İçmeler

Gals Trip

Reading - Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

Listening - Death of Me by PVRIS

Podcast - Private Parts (Binky episode) 

I was lucky enough last June/ July to be given a paid month off work, so my friend Rosie and I decided to book a low-effort, cheap, sunny trip away to chill out and catch a few rays. After looking on various websites we booked a week's all-inclusive trip to İçmeler in Turkey for a really good price. I have been to Turkey countless times before, both with family, friends and old boyfriends; and I stayed in Marmaris the next resort along from Icmeler in 2016, so knew it is a lovely area and would be nice and hot!

Our flight was late on Saturday July 6th, so we enjoyed a bottle of wine in the airport, a couple of glasses on the plane, and landed at about 3am. We had to pay £20 for a visa in the airport (standard in Turkey) and when I went to get the money out of my purse, I realised I had left it on the plane! Panic ensued, but I managed to run back to where we disembarked, and wave down a steward who went and checked my seat. Luckily, a few minutes later he came back holding it. Unfortunately £40 in there had been stolen, but at this point I was just relieved to get all my cards and actual purse (which in itself was an expensive Christmas present) back; that will teach me to get a bit tipsy whilst travelling! 

After an hour coach transfer we got to our hotel, the Suneo Club Mersoy Bellavista, around dawn, and tried to grab some sleep before starting to explore our home for the next week. Our room was in the adults only area (score!), so we had our own pool, bar and restaurant, as well as access to the hotel's 2 other pools, 2 bars and a restaurant adjacent to our building. We went for our first breakfast in the main restaurant, and I was really impressed at the selection, with cereals, cold meats and cheeses, pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausages, juices, fruit and a hot drinks machine with multiple options. Breakfast is my favourite meal, so it definitely got the holiday off to a positive start.

We spent the rest of that day taking full advantage of the all inclusive drinks, (wine average, but gin with lemonade and weird blue cocktails = agreeable) lounging by the pool, and eating at every opportunity. After our evening meal (again, excellent selection, especially considering I don't eat meat) we were pretty knackered from travelling the night before, so we just had a swift one at the hotel bar, then bought a bottle of wine from the local shop to take back to the room to drink whilst playing card games.

The next day after spending the morning sunbathing, we decided to do a recce of our surroundings. We walked down to the sea front, past the multiple shops and bars, and all along the shoreline in the direction of İçmeler, back to our start point and a couple of kilometres in the other direction to Marmaris, finally having a well deserved cider break at Moonlight Bar when the heat became too unbearable! That evening we went to a bar called Bistro Med that was privately owned but attached to the side of the hotel. They played great '80s tunes, had cheap cocktails, a pool table, and the two bar guys were friendly without being super creepy (I have found this to be a rarity as an often solo female traveller), so we were there until the early hours! 

Tuesday was beach day. We paid 25 lira (about £3) at a restaurant/ bar called Pier 15, which gave us a sunbed each, a parasol, access to their toilets and table service for any food and drinks - absolute bargain. They did delicious mango slushies, and we went and sat in the restaurant for lunch rather than have it on the beach; I had classic chips with a cheese toastie, and I very much enjoyed that they cut it into a heart shape for me. We stayed there until the sun started to set and then had a relaxed evening back at the hotel drinking at the other all inclusive bar.

Wednesday passed similarly at the pool, with a trip to the shops mid-afternoon for an ice cream, and then a stroll after tea in the evening to the seafront for a couple of margaritas at Palmiye Beach Cafe (followed by a cheeky few more back at Bistro Med). Thursday was our only big night out, and that was probably a good thing! After another day by the pool, we got doled up and did a quiz organised by the hotel, where we got chatting to a group of three girls a similar age to us from Glasgow. The quiz turned into karaoke, and then we all decided to make a night of it and head to one of the Irish bars in the town. Multiple shots, Jaegerbombs, dancing and cocktails later, I woke at midday on Friday with a pounding headache, no cash left, and no recollection of getting home!

The rest of the day was taken very tentatively, and I stuck to lemonade and coffee that evening as I still couldn't face anything remotely alcoholic. I did manage to finish my book though, and also get the online course completed for the mentorship scheme I started in September. Apparently staying off the booze really helps with productivity and brain power - who knew?!

Saturday was our last day, although thanks to a flight home at silly o'clock, we actually had until nearly midnight before our transfer coach was collecting us. We paid £25 extra to have access to a room until 5pm so we could make the most of the last day of sunshine yet still get showered and ready in comfort, and we treated ourselves to a final meal at a joint facing the sea called B&S Restaurant. We got a deal where we had traditional pide bread with tomato soup, then I had a seafood stew which was amazing and a glass of wine for 150 lira (approx £17.50); we were even offered a free dessert but we were so stuffed at this point we passed!

We had a couple of hours to kill before our pickup, so we went shopping for presents for people at home (I managed to barter for a pair of 'Vans' for £7!) and then sat in Bistro Med until eventually after some panic and confusion, a taxi came and collected us as the coach had missed our stop! Everything else went smoothly, and I caught a taxi home from the airport to save getting Chris out of bed super early on his only day off. I collapsed into bed at around 7.30am, fully aware that in a few short hours I would be in Manchester for my best friend's birthday bottomless brunch. No rest for the wicked!

Breakdown

Package holiday (inc flights, all inclusive accom, transfers & luggage) - £424.29 - TUI

Spending money - £175.74 (inc airport spending, £20 visa upon entry & taxi from airport)

Total = £600.03

Sotogrande

Destination Wedding

Listening - Love + Fear by Marina

Podcast - Happy Place (17/06/19 - Dolly Alderton)

This trip was highly anticipated to say the least! The flights and accommodation were booked in September 2018, the wedding outfit was purchased a year in advance, and most of my friends flew out a few days before us, so as soon as I clocked off work on the Thursday it was action stations!

It was a late evening flight and then a 90 minute car journey to get to Sotogrande, the area where the wedding was taking place, so with the hour time difference we didn't arrive at our apartment until nearly 3am. We were giving some friends a lift to their hotel, so had to cram 4 adults plus luggage into a Fiat 500 which was slightly comical, and coupled with the fact it was my first experience driving abroad AND we got a bit lost, I was beyond happy to crash into bed!

We woke the next morning at around 10am, and the friends who we were sharing our apartment with were up and about and had done a food shop the day before when they arrived which was really appreciated. Me and Chris joined forces to make a buffet breakfast and we all sat catching up sipping bucks fizz in the sunshine. Our accommodation was on a golf resort next to a huge lake and the wedding wasn't starting until 5pm, so we had a few hours of sunbathing before we began beautifying ourselves for the big event!

As Chris doesn't drink we were lucky enough to have our own personal chauffeur to the nuptuals; and we arrived at the incredible tree lined driveway of polo club venue Cancha II to a sangria and canape reception under the shade of trees whilst a violinist played. It was literally like something out of a dream, with the sunshine cascading through the leaves, and all our friends looked amazing in their wedding outfits. We took our seats when directed, and eagerly awaited the bride. When she glided down the aisle, Abi looked absolutely stunning, as did all the bridesmaids who wore a pale blush pink. The ceremony was relaxed yet intimate, and I was asked to do a Bob Marley reading; a lovely passage which really suited the overall atmosphere. 

After the ceremony we wandered up to an elevated area above the polo pitches where the wedding breakfast was being held on three long white trestle tables decorated with beautiful flowers to match the bridal bouquet. Each course served was followed by one of the speeches (father of the bride, two best men and finally the groom), and the food, which we had picked from an extensive menu a couple of months before, was incredible. I started with a cold seafood dish of smoked salmon and langoustines, followed by saffron, mushroom and truffle ravioli topped with parmesan crisps, whereas Chris had a buffalo mozzarella salad and pan fried seabass, and for dessert we both opted for the white chocolate mousse with raspberries. By the time we had finished eating, and toasting the newlyweds, dusk was falling; so the cake was cut, the band started, and we danced the night away!  

The following day, the wedding crowd congregated again, this time at the house belonging to Abi's parents, who reside in the area. More drinks flowed, and a fancy barbecue style spread was put on over lunchtime, whilst we all recounted the previous days antics (and Chris and I even ventured into the pool!). We left around 7pm, and a group of us went into the town for a few more wines and nibbles at a restaurant called the Hairy Lemon!

On the Sunday most of the guests left very early to catch flights home, but Chris and I had booked to travel later that evening so as to make the most of the long weekend. After we had checked out of the apartment, we drove in the direction of the airport, and stopped in the town of Benalmedina for a few hours. We got the most amazing sushi platter from a place called Inasia for lunch, and then wandered around popping into the shops, stopping at a few different points including the beach and lovely marina for drinks and ice cream along the way. 

Although it wasn't the longest trip, to watch our friends get married in a gorgeous setting surrounded by friends and family in the Spanish sunshine was just magical, and a perfect little chilled break from the daily grind of home. 

Breakdown
Flight - £207.90 - Ryanair & Jet2
Car Hire - £46.74 pp - Marbesol (4 days hire based on 2 sharing)
Accommodation - £82.29 (3 nights based on 4 sharing) - Airbnb
Spending money - £87.88 (inc airport costs & car hire petrol between 2; worth mentioning this was so low due to everything at the wedding & barbecue being very generously catered for, including an open bar!)
Total = £424.81

Brussels

Home of Tintin & Poirot!
Reading - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Listening - Crowbar by Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Podcast - Love Stories (01/02/19 - Jessie Cave)

When I took Chris on a weekend trip to Lisbon last September as a birthday surprise, it was the first time he saw how affordable a city break could be. Wasting no time he was browsing for flights at the airport on the way home, and found a cheap return journey to Brussels in March with perfect times meaning we wouldn't need any time off work. We kept an eye on it and booked on just after Christmas, and I found a well located boutique hotel for less than 65 quid a night.

March rolled around and I managed to score an early finish at work very last minute, so we decided to make the most of the bonus extra time and reserved spaces in the airport lounge prior to our departure. Our flight wasn't until 7.45pm so we booked 3 hours from 4pm to eat and drink to our hearts content. 

We landed at Charleroi airport and had pre-booked spots on the Flibco shuttle bus into the centre of Brussels, which took just under an hour. From there we jumped in an Uber to our hotel, Le Berger. It is an old meeting house for when married individuals wanted to do the dirty, and as such is very decadent with plush decor; a taxidermy peacock stands by the entrance, chandeliers hang and velvet drapes adorn the dark walls, and there is a secret elevator. It was right up my street, and we made it just in time for a margarita at the bar (with the most beautiful mural) before last orders at midnight!

The following morning we were still in work mode so woke early, and made the most of it by getting out and about in the reasonably mild weather. I'd found a place called Kaffabar to try for breakfast that was a 25 minute walk from our hotel, but it gave us the opportunity to have a gander at our surroundings, and we were greeted by the most amazing English bulldog called Marcel snoozing on the mat upon our arrival! We both chose continental style platters, with granola, fruit and yoghurt, and Chris went for a larger one that also included cheese, bread, hummus, and a pastry along with some much needed coffee.

We had booked onto a free walking tour at 1.30pm with Viva's Tours, so just spent a couple of hours beforehand ambling along the streets, popping into a few shops along the way until we met with our group at The Grand Place. It was fantastic, with the right amount of history, humour and beauty, and we covered all the main sites including Manneken Pis, The Saint Nicholas Church, Rue de Bouchers, La Bourse and St Hubert's Galleries. Being born in Brussels and still a local, the guide was also able to recommend some cool places for us to come back and visit that evening, an added bonus. When the two hours was up we ended at The Royal Palace overlooking the park, which was beautiful and a great photo opp.

As it was mid afternoon by this point, we decided to grab a bite to eat at a funky health food place called Tich, and then return to the hotel for a nap (crucial on a city break!) to prepare for heading out that evening. We ate at a international themed restaurant I had found online that looked great for veggies called Le Cercle des Voyageurs (The Circle of Travellers); the decor was almost as boujee as our hotel and we pushed the boat out by having three courses. 

To begin I got grilled aubergine with tofu and feta, and Chris had cheese croquettes, although we shared them both. They were quite pricey for starters at 12 euro a dish, but since it had been a cheap trip so far we cut ourselves some slack, and it was delicious food to be fair. For main we both went Asian fusion; I had sesame crusted salmon with teriyaki grilled vegetables and Chris got a Thai vegetable curry. We got the trio of desserts to share to end the meal, which included a Belgian chocolate mousse, lychee creme brulee and coconut pannacotta. It was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I have had; top notch gastronomy, a cosy and intimate atmosphere without being overly romantic, and stunning interior design. It was the perfect place for us!

After we had settled up, we walked to Cafe Des Halles, a big glass market hall that we had briefly visited earlier in the day on the tour, when it took on the guise of a cafe, deli and art gallery/ event space. We had been urged to return in the evening, when a DJ appears, the bar serves cool cocktails, and deckchairs are arranged to sit on, so we enjoyed a drink and soaked up the buzz of the place. Our final stop that evening was Moeder Lambic, a traditional Belgian beer hall, also another suggestion from our guide, where I enjoyed my first beer of the trip! 

In the morning we queued for over half an hour for breakfast at a place called Peck 20, but boy was it worth it! We had discovered it online (there are three other variations in the city) and when I saw that it was 5 minutes from our hotel and served savoury Belgian waffles I was completely sold. I had the leek waffle with 2 poached eggs, cheddar cheese and 'Psycho Sauce' (a kind of creamy chipotle), whilst Chris had the portobello mushroom waffle with eggs, spinach and the same sauce. After we had eaten we had a look around some of the vintage clothes shops, including one called Melting Pot Kilo where they sold items by weight, where Chris got both a denim Zara coat and a cool shirt with leopard print fur shoulder patches for €15! 

We had a quick afternoon break at Le Roy D'Espagne that my friend Emily said made the best hot chocolate (she wasn't wrong) and once we had bought all the chocolates and taken all the photos, we stopped for some classic Belgian mussels at Taverne Greenwich before ordering an Uber to the airport for our flight home.

We had such a fantastic weekend, with the ideal combo of indulgence, fun, culture and relaxation. I will definitely be recommending the city to anyone I know looking for a cheap city break.

Breakdown

Flight - £53.50 (inc hand luggage) - Ryanair

Airport shuttle -  £25.06 (return) - Flibco

Accommodation - £64.09 (2 nights based on 2 sharing) - Le Berger through Booking.com

Spending money - £188.15 (inc return airport taxi between 2 & airport lounge)

Total = £330.80

Krakow

#ellhen!
Listening - Temperature by Sean Paul
Podcast - Guys We F*cked (11/01/19 - You'd Rather Give a Bl*wjob Than A Gift?)

My lovely mate Ellie got married in April, and of course what is a wedding without a hen party? She decided early on that Krakow would be our destination, and having never even visited the country of Poland I was well up for an adventure there. The troops were rallied (13 of us to be precise) and thanks to Ellie's masterful organising skills everything was planned to perfection, which was a welcome change as I am usually chief coordinator of all the travelling I do!



We rendevouz-d with the whole group at the airport, but a few of us had congregated at Ellie's beforehand for a couple of swift gin in tins pre- journey. The flight went smoothly and we had a mini bus waiting to take us to our air b&b when we landed. It was a fair distance away, so we bagsied beds and retired to sleep pretty much instantly.

In the morning a few of us volunteered to go to the local supermarket for some breakfast stuff, snacks, and booze for pre-drinks that evening. We got absolutely loads and I can't believe how cheap it all was! We had a monster buffet with pastries, fruit, eggs, cereal; and then left the house and wandered through pretty Market Square into the Jewish quarter of the city where we started a free walking tour. 

I say started because after about half an hour some of the group were too cold so went off for hot chocolate, followed by the rest of us soon after as we had grown a little bored with the none too charismatic guide. We gave the guy a small tip to make us feel less guilty, and then sacked it off in favour of traditional Polish open sandwiches called zapiekanka and salted caramel churros from a nearby market which were delicious!  

We met up with the rest of the group in a bar/cafe called 2 Okna where I had a mulled wine and thawed out before we headed back to get ready for our first night out. We did a cocktail making class at a cool bar called Scandale Garden, where we got to make a Bramble, a Strawberry Sour and a Dark 'n' Stormy (all definitely generous with the measures) and had a few shots before moving on to a club called Opium for the rest of the night. 

It was a classic uni style club with super cheap drinks, (12 shots for less than a fiver anyone?!) questionable clientele and all the dance classics pumping, so of course we couldn't resist asking for some Sean Paul bangers. Rather worse for wear and with aching feet, we set off for home in the early hours of the morning after demolishing a Polish spin on takeaway chips. A couple of us opted to walk rather than taxi, which obviously meant that we ended up getting completely lost and rolling in an hour later than everyone else! 

On the Sunday we had a spa day booked at Lesne Spa, so a minibus arrived to whisk us away for a day of pampering. We had a couple of glasses of fizz, and relaxed in the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room before each getting an individual massage which was exactly what was needed after a night on the tiles.

That evening we had a slightly more refined night, starting with a three course meal at a gorgeous restaurant in the main square called Wesele. It was very decadent inside with a mirrored ceiling, wood panelled walls and floral decorations everywhere, and the service was excellent. I had the trio of sheep cheese to start, followed by lentil pierogi (Polish dumplings) in mushroom sauce, and finally dessert was apple pie, all of which were well presented and very tasty. Afterwards a small group of us continued the celebrations with a drink in nearby bar Budda before we joined the early birds back at the apartment.

Our final morning dawned and we packed our bags ready to check out. Luckily the owner of the air b&b was happy to look after our cases until we had to leave at 3pm, so we dropped them off and went for breakfast at a very Instagrammable cafe called Zalipianki. I had a carrot, apple and orange fresh juice and a mushroom, cheese and spinach omelette, clearly trying desperately to get back on that health train!

We walked up the hill to the castle where there is a famous dragon sculpture and perfect views of the city and across the river. After multiple group photos we dispersed to go shopping or for coffee and cake; I tried on a few things in Zara before giving up, and bought a salted caramel doughnut dipped in white chocolate from a cute pattisserie. We went back to collect our bags later and the minibus returned to transfer us to the airport to fly home.

My first experience of Poland was a very positive one; friendly people, lots to see and do, and helped infinitely by how cheap everything was. I shall almost certainly be back!

Breakdown
Flights  - £92 (inc assigned seat & hand baggage)

Accommodation - £70 (3 nights based on 13 sharing)

 Spending Money - £105.50 (inc taxi one way between 5 & airport spending)

Misc - £89 (spa day, cocktail making & transport)

Total = £356.50