Category: Travel

  • 5 Castles You Absolutely Must Visit In Your Lifetime

    5 Castles You Absolutely Must Visit In Your Lifetime

    There are some castles that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. Here I round up 5 castles you absolutely must visit at least once in your life if you get a chance.

    1. The Neuschwanstein Castle

    The Neuschwanstein CastleFound from European Best Destinations

    Located in Bavaria, Germany, this nineteenth century castle is situated on top of a hill overlooking the village of Hohenschwangau. With it’s stunning views over the village and mountain scenery, it’s become quite the tourist attraction, with over 1.3 million people visiting annually.

    2. Le Mont Saint-Michel

    Le Mont Saint-Michel CastleFound from Wikipedia

    Often cited as one of France’s most memorable sights, Saint Michael’s Mount is an island commune located just off the north western coast of Normandy. Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979, this impressive walled city receives over 3 million visitors a year.

    3. The Hohenzollern Castle

    The Hohenzollern CastleFound from European Best Destinations

    This lovely picturesque castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany. It is located about 50km south of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, near the Swiss Alps. Originally having been built in the 11th century, it was later destroyed after a 10 month siege in 1423, only to be rebuilt later between 1454 and 1461 as a larger and sturdier structure.

    4. Schwerin Castle

    The Schwerin CastleFound from Wikipedia

    This lovely castle is located in Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is a fairytale-like castle surrounded by wonderful landscapes of lakes and forests, and was once home to the grand dukes of Mecklenburg and Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today it is regarded as one of Europe’s most important examples of romantic Historicism, and as such has been designated to become a world heritage site.

    5. Château de Chambord

    Chateau de Chambord

    Found from European Best Destinations

    Completely surrounded by forest and nature, Château de Chambord is one of the most distinguishable châteaux in the world, as well as the largest château in the Loire Valley. Located just about 2 hours south of Paris, seeing this lovely Renaissance château is a must for anyone’s bucket list.


    I hope you enjoyed this list of castles you absolutely must visit at least once. Have you ever visited any of these lovely castles, or is it on your bucket list? Let me know below, would love to hear from you!

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    Castles You Must Visit

  • 10 Awesome Free Things To Do In Cape Town That You’ll Definitely Love

    10 Awesome Free Things To Do In Cape Town That You’ll Definitely Love

    Cape Town is one of the most alluring cities in South Africa, and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg in order to experience its beauty. If you’re travelling on a budget but still want to make the most of your trip, there are plenty of free things to do in Cape Town that are so worth your time!

    Below I’ve rounded up some of the best activities that you can enjoy in this lovely city, all for absolutely free!

    1. Do Wine Tasting

    Cape Town is known for many of its beautiful wine lands. If you love the idea of having a good time with the sound of clicking glasses and sipping on wine, then you should definitely try out some wine tasting!

    You’ll find plenty of wine tasting packages offered in Cape Town if you look online, but some places will also offer free wine tastings! One of these places is Wine Concepts, where they offer free wine tastings daily between 16:00 – 19:00 on weekdays and 11:00 – 15:00 on Saturdays.

    2. Tour The City

    If you want to explore the hustle and bustle of this beautiful city, why not take a free walking tour? Cape Town Free Walking Tours offers a number of different tours across the city that takes about 90 minutes per tour.

    Taking a walking tour is an excellent way to explore and familiarize yourself with this bustling city. You’ll get to learn more about the history of different areas in the city and might also discover some hidden gems.

    3. Take A Hike

    If you’re a person who likes the outdoors and being adventurous, Cape Town offers plenty of wonderful hiking experiences.

    A free hike which the locals always recommend is hiking up one of the trails to Lion’s Head. Once at the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, Cape Town and Camps Bay.

    Do this hike early morning to watch the sunrise or later the evening to enjoy the sunset. And remember to bring your picnic basket!

    4. Visit Sea Point Promenade

    If you’re visiting Cape Town, your visit is not complete without breathing in the fresh ocean air and taking in the stunning sea views from the seaside promenade.

    The promenade is always bustling with runners, cyclists, skaters and tourists. Take an evening jog, get your sweat on at the outdoor gym or visit one of the many lovely green parks in this area.

    5. Set Sail

    If you’re looking to go sailing, then you should definitely sign up for a free sailing experience at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

    While your sailing experience does determine your place on the boat, you are still welcome to join even if you don’t have any. Just remember to reserve your place in advance by emailing membership@rcyc.co.za. The sailing times are normally from 16:00 for 17:00 – 19:00.

    6. Wish On The Stars

    At 20:00 on every second and fourth Saturdays of the month, the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) opens its doors to the public.

    There you can learn more about the wonderful night sky with a 45 minute presentation. If the weather plays along, you will also get a chance to gaze at the stars through various telescopes.

    You can head over to www.saao.ac.za for more information on the events and topics available.

    7. Go Cycling in The Moonlight

    Once a month, cyclists and bike lovers join together at dusk to ride through the streets to promote the benefits of environmentally friendly transportation. This is a delightful way to explore Cape Town’s charm in the moonlight.

    You can join for free by signing up to the Critical Mass event. The event usually lasts from 20:00 until 23:00.

    8. Discover The Biodiversity in Green Point Urban Park

    Bask in nature and natural beauty in Green Point Park while getting to know the various plant species around you.

    The park has over 300 Cape plant species, all clearly labelled to be as informative to guests as possible. That makes it a great free alternative to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

    The park is family friendly and you can unwind and also enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature.

    9. Get Your Art on In The Evening

    Celebrate artistic expression by joining ART Thursdays in Observatory where you can experience local art at its finest.

    This initiative is focussed on promoting art, galleries, hard crafts, music and performances. It takes place on every second Thursday of the month between 18:00 and 22:00.

    10. Take a Diamond Tour

    Book a free and educational diamond tour to learn how rough diamonds are transformed into sparkling gems of glitz and glam. You’ll also get some information on the history of South Africa’s diamond and gold trade.

    Oh, and did I mention a complimentary glass of sparkling wine is included in the tour? Another reason to book your free Sparkling Tour.


    Whether you’re looking to explore Cape Town on a budget or just looking for some activities to keep yourself busy, there are plenty of free things to do in Cape Town.

    If you want more information on any of these activities, or have any comments or questions, let me know in the comments section down below, I’d love to help you out!

  • 7 Packing Essentials For Europe You Absolutely Cannot Affort To Forget

    7 Packing Essentials For Europe You Absolutely Cannot Affort To Forget

    I’ve recently been on a trip to Europe for the first time with a dear friend of mine. We visited France, Monaco, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands during April – May and enjoyed it immensely. As it was our first time to Europe, we did a lot of research beforehand on what to pack and thought we had it all. Turns out we still missed a few packing essentials for Europe.

    Listed below are the things that I feel you simply can’t skip out on if you want to make the most of your Europe trip.

    Comfortable Walking Shoes

    It may seem obvious that you’d need comfortable walking shoes, but don’t underestimate how far and how long you will walk while exploring Europe.

    Flip flops or normal sneakers with hard soles are not going to cut it. Rather invest in comfortable walking shoes with proper support for your feet. You don’t want to be too tired to walk after only a few days, or have to deal with blisters made by uncomfortable shoes. Trust me, this is exactly what happened to so many other travellers we met.

    Rain Coat/Umbrella

    I recommend taking a rain coat/rain jacket with you just in case, and then buying an umbrella in Europe if you need one. This way you don’t have to pack a bulky umbrella in your suitcase, but you’re still prepared if it starts raining.

    If you do pack or purchase an umbrella, make sure its a sturdy one. We went through more than one umbrella since a couple of them broke with the strong winds that accompanied the rain.

    Scarves or Clothing Items to Cover Up

    I’d definitely recommend you bring a scarf along for your trip to Europe. This is for two reasons – to use when it’s chilly outside, and to cover up when visiting cathedrals in Europe.

    If you don’t want to bring a scarf, then I’d recommend you bring a few longer sleeved chiffon type tops. Most cathedrals in Europe require that both your knees and shoulders are covered before you are allowed to enter.

    Travel Adapter Kit

    Make sure you have a travel adapter kit that you can use in all the countries you plan to visit. Not all power outlets are the same in Europe, so having an international travel adapter can come in handy.

    The ones we got could be assembled into one big unit, so we didn’t have to worry about losing any of the parts. You also get some pretty neat ones out there with USB ports that you can use for charging your electronics.

    Lockable Backpack/Bag That Goes Across Your Body

    You absolutely need to have a backpack that you can lock or a purse/bag that you can sling across your body. Trust me guys, this can save you from soooo much trouble and headaches. It can be a real nightmare if you get pick pocketed, especially if your travel documents are lost. You should try and make it as difficult as possible for people to rip away your purse or bag.

    We bought ourselves some cute looking backpacks that had double zips and also bought couple of small locks. We locked our backpacks using the locks and double zips and kept the keys with us on some awesome necklaces. This way we could walk around with our backpacks on our backs without any fear of being pick pocketed.

    Survival Kit

    Before you go on your trip, create your very own survival kit. This should contain items to help with things that you personally are prone to suffer from. Think about things such as any medicine you may need, headache, anti-histamine and motion sickness pills, help for allergies you have, vitamins, plasters, hand sanitizer, eye drops, lip balm, etc.

    If you’re visiting a lot of countries, I’d recommend you take some immune system boosters and vitamins with you – you don’t want to get sick while on your trip!

    And just a general note, you can buy these things while in Europe. But from my experience, the language barrier can be an issue and you could struggle to get exactly what you want. Don’t expect everyone at the shops to speak or understand English – in most cases (we found) they actually don’t.

    Documents

    It’s certainly obvious that you can’t leave without documents such as your passport and visa. In some countries, you also need proof of onward travel, so make sure about which documents you need beforehand.

    A good idea which I’d recommend everyone does, it make photocopies of all your important travel documents. Keep them in a safe place such as your suitcase, in case you lose the real documents. Also make sure you have printed out versions of your itinerary, accommodation and flight details in case you lose your phone.


    There are plenty of tips out there on packing for your travel adventures. These packing essentials for Europe is by no means an exhaustive list. They are simply the items that I feel you absolutely need to take with you.

    Hope you have safe and wonderful travels! Let me know if there are any items that you feel are essential for a European trip that you can’t do without. Would love to hear your thoughts!