Lincoln Christmas Market

Hey Guys!

Apologies for being out the loop for a little while, I’ve been in hospital with a severe vitamin deficiency. Luckily I’m on the road to recovery now and aiming to get back into blogging properly again!

Yesterday I went to the Christmas market in my hometown of Lincoln, it’s a yearly tradition and one that I always enjoy a lot. This year we went just as the market opened which is definitely my favourite time to go, we could see most of the stalls and try samples of the cheese, gin and vodka they had on offer. I bought a small bottle of toffee vodka, if you’ve not tried it I’d definitely recommend it!

The market is set in the historic part of Lincoln called the Bailgate and you enter through the castle, there’s also a medieval market nearby which is always interesting to look round! 

I really love the atmosphere of a Christmas market and it definitely represents the start of Christmas for me! I’m looking forward to putting on some Christmas films and wrapping up with a blanket and hot chocolate!

How are you spending Christmas this year?

J x

Instagram: jessmcguire97 

Twitter: simplyjess97 

Thoughts of travel

I think about travelling probably an unhealthy amount. I’d like to think that it was part of a passion to see every inch of the world and to immerse myself in different cultures and I think to a large extent it is. However, I also think it’s the desire to get away. At 21 I’m already scared of getting old, of not being able to do and see everything I want to, I know how short life is and it scares me, it’s a fear that few understand. 

Nobody’s stopped me from going and travelling the world, booking that plane ticket, although that doesn’t mean that they have doubted my ability to achieve it, knocking me into a sense of self-doubt. Sometimes I picture myself with a backpack and my phone loading google maps and thinking “I’m doing it, I’m actually doing it” but I’m starting to feel myself slipping into this routine that we’re conditioned to of getting a job, getting a house etc.. and the more I catch myself looking at rent prices, the further I feel myself slipping away from the life I truly want, the life I’d planned to make happen years ago. 

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it on this blog before but my favourite place is always by the sea. The world is so chaotic and although the nearest beach here is probably about an hour from the city, it seems like a world apart. It provides a sense of calm and I find myself looking for that more. It’s about £8 on a bus here to get to the beach, I think about doing it so many times but I never do. I’m scared of going alone but I’m also scared of relying on someone else. My partner isn’t into travel as much as me so I wouldn’t expect him to just think of going to the beach as a date and I can’t blame him for that. I saw a quote once from a girl who had travelled the world “if I waited for others to come with me I’d never go anywhere”. This year I’m determined to find the courage to do the things I want even if it means doing them alone, not because I necessarily want to do them alone but because it’s the only way I’ll be able to. 

Anxiety often makes this difficult but I don’t want to let it stop me. Earlier this month I went to an all day festival with a friend from work, it felt odd at first not having my boyfriend there with me who would know what to do if I had a panic attack, who always sensed when I was getting anxious, I got through it though and I was proud of myself for doing so, I’m hoping it’ll give me the push I needed.

This year I’m hoping to visit some friends at university, I might even go abroad by myself (it seems a little far off at the moment though). I know that I can’t wait for others to come with me, I’ve lost count of the amount of years that I’ve told myself I’d do it anyway, I’m starting to trust myself that soon I will, I think there’s a point in everyone’s life where they realise that it’s only them that can make their dreams happen. I’m starting to feel like soon it will be my time. 

J x

Relaxing in beautiful Budapest

Hey Guys!

So earlier this year in November I took a break with my boyfriend to Budapest to celebrate our 1 year anniversary together! 

We stayed in a stunning Airbnb which was within walking distance to all the main attractions, it made a nice change to a hotel as I feel we had a more authentic experience and it was nice to have the added independence. Although we rented the entire apartment to ourselves our hosts family picked us up from the airport for the same price as a taxi. It gave us an added peace of mind as we were arriving late and was a kind gesture. As well as the apartment being close to the centre it was well equipped with everything we would need to cook our own meals, however we found Budapest to be really cheap so ended up eating out most nights! 

I would definitely recommend trying Hungarian food whilst in Budapest! It’s such a great opportunity to dive into the culture and a lot of the local restaurants sell this at great prices so there’s plenty of chances to try this! Kisharang Etkezede is somewhere I can’t recommend enough for traditional Hungarian food! 

If you love ice cream be sure to visit Gelarto Rosa, right near St Stephen’s Basilica. Despite being close to one of the main tourist hotspots an ice cream there will only set you back a few pounds and whilst being a work of art in themselves, they are also delicious. 

It’s also worth visiting St Stephen’s Basilica whilst in Budapest. It’s a stunning building both inside and out and again is very cheap to go right up to the top to get some gorgeous views over the city. 

Budapest is known for it’s thermal baths and after visiting I can see why. We visited Gellert Baths which was also very popular with locals. It’s a slightly pricier attraction but it’s very easy to spend the whole day there like we did. There’s a variety of baths to choose from with temperatures up to 40 degrees, as well as a steam room and sauna included in the price. 

We also made a trip to the central market hall whilst in Budapest where I ate the biggest burger I’ve ever seen! It was delicious but I couldn’t get through it all! The market is a great place to experience the culture in Budapest whilst also picking up some souvenirs! 

When I was researching Budapest I was constantly coming across the same thing, “you have to see parliament building at night!” Luckily this was only a short walk from our apartment and it was beautiful to see it all lit up. We went there before heading to one of the famous ruin bars in Budapest, Szimpla Kert which is again a must do when travelling to the city! 

Towards the end of the week we was becoming a little tired from constantly being on the go but we didn’t let that stop us! We took the funicular up to the castle where we were then able to stroll around a lot of the area free of charge. It’s a nice way to spend the best part of a day and again gave us some incredible views of the city. 

We also explored the fisherman’s bastion whilst there which was a great experience. It’s definitely worth a visit to see the stunning architecture Budapest has to offer!

We did spend another day relaxing and taking in some of the sights. We visited the Christmas market in Vorosmarty Square and went on a walk around the city in some of it’s parks. On our last day we had our suitcases with us so we didn’t want to do too much, we took a river cruise down the Danube where we learnt more about the history of Budapest whilst seeing the city from a different angle. 

Overall we had a fantastic stay in Budapest which is now one of my favourite places in the world and I can’t wait to visit again!

J x

21st birthday in Prague

Hey guys,

So I was recently lucky enough to spend my 21st birthday in Prague! It’s such an amazing city with so much to do and absolutely beautiful architecture! We stayed at the Ibis Hotel in Wenceslas Square which was also in walking distance to all the main attractions!

We spent the first part of our holiday familiarising ourselves with the area and seeing famous landmarks like the Old Town, Charles Bridge and Astronomical Clock. We even went up the clock tower which gave us beautiful views of the city and is definitely worth doing! We could even see the inside workings of the clock tower which was a special experience. There is also a lift so don’t worry about having to do a lot of stairs either!

Prague is a city known for its food and whilst I can’t say I’m a big foodie (sorry!) even I couldn’t resist trying to Trdelnik. I got one with Mango ice cream in and whilst I couldn’t manage it all, it was simply delicious! 

As you’ll see from our photos we was welcomed with wonderful weather in Prague which we really weren’t expecting so it was a lovely treat for it to feel like summer in October! Something that we both really wanted to do was see the castle grounds and although the walk up the hill was tiring the views were simply amazing. We didn’t even have to go into the castle itself admire the surroundings. We went into part of the cathedral which whilst it was busy, was still a special addition to the trip. 

Later on we made a small detour to go and see the Lennon Wall. It wasn’t until the next day that I read the history behind this and I found it really inspiring. It’s great to see something that has been admired so much and that fans across the world have contributed to in some way. It was also in this area that we found a nice restaurant where we sat outside to have our evening meal. 

For my birthday we had breakfast in the hotel before heading to a market that I had been looking forward to. The market on the (A)Void only happens once a month but it was a great experience. We mixed with locals whilst we browsed food, clothes and antiques and my boyfriend treated me to a brown leather jacket which I have now fallen in love with. It’s definitely a market worth doing if you get the chance. We also headed a bit further out to Prague Market later in the day which I have to admit was a downside to our trip for me. This wasn’t helped by the bad experience we had with Uber at the time also but if you want to see the outskirts of Prague it might be for you. 

During the day we also went on the pedal boats. I know it seems like quite a cliche tourist thing to do but i personally really enjoyed it, they were very reasonably priced and we got to relax away from the crowds whilst still being in the centre and getting a unique view of the Charles Bridge and enjoyed lunch whilst listening to music by the river. 

We had a quick browse around the Jewish Quarter later in the day too, it was definitely all very much out of our budget but worth doing to see a different side to Prague and how people live. 

To finish off the day we then went for Pizza and a few drinks at a nearby pub but we was all so exhausted from the busy few days before that we had a relatively early night. 

On our last day we collected up all our belongings and suitcases but didn’t want to venture far as we knew we had a flight to catch. We relaxed in a nearby park for a large duration of the day, taking everything in and soaking up the wonderful few days. 

In a couple weeks I’m excited to say that we will both be heading to BUDAPEST to celebrate a year together. Whilst I may try solo travel one day, for now I love nothing more than making memories together that will last a lifetime. 

Another blog post coming soon! 

J x

It’s okay to have lazy days

Hey guys!

So I know the title of this blog post is probably quite an obvious statement for a lot of people but it’s something I’ve only recently come to realise after meeting my boyfriend. 

I’m a naturally busy person, out of choice. I’m always working, going to events, socialising etc and I feel that if a weekend isn’t spent “going out” then it’s wasted, at least I used to anyway. 

However having now spent a few weekends simply relaxing, staying in bed watching films, reading blogs and even taking some naps I’ve realised not only are lazy days actually quite fun but they’re also really important for your body. It gives your body time to rest and recover from all the ‘out and about’ stuff. It doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole day in bed (although I have on occasion) a relaxing walk and a bit of fresh air is also beneficial. 

On a typical weekend before I met my boyfriend I would be out with friends Friday night and then possibly even visiting a different city early the next day, with a trip to town Sunday to finish off the weekend. I wasn’t relaxing at all other than when I was asleep, I rarely took naps and although I didn’t realise it at the time, I was exhausted. 

I’ve now learnt to balance myself and feel a lot healthier. I still go out some weekends and go to events if they appeal to me but I also spend some days in bed watching Netflix (using the bf’s account because he’s the best like that❤️) but I’m not constantly draining my body and I’m also receiving the best back massages I’ve ever had and waking up at the weekends with the person I love, no amount of going out could beat that. 

I’m not saying waste life staying in bed either (I’m a travel blogger) but finding a balance is really important. There’s so much pressure from reading other blogs and social media to be doing and seeing things all the time but a lot of good can be had by taking a bit of time out too. 

J x

An Amsterdam Getaway

Hey Guys,

So I’ve finally had the time to sit down and write this little post for you about our spontaneous trip away to Amsterdam! I had the luxury of having a few days of work so wanted to make the most of it as much as I could (I hate sitting still!).

We grabbed a Pizza at Doncaster Airport before flying straight to Amsterdam, a great flight time in under an hour! 

We wanted to make the most of our three nights in Amsterdam so even ended up taking a wander around the city despite getting there fairly late at night. We was always surprised by how easy it was to get around and how friendly and helpful everyone was if we was ever stuck for directions! 

We stayed at the beautiful Pension Homeland. An oasis of calm and walking distance to the centre of Amsterdam. There are so many things which make this hotel unique but the one that stands out the most to me is the location. It’s situated on what is known as the Marine Land and is formerly an old naval base. From our room we could also look out onto all the boats which was certainly a lovely view to wake up to each morning! 

The rooms are large with murals like the one in the picture above. Although we stayed here as a couple it would also be perfect for families looking for a sense of calm amongst the buzz of the city. 

Another unique aspect of this hotel is that it has its own brewery on site! I’ve never been much of one for beer myself but this is one of the nicest I’ve had (my partner who does drink beer also agrees!). It’s definitely worth popping in for a drink or two if you’re ever in the area especially at these prices! 

The thing I loved most about Amsterdam was how close everything was to each other! I’m not usually much of one for walking but we literally walked everywhere and saw so much and everyone was so friendly! We wandered round the markets where I picked up some bargain clothes, ate waffles by the canal, had a peek at the red light district and overlooked the city at a rooftop bar as well as tucking into some delicious food! We couldn’t have wished for a better experience. 

We also busted the Resistance Musuem which I’ll be talking about in a separate post. Amsterdam was the most perfect little getaway for us and somewhere we never wanted to leave. 

We can’t wait to see where our travelling will take us next! 

I worked with Pension Homeland for the purposes of the review but all opinions are my own. You can keep up to date with all their latest news and offers on their social media and website. 

https://www.pensionhomeland.com/en/

Instagram: @pensionhomeland

Facebook: Pension Homeland 

J x

New year, new travels

So as most of you will already know this blog is centred largely around traveling and my ambition to travel the world. It therefore made sense to me to do my first post of the year on all the places I hope to visit this year, it’s going to be a busy one!

New Years resolution: Travel more, worry less

1. London - I would love to visit the sky garden and spend a weekend in this busy city again!

2. Amsterdam - I am so happy to say that I have already booked flights to here for later this month and I cannot wait!

3. Paris - I’ve heard mixed reviews on Paris but I’d love to find out for myself, the Eiffel Tower is definitely on my bucket list.

4. Iceland - I think this makes the list every year for obvious reasons, maybe this year?

5. Prague - such a pretty city ideal for a weekend break, I’d love to explore this beautiful place.

Ultimately of course, everywhere is on my list. Setting clear and achieveable goals shows that it can happen if we really put our minds to it and shows us still that no matter how difficult it may seem, never give up on your dreams.

Always keep exploring.

Happy New Year!

J x

How to spend a weekend in Dublin!

I have just got back from a lovely weekend in Dublin with one of my best friends and whilst we had an absolute blast, we also learnt a lot about what to do when visiting the area, some things to possibly avoid and of course, the dreaded tourist traps, how we fell into them and how you don't have to!

First off, I feel as though it is important to say that Dublin is a beautiful city and one which we both agreed we would definitely go back to, we'd just do some things a little bit differently next time.

We got the bus from the airport and stayed in the Temple Bar area which I found out after arriving back is seen as one of the biggest tourist traps in Dublin. You're looking at paying six or seven euros for a pint, which is a little bit on the steep side. We even found ourselves paying 2 euros for a can of coke in some places. We was warned that Dublin was an expensive city but was gutted to learn that if we had ventured a little bit further out it could have been cheaper.

Although a statement of the typical tourist, I did feel that the open top bus tour which was hop on, hop off was one of the best things that we did during our visit. We both were classed as students so it was slightly cheaper for us but even without a student card (or being under 17) it is still great value for money, particularly if you haven't been to the area before. We found out about where everything was in Dublin, even managed to get some discounts on the booklet that came with the tour and had a very busy day exploring the various areas (I think the last bus for us was about 7pm so we managed to see a lot in the 24 hours the ticket was valid for) definitely a great experience for exploring the area and was also something that was recommended to us prior to visiting. We used the DoDublin bus tour but there are so many around the area to choose from.

Whilst there we also visited the natural history museum and the art gallery is positioned right next door which makes it very convenient to do both in one trip and we also visited the castle. We managed to pack a lot into our two day trip before heading for our flight back to England and I honestly can't wait to head back and hopefully explore more of Ireland at the same time too!

Jess x