5 of the Best in Budapest

Budapest is another interesting European city; capital of Hungary, it is neatly nestled in Central- East Europe. With the river Danube flowing straight through the middle, Buda is the name for the area on the West Bank and Pest the name for the East Bank. They estimate 20 million tourists visit the city each year, and visited for a few days, myself, I can see why. Temperatures in the winter can be bitterly cold between -4C (24.8 F) and 1C (33.8 F), but in summer they can experience blue skies and very warm weather, with highs of 28C (82.4 F).

It's always difficult to sum up all the great things to see in a city if you only a couple of days to visit it, but I've put together my top 5 below. This list takes in my personal favourites and things not to be missed.

1. Gellert Spa and Bath. Go on, spoil yourself.

2. Take yourself to Gerbeaud Cukrászda for a coffee and cake. Spoil yourself some more. The sweet treats here are delectable, delicious and divine.

3. Sit by the Danube and watch the world go by for an afternoon or evening, or even take a boat trip along the Danube.

4. If you're looking for somewhere to go out I suggest 'Rio del cafe' overlooking the Danube river. It's open air so only an option in the summer, but it has a very cool vibe, not too expensive and is a bit different to the other clubs in the city.

5. Go to Castle Hill (Varhegy) for incredible views over the city.

Budapest is a great place to wonder around and get lost in the city. Truly, one of my favourite European destinations.

Happy New Year

Chinese New Year is today.

A couple of years ago I was in Bangkok around the time of Chinese New Year. The city looked more vibrant and colourful than usual,  if at all possible.

Happy Chinese New Year to anyone celebrating!

Planning you next Vacation...

For some people planning a holiday is a complete chore (enter travel agents to do the work for you) but for some of us half the fun is in planning our vacations. Even more rewarding than the planning is the fact that now there are sites which offer fantastic hotel rates, great experiences or even the entire holiday for you, so you can invariably save yourself a bit of money.

I personally like planning holidays and weekend breaks because, that way, I can ensure I know exactly what I'm getting and also exactly in the order/ way I want it. I've compiled a list of a few of my favourite sites to help you get started.

1. Jetsetter
Jetsetter is fairly new to the UK, but it is well established in the USA. The UK site has just partnered with Conde Nast Traveller and are currently offering flash sales at some of the Gold List 2012 hotels. 
What I like: good sales and at incredible hotels, this site offers luxury on a budget (not a small budget, but still). This allows those of us with flexibility on dates and time to spare, the opportunity to experience opulent hotels worldwide.There's a US site and a UK site to try.

My tip: I recommend giving Hacienda Benazuza a try in Seville, it looks incredible. Only a few days left in the flash sale! 

2. Secret Escapes 
This website offers a great selection of worldwide sales and also a host of UK based breaks, I'm fairly certain there is something for everyone.  
What I like: excellent variety of sales, some just hotels, others the entire trip. I also like the fact that you can set a reminder for up-coming sales. They'll e-mail you when the sale has begun. 

My choice: Cuba with flights, £1349 for 13 nights. Bargain!

3. Voyage Prive
 This website has lot of choice in terms of destination, and plenty of options for each place too. For lots of their offers you can choose varying number of nights, room only, room and flights, whole package.

My current pick: Artemisia Palace Hotel, Palermo, Italy. If you can bag some cheap flights they are currently offering a 2 night stay for £62 including breakfast!

So, if you're looking to plan your next get away, take a look at the above.

They call this place 'rad'...

... and if you don't know what 'rad' means, it might just be too cool for you!

New Zealand is a wonderfully varied country, the North Island, the South Island, the warm summers, the cold winters. There are incredible places to visit all over the country from Hot Water Beach, to trekking in the glaciers and spending time shopping in Wellington. However, there is one place which always seems to rank particularly highly with anyone I ask and that's Queenstown. Having been fortunate enough to visit, I can agree this is a great town and a fun place to be, but it's not for the faint hearted.

So, here are my top 5 things to do in Queenstown
1. Ferg Burger
42 Shotover Street is a must visit, speak to anyone who has visited before and they will agree, best.burger.in.the.world.

2. Bungee jump/ sky dive/ canyon swing
You have to take the opportunity to do some adrenaline sports whilst in Queenstown. It would be wrong not to.

3. Take a walk up the Queenstown Hill, to the summit of Te Tapu-Nui.
This walk will take a few hours, but the views are incredible and it is well worth the effort!




4. Take a boat ride.
The Shotover Jet is world famous, but any boat ride is worth doing. It's a gorgeous part of Queenstown to see.




5. Go for a drink at World Bar. It's sure to be a fun night.

Queenstown is an incredible place with lots of fun to be had. So get out and enjoy it!

Tranquil Moments

Today I'm feeling stressed and when this happens I always look to one place to make me feel calm again, my travel photos.

Fiji will always, for me, be remembered as one of the most beautiful, peaceful and relaxing places on earth.

Happy weekend x

The Dream Team:: Belle dans le sud

Courtesy, Hotel-du-cap-Eden-Roc

I've always dreamt of taking a holiday in the South of France, taking a few weeks in the summer time to travel along the coast. It is one of my dream vacations, which I hope will one day happen. The chic and elegant style of the buildings, the coastline and the people. I think it would be truly relaxing and decadent.


I name this post 'beautiful one in the South', but truly there are so many gorgeous hotels along the French Riviera that it is difficult to pick one. But, I think I've managed it. I want to take a look at one of the hotels in my 'dream team', Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc. The hotel looks to be pure luxury and it hasn't gone unnoticed. This hotel was apparently the favourite of President Kennedy and has continued to be highly regarded as the best place to stay, recently being voted the 'Best European Resort' by the Sunday Times Travel Supplement. High praise, indeed.


So, what's to like? Quite literally, where shall I begin?


There are a variety of rooms to choose from, varying from the 'Traditional' to the 'Eden Roc Suite' and then onto the Villas. The interior of the rooms is clean, stylish but truly French in its origins, with Louis XV and XVI decor. Beautiful cabinets, chests and ornaments; each room looks to have its own individual and unique charm. The Eden Roc Suite looks out of this world, everything you would expect in a suite at a luxury resort, with the addition of a sea view and a terrace, with a hot tub. Exquisite. The bathrooms look grand and luxurious, which is always a welcome treat when on vacation.


A few steps from the hotel there are two separate gorgeous villas to choose from, if you want to take the whole family away (I wouldn't suggest it, but if you have to!). These villas, of course, come with a butler and look every bit as decadent as the hotel.


The hotel has also received accolades for its food. You would have to begin your evening La Rotonde, the piano bar housed in the pavillion for a cocktail or two, before moving on to the restaurant, for some fine food from Arnaud Poëtte. There's also the lounge bar and grill serving sushi and tapas. Something to satisfy the most varied appetites. 

Courtesy, Eden Roc

On top of gorgeous rooms and heavenly food, there are tennis courts, a swimming pool and a wellness centre to occupy your time, if you aren't happy sitting and watching the water.


This hotel has definitely cemented its place in my Dream Team. Now, please take me there. 


If you, too, have an appreciation for gorgeous weather, beautiful hotels and decadent decor then you must check out the website. Or, go even better and spoil yourself by visiting the hotel when it reopens on the 5th April 2012. (Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc)

Picking a winner in Vegas

This year will see me take my first trip to Las Vegas. I've visited North America once before, but never have I visited 'Sin City'.

I'm apprehensive, I like to be able to chill out and relax by a pool when I'm away, will it be manic with people? Will I be able to find a quiet spot? And, the biggest question of all, where should I stay?

I'll be honest and say I'm no gambler and therefore I had been drawn to the Four Seasons, where there is no casino. However, I like to have a good time and when in Rome (so to speak!) I like to immerse myself in the 'culture' of a place. So, if the culture of Las Vegas is partying and gambling, then I'm in.

I've been looking at the classic, The Bellagio and also the new(ish) kid on the block, The Cosmopolitan of Vegas.

The Cosmopolitan looks stylish, bright and the cool place to be seen. The rooms look exquisite; elegant yet modern. But, it is expensive, I guess you are paying for a good experience. Reviews look very positive, focusing on the good restaurants on offer, the large, high quality rooms and a very central location on the strip.

The Bellagio is, for me, synonymous with Vegas. The fountain display is something I've seen on the films and a part of me would love to stay there, but I'm in my 20s and as I've said I want to be at the heart of the action.

So, where's my winner in Las Vegas?

What are your thoughts? Any reviews to offer?

Take a look for yourself, by following the links below:
http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
http://www.bellagio.com/

Madrid, the chic and stylish city

I've long maintained that you don't have to stay at the most luxurious hotels to enjoy a chic and stylish holiday. Never is this more true than on a city break. Getting out to visit the city is far more important, with the room playing second fiddle to seeing the exciting and interesting culture the city has to offer.

So, here are my top places to visit for a stylish and chic break in my favourite city in Spain; Madrid.

Lunch
You won't necessarily get a seat and it's not waiter service, but without doubt you will find incredible food. For fantastic variety, food with great flavour and interesting creations head to Mercado de San Miguel. From sweet to savoury, traditional Spanish to global cuisine and all topped off with a drink. Usually bustling, this is well worth a trip.

Mercado del san miguel. Below left fruits, Below right sweet treats.

Day Activity
Parque del Retiro is well worth a visit, especially in the summer months. Amble through the park to see beautifully landscaped gardens, gorgeous plants and finally a boat ride. It can be fun for friends or romantic with someone special. You can hire a row boat for a little over 5 euros for 45 minutes. Enjoy the sunshine or get some exercise rowing around the lake.

Parque del Retiro in the sunshine.

Dinner
For the best tapas in the city, head to Lateral. Their restaurants are dotted all over the city, but I would head to Plaza de Santa Ana. It's lively into the night and had a great outside seating area. The tapas is both delectable to look at and delicious to taste. My top pick: Pimientos del piquillo rellenos de carne.

The best tapas in Madrid (Photo courtesy of Lateral website, linked below)

Drinks
For cocktails with the girls or if it's a romantic get away a drink with your loved one, the place to head to is The Penthouse. The best news, you only need to stumble a few yards from Lateral in Santa Ana. The Penthouse is one of those bars which has a lot going for it, great cocktails, stylish ambience and best of all unbeatable views of the city. The drinks aren't cheap, but they are worth it, you're paying for a great experience too.

So, once you've exhausted yourself with a long day in the city it won't matter whether your returning to a budget hotel or a luxurious one.

Nora x

Check out Lateral and Penthouse, below.
http://www.cadenalateral.com/inicio/inicio.html
http://thepenthouse.es/

A global welcome.

Welcome to global. A place for me to share my experiences, reviews, thoughts, inspirations and aspirations about travel and the world. From city to safari, Asia to America and chic to luxury I will share it all.

I hope in time you will share yours too.

Enjoy!

Nora x

Masai ceremony in Kenya