Travel Tuesday: Austria

Travel Tuesday is back guys! I know it's no excuse but i took time away because it restricted me too much and i wasn't putting as much passion into the posts as i wanted to. But for now, it's back which will be good news to all my travelling pals. This post is going to be all about my time in Austria. 

When i was in Year 10 (15 years old, nearly 5 years ago, when i was a crazy teen.. oh how times have changed) i got the amazing opportunity to travel to Austria with a bunch of my fellow class mates and go skiing. It cost my family what i think was a fortune for them to pay, £1000. It's safe to say that was my birthday and christmas present that year. 

We travelled by coach and it took 28 hours in total, each way. The journey there wasn't too bad, we were hoped up on sugar and excited for the following week. But the journey back was horrific. The night before i had slipped out of the cubical shower and bashed my back on the corner, which meant i had an aggressive bruise all the way up my hip and back. I had around 30 minutes sleep during that journey, and after an exhausting week it was just awful. 

The skiing part however was amazing. The setting was beautiful and the people were so lovely. I had never skied before so i was on the beginner slope at first, we then worked our way up to the hardest ones. Face planting down the cliffs became my art, i'm not the most graceful of people on a regular day so put me in some ski boots and you're in for a clumsy treat. 

Not only did we have a week of skiing, but a week of other fun (cold) activities. We travelled round different areas and made the most of our week there. By the middle of the week i took a day off, because my knees couldn't take the pressure and i just wanted to sit in my favourite spot at the bottom of the mountain and have a hot chocolate. The picture below is our whole group at an ice hockey match.

We stayed in a residential place where another school was also staying. On a night we played hide and seek because it was a huge place, there were floors in the hotel which were abandoned and i swear they were haunted. That place was creepy as hell.

All in all it was an amazing experience and if you have the opportunity i would tell you to go and do it. If not for the sport for the beautiful places and views. Let me know if you have been skiing before and what your experiences were like!

Thanks for reading, until next time my loves.

Danielle.

16 Travel Bag Essentials

As most of you will have noticed i'm taking a break from my travel pieces and coming up with some new ideas. But i am beginning to miss it, and i'm missing my adventurous readers. So instead of writing a travel piece i wanted to share with you guys what i would take in my travel bag onto the airplane. I saw a few months ago one of Zoellas vlogs about her take on this post, and as much as i love her some of the things were ridiculous.. who needs face masks on a flight? It's far too complicated.

1. Folder with important documents.
2. Head/earphones.
3. Camera.
4. Book.
5. Plasters.
6. Paracetamol.
7. Water.
8. Sweets.
9. Tissues.
10. Sunglasses.
11. An activity, like a colouring book or a sodoku book.
12. Purse.
13. Makeup.
14. Hair brush.
15. Cosy jumper.
16. Cosy socks.

There's nothing more important when you're going on holiday than to have everything you need, you need to make sure you are comfortable on a flight. Let me know what you would take in your travel bag.

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: Newquay

In the summer of 2014 i spent a week camping in Newquay with my family, it was one of the nicest holidays i've been on because of the company and setting. I've had a terrible camping experience before and i vowed i would never camp again. I went to Leeds Festival when i was 16 and i had just left school. It rained the whole time and it was loud and i just did not enjoy myself one bit (my tent even collapsed because of the rain at 4am and i had to go home for the night, not that i complained). 

So when my family asked me if i wanted to go to Newquay for a whole week and camp, it's safe to say i was worried. I went anyway because they owned a big tent, with different rooms and it even had a bbq in it. It was a cosy tent. In the end i did enjoy that camping experience and i've been a few times after that. As long as you have a onesie and an extra blanket to go over your sleeping bag you'll be fine. 

We visited a few different beaches and the one below was our favourite. It had the main beach to the left then a stream of water in front of this amazing view. The water was so deep in places so it was better than the actual sea. My little brothers had their wetsuits on every day and my dad had his kayak so each day was full of fun and adventures. There were huge houses on the top of them hills which you can see in the picture below, they were all unique and beautiful, it made me insanely jealous.

On the last day we stopped for fish and chips, then drove to the top of a hill to look at the beach. The sea was really rough so there were no surfers out, the beach was clear and it was beautiful. That's another thing i love, how many people are surfing. There were surfing classes on the beach, with little kids who were learning to surf, it was adorable. The beaches are also really safe, there are so many life guards.

The only bad thing about Newquay is the journey, i was travelling from Leeds so it took around 8 hours. We travelled through the day and we were stuck in traffic for hours. But the journey is worth it if you're going for a while. It's beautiful and there are so many lovely things to do.

Have a fab day and happy Travel Tuesday.

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: Centre Parcs

Happy Travel Tuesday everyone! It's my favourite time of the week, talking about different places in the world. For the past few weeks i've been telling you guys the places i would like to go in the future, so this week i thought i'd share a personal favourite place i've been before. Because i've been so much this is a super chatty post and i'm sorry for babbling so much but i adore this place.

If you're not from the UK then i doubt you would of heard of Centre Parcs. It's a holiday place.. kind of like Butlins, but so much posher/nicer. There are loads of different sites all over the UK, but the one me and my family visit every year is in Nottingham. It's in the middle of a forest and the setting is beautiful. We've been going every year since i was 7 and it's just magical. Christmas is the most amazing time of year there, they decorate it all in fairy lights and the lake is just beautiful. You stay in a lodge, there are different prices for different ones, for example you can go for a basic one, or get one with a sauna outside, one with a hot tub or go extreme and get a tree house.

There are so many different things to do and it's like a little village. There are shops, restaurants, a bowling ally and an amazing swimming pool with water slides and rapids. Centre Parcs is very family oriented, there are loads of different activities for children, adults and families. From horse riding to scuba diving to archery. There are so many different things to do, you'll never be bored. Near the lake there is a pancake house, it's our tradition to go there for breakfast before we go home. It offers everything from your wildest dreams. Next to it there's a beach where you can also do water activities on the lake. Another one of my families traditions is to play crazy golf, we can get so competitive.

If you don't like activities and prefer to relax there's an amazing spa on site too. You can even get your hair/nails done, have massages and other different treatments. The only downside to the spa is the fact that you have to be 16, even though my mum started to sneak me in when i was 14. In the spa there are different rooms with different aromas, which clean out your skin and make you feel so clean and fresh. You can sit in each room for as long as you want, there are loads of different showers outside of the rooms which offer different settings. On the bottom floor of the spa there is a pool which you can use at any time, there is also a restaurant which serves lovely lunches and even alcohol if you fancy it. It caters perfectly for a group of people such as girls on a hen do, they do something special and hang banners to make it more personal. On the top floor you can sit on the balconies and read a book if you like, or fall asleep on the water beds (this i always do). Once you're in the spa you wrap yourself up in a soft dressing gown and take a towel with you, because most of the rooms are steam rooms.

Unfortunately due to money circumstances i haven't been able to go this year, but i'll make it happen next year because i miss it so much. I hope you enjoyed this very chatty post, and if you ever want to go somewhere in the UK, i'd say go to Centre Parcs, it's magical, there is honestly no other word i can use to describe the place.

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday, A Future Holiday: Florence

First of all i have a tiny announcement to make, for the past few months since i created my blog i've been doing posts ever Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I've decided not to do a post on a Monday any more for the simple fact that i have hardly any time to sit down and finish a post the way i want to. I have a new part time job and soon i'll be going to seminars/lectures and won't have as much free time. This way my posts will have more heart in them and won't seem as rushed as some of the latest ones (i apologise for that). Anyway, onto my post about Florence!

Italy is probably my favourite country. I adore the culture, the people and the architecture. If you keep up to date with my Travel Tuesday post you will know that i've been lucky enough to spend 3 weeks in Southern Italy before. Ever since then i have become totally obsessed with it. I remember having a conversation with my old tutors wife, they are both really well travelled. She told me how beautiful Florence is, and everyone forgets about that place but it is amazing and i should go. Ever since this conversation it has been a dream of mine to go to Florence. However the price of the trip has a different idea.

I'm a student and as you will all know, students don't have much money. But because this is my dream place to visit i'm going to try and save this year so i can go next year. 

Italians are brilliant people. Everyone seems so friendly and welcoming and i love that. They have no problem with helping you and i just love them. That's part of why i love Italy so much. Another major reason i love it is because every corner you turn around you see a beautiful building, whether it be old or new. The architecture just instantly makes you feel at home, i could stand and look at the views Italy has to offer all day.

Let me know if you've been to Italy and if i should add some places to my list!

Love,

Danielle.

Travel Tuesday, A Future Holiday: New Orleans

I'm taking a break from talking about one of my previous holidays on Travel Tuesday, and talking about somewhere i would love to go in the future. New Orleans.

I watch a lot of different TV shows, i am basically the queen of knowing a show and New Orleans is where most of them are set there, for example The Originals and a season of American Horror Story. That's what started my obsession with the place. What attracts me the most is the atmosphere. The local people seem so nice and welcoming, they know loads about the culture and are happy to share it with everyone.

There is so much history in that place. So much has happened and there are many stories to tell. I just think i would love the place, the people and what it can tell you. The architecture is just beautiful, i love the way some buildings are different colours, it brings life to the city. I also love the balconies on pretty much every building, they remind me of Italy.

I love America but so far i've only been to New York. If i was to pick a place there and go tomorrow i would pick New Orleans just for the historical factor, i feel like i have so many unanswered questions about everything New Orleans stands for.

Let me know the places you would love to visit in the future!

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: NYC

I know it's later than I would usually write a post but I've been super busy today, but I didn't want to miss Travel Tuesday! Todays post is all about my time in New York city, i'm super lucky to have been here because I know so many people who would love to go. It is probably my favourite holiday I've ever been on because it was just me and my mum. We got to spend some quality time together and we made some amazing memories. 

We went 4 years ago in September but it honestly seems like a life time ago. We took some amazing pictures and I chose 2 of my all time favourites. This one was taken whilst we were on an open top bus going past Times Square. The whole trip was mesmerising but Times Square was just on another level. 

This picture was taken on top of the Empire State Building, what a site that is! I could spend days up there, it is honestly my favourite view in the world.

I loved New York and I would totally go back because it is fab. It's so busy all the time so you have to be able to keep up with the pace. I couldn't live there, I would rather live somewhere I could escape to a quiet place easily. If you are planning on going in the future don't be afraid of doing things and spending the extra money!

Happy Travel Tuesday and I hope you've all had a lovely day.

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: London

Happy travel Tuesday! Everyone loves London and i think i'm really lucky because i've been there many, many times. I go atleast once a year and i love it so much. The atmosphere is electric and the whole city is buzzing. I've been on shopping trips, to the theatre and most recently to visit a friend of mine who goes to university down there. Each time i go i make sure i do all of the tourist things even though i've seen them all around 6 times.

This is my favourite photo from my trip, the weather was beautiful and who can resist the beautiful Big Ben.

During the same day we went to Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. There was an even going on at Leicester Square so it was so busy. There were people absolutely everywhere, i mean, London is busy on a normal day, but this was a Saturday so it was extra busy. 

We also visited Victoria Park and Greenwich. Greenwich is my new favourite place in London, it's beautiful and the architecture is just insane. We went out for lunch and grabbed a coffee. I had such a lovely time, the weather was amazing and the company was even better. 

I hope you enjoyed my Travel Tuesday post. Let me know where your favourite places in London are!

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: Italy

Happy Travel Tuesday, my favourite blog day. This time i'm sharing my time in Southern Italy with you. In May 2014 i was chosen along with 3 other people to study for 3 weeks in a city called Lecce. There we worked for different companies, learnt basic Italian and explored the wonderful city. 

The first picture is one of my all time favourite images, obviously not captured by me. I was wearing my favourite floppy hat and i was bleach blonde at the time. We looked at this view for about an hour, and i won't lie, i could have stayed longer.

Lecce is quite run down on the outskirts, but the centre is lovely and the architecture is the most beautiful thing i've ever seen. There were so many different places to eat and drink, at each point surrounding the town there were these arches which were magnificent. 

Everywhere i go, even if i'm just at home i always manage to catch a beautiful sunset. It's like a hobby, i can sit there for hours waiting for it and then watching the sun disappear. Half way through the holiday i caught this one from my friends bedroom. I remember exactly what we were doing because we had just done face masks, which obviously went everywhere.

On our first weekend we took a trip to the beach, it was full of locals relaxing with their friends and doing what was normal to them. Us being English, thought that because the weather was over 20 degrees we had to strip down to our swimming gear and go into the freezing water. It's easy to say we got some funny looks.

Italy is my favourite country, i just think it's beautiful. One day i will travel to places such as Florence and Venice, it will be amazing. I hope you enjoyed this travel Tuesday, let me know if you've ever been to Italy and if you have any recommendations! 

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: Barcelona

In May i realised i seriously needed a break from uni and from England. I was just about to submit my last piece of coursework and i figured i deserved a trip away. I was searching for places in Europe for me and my boyfriend to go and i found a holiday to Barcelona for a reasonable price. We only did a City Break holiday, 4 days and 3 nights. It was probably one of my all time favourite holidays and i've been on quite a few.

I adore sunsets, i think they are just beautiful. I love the different colours and they just instantly make me happy. I took this picture from my hotel room on the first night, how pretty. The beach was a 20 minute walk from our hotel and it was quite busy, it was a clear day so the beach looked beautiful.

We spent our next day by our roof top pool, this is the view. You could see Barcelona for miles and miles and everything looked so lovely. So many different buildings and parks. Even though we wasn't really close to the centre of Barcelona our hotel was amazing. It had recently been built and there were rooms which were still being furnished. The staff were all really helpful and lovely, our room was modern and comfortable. I just loved every part of it and i'd definitely stay in that hotel again.

On our last day we went to a place called La Rambla, its basically loads of little shops and restaurants with historic buildings all around. If you are ever in Barcelona and need a recommendation, go here. Seriously it is amazing, the architecture is brilliant and it is just packed full of people.

Basically we had a fab time and i'm so glad i got the opportunity to go. If you love to travel, Barcelona should be on your list.

Let me know if you've been to Barcelona and if you loved it as much as i did! If not let me know where you would love to go, i'm always adding to my travel list.

Love,

Danielle

Travel Tuesday: Thornton Dale

I've made a fab decision to dedicate Tuesdays to travel so, happy Travel Tuesday! This post is going to be full to the brim with photos, but who doesn't love beautiful images?

Today me and my mum decided to explore one of the gorgeous villages around where she lives, we found a place called Thornton Dale. I have decided that this is the place where i belong, and hopefully after you read this post you will totally understand why. Honestly, it is so beautiful. At Thornton Dale there's a cottage which is well known in Yorkshire for being on different chocolate boxes. This cottage is called The Thatched Cottage and wow, it is the most beautiful home i have ever seen. 

And it would obviously have a stream in front of it because, why wouldn't it?

It's also surrounded by other beautiful houses.

Plus the worlds cutest cafe in the history of cute cafes.

The gift shop also had an enormous candle and candle holder section. People who know me will tell you one thing about me.. i collect candles. I adore them, in my opinion candles can bring life to any dull room and if they smell delightful? Even better. You can probably picture my excited expression when i saw this. (And this is only a tiny image of the table) 

I'm also obsessed with floral patterns. Anything floral is bound to be beautiful, hence when i saw these items in the same shop as all the candles, it just assured me that Thornton Dale is perfect.

However my favourite part of the whole day had to be the beautiful flowers outside of The Thatched Cottage. One flower is beautiful to me, so the amount in front of the cottage was incredible.

Thornton Dale is in North Yorkshire, UK. So if you're close one day and need your fill of beautiful places and probably the nicest people on Earth, i highly recommend this place. It may not of been bright and sunny, but does it need to be if everything around you is so pretty? I've had my fill of happiness for a while, and i think it's time you got yours too! Thanks for reading and i hope you all enjoyed Travel Tuesday and the many, many images that came with it. 

Love,

Danielle

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Dining out

Hey guys!

Ever since I started uni all I've done is eat out in restaurants/pubs and I've found some amazing places which are either well known or not. I thought I'd share some with you and maybe give y'all some ideas of where you could go next time you fancy a nice meal out.

Miller & Carter

STEAK. This is probably the most expensive place on my list, but wow is it worth it if you love steak. I only go here if i need a special treat or if for some reason, i'm rich that day. For the amount you're paying you do get an amazing meal so don't be afraid to pay that extra pound or two. 

Pizza Express

Don't be fooled by the name, Pizza Express also does salads and pasta which are also fab. I've known about how amazing it is there for years, but only recently have i rekindled my love with the place. If i'm in a town centre and i see Pizza Express next to 4 other restaurants i will choose this one. I love that you can have a normal pizza or the extra thin and big ones. I'm quite adventurous with my food and i love basically everything, so each time i will probably try something new. Another thing i love is their take out boxes, if you don't finish all of your food (which i never do if i get pizza) you can take it out and the boxes are in my opinion, gorgeous. I'm all for the stripes. 

Wagamama

Waga is a Japanese restaurant with a casual feel. Every time i go in there i see business people on their lunch breaks or even couples with small children. I absolutely adore this because it caters for everyone! The peach tea is gorgeous and the food is packed full of flavour. I'm a noodle lover so Waga is perfect for me.

Frankie & Bennys

Frankie & Bennys is one of my all time favourite places to eat. You can always count on it if you're not sure what you fancy. The first time i went to there my dad and step-mum told me i was going to have a little brother/sister, it's been a favourite ever since. One of the best parts of F&B is the cocktails. I'm a cocktail kinda gal and they have some of the best ones, like the milkshake inspired one below. (It's a 6 month old picture, hence the hair.. weird)

Barcelona cheesecake (the best cheesecake i've ever had)

Okay.. this isn't a restaurant but this cheesecake was too amazing not to mention on a food post. I went to Barcelona in May with my boyfriend and we ordered room service the first night we got there because we were too tired to go out anywhere. We adore cheesecake and this one was just.. magnificent. There is literally no other word to describe it. I will never find another like it.

Thanks for reading guys and i hope you'll go try out one of these places some time! Until tomorrow.

Love,

Danielle