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AUSTRIA | A GUIDE TO VIENNA, SALZBURG AND HALLSTATT.

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Austria is a country full of imperial history, art, culture and breathtaking landscapes. Once you are in the country, it is very easy to move around the country via trains to explore the best the country has to offer. In this guide, we will be exploring the capital city of Vienna, Mozart’s birthplace Salzburg and the fairy-tale village of Hallstatt. 



Vienna

Vienna constantly ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities, and it is easy to see why. It’s a great city for anyone interested in museums, art, music and great coffee. 


Things to see and do:

  • Visit the Ringstabe, a circular boulevard featuring some of the city’s most important sights, including the State Opera, the Parliament and the City Hall.

  • Visit Schönbrunn Palace, arguably one of the prettiest and most impressive palaces in Austria. This used to be the Habsburgs’ summer residence, and you can take a tour of the inside of the palace as well as the gardens. In the winter months, the palace hosts their Christmas Market, complete with food stalls, Christmas decorations, play areas for children and of course, Gluhwein. 

  • St Stephen’s Cathedral is located in the heart of the city and is worth visiting, its multi-coloured tiled roof is an iconic symbol of Vienna. 

  • In the MuseumsQuartier, you will find several major museums, including Leopold (Austrian Modernism), Mumok (Modern Art), Kunsthalle Wien (Contemporary Art) and the Architekturzentrum Wien (Architecture). 

  • The Sigmund Freud museum is worth visiting for anyone interested in psychology and the life of the founder of psychoanalysis. The museum is open everyday apart from Tuesdays. 

  • If you’re travelling with children,  why not try being a chocolatier for a day at BO-YO? Here you can design your own chocolate bars to take home. We got to make 3 bars, choosing from a range of different chocolate types and then decorating them as we wished. Trying their thick hot chocolate is also a must! 




Food Recommendations:

  • For coffee and Sachertorte (dense chocolate cake with apricot jam), head to either Cafe Central, Cafe Sacher or Cafe Aida. 

  • For wiener schnitzel, Figlmüller is the most famous spot for this. 

  • Via Toledo Enzopizzeria won an award in 2025 for the 20th best pizzas in the world, and 3rd best in Europe. That’s very impressive! 

  • For a fast food bite, try XO smash burgers. 

  • For breakfast coffee and pastries, Salz & Zucker Bakery is the spot. 



Where to stay:

Vienna is a fairly large city but it’s easy to get around with their metro system. A beautiful hotel in the heart of the MuseumsQuartier is the 25hours Hotel. Leonardo has a few hotels dotted around the city, so you can select one depending on where most of your activities are. 




Salzburg

A 3 hour train ride west of Vienna leads to Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart, or for musical fans, the setting for The Sound of Music. The city is filled with quaint streets, markets and has the stunning backdrop of the mountains. 


Things to see and do:

  • Visit Hogensalzburg Fortress, which is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe and holds over 900 years of history. If you choose to walk up, it will take you 30 minutes and the path starts right next to the FestungsBahn. 

  • Walk through Mirabell Palace and Gardens, one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music. In December, you will also find a Christmas market set-up behind the gardens. 

  • Getreidegass is a narrow shopping street, where you can find Mozart’s home. 

  • If you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, then you can’t leave without embarking on the official Sound of Music bus tour. This will take you around some of the movie's filming locations (including the 16 going on 17 gazebo), have you singing along on the bus, and you will also learn some behind the scenes secrets from the guide. 




Food Recommendations:

  • Meissl & Schadn is a great place for wiener schnitzel, and is featured on the Michelin Guide. Whilst you’re there, you should also try the Salzburger nockerl, a sweet fluffy soufflé shaped like the three mountains surrounding the city. Of course, apple strudel is also on the menu. 

  • For more traditional Austrian dishes, head to Zwettler's Wirtshaus. Here you can try kasnocken (cheese dumplings with fried onions), Austrian sausages, goulash and more. For dessert you can finish off with another Austrian dessert, kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes). 



Where to stay:

Salzburg is a smaller city than Vienna, so wherever you stay you won’t be too far from all the places of interest. However, the best location is near the train/tram station. The Cocoon Salzburg is located just a 4 minute walk from the station, and guests will receive a ticket for free transport around the city. 



Hallstatt

Hallstatt is arguably one of the most photographed villages in Europe, with its snow topped houses on the mountain and its reflective lake. The village is a 1 hour drive from Salzburg, and there are plenty of tour operators that take you there and back if you don’t wish to rent a car or stay overnight. 

Things to see and do:

  • The Skywalk is located 350 metres above the village, and allows you to view the village and lake from above. The price for adults is 29 euros and 14 euros for children. 

  • Visit the Salt Mines, which claim to be the oldest salt mine in the world. The tour includes an underground slide and a subterranean lake. The price for adults is 49 euros and 23 euros for children. 

  • Near the church at the end of the main street, you’ll find the Beinhaus (Bone House). Due to limited space in the cemetery, Hallstatt has a unique tradition of painting skulls with floral motifs and storing them in the 12th-century Michael’s Chapel. 



Food Recommendations:

  • Schirmbar is a casual lakeside spot for traditional meals like schnitzel, strudel and other Austrian classics. Note that this place is cash only. 

  • Cafe Maislinger is a cafe that serves freshly baked goods as well as a range of cakes. 


Where to stay:

There isn’t really a need to stay in Hallstatt overnight, but if you’re after a couple of days of tranquility by the lake, then one of the most popular hotels is the Heritage Hotel, located at the end of the main street. 


I hope this article has inspired you to travel to Austria this year!





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LONDON GUIDE | WHERE TO STAY AND UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN LONDON IN 2025

Saturday, 1 November 2025

The great thing about London, is that it's fun to visit whether it's your first or 50th time there. There's always new restaurants to try, bars to visit and activities to experience. If you're planning a weekend in London soon, this is my guide on where to stay and what to do. 

london guide


Where to stay

London is pretty big, but luckily it’s quite easy to get around using the underground. Depending on what you want to spend your time doing, here are some of the best locations to consider.

Stratford

Stratford is in East London, and is the perfect option if you’re wanting to shop as you’ll have Westfield shopping centre, one of the UK’s biggest shopping centres, on your doorstep. It is also a few stops away from the O2 Arena, so it’s worth checking in advance if any of your favourite artists are playing there. Our go to in Stratford is the Premier Inn, as it's located right at the end of Westfield and a 10 minute walk to the tube. 

Kings Cross

King’s Cross has become a hotspot destination and is ideal if you’re planning on moving around a lot, as you can pretty much get on any train or underground line here. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll also find Platform 9 ¾ here as well as a gift shop.

Clapham

If you’re looking for a more lively area to stay in, Clapham has a plethora of bars and clubs to choose from. It’s also very easy to get around as you are quite well connected in Clapham Junction.

Victoria

Victoria connects you to the Underground, National Rail and Gatwick Express, so it's a great place to base yourself. You'll have plenty of great restaurants on your doorstep and be close to parks such as St James's and Hyde Park. We recently had a stay at CitizenM Hotel in Victoria and loved the funky tech features the room came with! 


Markets

London has so many markets that you could probably spend a whole week exploring them, but if you’re only planning a weekend in London, here are some of my favourites.

Camden Market

Arguably London’s most famous market, Camden is known for its music scene, eccentric shops and a lot of good food. The market is open everyday from 10am-6pm and is home to CyberDog, a ‘rave clothing’ shop that is worth the visit even if you don’t plan on buying anything. A trip to Camden market isn’t complete without a bowl of Mac n Cheese from The Mac Factory stall.

the mac factory


Portobello Road Market

Famous for its antiques, Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is one of the world's largest antique markets. It's also a great place to find vintage clothes and collectibles. Make sure you snap a pic of the colourful houses as you enter the market!

Borough Market
Borough market is a food lover's heaven, so make sure you come hungry! Some My favourite thing from here is the strawberries drenched in milk chocolate. They’re pricey but every strawberry was juicy and the warm chocolate was poured over it as you ordered, so you can enjoy it before it hardens! Don't miss

  • Creme Brulé Doughnut from Bread Ahead
  • Sausage Roll from The Ginger Pig 
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich from The Black Pig 

borough market choc strawberries

Old Spitalfields Market

Located in East London, this market offers a mix of fashion, art, and food. It's a great spot to find unique gifts and enjoy delicious street food. Here is where you’ll find the Instagram spot Humble Crumble, just expect to queue for a while!

China Town*

Not exactly a market, but the area is worth visiting for the food! Popular places: 
  • Mamasons for their Filipino inspired desserts
  • Plum Valley for their dim sum 
  • Bunsik for their Korean hot dog 
  • Bun House for their custard steamed buns 
  • China Town Bakery for their Taiyaki custard fish
  • Ji Chickens for their popcorn fried chicken
  • Four Seasons for the best roast duck! 

bunsik

Museums

London is home to some of the world's most renowned museums. Personally I am not the biggest fan of antiques or art museums, but London has some unique ones that are worth visiting.

British Museum

If you like your history, the British Museum houses a large collection of artifacts from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.

Natural History Museum

Here you can discover the wonders of the natural world, from dinosaurs to a life-sized blue whale. The 5 main collections here are botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology.

Science Museum

This is definitely the most engaging and interactive museum in London. There are exhibits around physics, human biology, astronomy and technology.

London Transport Museum

As the name suggests, here you can learn about the history of London's transport system, including vintage buses and the world's first Underground steam train.

Tate Modern

This museum houses collections of international modern and contemporary art, with quite a few unique and somewhat bizarre exhibitions.


Unique things to do in London

If you’re pretty much a London local, then you might be looking for some new activities for your trip. Here are a few fun options for when you fancy doing a fun activity in London. 

Taste Film

If you love movies and food, then this is something you’ll want to experience! Taste Film offers an immersive experience where you can watch a movie, and have dishes related to the film served to you during the movie. When they had a showing of Matilda, you can imagine what items definitely made the menu (chocolate cake and pancakes).


Alcotraz London

Alcotraz isn’t your typical cocktail bar, as they’ll have you dressed up in orange jumpsuits and ‘smuggling’ in your own alcohol. Then, one of their mixologists will use it to create delicious bespoke cocktails. Sounds fun right?


Fairgame

Fairgame is an adult arcade based in Canary Wharf, where you can find classic games such as Whac-A-Mole, Skeeball and Shoot the Clown. There’s also street food vendors and you can have a few drinks whilst you play.


Ghost Bus Tour


These ghost bus tours give you a creepy history of London whilst also showing you some of the famous sights. You’ll travel to places like Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London and London Bridge. Don’t worry, it’s not scary enough to keep you awake at night as the guide also offers some comedic moments.


F1 Arcade

If you love racing and the world of Formula 1, then this might be of interest to you. St Paul’s hosts a brand-new exhilarating simulation racing experience. They also host watch parties and you can find creative food and cocktails here.


The Cube 

Remember the gameshow? Well now there's an immersive experience in London for you to test your skills! In a team of 4, you'll take on a series of mental and physical challenges inside a high-tech glass cube (no cash prize involved though). 


Squid Game The Experience

Now you have the chance to play the games, without fearing for your life! Located at the Excel London, you'll have the chance to play games inspired by the show. There's also a Korean-inspired Night Market with soju-infused cocktails, exclusive merch and photo ops. 


squid game the experience


I hope you have discovered something new in this blog post! Enjoy your London trip. 



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8 TRIPS YOU SHOULD TAKE IN YOUR TWENTIES.

Thursday, 30 October 2025

When I look back on my 20s, I can proudly say that I did a good job with exploring the world as much as I could. I did a semester in Orlando Florida, worked as an au pair in Australia, worked in London for a year and even travelled to India for 3 weeks with 29 other travel writers. That being said, now that I’m in my 30s there are certain trips (or ways of travelling) that I wouldn’t do again. Even though I wouldn’t sleep in a hostel or take a 8 hour overnight coach, I’m still glad I experienced it at the time as it made for some good stories! If you’re here looking for some inspiration for your next holiday, here are 8 types of trips you should experience in your 20s.

I also want to say that even though these trips are all suggested for your 20s, they are types of trips you should keep up even in your 30s and 40s.


1. A Solo Trip

As daunting as it might seem, going somewhere on your own can feel quite liberating. Not only can you explore a place on your own schedule and don’t have to make compromises, but the planning process will be a lot smoother as you won’t be waiting on payments from friends/family or have to miss out on activities you want to do. If you’ve never travelled solo before, I recommend starting small and flying somewhere like Rome or Madrid and see how you get on.

2. Cruise

You’re probably thinking, isn’t this a trip I should save for when I’m retired or have kids? I thought the same, having only been on one cruise when I was 16. Then a couple of years ago I went on one with my family and found it such a fun experience as an adult. The cocktails are great, there’s adults-only game shows on and lots of entertainment on during the night and day. More so, Virgin Voyages offer adults-only cruises and are also tailored to young adults. They host a lot of themed parties and also give you access to all of their restaurants in your cruise fare. A great choice if you’re a foodie! If you're not sure which cruise is for you, check out my beginners guide to picking a cruise line. 


3. Girls trip

This is one that most of you might have already crossed off your list, but if you have friends who also enjoy seeing the world, make it a point to plan things together. When people get in relationships the default for many is to take every trip with their significant other, but it’s important to still keep up those trips with your friends! The memories you make will last a lifetime, and you’ll find yourself laughing at things that happened on your trip 10 years later. Having said that, getting the trip to leave the group chat is sometimes the hardest part!

4. Family trip

As we get older a lot of us tend to prefer travelling with our partner or friends, but try not to forget about your family either. As an example, every year my mum, sister and I make a point to take a long weekend trip somewhere. Usually to explore one of Europe’s Christmas markets. If you no longer live with your parents or don’t see your siblings very often, this can be a great way to reconnect and make memories together.

5. Backpacking

Now with this, you can go as hardcore as you want with it. Some people choose to interrail through Europe with a 60L backpack and book their hostels along the way, but I was way too Type A for that and always planned my itineraries and booked things in advance. The great thing about staying in hostels in your 20s, is that they’re a great way to meet people and they usually host tons of events. Bar crawls, pool parties and also excursions. If sharing a room with strangers isn’t for you, don’t fret as many hostels offer private rooms too.

6. Volunteering

If you want to do something rewarding whilst also exploring a new country, there are plenty of opportunities you can find online for volunteering abroad. Often referred to as a homestay, you can live with a local family and won’t have to pay for food and lodging in exchange for some volunteer work. This could be anything from helping at a school in Cambodia, teaching English in Vietnam or helping at an eco farm in Colombia. A popular site to find opportunities like this is Workaway.

7. Study abroad

If you’re currently enrolled in university, then definitely try and find out if your university offers a student exchange programme. When I studied at Bournemouth University, there was an opportunity to do a semester abroad at the University of Central Florida and I enjoyed every minute of it. I made such great friends and it was also interesting to get a taste of how different ‘college’ life was there. What’s best is that there usually aren’t any extra fees to pay, as you will pay your university tuition fee back home as normal.

8. Living abroad

If you can afford to and don’t have any baggage stopping you, I highly recommend living abroad even if it’s just for 3-6 months. Not only will you grow as a person and expose yourself to different ways of living and thinking, but you’ll get a big sense of freedom. We are such a small community in Gibraltar which is great but also there is a bigger world to see out there. I did a working-holiday year in Australia and I loved it, had it not been for Covid and the visa length I
could have easily stayed a couple more years. That being said, coming back to Gibraltar I realised that in comparison to all these countries, we have it easy here and a good work/life balance. We sometimes take it for granted how easy it is to grab a drink with a friend after work, or how we can get to a beach in 20 minutes.

I hope this article has inspired you to travel more, whatever your age is! 


If you're looking to book your next trip, take a look all the hotels booking.com has on offer with free cancellation, so you can lock in ahead of time. Note I will receive a small commission if you use my booking.com affiliate link, at no extra cost to you! 
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7 WINTER HOLIDAY IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS IN THE SNOW.

Saturday, 18 October 2025

In Gibraltar, Christmas  is usually accompanied by sunshine or the occasional burst of rain. However there are many people who when they picture the perfect Christmas, they picture snow, cozy markets and the smell of mulled wine. Whilst holiday cheer can be found locally, here are seven cities that offer a winter wonderland escape. 



Tallin, Estonia

Tallin is perfect if you’re looking for Old Town charm that looks like it’s come straight from a fairytale book. In the Town Hall Square you’ll find one of Europe’s most charming Christmas markets, filled with wooden stalls selling handicrafts, gingerbread and spiced glogi, Estonia’s version of mulled wine. When snow falls, it covers the ancient walls making it look like a Christmas postcard.


Direct flights are available from Malaga airport with Air Baltic, 4 times a week. 


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Lapland, Finland

Lapland is the pinnacle location for Christmas in the snow. Located in the far north of Finland, this region is synonymous with Santa Claus, Reindeers and winter activities. In Rovaniemi (Lapland’s capital), you can cross the Arctic Circle, meet Santa in his workshop, and send letters with a special North Pole postmark. Perfect if you’ve got children in the family!


Snow is practically guaranteed here in December, meaning that you’ll also have the opportunity to try adventures such as dog-sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides. If you’re lucky, you might also catch the Northern Lights in the evening. 


There are currently no direct flights available, but you can fly through Helsinki. 


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Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital offers a unique Christmas experience. The city combines its quirky traditions such as the ‘Yule Lads’ with its stunning natural beauty. Reykjavik’s Christmas markets are filled with handmade gifts and Icelandic treats like smoked lamb and leaf bread. 


There are also plenty of winter adventures to take part in, from soaking in geothermal hot springs surrounded by snow to taking a trip to see frozen waterfalls and volcanic landscapes. This is also a great location to try and spot the Northern Lights. 


Direct flights are available twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday from Malaga Airport with Icelandair. 


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Krakow, Poland

The Main Market Square in Krakow is one of the largest in Europe, and brings the Christmas magic with its towing Christmas tree and festive market stalls. You’ll also find a lot of nativities on display, inspired by the city’s architecture. They are displayed in the square and people compete in an annual contest. Krakow is also the cheapest destination on this list, making it a perfect choice if you’re on a budget or taking the whole family! Also, make sure to try some traditional Polish food like pierogi (dumplings) and oscypek (smoked cheese). 


Direct flights are available everyday from Malaga Airport with Ryanair and WizzAir. 


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Nuremberg, Germany

This list would not be complete without including Nuremberg, home to one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world. If you’re looking for an iconic German Christmas atmosphere, filled with mulled wine and bratwurst sausages, then this is the place for you. If you have kids, they also host a special children’s market complete with a carousel, steam train and toy stalls. 


Make sure to try some traditional Christmas foods such as Nurnberger Lebkuchen, famous gingerbread glazed in chocolate. Or Drei im Weggla, 3 small Nuremberg sausages served in a crusty bread roll. 


Direct flights are available several days a week from Malaga Airport with Ryanair. 


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New York

If you fancy a trip further abroad to really get that Hallmark movie Christmas feel, then New York is the place to go. Snow may not be guaranteed, but when it does Central Park transforms into a winter playground with sledding, snowball fights and ice skating at Wollman Rink. However the most iconic place for ice skating is at the Rockefeller Center, where you’ll also find the world famous Christmas tree. 


Fifth avenue also dazzles with elaborate window displays, whereas Bryant Park’s Winter Village combines shopping, food stalls and skating in one place. It is also an experience to see how locals decorate the outside of their homes, it is very different to what we see locally in Gibraltar and Spain! 


Direct flights are available everyday from Malaga Airport with multiple airlines. 





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London

If you fancy the ease of travelling from Gibraltar Airport, then London is the destination for you. Whether you want to do some Christmas shopping in Oxford Street, look at the elaborate decorations in Carnaby Street or see a pantomime show like The Nutcracker. It’s the perfect choice for a weekend winter getaway. 


You will find Christmas markets dotted around the city, but the main attraction is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Here you’ll find an ice rink, circus shows, rides, markets to buy trinkets as well as tonnes of food stalls. Standard entry is around £5, but be prepared to spend more on food and drinks as prices here are quite elevated! 


Direct flights are available everyday from Gibraltar Airport with Easyjet and British Airways.


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