MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

     I travelled to Manchester to celebrate the New Year with my boyfriend and friends. We chose to go there as we have not been up North before and it's one of the biggest cities in the UK, so we knew we would not be bored.

     Manchester is a beautiful city with many skyscrapers and modern architecture. It seriously feels like it is just a smaller version of London, it even has it's own China town!

     The city centre was full of beautiful Christmas decorations, it looked absolutely magical!

     If you are planning to visit Manchester on New Year's Eve, do not miss out on the midnight fireworks at Albert square. It's an amazing show lasting ten minutes, it's free and honestly I believe it is just as good as the London show.

     For the actual party we went to the Fifth Club situated on Princess Street. It has three floors, each playing different type of music so everyone should find something they like. Another benefit of this venue is the cheap drink prices. Jagerbomb was only £0.99, a bottle of Carlsberg or Fosters £1.50 and shot with mixer for £2.50!

     The places you want to visit are the Cathedral situated near the Victoria train station and the Art Museum near the Albert's square. Both places are very interesting and the entrance is free. Overall Manchester is an awesome city and I definitely would like to visit it again!

PARIS, FRANCE

     I went to Paris to celebrate my 16th birthday. Although it was the beginning of September, it was very warm and sunny, just the perfect weather for some sight-seeing!

     The tourist attraction you've got to visit when in Paris is obviously the Eiffel Tower. The view on Paris from the second floor is simply amazing! The white architecture looks magical, a real breath-taking view! Although the queue for the tickets is always very long, it is definitely worth the wait. And if you get hungry, I recommend buying fries from a chippy stand next door. Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower entrance vary between €7,00 and €11,00.

     The Eiffel Tower looks just as nice at night, when it is all lit up with lights, so make sure to check it out, whilst out on an evening walk ;)

     In a convenient place, right opposite the Eiffel Tower you'll be able to find the Gardens of the Trocadero, which look absolutely stunning! 

     Another place you've got to see is the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. The Triumphal Arch honours those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary. It's a really nice piece of architecture and a perfect spot for some photos.

     Whether you're making it a family trip or you're a bit of a kid yourself, you should go to the Disneyland Paris Resort and enjoy some rides. I would especially recommend the spaceship ride, which is a roller-coaster with a 360 degrees turn! Be patient though, when visiting Disneyland at peak time, be prepared to wait around 60-80 minutes in a queue for a ride that lasts about 3 mins! The resort is divided into two parks, and there is no way you will be able to go through all the attractions within one day. 

     When the sun goes down, Paris is still alive so don't be afraid to walk down the main streets and visit all the charming restaurants and cafe's. It is especially nice in summer, when you can drink a cocktail outside whilst enjoying the view on the Eiffel Tower.

     If you're short on money and you find Paris accommodations too expensive, try finding a hotel in towns surrounding central Paris. An example of such town is Val d'Europe, which has an easy access to central Paris, as well as is ridiculously close to the Disneyland Resort, so it might be worth looking into.

     Overall, Paris is a place you have to visit at least once in your lifetime! It is very romantic, the architecture is amazing and although it is a bit pricey, you won't regret it ;)

SPLIT, CROATIA

SUN IS SHINING AND SO ARE YOU!

     

     I  went to Croatia in July this year for a week. The town of Split is situated on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, and being the largest city in the area it is very popular among tourists.

     If you're the kind of person that likes to lay on the beach for hours, do not go to Split, as the beaches are rocky and it is highly uncomfortable to lay on them. I found it very difficult to relax, definitely not going to a rocky beach again!

     The water wasn't warm either, which I found really surprising, but that might be because I spent most time at a small bay, where the beach wasn't crowded. So if you do want the water to be warm, follow the crowd! Also, There are rocks in the sea as well, so either wear appropriate shoes (you can buy them on the way to the beach for around 50 kuna) or be very careful not to cut your foot.

     The town center of Split is small but charming, with many restaurants and souvenir shops overlooking the gorgeous sea. 

     Be sure to find a sightseeing point right in the middle of the old town, where you can enjoy a breath-taking view on Split.

     Don't be shocked with the prices when you see a drink costs 50 kuna, as this is equivalent to around £5. So do visit the local restaurants, especially in the evening, as you will also be able to enjoy some entertainment shows that are frequently put on.

     A good spot for a night out is a bar on the corner, opposite the entrance to the high street, where quality music is played up until around 4am. More towards a beach there is another club with two rooms playing different genres of music, which is open until 6am!

     I would strongly advise you to visit the Krka Waterfalls. You can purchase an excursion in any of the travel agencies around town, but do make sure you do a little research as the prices vary a lot, and at the end of the day you want to get the best deal. The waterfalls are inside a National Park, which you can also explore. Don't forget to take your swimming costume as you will be able to swim in the waterfalls. The price of most excursions don't include an entry ticket to the National Park, but if you're a student, there is a 10% discount with your student card.

     If you're planning to visit Split in July, check out the dates of the Ultra Music Festival, as it usually happens during that time. It is one of the biggest festivals in Europe, gathering the fans of Electro, House and Trance music from all around the world! The festival lasts 3 days and it is such a great, unforgettable experience!

     Word of advice, do plan your trip ahead, especially if you will be going on holiday during the festival period, as it is hard to find accommodation because most places are booked, and trust me you do not want to be living on the other side of town, and walk about 50 minutes to get to the beach ;)

     Overall, Split is a really nice destination to visit. It kind of reminded me of Poland a lot from the architecture. I personally wouldn't return but I know a lot of people who fell in love with this city!

SWIERADÓW-ZDRÓJ, POLAND

I WANNA RUNAWAY!

     I went to Swieradów-Zdrój in June this year for a weekend away with my family. It is a popular town for tourist with health issues in south-western Poland right next to the boarder with Czech Republic.

     

     It is situated it the Jizera Mountains, which are part of the Sudetes range, so this place is perfect for climbing lowers. For those who don't particularly like the long walks up the hill but like to admire some beautiful views, don't worry, it has a ropeway!

     The town centre is really small and charming with many souvenir shops and restaurants, a perfect place to go to in the afternoon.

     Look out for a water fountain with four frogs. If you touch a specific from whilst the water is running, you will be blessed with either money, love, happiness or health!

         The town is full of  natural medical resources which enable the treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, hence why it attracts tourists and patients since the seventeenth century. So if you are looking for a relaxing holiday with a chance to improve your health, Swieradów-Zdrój is a place for you.

BREMEN, GERMANY

I WANT TO PARTY IN BREMEN NIGHT AND DAY!

     

     I went to Bremen at the end of 2013 to visit my friend and to celebrate New Year's Eve with him and his crew. It is a lovely city situated in north-western Germany on Weser River.

     It does not have an U-bahn (underground) however it is very easy to relocate around the city with the normal trains. If you are a student, and you're under the age of 21, you can buy yourself a monthly train ticket for as little as €19.

     Outside the train station you will be able to find a fragment of the Berlin Wall that symbolises the old division. I personally think it is an exciting part of history and of course I had to have a photo next to it.

     The city itself is quite old. Town centre is full of historical buildings. St Peter's Cathedral is one of them. It is a church of beautiful architecture with tall twin towers.

     In the middle of the market square there is a gold 'hole' in the ground. It is very easy to miss this attraction so watch out! When you drop a coin into the hole, voices of the prisoners from old dungeons speak out. It is really cool!

     If you consider yourself to be unlucky, you're in the correct place. Apparently if you touch a donkeys hoof on the statue in town centre, you will get luck. It is worth a try.

     On the outer line of town centre there are a few narrow streets. Their scenery reminds me of Disney movies, it's a magical place to be.

     Whilst visiting Bremen you have to try their local beer- Beck's. Somehow it does taste better to the Beck's sold in UK pubs. You may also like to try beers from other German regions.

     Overall Bremen is a really nice city, it's a shame I only went over there for three days. I had a lot of fun exploring it, and would love to go back there again sometime soon. If you book in advance, you can find cheap flights from London Stansted with Ryanair. I paid £54 return. The airport in Bremen is really small, there is no way you will be able to get lost. I strongly recommend visiting this city for a weekend break away.