short amount of time, choose a hotel or any of the best-serviced apartments in London, that is convenient to the city’s public transportation system.

It should be close enough to several attractions that you can stroll to them. Also, not too difficult to get back, especially if you plan on staying out late.

Backpacking in London – Final Thoughts

Although London doesn’t initially seem like a budget-friendly destination, there are plenty of ways you can go backpacking in London on a budget. Just follow these tips to navigate the British capital and have the time of your life, without breaking the bank!

February 28, 2023

How to See Southern Spain on a Budget (+20 Free Things to Do)

Budget Tips

If you’re traveling to Southern Spain and looking for some tips on saving money, you came to the right place! I have been living in this beautiful part of the country for over three years, and over time collected some handy tips that will save you quite a bit of money.

If you need to do Southern Spain on a budget, you’re most certainly not limiting yourself to only a handful of experiences. Andalusia is such a diverse part of the country that even if you’re on a budget, you can experience everything it has to offer, on your own terms.

In this article, I will share my best insider tips along with 20 different experiences and places you can enjoy for free.

Southern Spain on a Budget: Top Tips for Saving Money

Tip 1 – Travel Off Season

For obvious reasons, traveling to Southern Spain is most expensive in the summer months, with the prices of flights, car rentals and accommodation being at their peak.

Luckily, most of the locations in Southern Spain are blessed with over 300 sunny days per year, so even if you venture there in spring or late autumn, you are still pretty much guaranteed a pleasant weather. Save yourself a lot of money by checking the shoulder season or off season flights to destinations like Malaga, which offers most of the flight connections anywhere in Europe.

Tip 2 – Check Airport Options

As I mentioned above, Malaga is the main hotspot for arrivals for Southern Spain, but in a lot of cases it’s worth checking whether or not you get a better deal flying into Madrid or other nearby airports. The price difference can be quite big, and even if you commute from the city to the south, it will still work out cheaper and you can see a new city on the way.

The Alhambra in Granada, Southern Spain

Tip 3 – Clear Cookies & Check Different Browser and Device

In a lot of cases, you will get a different price for accommodation when checking from mobile vs from desktop, when using a different browser, and after clearing out your browser cookies or browsing in incognito mode. This is especially true for sites like booking.com and similar ones.

On the last trip I booked, I saved 70 euros just by using a different device to check accommodation options for booking.com hotel options.

Tip 4 – Don’t Pay for Sunbeds and Umbrellas

If you’re staying on Costa del Sol and want to enjoy a day at the beach, the rental of two chairs and an umbrella can set you back up to 12 euros per day. If you do that for 5 days, we’re talking about a lot of extra money.

Most of the locals who come to the beach go there first thing in the morning, and they bring their own chairs and umbrellas. If you’re staying in an apartment, in almost all cases these are provided by your host, or you can ask for them as you make your booking. Not only can you sit closer to the water, but you don’t have to waste your budget on paying extra for a place to sit and shade.

Tip 5 – Don’t Rent a Car

You might think that seeing Spain without renting a car is impossible, but it can’t be further from the truth. I have been living in southern Spain for over three years, and have seen all the highlights without renting a car.

Spain has a well developed network of train and bus connections, with high speed trains that will get you from Malaga to Madrid in just two hours. The tickets are easy to purchase online and a single trip will cost you between 10 to 20 euros, to places like Granada, Cordoba or Marbella.

Paloma Park in Benalmadena, Southern Spain

Tip 6 – Where Possible Use Uber not a Taxi

I have plenty of experience with taxi drivers and uber rides and if there is one thing that will save you a lot of time and money it’s using Uber. Taxi drivers are a bit of a hit and miss when it comes to getting you to your destination for a reasonable amount of money.

As far as my experience goes, Uber worked out much cheaper than a standard taxi and you’re running zero chance that you will get stuck in traffic with the meter still running. They are super handy in the big cities if you’re going to random locations and can’t locate the nearest taxi rank. In most cases you can also request a car seat for a child, so if you’re traveling with kids you don’t have to bring your own one or rent it out.

20+ Free Things to do in Southern Spain

South of Spain is a beautiful place to explore without having to spend money on any attractions and tourist traps.

It’s a paradise for those who like nature walks, walks by the sea, hiking and all sorts of sports. Best of all, most of the Andalusian cities have beautiful parks which offer a shelter from the sun, and if you’re traveling with kids you will always find a playground just around the corner.

I have selected some of the best experiences from different places in Southern Spain to give you lots of ideas and options for exploring different parts of the country.

Here are my favorite free things to do in Southern Spain:

Buddha temple near Benalmadena Pueblo with its viewing platform
Sohail Castle in Fuengirola
Benalmadena Pueblo, a typical Andalusian white town
Carmen de los Mártires gardens in Granada
The main courtyard in Alhambra, next to the entrance to Alcazaba
Palace of Charles V in Alhambra
The Botanical Garden of University of Granada
The Albaicin district in Alhambra
Mirador de San Nicholas in Granada with best views of Alhambra
Plaza de Espana in Seville
Exploring the old town of Seville
Park of Maria Luisa in Seville
Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, with beautiful gardens stretching next to it
Visiting the charming old town in Marbella
Watching supercars and super yachts in Puerto Banus, Marbella
Watching the sunset in Tarifa
Seeing the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in Tarifa
Taking a walk in the Orange Square of the Mezquita Cathedral in Cordoba
Strolling through the charming old town of Malaga
Enjoying views of the Malaga port and bullring from the gardens of Parador de Gibralfaro
Watching local flamenco performance at the Plaza de St Ana square in Granada
Enjoying a beautiful display of floral beauty in the old town of Estepona
Watching surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers in Tarifa
Enjoying free tapas with every drink in Granada
Visiting the picturesque white village of Frigiliana and enjoying spectacular views of the coastline

I hope you found lots of inspiration and tips in this list! If you’re heading to Southern Spain, let us know in the comments which destination made it to your wishlist and when you are traveling!

February 9, 2023

8 Best Day Trips From Bristol in 2023

Travel Advice

Bristol is a thriving city, full of culture and history. It’s also extremely well-placed in southwest England for some excellent day trips. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most beautiful places you can visit in the region and some super fun activities you can try out. So grab your bags and get ready to explore as we look at the best day trips from Bristol.

Bath

Visit historic Bath as a day trip from Bristol

Bath was famously the home of Jane Austen, but even if you’re not a fan of literature, you’ll still get something out of a trip to this charming town.

One of the biggest landmarks in Bath is the roman baths where you can find the ruins of a public bathing and socialising complex used by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. There’s an onsite museum to give you more information about the archaeological site and you can also take an audio tour.

If you want to try out some bathing for yourself, head to the nearby Thermae Bath Spa, England’s only thermal spa where the natural hot waters can work wonders for your health.

You can get to Bath by train several times throughout the day, including direct trains that will get you there in no time. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop at one of the many chic coffee shops or visit the Jane Austen Center.

Cardiff

Cardiff Castle

It takes less than an hour to get from Bristol to Cardiff, making it a perfect day trip from Bristol. As the capital of Wales, it’s full of great activities to fill your day.

First on your agenda should be the National Museum Cardiff, a free museum and art gallery all about Wales, including botany, zoology, and geology.

You should also visit Cardiff Castle, a medieval castle that sits at the heart of the city. Inside, you can explore the castle towers, visit the inner keep, and explore the courtyards.

Before heading back to Bristol, finish the day off with a little trip down to Cardiff Bay where you’ll find a huge range of bars and restaurants overlooking the marina as well as the millennium centre where you can catch an evening show.

Cheddar Gorge

Cliff Road in the Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge is located about 30 kilometres from Bristol and makes an excellent day trip, it was voted the second greatest natural wonder in Britain (source).

If you love history, wildlife, or nature – or you simply have a sense of adventure – you should plan to spend a few hours here the next time you’re in the area.

It is a natural landmark where you can view gorgeous caves and cliffs, but it also includes exhibits to help you learn about long-ago ancestors.

Even better, you can go rock climbing or explore the caves on your own if you’d like to spend a little more time there.

Weston-super-Mare

If you’re looking for one of the best day trips from Bristol using public transport, you can take the train from Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare in about 30 minutes.

This lovely seaside town is one you won’t forget, in part because it offers something for everyone. Included in the perks of visiting the town are quiet walks over Sand Bay, lively Punch and Judy shows, and a nostalgic pier.

You can also visit their impressive helicopter museum for lovers of flight, and don’t miss the Weston Sand Sculpture Festival if you’re there during the summertime.

Weston-super-Mare is home to a playhouse, theatre, several museums, and beautiful gardens. It also offers attractions such as arcades, fudge factories, eateries, and a go-kart track, making this a very fun place to visit.

Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey in the beautiful Wye Valley, perfect for a day trip from Bristol

Located just over the border from Bristol in Wales, you can get to Tintern Abbey in around 30 minutes if you drive, or in roughly 2.5 hours by bus or train. Visiting the Abbey as well as the Wye Valley is one of the most beautiful day trips from Bristol.

The abbey was founded in the early 1100s and since then, it has changed a bit. Even from afar, the structure is nothing short of extraordinary, and as long as you wish to see something interesting, you can walk on the grounds and experience something new. The natural beauty it offers never fades, and it’s especially fun for people who love history.

The odd thing is that Tintern Abbey wasn’t really regularly tended to until the early 1900s, but since then it has been well taken care of and therefore, you can enjoy its magnificence today whenever you visit. Just the sheer size of the structure will surprise you.

Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral

In just over an hour by direct train, you can take a day trip from Bristol to the nearby city of Salisbury.

The city is home to Salisbury Cathedral which is famous for holding the best-preserved copy of the Magna Carta, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.

And make sure you spend some time wandering the old city centre where you’ll find quaint little buildings and a mixture of architecture dating as far back as the middle ages.

Longleat Safari Park

Longleat is a drive-through safari park located just an hour away from Bristol so it makes for a perfect family day trip.

It opened in 1966 when it was the first park of its kind outside of Africa. Here, you’ll have the chance to see tons of safari animals, including giraffes, tortoises, lemurs, sheep, ostriches, zebras, and so many others. You can enjoy a boat cruise around Half Mile Lake or visit the monkey temple, which is nothing short of extraordinary.

Even better, you can stop and have a snack, buy souvenirs, or even schedule a wedding or other special event on the grounds. In other words, you won’t just be driving around looking at animals up close if you visit this attraction. There is a lot more to do.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds town of Lower Slaughter

The Cotswolds are only 50 miles from Bristol and can be reached in around an hour on a good day. It is an area located in Central South-West England known for its stone-built towns and villages made with iconic Cotswolds stone.

Some of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds are Chipping Campden, Broadway, and Cirencester.

Of course, you can get out and enjoy the rolling countryside too where you’ll find wildlife walks and manor houses dotted among beautiful landscapes.

Day Trips from Bristol – Final Thoughts

Whether you live in Bristol or are just visiting, it’s well worth exploring off the beaten path with one of these many day trips from Bristol. From countryside towns to natural wonders, there is plenty to discover!

January 4, 2023

5 Days in Malta – A Guide to See it All

Perfect Itineraries

Malta is an oft-overlooked vacation destination in Europe. But if you can find an affordable flight, it usually offers warmer weather than the rest of the continent and can make for a perfect 5-day trip.

Read on to see our recommended things to see during 5 days in Malta. In order to see it all, we’d really recommend staying 2 days near Valetta, and 3 days on the island of Gozo, which we found to be even more charming than the larger island. We hope you have a great time!

Arriving in Malta

Malta is small, and the airport is very close to everywhere you might need to go. We landed in the evening and decided to take a cab to our hotel, the Grand Excelsior, just outside the city walls of Valetta. Cabs are generally reliable in Malta, it should be a flat rate to get from the airport to anywhere near Valetta.

Valetta

The colorful balconies of Malta

We spent the first 2 days near Valetta, and we found 2 days to be plenty of time. Honestly, Valetta is so small that you can’t go wrong. Take some time to just wander around the streets. You’ll find it easy to get your bearings and there’s no way you can get lost. We loved wandering around and admiring the different colors of the gallarija – the distinctive Maltese balconies that you’ll see all over the island. Here are some other things you can do in Valetta.

Upper and Lower Barakka Gardens

The Upper Barakka Gardens in Valetta

Well-maintained park giving you a great view over the harbors.

Valetta Harbor Tour

Malta’s historical significance primarily comes from the fact that it can be used as one huge harbor in the middle of the Mediterranean. There are tons of other cities that have popped up around Valetta which each have their own character. Taking a harbor tour will give you the best view of Valetta from the water, and is the best way to take in the cities around the huge harbor. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us and our tour was cancelled and refunded, so we’ll just have to go back one day!

Skip it! Hop-on, Hop-off bus

We decided to do this, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Outside of Valetta, the highlight of Malta is the walled city of Mdina, so you would be better off either taking a bus or car directly there. The rest of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off bus seemed like tourist traps to me.

Plus, nearly everyone got off at Mdina to spend a few hours, which means everyone wanted to re-board from Mdina all at once at the end of the day. We ended up waiting HOURS to get back on the hop-on hop-off bus, since there were just too many people. You would probably be better served getting a tour that takes you directly to the highlights. I found one on Get Your Guide that takes you to Mdina, Rabat, and the San Anton Gardens.

Mdina

Discover the enchanting courtyards in the city of Mdina

If you are smart enough to avoid the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, Mdina itself is well-worth a visit when you’re in Malta for 5 days. It’s the original capital of the island, and sits atop a hill giving it stunning views across the island of Malta and over the sea. Our favorite part of Mdina was just wandering the maze of alleyways, discovering charming courtyards. Plan to have lunch there and pop into the Mdina Cathedral with its brightly colored floor tiles.

Gozo

We ended up splitting our trip between staying near Valetta, and staying in Xlendi on the island of Gozo. There is a passenger and car ferry that runs regularly between Malta and Gozo which departs at Ċirkewwa. I personally preferred our time on Gozo better. We had a rental car, which made it easy to explore Gozo in 2-3 days. If you don’t have a rental car, you can book a jeep day tour that will take you to all the highlights on Gozo.

Gozo is a little less crowded and a little more untouched than Malta. It’s easy to get around Gozo as well since it’s so small. You can do Gozo as a day trip from Malta, but we liked staying overnight on the island to really soak in the atmosphere. Here’s what we did:

Xlendi Tower

We were lucky enough to be staying in Xlendi, making this an easy walk. But even if you are staying elsewhere on Gozo, I’d recommend visiting the tower. Not only will you see a great view of the coast, but there are ancient salt pans, where inhabitants of the island harvested sea salt. From Xlendi Tower, you can walk along the coast where you’ll see even more amazing views.

Ggantija

Ggantija Temples near Xaghra on the island of Gozo

The Neolithic Temple is well-worth a visit. It’s a little hard to find, google maps will lead you astray – just follow the signs posted around town. It’s 3600-year old temple that is even older than the pyramids! The incredible thing is that it’s made up of massive limestone pieces that were somehow transported from the coast. Even today, archaeologists aren’t sure about how the ancient people accomplished this amazing feat.

Victoria on Gozo

Malta is known for having a strong Easter tradition, and we were lucky enough to be in Malta for Holy Week. Throughout the week, there are processions, prayers, art exhibits, and more. We ended up going to Victoria for the Easter Sunday parade. The streets leading up to the cathedral were filled with people and the locals paraded around a statue of Jesus, along with traditional music. It was very cool to feel a part of the tradition!

Ramla Beach

Ramla Beach is a large stretch of sand flanked by cliffs. We hung out on the beach for a while, be sure to bring food with you since the restaurants are not the greatest. Before we went to the sand, we took a small detour and hung out at the abandoned Ulysees Lodge in the hills above Ramla Beach. It’s an old hotel and villa that has since been abandoned, but still has a stunning view over the coastline. Just enter at your own risk since the building is not maintained.

Fungus Rock and Dwejra Bay

We spent an afternoon exploring and hiking around Fungus Rock, and took a dip in the waters in the Dwejra Bay. Highly recommended as a half-day trip!

Food in Malta

During our 5 days in Malta, we ate like kings. We found some delicious food in Valetta. Our favorites were Aaron’s Kitchen, where we tried some traditional Maltese dishes. Be sure to show up before the dinner rush, or call for a reservation since they tend to fill up. Another great restaurant was the Old Bakery’s Pizza. It’s a smaller hole-in-the-wall gem that is near the restaurant and bar scene in Valetta.

In Gozo, we basically hopped around different seafood restaurants, and we were never disappointed. In most restaurants, you can pick out the fish you want from their catch of the day. It’s usually prepared with boiled vegetables and fries. We always left stuffed and satisfied!

5 Days in Malta – our Takeaway

For us, 5 days in Malta was more than enough time to do all of the things we wanted to do in both Malta and Gozo. The benefit of being such a tiny country, is that it’s very easy to navigate and get your bearings! If you’re brainstorming your next vacation destination, I’d definitely recommend adding Malta to your list!

October 20, 2022