POZNAN, POLAND

     I went to Poznan for a day back in 2011 to visit my cousin who was studying at the University of Poznan. It is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland.

     It is most known for the renaissance building standing at Poznan's Old Market Square, formerly acting as city hall. The bugle call of Poznan is played daily from the City Hall tower. Furthermore, the main attraction of the city are the goats. Everyday at noon, the goat figures slide out from the middle tower of the City Hall and butt their horns for a minute, you cannot miss the show if you're visiting Poznan!

     Find Malta in Poznan! No, not the hot Italian island, but a popular recreation area in Poznan, with a lake, biking and roller-skating area, and even skiing area. If you're a shopaholic, right next to this amazing area full of attractions there is a huge Malta Gallery with numerous big brands, a cinema and a gym. There is another shopping centre call the Old Brewery, which has a very interesting architecture.

     If you're an animal lover, take a trip to the local zoo to see beautiful tigers, elephants and other animals. Overall Poznan is a nice city with an awesome architecture, and I would love to visit it again and explore more parts of it.

 

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 ;)

HAMBURG, GERMANY

So break the laws of time, the moments can't rewind...

     I went to Hamburg just for a day, whilst visiting my friends living in Bremen, as those two major cities are not far away from each other. Hamburg is situated on river Elbe in the North of Germany. It is the second largest city in Germany and the thirteenth largest in European Union.

     Hamburg is more of a modern city with many new, tall buildings, however you can still spot the traditional architecture, for example an old train station.

     Next to the river there is a small market (although it might only have been there temporarily for the Christmas period), where you can buy beautiful souvenirs.

     Overall Hamburg is a beautiful city and I would love to go back there again to explore it further as 1 day wasn't enough! If you're looking to travel to Hamburg, make sure you check out the deals on EasyJet, as they usually have good prices from London airports.

SIDE, TURKEY

TONIGHT FEELS LIKE THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!

     I went to Side in August 2012 for my last holiday with parents. I had a really good and relaxing two weeks, this is a perfect family holiday destination.

     The temperatures were high, so if you don't like excess heat, do not go to Turkey in the summer months, especially if you're planning on going on excursions, as the further you are from the sea, the more difficult it is to deal with the weather.

     The water in the sea was fabulous, very warm, could have easily spent all days swimming in it. At the same time, it was very salty, which is a good treatment if you suffer from rheumatism.

     I stayed in Crystal Sunrise Queen Luxury Hotel & SPA, a 5* accommodation I recommend to anyone. It is a large hotel with an immediate access to the sea and multiple swimming pools, everyone is able to find their perfect place to spend the lazy sunny days.

     Furthermore, Crystal Sunrise offers its guests a large main restaurant, which serves a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are different themed dinners everyday, so you can try the cuisines of the world. 

     There are also three a la carte restaurants, which you can book once within your stay free of charge. 

     The hotel offers an all inclusive board basis only, therefore you can drink an unlimited amount of drinks, the alcoholic ones too. The bar tenders working in a many bars on site will serve you some delicious cocktails and mixers made from local brands.

     Don't forget to visit the beautiful Old Town of Side, where you will be able to find charming souvenir shops, as well as boutiques selling leather jackets and bags. For the history fans, there are ruins of the old Colosseum and a library where Julius Caesar used to go on dates with Cleopatra.

  

     Overall I had an amazing time in Turkey and am definitely wanting to visit this country again in future.

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.

HURGHADA, EGYPT

RELAX, TAKE IT EASY!     

     I went to Egypt for a family holiday in August 2011. Hurghada is a third largest city in Egypt located on the Red Sea coast. It is a typical family resort, attracting tourists from all over the world.

     The sea is very warm, perfect for long swimming sessions. It is important however that before entering the water you wear a suitable footwear (can be purchased in any of the Egyptian supermarkets) to avoid unnecessary injuries, as the bottom can be rocky.

     Egypt is a perfect place for diving. If you would like to discover a deeper sea life search for professional diving instructors, there are plenty of them throughout the city and are easy to find. Otherwise, you can dive on your own with just a simple mask. You will still be able to enjoy the view of beautiful plants and endless types of fishes.

     If you decide to try diving without an instructor, make sure you do not do it on your own and ensure to stay safe at all times. You also need to be careful as in some places, the sea level drops from shallow to fifty meters down.

     When going to Egypt, I would only recommend the all inclusive basis. Both food and drinking water is different to the European standards. It is very easy to get food poisoning if you decide to eat out in inappropriate places, where as at hotels the food is prepared under strict procedures, minimising the risk.

     I stayed at Jaz Aquamarine Resort, a 5 star hotel I would strongly recommend. It is situated right next to the beach and supplies multiple swimming pools, which prevents them from getting overcrowded. There is also an aqua-park designed for children and adults. In addition it has a couple of restaurants, including an a la carte restaurant included in the price of accommodation. Furthermore, the hotel has an entertainment team which provides regular daytime and evening entertainment, including water games, animation shows and discotheque nights.

     When staying at luxury hotels, you will be surprised how inventive the cleaners are with the towels. Below is just one of many examples I was able to find.

     Outside the hotel, you will be able to find many shops within a ten minute walking distance. I wouldn't advice going to Hurghada during the summer holiday months if you're not a fan of extreme heat. August was boiling! The high temperature does not affect you as much when you stay within the hotel area because of a nice cool breeze coming over from the sea. However, as soon as you decide to leave the hotel premises and go for a walk, you will regret your decision instantly.

     The sun goes down quite early in Egypt. By around 6pm it is pitch dark, which is very unusual. It makes you feel as if it is much later, which personally I didn't enjoy, as one of the reasons I love summer is the long days and late sunsets.

     If you ever feel bored of the sweet relaxation and want to try something different, you can purchase a camel ride on the beach. It costs €10 and the photos with this photogenic animal are included in price.

     Generally I really enjoyed Hurghada and was disappointed that I only went for a week. Although Egypt is a relatively expensive destination from the UK, I would definitely visit this place again but this time I would go in September, when the temperatures are still high, but you can't feel the heat as much. I believe this would allow me to go on excursions and explore the region further.

PUERTO DEL CARMEN, LANZAROTE

Wish that I could stay forever this young, not afraid to close my eyes!

     Whether you're a young adult looking for fun nights or a parent wanting a relaxing vacation away from home worries, Lanzarote is a holiday destination for you! I visited 'Lanza' in July 2013 and I loved every minute of it. It is a small Spanish island situated in the Atlantic Ocean, part of the Canary Islands. Me and my friends landed in Arrecife, the capital city, based close to Puerto del Carmen (approx. 10 min drive). This comes in quite handy if you have not sorted out the transport to your accommodation, as a taxi only costs around €10.

     Puerto del Carmen is a small, charming town in between Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. It presents a long, wide, sandy beach, a perfect place to spend all your days and get rid of all the trouble. Keep in mind that although the water in the ocean is clear and of a beautiful shade of blue, it is cold, even during the summer months.

     A long main street with multiple restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops runs through town's width. Anything you could possibly want is on that street, and there is no way you can get lost. If you're a technology addict, like myself, who cannot live without a frequent Facebook/Instagram checks, do make sure to search for restaurants with a free Wi-Fi connection, there are quite a few of them around.

     I stayed in a two star hotel, 'Plaza Palmeras'. It has a convenient location, five minutes away from the beach and the main street, right next to a supermarket but at the same time distanced enough not to hear the night-life if you are planning a quiet, restful stay. The apartment we got given was clean and spacious.

     All staff was competent and friendly, although the cleaner did not speak any English. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, pool bar and an internet café. The internet access costs €1 per 15 minutes. 'Plaza Palmeras' is available on a self catering board only. It provides regular daytime and evening entertainment, such as karaoke shows, so being bored isn't an option.

     The nightclubs are all hidden in one spot, just off the main street, which makes your life a lot easier if you do not like staying in one place all night. I strongly recommend 'Nikki Beach Club', it is literally where I lived for my two weeks stay in Lanza. Not only it is open until 6am, I also was able to find quite a few good looking bar tenders. Most of the staff is Irish or British, therefore do not fear, language barrier will not be a problem.

     Do not be fooled on your first night out. The entrance to all bars and clubs is free, all you need to worry about is the money for alcohol. Beers are normally two for €5, whereas two cocktails cost €7. Look out for happy hour at the 'Atomic Revolution' bar, giving you unlimited drinks for only €10.

     'Paradise' bar and 'Bora Bora' bar are giving away free bracelets in different colours, be sure to ask for one at the bar when purchasing drinks.

     When in Lanzarote you definitely MUST try a caramel vodka. I can ensure you it is the best tasting alcohol ever but sadly it is only produced and sold on the island, you won't be able to get it anywhere else, so seize the opportunity whilst you can.

     Do not miss out on the boat party on Wednesday! The ticket price is €45, although if you get friendly with the ticket sellers, you're bound to get a good discount. The price includes a meal and unlimited beer/wine, which I believe is a fair deal. The cruise lasts around 4 hours, be prepared for contests and swimming in the ocean break on the way. I guarantee you, it's an amazing experience worth its price.

     Word of advice. Do not trust any signs you see. I have spent over an hour searching for McDonald's which was supposedly 5 mins away. When I got there, it turned out that only the Drive Thru is open. Making engine noises pretending I was in the car I eventually got to the window just to realise the lady serving me didn't speak any English. I've got to admit however that the McChicken sandwich I got after all the unnecessary hustle was by far the best sandwich I have eaten.

     Lanzarote is a volcanic island. You can go on a daily volcano trip for €40, and explore the island from the inside. Another important advice, do not plan on going on this trip straight after a night out. It is painful. At the beginning of the trip you are faced with a quick presentation, giving you a taste of how hot the magma is.

     You then ride around narrow roads in a coach around the volcanoes. You will be able to see 'corridors' that were once full of magma. A tape full of interesting facts about Lanzarote is played in the background, followed by restful music, ideal for a little trip nap. Afterwards you can explore the volcanoes whilst on a camel, just for €6.

     Next destination is at beautiful caves, where the dream photos can be taken. The water is crystal blue and the rocks give a pleasant touch to the plenary.

     The last stop is at a very unique wine factory. I'm not a big fan of wine myself, yet the free sample of the white wine they have given me tasted like heaven. There is also an option to try red wine if you prefer it. Again, this wine is locally made and is only sold in Lanzarote, so do not forget to stock up before leaving.

     In terms of food, you have got to try the the amazing smooy frozen yoghurt. You will be able to choose between 3 different flavours of the actual yoghurt. It is served in 3 assorted sizes along with many toppings, from sour to sweet. Anybody will be able to find their taste for as little as €1.50.

     Don't forget to find the old town of Puerto del Carmen. This place reminded me of Greece, with all houses being plain white. Blue or green window frames add the island some colour. It is simply beautiful, with all the narrow streets, old tavernas and historic buildings.

     Overall, I fell in love with Lanza for all the possible reasons, and would not hesitate to go back and see all the magical places again. And remember, what happens in Lanzarote, stays in Lanzarote.