It is known for its lovely beach’s, watersports and nightlife.
Travelling to Sunny Bech
We flew to Bulgaria in the month of June from Manchester Airport. We stayed in the Crown Plaza hotel a few minutes walk from the terminal. It also has a regular shuttle bus to the airport. Our car was parked there for the duration of our holiday.
Accommodation
We booked the holiday as a last minute deal with TUI costing £600 each all inclusive for a week. We stayed at the Riu Helios Paradise which is at the far end of Sunny Beach in an area called St Vlas. The hotel is rated as a 4 star plus and a Platinum hotel. The hotel is 24 hour all inclusive which we made good use of lol. There are a number of specialist restaurants in the hotel including Asian, Bulgarian and Italian. We ate at each of them and was not disappointed with the standard of food.
There is also a nightclub on the complex which is open until the early hours. This was a great place to go as it had Karaoke and dance music on every evening. There was also evening entertainment in the entertainment room but could be watched from outside whilst having a nice cocktail. The hotel has a lovely swim up bar with a good selection of local branded drinks.
There is a full itinerary for entertainment around the pool during the day which was great fun. The hotel has its own beach with a bar and snack bar. The hotel grounds and rooms were very clean.
Swim up pool bar
Adults only Riu
Whilst we were in Sunny Beach an Adults only Riu hotel had just finished being built next door to our hotel (Riu Palace Sunny Beach) and opened part way through our holiday. We were able to go and look round the hotel which had a lovely infinite pool. As everything was very new it felt quite clinical and seemed to lack atmosphere but we are sure that this will change as the hotel is used more.
Riu Adults only
Location
Our hotel was a short walk from the center of Sunny Beach. We walked out most days along the front which was lovely. The only downside was that each shop, bar, restaurant etc you passed someone tried to sell you something. On the positive side they were not as pushy as other countries and as soon as you said no they left you alone. There are a lot of shops selling copies of designer clothing which did not appear to be good quality. There were a lot of things going on at the front and in hotels for children from large inflatables to fair ground rides. We did notice that there was a lot of families in Sunny Beach.
Nightlife
On a couple of evening we did go in to the center of Bulgaria for a few drinks. There were many bars with tribute acts Freddie Mercury, Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner to name a few. We did go and watch some of them which was great fun with a lot of audience interaction. Sunny Beach is on a similar parr to Benidorm but not as big. We did not stay in the centre of Sunny Beach until the early hours but we were aware that it is a place that never closes.
Tribute act
There are many excursions to go on in Sunny Beach but as we were only there for 7 days we were limited as to where we could go without taking up too much time of our holiday. One of the things we would have done if we had had more time was to go to Istanbul.
Nessabar
We got a taxi to Nessabar which is only a short drive away from Sunny Beach. Nessabar is such a contrast to Sunny Beach with its cobbled street and old buildings. Whilst walking around Nessabar it feels like you are in a completely different place to Sunny Beach. There are lots of gift shops in Nessabar which are different to the ones in Sunny Beach. The restaurants and bars also have a different feel to the ones in Sunny Beach. Nessasbar is very picturesque and definitely worth a visit.
Nessabar
Summary
We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in Sunny Beach. The hotel was lovely and met all our needs. We also liked the hotel as it was in a quiet area but near enough to all the nightlife to walk to. At £600 each for a week all inclusive we found the holiday to be very good value for money. As the world is such a big place we are not sure if we would go back to Sunny Beach but never say never.
Images
Pool Scene
Pool Scene
Pool Bar
Beach
Nessebar
Nessebar
Nessebar
Freddie Mercury Tribute Act
Michael Jackson Tribute Act
Things to do
Visit Nessebar
Take a boat trip
Sample the local cuisine
See a tribute act or two
Sample the nightlife
Take a day trip to Istanbul
Visit the beach.
Top tips
If you want to be near the nightlife but far enough away should you wish to relax than this area is ideal.
Taxi’s are cheap in Bulgaria and can be cheaper than some excursions.
Visit Nessabar
The tribute acts are great fun and worth seeing.
Designer copies appeared poor quality best to avoid.
We regretted not having the time to go to Istanbul make sure you have enough time.
Hotels vary so much with regards to location, standard etc. Do your research before you book.
Bulgaria is very seasonal, check weather below for best time to visit.
Check out other destinations we have visited in Bulgaria Borovets
Gdansk is a city on the Baltic coast of nothern Poland.
The city is said to take its name from the Gdania River which is the original name of the Motlawa River
Travelling to Gdansk
We flew to Gdansk in November from Leeds and Bradford Airport. The flights to Gdansk only cost us £39 return. We flew out on a Friday for a long weekend. Our main reason for visiting Gdansk was the Christmas Market. Fortunately as we live on around 20 minutes drive from the airport this was very convenient.
Accommodation
In advance we booked an apartment on Air b n b in the centre of Gdansk The apartment was very clean with contemporary furnishing and very stylish. The location was excellent as it was only a short walk to the river and shops, restaurants and bars. There are many nice apartments for rent in good locations and at a reasonable price. We paid £150 for 3 nights which was excellent value. The apartment had everything we needed with a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area, bathroom and good sized bathroom.
Accommodation
Nightlife
In Gdansk there are lots of bars and even an Irish Bar. The Irish bar is what you would expect which is full of people from the UK. Some of the bars are the same price as what you would pay in England. The Polish shot bar is very cheap. As the name suggests it mainly sells shots which people buy around 10 at a time but you can get larger and wine too. A glass of wine cost around £1.50 in the Polish shot bar in other bars cost around £6. The bar is very lively every night so it is well worth a visit if you are wanting to hit the bars.
Christmas Market
Whilst we were in Gdansk we went to the Christmas Market which was lovely. It was very cold but we had come prepared with warm clothes, gloves etc. At the Christmas market they sold the most amazing rum and apple mulled wine. Not only did it taste lovely but on a cold also warmed you up. We might have had quite a few on them whilst we were there purely to keep us warm lol.
Christmas Market
Market Food
At the market there were a lot of stalls selling traditional Polish food, Pertogi (polish dumplings), various pastries (not sure what these were called), Placki Ziemniaczane (Potato pancakes), Zrazy (Beef rolls), various polish sausage etc. There were lots of stalls where you could sit down, eat and drink. There were also many stalls selling arts, crafts and Christmas decoration. It was a lovely market and well worth the visit.
Stall selling food and drink
Food and Drink
The Golden Gate leads to the Dlugi Targ the main walk through Gdansk. it is not very long approximately 500 metres long. Café, shops, bars and restaurants line the walk. The restaurants cater for all tastes of food from Italian, Indian, Polish, Spanish etc. This walk is very busy all day long with both tourists and locals. There are so many beautiful buildings in Gdansk.It has a wealth of history with many museums.
Dlugu Tarq or AKA Long Market
Motlawa River
Walking along the Motlawa river was lovely both day and night again lots of nice places to eat and drink. We stayed at one side of the river but crossed over to the other where there were some lovely shops and coffee places. The coffee shops sold amazing hot chocolate which was great on the cold mornings.
Motlawa River
Whilst walking near the river we came across a man who had a spectacular motor bike. He had various props, items of clothing that you could put on and have a photo taken on his motorbike for a small fee. It was great fun doing this and having photo’s that bring a smile when you look at them.
Summary
Like most places we have visited there never seems enough time to see and do everything you want to. We were only in Gdansk for a few days but we definitely made the most of it. We would definitely recommend visiting Gdansk it is such a beautiful place
AmberSky on Motwala River
Christmas Market
Christmas Market
Having a very large drink lol
Christmas Market
Christmas Market
Pirate Ship
Pirate Ship
Selfie
Motwala River
Motwala River at night
Green Gate
Dlugi Targ
Neptune’s Fountain
Dlugi Targ
Green Gate
Photo on motor bik
Old fashion car
Images
Things to do
Go to the Christmas Market
Try the Rum and Apple Mulled Wine,
Try some of the Polish traditional foods.
Walk along the Motlawa river.
Have something to eat or drink on the Dlugi Targ.
Visit the Polish Shot Bar if you are out to sample the night life.
Top tips
If going to Gdansk in the winter months ensure you have plenty of warm clothing.
There are a lot of tourist type bars which do charge more than the bars aimed at the locals. Check out the local bars.
The Christmas market in Gdansk was lovely and a good time to go for a fun and cheap long weekend. Christmas market starts late November. Dont forget to try the Rum and Apple mulled wine.
We found that the Airbnb was very reasonable in price, centrally located, exceptionally clean, lovely décor and gave us lots of space for our stay.
If you are flexible with your dates to travel Skyscanner can search the whole month and advise of cheapest time to travel.
Check out other destination we have visited in Poland Wroclaw
Due to its picturesque setting and off the beaten track has a lot of rich and famous visitors.
Ravello is set in the mountain tops overlooking the Amalfi coast of Italy. It has thousands of years of history which can be seen just by walking around this small quaint place. It has the most amazing views of the coast line.
Travelling to Ravello
In the month of June we flew into Naples from Manchester Airport. We pre-booked a taxi to take us from the airport to our accommodation. The journey from the airport took about 1 hour. It was a very hot day so the driver stopped at a little restaurant so we could have a cold drink. The roads up to Ravello are very steep, windy and a bit hair-raising but we managed to get there in one piece.
We had gone to Ravello for Mum’s 70th Birthday and parents 50th Wedding Anniversary as they love the place and go back year after year. They stay in the same hotel, the Palazzo Avino, which is one of the more expensive hotels, but has amazing views and Michelin starred food which we really enjoyed – we are just glad we weren’t paying the bill!
View from Palazzo Avino
Accommodation
We stayed at an Airbnb for the 3 nights we were there costing £230 which is a very good price compared to the hotels in the area. The apartment was fairly basic but had all you needed should you wish to do your own cooking. As we were with family we ate all our meals out, including an Italian meal at Mimi’s which we would recommend. The apartment also had a large sun terrace which over-looked the streets. It was quite nice sitting up there on an evening with a drink watching the world go by and the lovely sunsets.
View from sun terrace Airbnb
Piazza Centrale
Walking around Ravello is quite an experience, with many interesting shops and art galleries situated amongst the cobbled streets. If you are after some artwork or Italian pottery then this is the place to come!
Narrow Street near Piazza Centrale
Food and drink
There are many restaurants with spectacular views of the sea. It is worth asking for local guidance on the best restaurants to visit given the wide choice on offer. There is also a square in the centre of the town, the Piazza Centrale which hosts a number of restaurants / bars where you can sit out in the sun and watch the world go by. The Cathedral in the Piazza Centrale hosts a large number of weddings as this is a very popular place to get married – apparently Gary Lineker got married here.
Meal at Mimi Restaurant short walk from Piazza Centrale
Villa Cimbrone
We also took a walk around the Villa Cimbrone which has some beautiful gardens to walk around and again a great view of the coast at the end – there is a small restaurant / bar here and we sat in the gardens with a refreshing glass of wine. On our walk back towards the Villa we saw a helicopter land in the grounds – this place sure attracts some rich people!
Amalfi
On one of the days we decided to get out and about and took the bus from the centre of Ravello down to Amalfi. The journey is full of hair-pin bends and we had heard some horror stories about this road, but we felt pretty safe on the bus. Amalfi is worth a look around, a picturesque coastal town with many shops, restaurants and bars. You can catch boats and ferries to various destinations from here.
Amalfi
Moiori
We decided to take a ferry over to Maiori and really enjoyed the views of the mountains and being able to see Ravello with its stunning villas and gardens from the sea. When we got to Maiori it was a short stroll around the harbour to the beach where we decided to relax for an hour or two with a nice bottle of Prosecco. There are numerous restaurants, bars and shops along the seafront. After a stroll around the town we ventured back to the harbour to pick up the ferry back to Amalfi. We got the bus back up to Ravello, we did notice that a few of the seats on the bus were coming away from their fixings, but it was all fine and we would definitely recommend taking the bus rather than a taxi as it is a fraction of the cost.
Maiori
Summary
Ravello is a lovely place to visit with stunning views over the Amalfi coast. It is a bit more expensive than other places but is definitely worth a visit. We felt that 3 nights in Ravello was enough but would have liked to have had more time to explore the Amalfi coast more.
Images
View of Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast
Amalfi coast
Amalfi
Amalfi
View from sun terrace
Maiori
Steps heading towards Centre
Beautiful flowers linning the whole of the steps
View from Palazzo Avino
View from Palazzo Avino
View from Palazzo Avino at night
Meal at the Palazzo Avino
Meal at Mimi Restaurant
Piazza Duomo
Piazza Duomo
Things to do
Have lunch in the main square outside Ravello cathedral and hopefully witness a wedding.
Visit Villa Cimbrone Garden’s and admire the spectacular views.
Catch a ferry to see other destinations on the Amalfi Coast.
Mimi’s is a nice family run restaurant which serves lovely food at a very reasonable price.
If you budget is a lot higher than ours was then the Palazzo Avino is a place to eat. This was fine dinning at its best.
Take a trip to Pompeii (Bus takes around 1 hour and 40 mins)
Top tips
Airbnb is much cheaper than the hotels.
If you have any difficulty in walking ensure that you find somewhere near the main square.
The main square is a lovely place to sit and have a drink and a bite to eat and reasonably priced for Revello.
If going in the summer months the weather is very hot. Water from bars and restaurants can be quite expensive. Buy from the little mini markets on the side streets.
Get the bus down to the ferry’s where you can catch a ferry to many destinations at a very reasonable cost.
Food and drink is much cheaper at other destinations on the Amalfi coast.
Although Revello is more expensive it is worth a visit as it is such a beautiful place.
Check out the weather below for best time to visit
Antalya is know as the Turquoise Coast due to its beautiful blue sea.
Lara Beach is considered the Las Vegas of Turkey with its themed hotels including Concorde, Kremlin and Titanic to name a few.
Travelling to Lara Beach
We flew to Antalya from Manchester airport in the month of September. The holiday for two weeks cost £800 with Tui. This was a great price for the time of year and the standard of hotel. Often we book last minute as the prices can come down but on occasions they can also go up (supply and demand). Following our flight we were taken to the hotel by coach which was included in our holiday price. Transfer to the IC Hotel Green Palace was pretty good as it only took around 20 minutes.
Accommodation
We were not sure what to expect or what restrictions would be put in place due to Covid 19. We arrived at the hotel around 11pm and check in was quick and easy. Hand sanitizer was available through out the hotel. All members of staff wore face masks. Some things had to be changed due to Covid which was understandable. The lobby bar was open 24 hours therefore we could sit and have a drink whilst our cases were taken to our rooms. Unfortunately a drink turned in to several drinks therefore we didn’t actually get to our room until 2.30 am the next day lol.
Hotel Rooms
The rooms are a bit dated and basic not what you would expect from a 5 star hotel. Every day the rooms are cleaned to a high standard. Due to covid there were no soft furnishings in the room or cups which is understandable. As we do not spend much time in the hotel room this was not an issue. The hotel made up for this in so many other ways. The staff were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. The hotel itself has a Bali theme and is quite pleasing to the eye.
Dining
Buffet restaurant
The hotel had many specialist restaurants Turkish, Mexican, Italian, Teppenyaki and Fish Restaurant. We ate at the Turkish, Mexican and Italian on more than one occasion as we liked the food so much. The Turkish and the Mexican restaurants are a snack bar and part of the buffet restaurant during the day which made it feel like you were not in a specialist restaurant.
Turkish Restaurant
On one occasion whilst we were in the Turkish restaurant a child and his father drove through the restaurant on a childs electric car even though it was easy to just drive around. Although the surroundings were not as we had experienced on other holidays the food and service were excellent.
Mexican Retaurant
The Mexican Restaurant is part of the buffet restaurant therefore the waiters are serving both the Mexican Restaurant and Buffet Restaurant therefore service was a bit slow. Fortunately the food made up of this as there was a good choice on the menu. Certainly overlooking the water fountain made this a pleasant dining experience.
Mexican Restaurant
Italian Restaurant
The Italian Restaurant is purpose built therefore the experience is as you would expect. Undoubtedly this was our favorite place to eat because the service was excellent, the surroundings were very pleasant and the food was good for an all inclusive Italian restaurant. Although we only age at the Italian, Mexican and Turkish Restaurant the Italian was what we considered the best.
As we booked with Tui and it never stated on their information that these restaurants were chargeable. We complained to Tui who allowed us to visit the Al a carte restaurants at no cost. They have since changed their website to inform that the restaurants are now chargeable.
Beach
Camel ride on beach
The sea is crystal clear and nice and warm to swim in. Due to the sand being a mixture of sand and gravel at the edge of the sea suggest taking water shoes. Although Children and other adults did not seem to mind it and had no problem walking on it. Must be made of stronger stuff than us as it hurt our feet. Also there is a long jete where there are sunbeds and steps down to the sea.
Pool Scene
The pools are in plenty at this hotel and there is one which is supposed to be adults only. The clientele at the time we went was mainly young Russian families who ignored that the one pool out of many was adults only. Also we met some lovely Russian families who also did not agree with children in adults only pools and ensured their children did not do this. We love to see children and having fun but sometimes it is good to have a place where it is adults only. There is a pool where there is a lot of activities aimed at adults but children can go in this pool.. Aerobics, water cycling etc. which was great fun.
Pamukale
Having been to Turkey so many times and always wanted to go to Pamukkale meaning “cotton castle” we decided as we were in Turkey for 2 weeks we would go there. The journey from Antayla to Pamukkale is approximately 3 hours 30 mins which is quite a long time. Firstly we were picked up at our hotel at 6.30am and then picked up some other guests from various other hotels. After around 30 minutes we then had to change to another bus. Nobody was wearing masks on the mini bus not even the driver or the guide. On our way to Pamukkale we came to a police check and was told to put our masks on as if not it was £100 fine. Once we had gone past the Police we were told we could take our masks off.
Onyx Factory
Our first stop on this excursion was an onyx factory and store. Like all places that are trying to sell tourists expensive products you are given a talk in groups about the history of the products and the origin. The items were very beautiful and range from jewelry to large statues. We did not buy anything as we felt it was too expensive. Fortunately there was no pressure to buy and we wasn’t there long.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs
Our next stop was the hot springs and mud bath. The hot springs consists of one extremely hot natural pool where the water comes from beneath the earth. The other pool is normal temperature. The idea is to go into the hot pool for about 8 minutes and then into the other pool for two minutes which is supposed to cleans your skin and leave it soft and fresh. The hot pool is very hot and takes some time to get into at first. There is changing facilities here and somewhere to get food and drink if necessary.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Finally we arrived Pamukkale itself which was the highlight of the day. its official name is Hierapolis. The area is steeped in history going back to the ancient romans. The guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a tour of Pamukkale for about 30 mins informing us of the history. From a distance the area looks like it is covered in snow but is actually carbonate minerals left by the flowing thermal springs. The whole place is spectacular and interesting.
Preserve the site
To preserve the sight you can not wear shoes whilst walking on the carbonate minerals. You can bath in the hot pools which was lovely. We were given approximately 3 hours at Pamukkale which seems a lot but there is a lot to see therefore the time went past so quick. Although the main attraction is the snowy white carbonate minerals there is a lot of other interesting things to see from ancient ruins to Cleopatra’s pool. There are many places to get a drink and a bite to eat. It was a very hot day when we visited therefore a fresh ice cold drink was much appreciated.
When we arrived back at the hotel it was around 11.30 which was a very long day. Despite this we would strongly recommend to do this excursion. It cost around £55 each which included lunch and dinner.
Adventure Day
Jeep Safari
Also we had an adventure day which consisted of white water rafting, quad bikes, jeep safari, fishing and zip liner. In the morning we were picked up at our hotel around 8.30. The journey time to the destination was about 1 hour 40 minutes. Approximately half way there we had quite a lengthy stop on the way to get a drink and use bathroom facilities.
When we arrived we were taken to a large room with many other guests from different mini buses for a briefing. Throughout this there is someone filming you so be aware as some of the footage of us does not look very flattering lol. Firstly we were given helmets and life jackets and advised to be in our swim wear. All other belongings had to be left in the mini bus. The guides try to sell waterproof phone covers and water shoes but we had brought our own.
Jeep Safari
Our first stop was the Jeep Safari which consisted of 6 people in each jeep. This jeep safari was nothing like we had experienced before. On previous Jeep Safari’s we have not needed an helmet but on thisjeep safari you definitely needed one. Because the driver was excellent and was so in control of the jeep his driving made the experience so exciting. The driver drove up and down steep hills, through water and on rocks. Which was all done at quite a speed. On many occasions we were lifted off our seats and hit our heads on the bar of the jeep hence why helmets were needed.
River Crossing
River crossing
From the jeep safari we were then taken to a river. It was quite funny walking down to the river as the guides made everyone walk down in a zig zag making movements like a plane. Not sure why this was but it seemed ridiculous but fun at the same time. The guide asked us to form a human chain across the river as the rocks at the bottom were quite slippy. Also the water in the river was the coldest water we had ever been in. It quite literally took your breath away. Looking at peoples reaction it was clear to see that everyone was shocked to feel how could it was. It was such a relief when we got to the other side to be out of the water.
White Water Rafting
The main attraction of the day was the white water rafting. This was our next stop where we were taken to the boats. Each boat had 6 people and a guide in our boat.
White water rafting
Firstly the guide gave us direction with regards to the rowing of the boat and also some words that we had to shout when he said specific words. When we got in to the boat we were put in set positions due to our weight and to ensure the boat was evenly weighted. There were a lot of other boats setting off at the same time. Soon after setting off we experienced some rapids which were great fun. When we got near other boats the guide advised us to splash the other boat by scooping up water with our oars and they did the same back to us. Again the water was very cold but not has cold as the previous river.
Swimming in the water
On one occasion the guide from another boat pulled us out of the boat in to the water by our life jackets. It was all done in good fun and made the experience not only excited but great fun. Some of the river was quite tame but on some occasions the rapids were quite fast and in plenty.
One occasion the rapids through us all in to the center of the boat. There were occasions when we stopped to allow people to have a swim. We got out of the boat to have a swim but soon got back in the boat as the water was too cold. It was too difficult to climb back in the boat therefore the guide pulled you in by the back of your life jacket. Ladies it is advisable to wear a full bathing suite as when I (Debbie) was being pulled back in to the boat I almost lost my bikini bottoms.
Quad Bikes
After travelling down the river for some time we pulled to the side of the river and got out. Here we were given a cheese pancake and a drink which was not in with the price of the excursion but not expensive. After lunch we were then taken to where we would ride the quad bikes or buggies.
Face Coverings and Sunglasses
Quad bikes
Before getting on to the quads we were advised that we needed to buy glasses and face coverings because of the amount of dust. As we had our sunglasses we only had to buy the face covering which cost about £3. We were given brief instructions on how to ride the quads and buggies. Someone was washing the quads and buggies down with an hosepipe to remove the dust from the previous group ride. He then turned the hosepipe and wet all of the group individually. This was quite a relief as it was a very hot day.
Riding round the tracks
All the group had to follow the guide in a line. I (Debbie) was the first in the group and had to break quite often as the guide stopped regularly to ensure that every one in the group was ok. It was very dusty and you did need the glasses and face coverings. We went around a large track several times. It was quite slow and tame compared to the other experiences on this day but still quite enjoyable.
Final white water rafting
Finally we went back to the boat to complete our journey down the river. The white water rafting journey was approximately 3 hours and was so enjoyable.
Fishing
When we got to where we started we had a short time to do some fishing which is not something we would normally find exciting but I (Debbie) caught two decent sized fish which they cooked for us.
Lunch
We then had a buffet style meal of pasta, chicken, salad, fish and bread which was included in the price. The fish that I (Debbie) had caught earlier was cooked and served with the meal. Drinks were an additional cost but again not expensive.
Zip liner
Our last item on the adventure day was the Zip liner. Prior to going on the zip liner you were provided with a safety harness. The zip liner wasn’t at a great height nor was it at a great length. When you landed at the bottom of the zip wire there was someone there to catch you. Although a bit tame compared to other zip liners it was thoroughly enjoyable. We arrived back at our hotel at 6.30pm having had the most amazing, fun exciting day. The excursion cost £60 each and was well worth it. We booked our excursion from a stand just off of the beach.
Summary
This was a exceptionally enjoyable holiday where we met some lovely people and had a great time. Drinks and food in hotel was very good and location also was good with own private beach. We walked on the beach on many occasions and saw many themed hotel eg. Titanic, Concorde, Kremlin. Most of the hotels at Lara Beach are of an high standard. We would strongly recommend a visit to Lara Beach. Should an holiday come up at the right price we would go back to Lara Beach.
Images
Freezing River
White Water Rafting
Debbie Fallen out of Boat
White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Quad Biking
Jeep Safari
Hot Springs
Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Evening Meal Mexican
Things to do
Visit Pamukkale
Do an adventure day it was great fun.
Spend a day at the beach.
Try the local cuisine
Visit a Bazaar
Have a massage
Top tips
Take Water Shoes for the beach
Take plenty of water and snacks if going to Pamukkale as it is a long day.
Take Sunglasses, Water shoes, Face Covering and Water Proof Phone Case if going on the adventure day.
Excursions are cheaper if bought outside of the hotel.
Check out if the specialist restaurants in the hotel are chargeable.
We booked the holiday last minute and paid a lot less than most people in the hotel.
Check out weather below for best time to visit Lara Beach.
Check out other resorts we have visited in Turkey. Click on the following links Kemer, Kusadasi
The city has the most population in Italy. It has approximately 2,900.00 residents. Rome’s history spans 28 centuries.
Travelling to Rome
Firstly we flew to Rome from Naples with Ryanair which cost around £85 including small suitcase. Also we had booked a private transfer with Suntransfer which cost around £75 return. At the airport our driver was waiting with a sign with our name on it. The journey to our apartment was around 35 minuites. Fortunately the car was of an high standard with good air conditioning as it was already starting to get hot at 11am.
Accommodation
Finally we reached our Air bnb with in walking distance from the Trastevere area. The apartment had everything we needed with separate bedroom and fully equipped kitchen. Although it was outside of the main areas of Rome it was still in a good location. The Air BnB was a lot cheaper than most of the hotels and also gave us space to relax when we wanted to. It had an outside patio area which was nice to sit and have a drink and a bite to eat in the sunshine.
Local supermarket
As we were on a bit of a budget as we had been to other areas of Italy which were quite expensive so we bought some drinks and food from the local supermarket. Food in the supermarket which was just around the corner from the Air bnb was of a similar price to shopping at home but obviously a lot cheaper than eating out everyday.
Temperature June/July
Spanish Steps
As our visit to Rome was in June/July the weather was very hot we ensured that we drank a lot of water to keep hydrated. In Rome there are many water fountains in which you can fill up your water bottle. Ensure that you take a reusable water bottle especially in the Summer months. Not only is this cheaper than buying the water but kinder to the environment.
Hop on hop off bus
On one of the days whilst in Rome we decided to see the sights of Rome via the hop on and off tour bus which was great. Although a lot of people did prefer to walk to each sight. Firstly we went to the Vatican Museums which was not too busy as this was early in the morning. Although it was early the sun was already getting hot. Throughout the day we used the hop on hop off bus to visit most of the sights. There is also a full audio on the bus providing information regarding the different sites which was extremely informative. The cost of the bus was around £22 for 1 day. If you book more than 1 day the price is a lot cheaper per day with 3 days costing around £30.
Destinations of hop on hop off bus
Vatican Museums
Basiica di San Pietro in Vincoli
Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Pantheon
Roman Forum
St Marys of Angels and the Martyrs.
Galleria Borghese
Quirinal Place
Piazza Venizia & Altare della Patria
Trajan’s Market
Trevi Fountain
Piazza del Campidoglio
Sistine Chapel
Hop on hop off bus map
Hop on Hop off bus map
Colosseum
Colosseum
On another day we visited the Colosseum and allowed plenty of time to do this. We paid for a tour guide at the Colosseum which was included in the entry tickets £25. This was great as she provided us with a lot of information regarding the history of the Colosseum. Some of the information was quite gruesome but interesting nether the less. After the guided tour we were given time to walk round on our own. The Colosseum is more spectacular and more interesting than we have seen or heard on TV etc. Having allowed a lot of time to see the Colosseum we feel that we got the most out of our visit.
Summertime visiting the Colosseum.
There is some shade in the Colosseum but you see more if not wanting to stay in the shade all the time therefore ensure you have plenty of suncream and wear a hat if possible, There are water fountains with in the Colosseum so be sure to drink plenty of water.
Restaurants and bars
We were in Rome for 4 days which gave us another time to see everything that we wanted to do and more. Rome has so much to offer architecture, history, nightlife, shopping and culture. What ever your age and travel needs we are sure that Rome will have something to offer. On an evening we would walk to the Trastevere area which had lots of bars and restaurants. The bars and the restaurants were always lively what ever day we went. There are also some nice bars/restaurants along the Tiber River.
Street entertainers
Street Entertainer
There was always a lot of street entertainers there also. Most of the entertainers were so good you would actually pay to see them from Magic Acts to Acrobats. It was great to sit and have a drink and watch them. They did draw in a lot of crowds to. We were told to be careful of pickpockets when being distracted. We ensured we did not take anything of value out with us and always kept a close eye on our belongings.
Summary
We probably would not go back to Rome as we had managed to see and do everything we wanted to. The world is such a big place. We have so many other destinations on our list which we would like to visit. If you have never been to Rome then it is a great place to go and a must if you are ever in Europe/Italy.
Images
Alter of the Fatherland
Street Entertainer
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain
Colloseum
Colloseum
Busy Streets in Trastevere in the evening
St Peters Square
Trastevere in the evening
The Tiber River at night
Things to do
Visit the Colosseum
Visit Trevi Fountain
Visit the Spanish Steps
Visit St Peters Square
Visit the Alter of the Fatherland
Visit Piazza Novona
Visit the Vatican Museum
Watch the Street entertainers.
Sample the local cuisine.
Enjoy the nightlife/Restaurants of Trastevere.
Top tips
If on a budget check out Air bnb it was cheaper for us at £200 for 4 nights.
Skyscanner is a good way to check out when the cheapest flights are.
If only have limited time plan your itinerary before visiting Rome.
Although the risk is low be aware of pickpockets.
If going to Rome in the summer months take a reusable water bottle to fill up regularly.
As with anywhere hot take plenty of suncream, hat etc as when you are site seeing you don’t realise how intense the sun is.
Check out weather below for best time to visit Rome. Please be aware that these are averages there for it could be hotter or colder.
Check out other places in Italy we have visited. Please click on the following links Venice, Pisa, Florence, Ravello.
