Hong Kong

Hong Kong at Sunset

View of Hong Kong Island by night

Hong Kong So although my family are from Hong Kong, I have never actually lived here, but I have spent many summer holidays and Christmas holidays over there and it is an incredible place. Even though it is such a tiny place, the amount of activities and scenery are endless. You will have an East meets West experience over here, filled with expats and local Chinese. There are beaches, there are mountains, there are tourist sights, there's great nightlife, you can live in luxury or you can live on a budget over here. Whatever it is you're looking for, I feel like there is something for everyone in Hong Kong.

Ferry to and from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui/ HK Convention Centre

Where to Stay? 
I unfortunately don't know many cheap accommodation recommendations as I normally stay with family or in hotels, however, if you are looking for areas to start looking in then I can certainly help out there...


Hong Kong Island
Firstly, I think as a tourist that you will probably want to stay on the Hong Kong Island side as that is where all the action is at. I think a lot of expats seem to end up in a bubble though and never really seem to venture out of the Island once they are settled there. Kind of sounds like an episode of Lost! But you shouldn't get sidetracked by all the going on's in Hong Kong Island because there are so many things going on in Kowloon and around and about Hong Kong. But for convenience purposes, sightseeing and going out, I would stick to Hong Kong Island.

So within Hong Kong Island, there are a few areas that you will end up spending a lot more time in than others, these include: Central ,Wan Chai & Causeway Bay
In terms of nightlife, in the many years that I have been back to Hong Kong, I have never really been anywhere else apart from these 3 areas to go out in. The shopping in Causeway Bay is also one place not to be missed. As well as that, Central is also where the Escalators are - there is basically the longest outdoor escalators you have ever seen taking you up and down the whole area. Probably partly put in for the lazy commuters, or partly because they felt sorry for the commuters in the sweltering heat and ridiculous humidity of Hong Kong, and they didn't want them to endure the massive walk up or down the hill to work dripping from sweat.
Central is also where you can get to the Peak, which is definitely worth a visit to admire a view of the city. As well as riding the old rickety train up. And it is also a good place to catch ferries to other destinations, be it the neighbouring residential islands or further ashore to China.

Kowloon
If you are interested in more of a local experience, I would definitely recommend Kowloon. I think when you don't know Hong Kong very well, you get scared of Kowloon because it feels like a bit of the unknown. But there are definitely lots of places to see in Kowloon, like Mong Kok for example. This is where the Ladies Market is and lots of cheap food and shopping. I spent a lot of time browsing the markets and haggling away on some cheap knock off brands, such as Prado bags D&C purses. Ok, I haven't actually bought any of those....mine are much better quality! No but seriously, I have actually seen some of those makes around.

Anyway, another great place to stay, which is just a verrryyy cheap ferry ride away from Hong Kong Island, is Tsim Sha Tsui. This is another great place to come for some more up market restaurants, some designer shopping and it is also the best place to get an incredible view of Hong Kong Island, day or night. Although the night time view of the Island is far more impressive than the day as all the lights turn on. It is also a great place to come if you are there for New Years as the firework display is second to none and it would be an awesome view from the Kowloon side.

More Luxurious Option....
If you can afford to stay in a nice hotel in Hong Kong I would highly recommend it. The service is incredible as they do pride themselves on their customer service. All the 5 star hotels in Hong Kong are also maintained at the highest quality and often the hotel restaurants and bars are the most sought after and popular in the city.


Grand Hyatt, Wan Chai
I have stayed here quite a few times now and the service and rooms have always been impeccable. It is situated right by the Hong Kong Convention Centre, where there are often events and shows going on. It is worth a visit if there is a good show on. Otherwise you might get the odd dressed up comic book characters walking around after a comic book convention. The Grand Hyatt is a beautiful hotel, with a great place for afternoon tea and pretty much has conventions and weddings going on in their function rooms every week. They really do put on a great function so if you are looking to hire a room out to entertain guests, it is an excellent location. Also my claim to fame, many Hong Kong celebrities frequent place, though I don't think you would care too much about that. Well how about the whole of the Barca team. Up close and personal with Ronaldhino back in the days he played for Barca!

Oh..Just Ronaldhino checking in to the Grand Hyatt

Mariott, Shangri-La, Admiralty 
There are actually 3 hotels in this area that all look onto each other and I can't remember the name of the 3rd one. But these 2 are definitely worth staying as well. Admiralty is a great location as it is the interchange for the Red and the Blue metro line (basically the only 2 lines you use to get around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon). The hotels are also attached to a huge shopping mall named Pacific Place so it is awfully convenient, whether you are wanting a cheeky little shop or just enjoying the aircon before you head out into the heat. The facilities are also amazing, such as the swimming pool. Nothing better than chilling out by the pool after a day of sightseeing in Hong Kong.

W Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui 
If you are looking to stay in Kowloon, W Hotel recently opened a few years ago. We watched this being constructed and it would just look more grand and more impressive by the day. A great modern and chic hotel with a great bar and the restaurant wasn't too bad either. Again, like the majority of the best hotels in Hong Kong, it is attached to yet another shopping mall named Elements. You will find that they do love their shopping malls in Hong Kong. A popular hang out and yes I am sure it is primarily for the air con and convenience of everything being placed under one roof. Hong Kong people don't like to be inconvenienced! 20 mins is a terribly long commute for them!

Front of W Hotel

Where to Eat?
I am probably going to be quite useless suggesting places to eat in Hong Kong because there are sooo many places to eat. Firstly I would recommend...

Street Food
This is not the name of a restaurant, but I am actually suggesting that you try the street food in Hong Kong. This is one of the things that me and my Mum often find we crave once we get back to London because those dodgey looking hot dog vendors on the street don't quite live up to the stalls around Hong Kong. Seriously, try the curry fish balls, or the dessert foods, they are the most authentic and tastiest things you will try.

Street Food stalls 

Crystal Jade Palace
If that isn't realllyy you're thing, then you can move indoors to some of the noodle shops. There are many to choose from, and I don't think you can go too wrong, though I don't want to speak too soon. But Crystal Jade is a chain around Hong Kong and you often find them in the many shopping malls in Hong Kong. Some great noodle dishes and informal dining if that is what you are looking.

Hot Pot Restaurants - Little Fat Lamb 
If you haven't tried hot pot before, then I think you should definitely have it when you are over in Hong Kong. I am not sure if this is actually what it is called in English because it is a direct translation from the Chinese! (Siu Fei Yeung). Anyway, there should be a few of them around and it is a great winter dining experience where you get to cook your own food in a hot pot. Very sociable and quite nice for a light meal. Also if you are good with spicy food then definitely ask for the spicey soup base.

Hot Pot

Cafe De Coral - 'Dai Ga Lok'
If you are on a budget and want some fast food Cafe de Coral is really worth visiting. There are tonnes of them around and the amount of choice in this place is just incredible. Think of Macdonalds but Asian and with quadruple the choice.

Cafe de Coral

Tsui Wah
There are a lot of Chinese diner-esk cafes around Hong Kong and I think they are probably my favourite because there is such a wide selection of food. Whether it's a rice dish, or noodle dish or breakfast food or even western food, it's got it all! And this place is situated in the perfect location, right in the middle of Lan Kwai Fong in Central, which means that at 5am when you leave the clubs, this is normally where  you head to for a late night feast.

More expensive option....

If you are looking to dine in style in Hong Kong, you are most definitely not short of options. As I said, I would look to the hotel restaurants in Hong Kong. Although some are a bit more overrated than others, they are generally of a very high standard. 

Nobu

I was very impressed by the food in Nobu. Some of the meat and sashimi would just melt in your mouth. As well as the incredible desserts they have there. I was much more impressed in fact by the Nobu in Hong Kong than I was by the one in London. The quality of food was far more impressive over here than it was in London. 

1 Peking road 
Ah not only is this where my favourite bar is, but it is also where there are a tonne of great restaurants. You can either go to the Japanese restaurant - I believe it is on the 7th floor. Great sushi and an extensive menu to choose from. And for an added bonus, it is definitely not as expensive as the rest of the restaurants in the 1 Peking Road building.
Hu Tong is another great restaurant in the same building if  you are looking for more a traditional asian dining. I think they do cater slightly to more of a Western taste but the decor is beautiful with a very grand and dynasty feel about the place.
Aqua - This is one of my favourite bars in Hong Kong with one of the best views in the city, overlooking Hong Kong Island at night and being able to admire the lights whilst sipping on a cocktail. But it is also an Italian/Japanese fusion restaurant. It does sound like a strange combination and I wouldn't say the food is amazing. However, if you are looking for an impressive place to dine, perhaps a first date where you are wanting to impress a certain someone, I think it is perfect. Otherwise, just come relax and enjoy one cocktail here. Definitely worth a visit.


Where to go Out? 
Oh good old Hong Kong nightlife. This is a great place to party the night away and it really is a city that doesn't sleep. You can party until 6am here, then continue on for an early morning breakfast as there are tonnes of diners that are open until the early hours. Whatever time of day it is in Hong Kong, there is always something happening.

Bars

Lan Kwai Fong 
My favourite area in Hong Kong and where I spend half my time. Lan Kwai is an expats safe haven as the streets are filled with foreigners or people like me, so Chinese who have schooled abroad and come back for a visit. There are also a lot of local Chinese as well. But you can definitely expect an eclectic mix of people in Lan Kwai. It is the main bar street of Hong Kong and a frequent feature and tourist attraction site in all the guide books. It is also where all the bankers come to splash their cash. Pretty much every second person you speak to is probably in banking. What they probably don't inform you about is the incredible thing that exists called Ladies Night.  I don't think there is anywhere else in the world that I know of that does such a good Ladies Night. Generally Lan Kwai Ladies Night happens on Thursday nights, but you will find a few places on a Wednesday and even some on a Friday night. It is basically where girls get free entry into all clubs AND open bar. Ermm... yes that is correct - open bar! Some places don't have a full selection of beverages, but often it will be any house liquor and mixer or cava or a house cocktail. Not a bad deal hey?

Wan Chai
I have to say that boys in Hong Kong have probably drawn the short straw because it isn't that cheap to go out in Hong Kong if you are a boy, but it can be so cheap if you are a girl on a Ladies Night. However, it does tend to be a bit cheaper in Wan Chai in comparison to Lan Kwai. What I would say though, is that the calibre of bars and clubs are a lot better in Lan Kwai than they are in Wan Chai because it is kind of the Red Light District of Hong Kong. So everything appears a little more seedy. Having said that, they also have a Ladies Night. Mostly on a Wednesday Night so definitely worth a trip if you are looking for a change of scene and have been to Lan Kwai one too many times.  


Aqua, Tsim Sha Tsui 
As I mentioned earlier, probably one of my favourite bars in Hong Kong. Absolutely stunning view, an extensive list of cocktails. Very chic and chilled atmosphere. Nothing better than coming here for a lychee martini and admiring the view of Hong Kong.

Aqua Bar

Clubs 
There are plenty of clubs to choose from in Hong Kong and we often end up with a rota of clubs to visit throughout the week. We also tend to club hop a fair bit in Hong Kong. It wouldn't be surprising if we ended up going to 2 or 3 different clubs in one evening. After all, you do have until 6am to choose where you want to be. And besides everything is just around the corner, you just need to walk about 10 meters and you're at another club. The main clubs that we normally go to are: Prive ,Beijing ,Billion ,Volar ,Dragon i


I would say that Beijing and Billion attract more of a local Chinese crowd, whereas Prive has more of a mixed crowd. Most of them you will find are filled with bankers. You will find carousel horses in the middle of the Volar dancefloor, whereas in Dragon i you will find a crowd of beautiful people as it is the model hangout. It also has a massive birdcage at the entrance and quite a nice outdoor decking area.


Other Activities 
There are definitely a lot more activities than just going out in Hong Kong to enjoy. If you do have time to enjoy Hong Kong I would definitely suggest that you head a bit further out to Clear Water Bay or Sai Kung where there are beaches and some incredible mountain and sea views. Shek O is also another area which is popular to visit if you are looking to go to a beach. There are bbq ports set up so have a look into having a bbq down at the beach with a group of friends.

Boat trips
Sometimes more commonly known as 'junk trips' these are the best day out in the height of summer. Either organised by a group of friends, by social groups or whoever really they cost an average of about 20 - 40 pounds for the day. This will normally include your own private yacht with crew who take you out either to a beach, or to an area where you can either do banana boating or wakeboarding (all included with the boat). There is often lunch provided and cooked on board. You can bring your own drinks and just generally enjoy life out at sea for the day. A great way to spend a day.

Spot of Wakeboarding

Shopping
Hong Kong has an endless amount of shops and friends have often been envious of the items I come back with from Hong Kong as the clothes are often 1/8 of the price over in Hong Kong compared to London. There are tonnes of shopping complexes around Hong Kong. My favourites are Beverly Island in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok - Argyll Centre. Mong Kok is even cheaper than Causeway Bay, but sometimes I find the quality in Causeway a bit better. Anyway, whatever you are looking for, Hong Kong is a great place to browse if  you have the time to shop around.

Shopping in the busy streets of Hong Kong

Partial view from Clear Water Bay Sports Club

The Big Buddha - Dai Yu San

Rome, Italy

Rome sweet Rome. I can't seem to stay away from this place really. I originally went over when I was 17 to brush up on my Italian and go to a language school. But I think I became rather addicted to this place because since then I have been back to Rome every summer for the past 5 years! In total I have probably spent about 8 months there and have become rather attached to the place. I have made some incredible friends along the way, some are still living the dream and are still in Rome, others are dispersed around the world and we do try to have reunions in different parts of the world when we can. Recent reunions have included Australia, London and Amsterdam. There are definitely some life long friends there....

Stunning view of the Colosseum from my friend's apartment

Just a quiet night out at Piazza di Spagna

There are so many things to love about Rome. Firstly the fact that you are surrounded by so much culture. Everywhere you go, there are historical monuments dating back to thousands of years ago just an arm's length away from you. I think we would sometimes take the Colosseum for granted because we spent every day there and after a while you stopped noticing it. But when I actually take a step back and take a moment to really look at it, I really appreciate the history and beauty of it. Piazza Venezia, with the huge white building, the Vittorio Emmanuale is another favourite of mine. I think for some reason it is one of the buildings loathed by the Italians, but I think it just looks amazing. Other than that there are obviously loads of other sites to see: the Vatican, Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese....the list goes on. Of course there is so much more than that  to discover in Rome. Down every side street there is another hidden gem. The streets are filled with al fresco dining, every coffee shop in Rome will serve the best coffee you have ever  tasted, and forgive me if you think it is a ridiculous comment to make, but the water fountains on the streets have the freshest and coldest water you will ever taste from a tap! Don't knock it until you've tried it my friend because on a hot summer day, when the sun is beating down on you and you have a sip of that water, you will probably think back to this blog and think, yep, she was right! It must be due to all those acquaducts we used to learn about in Latin class.

Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps

The Trevi Fountain

There are a few elements of Rome that do frustrate me however, which is probably why I could never picture myself living there long term. The public transport for example is still pretty backwards and unreliable, although it seems to have got better. There are also many cases of pickpocketing or taxi drivers attempting to con the tourists into paying more, so I would advise you to be careful of  your possessions and be alert. Finally, the general vibe that you get is that it is quite a lazy and macho culture in Italy. Shops shut in the afternoon for a siesta and they're often in no hurry to reopen or stick to deadlines. The men are quite something in Italy and I don't want to say sleazy but.....yeh...well obviously not ALL of them! They often tend to live up to every Italian stereotype that you see on TV and I'm pretty sure everyone is either called Davide, Giuseppe, Paolo or Marco. Don't get me wrong, I love my Italian friends! And there does come a point where those traits I mentioned become endearing, promise! But seriously, despite my rant, those are only minuscule details. Overall Rome is a fantastic city filled with culture, restaurants, bars, beaches and if you know the right places to go, an immense nightlife.

Vatican City 

Where to Stay?
Yellow
I would probably say that this is one of the best hostels in Rome at the moment. Just in terms of convenience, atmosphere, meeting people, the fact that they have a bar, and best of all they have fans in the rooms! Believe me, that is an essential item if you ever want to sleep in Rome during the height of summer. It is located right by the central station, Termini. Now don't get put off Rome if the first thing you see is Termini Station and the areas surrounding it. Trust me, it only gets better when you see tramps defecating on the floor in the car park! Yes I did witness that and it wasn't pleasant. I found myself thinking Rome seems like such a dirty place and not really wanting to stick around there. But the good news is that apart from hostels, you really don't spend a whole lot of time around Termini and there are a billion and one reasons to fall in love with Rome as well.


Invanhoe
A smaller hostel than Yellow and no I don't think it has a fan! But it is however very friendly and again very convenient as it is situated right in the centre, near the Colosseum. It is perfect if you are wanting to walk around town and sightsee. It is very easy to walk around Rome so it is definitely worth venturing on foot than taking their public transport.


Trastevere
This is a great area in Rome, all the streets are filled with market stalls, restaurants, bars that do Aperativos. It's a fabulous place to have a late afternoon stroll and enjoy a glass of wine in one of  the quaint little bars. It is also a great place to find some small hotels if you are willing to spend a little more than a hostel. I would definitely recommend you stay in this area and it is perfectly situated near the city centre. Either a short walk away, or a tram ride away.


Luxurious Option....
To be honest I am yet to find a 5 star hotel in Rome that I really thought 'Wow, this is amazing'. I stayed at one near Termini, which is probably where I went wrong to be fair. If you are looking for a good 5 star hotel I would probably start looking around Villa Borghese, Piazza di Spagna or Trastevere.


Where to go Out?
Campo Dei Fiori
I can't even begin to tell you how often I used to go to Campo Dei Fiori. In fact at one point I was living right around the corner from Campo Dei Fiori. Let me tell  you, those were great times. Especially back when Saby's was open! Cocktails were strong and only cost 4 euros. There are lots of bars to choose from around this square. It is primarily filled with a more International crowd, attracting the study abroad students and the expat community in Rome. I have had some of my best nights here and it is just a great place to catch up with friends or meet some new ones if you have just landed in town.

Campo Dei Fiori at night

Drunken Ship & Sloppy Sams
Both these bars can be found in the square in Campo Dei Fiori. And despite me saying that there are many bars in Campo Dei Fiori, these (apart from when Sabys was here!) were the only 2 bars that we ever visited. Both quite Americanised, you will find a beer pong table set up in the back. There are some great drinks deals and lots of pitchers to choose from in both bars. And best of all, the staff are great! What I loved the most about Rome was that even if you had no phone or any way of contacting anyone, you knew that if you rocked up to Drunken Ship or Sloppy Sams in the evening, you were bound to find a familiar face. All birthdays/events/meetings/farewells/welcome backs seem to have taken place in these two bars at one point or another.

Scholars, Between Piazza Venezia and Campo dei Fiori
Scholarssssss!! Best.Bar.Ever. I can't really tell you why this is the best bar ever but it just is! It's an Irish pub which is open until 4am so this was always our last port of call for the evening when everyone finished work, or when all the bars closed. Long neck Peroni's cost between 3 - 5 euros there. If you are not ready for your evening to end at 2am then this is definitely the place to go. Another very international crowd, primarily filled with the students and expat community.

Trastevere
For a more relaxed evening, I would say that Trastevere is a great call. Especially when all the market stalls are set up along the Tiber. You can spend hours wandering along to sample the different snacks and drinks, do a little bit of shopping or just enjoy a drink whilst watching the river flow by and doing a spot of people watching.


The Pub Crawl - Spanish Steps or Colosseum Pub Crawl
Pub Crawl!! When I say I worked in Rome, I was working for the Pub Crawl over here. Back in the days I would say that this was THE best pub crawl in Europe and the best night out you could have in Rome. Do I sound biased again? Maybe a little... But honestly it was just an amazing night out. We used to bring the party with us everywhere we went because there were just so many people on the Pub Crawl. If there weren't many people at the bar before the pub crawl arrived, it didn't matter because there were around 200 people on the pub crawl to fill the bar anyway. For 20 euros you could get a full Power Hour of all you can drink. There used to be lots of drinking games organised, then there would be around 3 or 4 bars along the way, free tshirt and a free shot in each bar. I think it would still be a lot of fun these days with an average of about 100 people, but nothing like how it was in the glory days. Definitely worth going on though if  you have a few days and want to be shown a good time in Rome and perhaps meeting some good friends along the way.

An average day on the Pub Crawl

Clubs

Piramide

If you were on the look out for more clubs than bars, then Piramide would be the area that you want. There are plenty of clubs to choose from here. Some better than others, but many charging entrance fee or you have to be on the guestlist. Unless you are a girl that is, because it always seems a little easier when you are a girl in Rome and you want to get into a club. 

On The Rox and Coyote are two places I would recommend in Piramide. On the Rox is more of a late night bar, but still good fun and a popular venue. Coyote on the other hand is a bit more like a club, but is free entry and a bit cheaper than the average club. 

The Expensive Option....

Clubs in Rome aren't cheap. Which is probably why we tend to stick to the bars around town or the Pub Crawl as that is a far more economical night out with equal amount of fun. But if you are adamant on going to a club in Rome there are a few I would recommend. 

Art Cafe, Villa Borghese
My favourite club in Rome I would say if I was looking for a club night out. Drinks here will set you back 15 euros whatever drink you have. Expensive yes, but if you aren't on a budget I do suggest you check this place out. The venue itself is gorgeous. When it is indoors the decor is chic and decorated in all white. In the summer time the club moves outdoors, which often tends to happen with many of the clubs in Rome as it is simply too hot to stay indoors. There is a pool, which sometimes gets put to use throughout the night. There have also been occasions where pasta has been served up at 4am to keep you going until closing at 6am. Generally attracts the trendy young Italian crowd who have a bit of money to spend. 


La Maison on the River 
Again, another club which is normally based in Piazza Navona that moves out once the summer months approach. A great airy and spacious venue along the Tiber. A fun night out and sometimes the pub crawl ends at this place so you can be sure that the place is always busy whatever day of the week it is. I think the drinks are a little bit cheaper than 15 euros a drink, although that is the average drink price in the clubs in Rome.


La Terrazza, Eur
This club is a little inconvenient to get to or get back from but it is another great venue. The club is held at the rooftop of the Town Hall so it is all open air. The music is great, the crowd is always young, attractive and trendy. All in all a good night out but only if you are willing to splash out on a taxi to get there and back.


Where to Eat?
Freni e Frizioni, Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa 
If you are wanting a real Italian experience then you must try the Aperativo. I think I mentioned it earlier on. What a fabulous concept this is! Not dissimilar to the Spanish tradition of buying a drink and getting a free dish of tapas, this is the Italian version of it. If you buy a drink you get a free food buffet! So for only 5 - 7 euros you get an all you can eat buffet. Definitely worth a try.


Luzzi, By the Colosseum
Like many Italian restaurants in Rome, it gives off the traditional family run vibe. Not sure if it actually is family run though! But the food is good authentic Italian food, the wine is cheap and best of all it is right by the Colosseum. Perfect to stop off in after a long day of sightseeing.


Insalata Ricca, Campo Dei Fiori 
If you are a bit of a salad connoisseur or a salad snob. Whatever you are, if  you enjoy a good hearty salad, this was one of my favourite places to come to. The selection of salads is huge and it is just perfect for a bit of al fresco dining and a light lunch.


Hard Rock Cafe 
It seems funny to be suggesting the Hard Rock Cafe when you are surrounded by pizzerias and an abundant selection of Italian restaurants. But if you are there for a long time, or if you are just sick of seeing another pizza for at least a day, then come to Hard Rock Cafe. We loved this place! Don't know if it was because of the atmosphere, the fact we could have burgers and chips after having so much pizza and pasta, or just because it was a great place to sit down and chill out with a group of friends. Anyway, it's  there if you are interested in going.


Snacks 
AristoCampo, Campo Dei Fiori in the main square 
Best panini shop I have ever stepped foot in. An amazing selection of toppings and they make the panini right in front of you, toasted, fresh and bursting with yumminess. Mouth is watering even thinking about the place.


Pizzerias 
There are a ridiculous amount of pizzerias around Rome and so far I haven't stumbled across a bad one. So if you are feeling a bit peckish, definitely go in a grab a slice of pizza. The majority of places let you choose how little or how much you want and they just slice it from the massive slab of pizzas they have in the display and charge you according to the weight.

Gelaterias, Giolitti, near the Pantheon
Again another thing in Rome you are spoilt for choice with. There are plenty of ice-cream shops around Rome. Perhaps some of the most famous ones are around the Pantheon, so if you are around that area then pop into Giolitti, because the gelato there is divine.


Living and Working in Rome
If you are interested in living and working in Rome I would not waste another minute pondering it, I would just go for it. It is a great place to live and settle in for a while. As I said, it is very addictive and I often find myself returning for a cheeky trip every year. It is pretty easy to get a job in a bar, restaurant or in tourism if you are interested in going over. 

Castel Sant' Angelo on far right

Where to Live?
If you are looking into accommodation I would suggest looking at these 2 sites: 

Roma Rentals

Craigslist

Roma Rentals was pretty helpful in finding a place for us and it was right in the centre as well so just perfect location for us really. We often tended to share a 1 bedroom amongst 4 of us, which brought the rent to about 350 a month for an apartment right in the centre of town. We lived very comfortably with a double sofa bed and a double bed in the bedroom. Of course, sharing in such close quarters with so many people is not always for everyone, but it suited our lifestyle well in Rome and living in the centre saved us a tonne of money on transport as we were able to walk everywhere. 

Around the centre - Colosseum, Campo Dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, Torre Argentina
If you are looking into areas to live in Rome, I really do suggest you start looking in the centre and work your way out if you are struggling to find anything. Because the cost of taking a taxi every night from town really does add up. Yes you can take the night bus, but it is quite a hassle and sometimes quite unreliable at times. The 4 places I have listed are as central as you can get and the prices are probably a little higher, but hopefully if you persevere you can find a good deal and it will most definitely be worth it.

Little cafe in Navona

Trastevere
Another great location to live in if you are looking for more of a quiet and Italian neighbourhood. Although there is hustle and bustle, it is still a more peaceful location to live in with lots of side streets that are still very tranquil. Also for convenience of food and bars, it is a great area to live in. I would suggest live as close to Piazza Trilussa as you can because that is just around the corner from Campo Dei Fiori and the rest of the central tourist sights. 

Markets along the Tiber

Beach
If you do get the chance to be in Rome for longer than a few days then I would definitely suggest that you go to the beach. A. To escape the unbearable Roman heat and take a dip in the water. B. Just to enjoy the beach as there are actually quite a few to choose from believe it or not. Santa Marinella is my favourite and it takes about 45mins to get there from Termini on the Civitavecchia train. Alternatively the closer option is Ostia and there are a few to choose from, I think the best I went to was called Cristoforo Colombo.

Ostia

Studying in Language Schools....


Dilit International House, by Termini 
If you are interested in brushing up on your Italian while you are over there so you can say more than Ciao Bella, Pizza, Pasta, Pepperoni! Then I would suggest you go to Dilit International House. This is the language school I attended when I was over there and I can't even begin to tell you how drastically my Italian improved there, even after just a week of studying there. There are many different levels and you will be given a level test when you first join so you can be placed in the appropriate level. The teaching methods are completely different to how you would learn at school, which is what I found great about it. They really encourage you to interact, they challenge and push you with lots of different listening exercises. A definite seal of approval from me on this one.

Wish List....
I am ashamed to say that I definitely did not do enough sightseeing while I was in Rome. I would love to venture a bit further out and see a few more sites rather than sticking to the city centre. I wish I would have taken full advantage of Culture Week, where all the places are free to visit and enter for a week. I also would have loved to go to Gianicolo to see the viewpoint. 

View from Gianicolo

When in Rome.....

Lagos, Portugal

Lagos is a crazy little party town in the Algarve. I first stumbled across this place with 4 of my girlfriends on a backpacking holiday. We were in Lisbon, which unfortunately we did not enjoy as much as we would have hoped to, and were told that we should head down to Lagos if we wanted to go to a great place in Portugal. Now we were a bit sceptical when we first pulled up in the train, which took about 3 hours from Lisbon ( 1 3/4hrs from Faro) and felt like we had arrived at some deserted island. We had no prior knowledge of this place, we just decided on a whim to head over on the word of 3 random young travellers. Little did we know, just a short walk down the marina, we would come across a quaint little town with a ridiculous amount of bars and a mental nightlife.

Lagos

I decided to come back to this place last summer (2010) to work for a bit and spend a bit more time there. This crazy little town is tiny and compact, and sometimes feels like you're living in a Big Brother world because everyone knows everyone and everything about the other. But oh my, it is definitely a place worth a visit. The beaches are stunning as well, lots of clear blue water and caves and cliffs surrounding you. And if you go a little further out there is some great surf as well. 

Where to Stay? 

Rising Cock - Hostels and Apartments 
This is probably the best well-known hostel in Lagos and one of the best places to meet some fellow travellers to go out and party with. The majority of the hostels will be right in the city centre, which means that you wont need to spend a penny on transport as everything is within walking distance. It does get booked up quite quickly in the summer months though, so I would probably advise you to book early if you know you are going. 


Having said that, there are people rolling into Lagos every day in summer with no idea of accommodation or where they are going to start looking. But it does always seem to work out so I wouldn't stress out too much. In fact, that is exactly what we did come to think of it. We had no accommodation sorted before we rocked up there, but we turned up to the Rising Cock Hostel. It was fully booked, but we were offered an alternative which turned out to be so much better. 


Short Stay Apartments 
That is where the Apartments come in. It only cost about 15 euros each for our own apartment just a few steps away from the hostel with our own kitchen. So this was in fact an even cheaper option and more relaxed. So I guess this would be my first choice of accommodation if I had to choose. The Rising Cock is not the only place that provides short stay apartments, so definitely ask around all the flyerers or the hostels for apartment availability once you arrive. 

Lagos Youth Hostel
To be honest I haven't actually stayed here but it is another hostel which is right in the centre. It seems to be another great place to meet some fellow travellers. Seeing as it is so close to all the action, it is in the perfect location to stumble home in the early hours of the morning.


The Luxurious Option....
Villa
If you have some money to spend or if you are going over as a large group then I would most definitely recommend looking into getting a villa. My friends got a villa for their stag do and it was simply the most amazing thing I have ever seen! 10 bedrooms, sleeps up to 20, outdoor jacuzzi, pool, gym, pool table, table tennis, wine cellar...... the list  goes on! Best of all it is still right by the city centre and a taxi only costs about 4 - 5 euros. You can even have your own private chef come to the villa and cook the meals for you if you are feeling lazy. Otherwise, there is always Macdonalds down the road! 

Where to go out?

There are sooo many bars to choose from in this little town. It is much more a small bar town where you end up bar crawling and visiting up to an average of 5 or 6 bars in one evening. Don't expect to find massive clubs in Lagos though. Yes the nightlife is great, but it's not like an Ibiza where you enjoy the huge club nights and great DJ's. It is more about going out and having a shot or 10, a fish bowl perhaps in a number of different bars and getting to know everyone in the town from just one night of partying. Not that I'm being biased or anything, but having worked as a flyerer in Lagos, I do recommend you listen to the staff and the flyerers on the street because we are actually pointing you to the best places in town. 


Bars/Clubs (I grouped them together as the majority of bars there are dance bars)

Three Monkeys 
This crazy ass bar has people dancing on the bar top, beer bongs, pints of cocktails and you will probably find that the staff are more drunk than the average person in the bar! It was one of our favourite bars when we went there 5 years ago, and it was still one of my favourites when I was  there last summer. I would say that this is a great bar to start off in, have a few drinks and move up the hill to the rest of them. 

Joes Garage 
I would probably say that this is the next stop to make after a trip to Three Monkeys. Again another bar where you will find people dancing on tables, doing beer bongs and getting through many a pint of cocktails. There is also a pool table and the opportunity to play beer pong in this place if you go there early enough. As well as that I dare you to challenge Joe to the Bomb Squad, where you have to down 7 jaeger bombs in as quick a time as possible. I will be highly impressed if you can beat the ridiculous record of 6.75 seconds!!

Inside Out 

Whereas the other 2 bars are open until 2am, Inside Out stays open until 4. So it is a popular choice for an early stop off or a late nighter after the other bars start to close up, or both if you are up for it! For 25 euros  you do end up with an obscene amount of alcohol in one fishbowl! Great to share amongst friends, and of course more importantly, for the photo opp. 

Grand Cafe 
Another of the clubs which are open until 4am and again a popular choice when Joe's closes, or whatever other bar you are in. It is spread over 2 floors and is a great place to dance the night away. If you have lost any friends or left any behind in a bar because you were impatient to move on, or they were otherwise distracted/ engaged for some reason, you tend to be reunited in Grand Cafe as everyone ends up there. 


Duna Beach
The beach party held at Meia Praia beach is normally held over the summer months and you tend to hear all about it from the staff if it is on. It goes on until 6am and is held in a great venue with a swimming pool in the middle, which often tends to be very inviting for a quick dip. If you aren't ready for your night to end in town at 4am, this is a great club with good music and a nice way to watch the sunrise in the early hours. 

Other bars that you are likely to come across and which are always good fun:
The Jam.....Wolfs Lair.....Whytes......Eddies......Shakers........Zanzibar........DCs......Sublime. 
If you have a few days in Lagos I suggest a bar crawl is in order and you attempt to cover the whole lot if you can. 

Where to eat? 

Casa Rosa 
Again I am probably being biased here as I did work here! But I would highly recommend that each and every one of you go to Casa Rosa! No but seriously, it is a great place with a great power hour. If you get the Power Hour deal you pay 12.95 euros for a huge meal and all you can drink beer, wine or sangria for an hour! Otherwise there are dishes starting from 4.95 euros there. There is a large selection of food ranging from burgers and buritos to sea bass and prawns. I believe that the average was around 6 or 7 pints in an hour, but the record I think was probably around 16 glasses of wine and about the same equivalent amount of pints too!  

Nana Bar  

Known for its burgers and its massive portions, this restaurant is great if you are looking for a good hearty meal. It just down one of the side streets, right near the Rising Cock hostel and all the dishes are pretty reasonably priced. I would recommend you try the salads, the Nachos or the Burgers if you get the chance to go. 

Patiscos 
If you feel like you aren't getting the Portuguese experience that you were hoping for....welll I don't think Lagos is the best place to visit in the first place! But at least you can have a taste of some great Portuguese food at this restaurant. Right next to Whytes bar and down the road from Casa Rosa, it is a delicious seafood restaurant. There are often queues out the door, as like many of these restaurants in Lagos, it is a tiny restaurant with limited seating. So if you can I would suggest that you book a table, otherwise turn up early. Try the clams and the prawns if you do go.


Odeon
Oh how I crave a good Odeon breakfast. Another hole in the wall in this little town but the best hole in the wall you will find for an all day breakfast menu. It is just up one of the side streets on your way to the beach from the town centre and it does the cheapest/best breakfast in town. For just 4 euros you will end up with a full english breakfast followed by a large serving of pancakes with syrup. Their burgers are also pretty darn good. I don't think I have ever spend more than 7 euros in that place for breakfast juice and coffee. This was where you would find everyone after they wake up in the morni......well 4 in the afternoon and on the hunt for some food. And best of all, it is en route to the beach so grab the towel, sunnies and sun cream before you head over. 

Living and Working in Lagos 
I would highly recommend living and working in Lagos for a summer if you have the time to do it and if you are looking for a summer working holiday. Although you wont walk away from that place a richer man, in fact you will probably walk away with the same amount of money as you first turned up with, as you pretty much live off what you earn, you do walk away having spent a great summer under the sun. There is a great community of international staff there, with the majority being from Australia, New Zealand and the UK. It is easy to settle in here, find an apartment around town and earn a little extra cash whilst having fun and getting your tan on at the beach. 


It is probably best to go at the beginning of the season, around May or around August if you are looking for a decent job in the bars as your options may become limited in the height of summer and jobs and accommodation are probably quite scarce around then. Other than that, feel free to send me a message about it if there is any more info you want to know. 

Spain

Spain in general is a great country to visit if you are wanting to take a short European trip. If you are looking for a nice relaxing holiday to lounge on the beach and enjoy some nice tapas, then there are some great cities in Spain to visit. On the other hand, if you are looking for a place with great nightlife and plenty of bars and clubs, then Spain is still an ideal choice! In fact I believe it celebrates the most festivals, or has the most days off work in order to celebrate festivals in the year compared to all the other European cities.

The following cities are a few places that I have visited in Spain and I would highly recommend but unlike Barcelona and Madrid, I unfortunately didn't spend enough time in them to advise on where to stay or where to go out. I can however suggest what time of year is best to visit these places if you are interested in hitting up the festivals.

Pamplona
Ah good old Pamplona, what an interesting little city this is. This is where the Running of the Bulls takes place in summer. Normally at the end of June and beginning of July. To be honest I don't really know what it is like during the rest of the year, but I can tell you during the Running of the Bulls it is just one massive street party. I was only there for two days but I would love to go back again because it was so much fun. And what a spur of the moment trip that was! My friend and I decided the night before that we would jump on a ferry from Rome to Barcelona, followed by a coach! I would probably not recommend this journey if you can avoid, because as fun as it was, it did take a solid 22- 24hours.

On the streets in Pamplona

I think what I love about this festival is that everyone is in such high spirits and the streets are just mayhem. The full white outfits adorned with red sash and neckerchief make quite an impact and the streets look amazing. If you think about it though, it is such a bizarre concept. Who would have thought running through the streets while angry bulls charge at you, whilst being rather intoxicated could be so much fun. People go through sangria like water over there and it often ends in sangria fights.

All in all, this is one not to be missed.

Valencia 
This was actually quite a popular choice for many people when it came to selecting a year abroad destination. There is a big student network here, which often means there is plenty of nightlife and cheaper prices.

At the Science Museum in Valencia

 This is also where Las Fallas takes place around 19th March. Again another bizarre festival (Spain seems to be pretty hot on these). It is basically where huge paper-machè statues (Nintos) are constructed, paraded around the streets and then eventually set on fire. This is like a piromaniac's haven really. This unique festival is all about the street parties, as it often seems to be with Spain, and to enjoy the sites of these monumental constructs burning away. An interesting festival and a lot of fun with the street parties and experiencing the hustle and bustle of Valencia, but I don't think I would go out my way to shift some holiday time around to 
return.

Las Fallas 

La Tomatina - Valencia is also where the tomato festival takes place at the end of August/beginning of September. I am yet to experience this festival but I would love to go. The streets fill up with people and truckloads of tomatoes and it is just one massive tomato fight... awesome! Although I have been warned to be aware of people trying to rip your clothes off, though as you can see from the picture below that they had a few secrets to preventing this! Getting trampled on was another fear though as the streets can get pretty crowded. But all my friends seemed to have survived and had a great time, so am definitely putting that on my list of To Dos. 

Really making sure the clothes don't get ripped off!

Sevilla
This was actually quite a long time ago as I was 14 at the time on a school trip and staying with a weird Spanish woman. It was however very pretty and has a traditional Spanish vibe about it. If you are looking to escape the tourists then I think it would be a good choice to come and have a traditional Spanish experience. Don't forget to try the oranges! I definitely picked a few off the trees.... although I can't tell you if that is actually allowed or not so perhaps we should keep that on a down low.

Plaza de Espana

Top of my list of places I am yet to go in Spain.....


San Sebastian
Now this is one city that is on the top of my list to visit. I can't believe that I haven't been here yet and I have heard so many great things about it. It is renowned for its tapas and a surfer's paradise. I can't wait to go there and I will be sure to let you know all about it when I do.

San Seb