to The White Horse, Quorn, Leicestershire

Living in Leicester I am spoiled for choice in terms of the number of bars, restaurants and cafes on offer in the city centre. All of the major chains can be found in and around the Highcross, Leicester's main shopping centre but as a country girl, sometimes all you want is a country pub and some greener surroundings. Enter The White Horse, Quorn...

After a twenty minute drive from Leicester's Queens Road, my housemate and I found ourselves at the village of Quorn, nestled in the countryside between Leicester and Loughborough and packed with independent shops and restaurants. With free on site parking and street parking directly outside the pub our first impressions were off to a flying start...

We even spotted an outdoor courtyard with heated lamps and umbrellas to be used all year round!

The pub was busy and I would definitely recommend booking as we only attained a table through another party's cancellation! We settled into our table and took in the decor...

Exposed beams, vintage furniture, old books and antique-looking clocks welcomed us as we deliberated over our food orders.

As we went on a Sunday, the menu was limited to accommodate the full Sunday lunch that was on offer and yet the choice was still endless.

We opted to share the nachos- if you have read any of my other posts you will see this is becoming a theme!

They arrived on a wooden paddle absolutely smothered in cheese- my favourite! The staff were lovely and friendly, which is extremely important to me, and were more than happy to accommodate our order of no jalapenos and guacamole.

The main course was just on another level. I had been craving meat all day and when spotting 'The Caveman Platter' consisting of steak, ribs, wings and chips I couldn't resist...what I wasn't prepared for was the sheer size.

Again presented on a wooden board, the Caveman arrived complete with bones- definitely making a statement and somewhat embarrassing for me when heads started to turn! Not quite what I was expecting! The steak strips were fabulous. Cooked exactly to my liking and perfectly pink I devoured it in record time! 

 Unfortunately I couldn't manage the whole thing, leaving my wings and a few ribs and chips but an all round good effort was made! The cheese on the chips were the icing on the cake for me!

My partner in crime ordered the Chilli Dog- a footlong hotdog topped with chilli, dehydrated onion and American mustard. 

Again, unable to eat it all due to the HUGE portions, my partner in crime was raving about the meal as we rolled our food-coma bodies back to the car.

Sadly we were too full for dessert and as this feeling rarely occurs, I think this proves how tasty and filling our meals were! We agreed we had to go back and try the puddings however as they looked delicious.

Tired from all the food, we left the The White Horse and its classic pub look behind and headed home to flop on the sofa.

Do you have a favourite pub or pub food?

G x

to Budapest- exploring the Castle District (Part One)

When I was given the opportunity to visit Budapest I didn't know what to expect. The media portrays a certain view of Eastern Europe and going to Hungary had never been at the top of my travel bucket list but, having heard that the city is a new and upcoming place to be I gave it a go and wasn't disappointed...

We checked into the Mamaison Hotel Andrassy- not to be confused with the well known Malmaison hotels. This boutique hotel was positioned a twenty minute walk from the city centre and five minutes from Heroes Square- Budapest's version of the Brandenburg Gate! Upon arrival we received a free room upgrade which I now believe comes as standard when booking the hotel online- not too shabby!

The rooms were sizable, modern and most importantly SO comfortable- seriously the bed was like sleeping on clouds. You can get more information about the hotel and book online here.

That evening we headed to Heroes Square and I got my first glimpse of Budapest's beauty by night.

The next morning we headed bright and early to climb Budapest's Castle on the creatively named Castle Hill. Until visiting the city I had no idea that Buda and Pest were two parts of the city separated by the Danube and during the walk to Buda Castle the views of Pest were beautiful.

We continued upwards and soon realised that hill was home to more than just the castle...

The Budapest Parliament building sat overlooking the city like an old fashioned dolls house, complete with armed guards in the traditional Hungarian military dress.

I wasn't sure if standing next to them was exactly the done thing...but people do it to our Beefeaters right?! Either way i'm looking happy to be stood there even if he isn't!

We continued through the gates towards the huge Gothic castle. It really was like something out of Harry Potter come Dracula. Stone gargoyles, wrought iron gates and crumbling ruins lay before us like the setting of a horror movie, it was pretty impressive.

Oliver looking happy to be in such a creepy setting!

We made our way out of the ruined castle and, staying in the district, towards the old town where on every turn there was a statue or monument.

St. Matthias church also sits at the top of the hill, at over 700 years old the church was once taken over by the Turkish and turned into a mosque before being restored once again at the start of the 19th century. It lies in front of the fisherman's bastion and just like the castle is free to enter. 

To experience a part of the true Budapest the Castle district and the top of Castle Hill is definitely not to be missed. We chose to walk the steep route as we wanted to stretch our legs and take in the sights but there is a cable lift for those that don't fancy the climb- the sights are still amazing.

We began the walk down at nightfall and saw the city light up as we looked over the river towards the parliament building.

We slept well that night after all the exercise and exploring the old town and I would highly recommend paying the district a visit as it holds such a lot of Budapest's sights in such a small space.

Have you been to Budapest? Is there anywhere else I should've gone?

Keep your eyes peeled for part two of my trip to Budapest when I explored the parliament buildings, walked up ANOTHER hill and went to a dessert gallery.

G x

to Cultura- the newest bar on Queens Road, Leicester.

For a student or young professional living in Leicester, Queens Road and the Clarendon Park area is the place to be. 

A small area buzzing with independent shops, restaurants, bars and cafe's all within walking distance from each other- you could honestly have a chilled night out on one street. Popular with the locals, more and more bars and eateries are popping up on the road. When hearing that a new bar and restaurant named Cultura had opened I was keen to test the waters..and what better way to get a feel for a place than wine time with your best friends?

Situated at the top of Queens Road, Cultura combines a rustic, wooden interior with a modern and urban style exterior with outdoor seating too. Opening only a few months ago, the owners openly state that they have work to do before achieving their vision of the restaurant yet despite this business seems to be booming!

I visited on a somewhat grey day in Leicester however this space will be perfect in the Summer months for al fresco dining and drinks in the sun. We took our chances and settled outside to people watch and sip wine whilst catching up.

The house rosé was a delicious Californian Zinfandel blush named the Old Station and went down a treat- especially when priced at £14.95 a bottle!

The air turned chillier and we made our way inside. I couldn't but notice the quaint, mismatched chairs and some beautiful old wooden and iron stools. Exposed brickwork (not shown on my photo!) and plants and candles on each table were a nice touch that made what could have been a bare space far more cosy.

As we sipped our wine my attentions turned to the food being brought out to the upstairs restaurant. The smells were amazing and I couldn't help but peek at the menu- blades of beef, leg of lamb and burgers with chorizo and mozzerella were calling my name! On this occasion I had already had dinner but the sight of sweet potato chips- my weakness- twisted my arm!

One of my girlfriends ordered the homemade chunky chips and we nibbled companionably. Both portions were crunchy and crisp on the outside with soft, fluffy potato inside and, for my friend, the right level of chunkiness- very important when promised chunky chips!

Alongside the main menu there is also a bar menu of small bites to nibble on whilst having a drink that aren't currently featured on the website. You can see the menu here. It's worth noting that as the months have progressed and the restaurant has developed so too has the menu. Many of the dishes have stayed the same and if anything the menu has simply expanded so I will definitely be coming back for a meal and to update you all!

Do you have any local gems in your area? Let me know!

G x

to the Bahamas-an island in the sun.

You may have read a little bit about my trip to Miami- one of the craziest places I have ever been. Whilst Miami was amazing, I decided to spend part of my two weeks there exploring further afield and where better than the beautiful islands in the Bahamas?!

We packed our bags for a six day cruise and headed towards the port...but not before tucking into a stereotypical American breakfast.

After making our way to the port of Miami and checking into our cabin we headed to the top deck to watch the city fade away behind us. The views of Miami were stunning, the residents are truly lucky to live here.

 As we got further out to sea, the cruise got into full swing. As complete newcomers to crusing we chose to book with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) and they did not disappoint. 24 hour food was available and flavoured water all day. All alcoholic drinks were at an additional charge but we were told this is standard on cruises and it did not bother me at all! The music was playing, drinks were flowing and people were laughing- it really was a great atmosphere.

 Upon heading towards the Bahamian capital of Nassau I caught sight of something that brought back childhood memories...

 The unbelievable Atlantis Resort Nassau towered over the seafront like a pink palace. Our guide told us legends such as Michael Jackson had their own suites there and yet all I could think of was a childhood Mary Kate and Ashley film named Island in the Sun! For one day only I was an Olsen twin!

 We ran onto the deserted island beach and spent the day sunbathing and sipping on coconut cocktails before jet skiing through the waves.

All of the islands were beautiful and after visiting the shores of Antigua, Barbados and Cancun in the past I can safely say that the Bahamas beaches are by far my favourite. They are just unbelievable.

I spent each morning waking up to a delicious American breakfast...

and every afternoon basking in the Bahamian sun.

We also explored the colourful streets and indoor markets whilst working on our tans and smelling the conch fritters in the air- a Bahamian delicacy.

I could've stayed there forever but I guess returning to Miami for a few more days could have been worse...

Have you ever been to the Bahamas? Where is your favourite beach in the world?

G x

to Miami; Beachy Days and College Life!

I am SO excited to tell you all about my most recent trip. When one of my University friends jumped at the chance to spend a year studying in the States, as someone who chose not to go there was only one thing to do... Spring Break!

Another girlfriend had the exact same thought and together we decided to embark on the trip of a lifetime and have a girls holiday in Miami, Florida! The trip took planning in order to get the best value for money and as students we used STA travel to book our flights as they provide student flights as well as 'youth' rates for those 26 and under. 

We touched down at Miami International and headed straight for Miami State University to surprise our friend, the campus was honestly stunning...

We sat by the central lake waiting for our long lost pal and couldn't believe that this was actually a University. Everything from the stunning grounds and campus swimming pool to the cafes and restaurants was on another level...

We were reunited and tucked into a delicious Mexican lunch (this is only a 'small' portion!) before planning our days ahead.

As we were spending time in the College- or University to us Brits- we decided it was only right to immerse ourselves into the all-American culture. Apparently, every Saturday this involves the Fraternity houses hosting mansion pool parties at one of the 'brothers' homes. Everything from the alcohol to pizza was provided by the fraternity and we were instantly transported to a scene from American Pie!

The British accent was a novelty and very quickly we found ourselves surrounded by new friends

The day turned to night and, slightly jet lagged, we headed back for an early night in preparation for the following days road trip.

With the help of our unofficial guide we made our way down the Rickenbacker Causeway watching the houses, sea and palm trees fly past us, only stopping for lunch at Whiskey Joe's Grill overlooking the harbour.

We could see the concrete jungle of Miami's skyline as we ate and yet carried on away from the city towards the deserted beaches of Key Biscayne- one of the many Florida Keys.

 The sand was a perfect white and stretched for miles along the shore

It was absolute heaven.

After heading back towards downtown Miami we stopped on South Beach for drinks and to watch the sun set. I have never seen such huge cocktails!

The cocktails and relaxed vibe of South Beach got us in the mood to party and that evening we headed to Club LIV- a popular haunt of basketball players, rappers and for one night only...my friends and I!

Other hot spots in Miami are Coconut Grove with its wealth of bars and restaurants popular with the college scene. Little Havana, the Cuban quarter of the city and of course the countless museums and pop up art walks throughout the city...and the Dash store!

What are your favourite things to do in big cities? Did I miss anything out?

G x

to Berlin; Brandenburg Gate and City Sights (Part Two)

As you may have seen on my last post  I spent a few days over the Christmas period in Berlin exploring the Reichstag building, the Christmas markets and eating lots of lebkuchen, gluhwein and cake! Today you can join me exploring the rest of the city's landmarks and maybe get a few ideas if planning a trip of your own!

As you can see I woke up excited to start the next day of sightseeing. Berlin is such a modern city but, much like London, has huge historic landmarks and retains some of its traditional Deutsche-ness...for example these pretty, fairy tale-like signposts.  

The city is packed with quirks and I couldn't believe how modern it was. This was my first time in Germany and truly dispelled my preconceived images of a land of lederhosen!

We made our way towards the iconic Brandenburg Gate and took a more 'scenic route' passing the city's Holocaust Memorial. The memorial is a huge expanse of concrete blocks that are reminiscent of gravestones.

This streches over a large chunk of the city and visitors are encouraged to respectfully walk between the blocks of varying sizes and reflect on the holocaust and those who lost their lives.

The sheer size of the blocks can create an almost claustrophobic feeling as the deeper you walk the less obvious it is to leave the memorial. It is said that architect Peter Eisenman, who designed the structure, intended visitors who passed through it to feel just a fraction of the enclosed and panicky state the holocaust victims felt.

We continued walking over pretty, historic bridges and past bears (more on that later!) before reaching the picture perfect Pariser Platz and Brandenburg gate,

It was a scene from a Christmas card as the entire Plaza was decked out in Christmas decorations and a traditional horse drawn carriage of carolers circled the square. There was even a Menora- an obvious sign of the unity and acceptance of the Jewish people in modern Germany despite the gruesome history.

Of course we couldn't visit Berlin without taking a trip to the East Side Gallery. The 'gallery' is in the art district of the city but, most importantly to us, is the site of the remaining part of the Berlin Wall. The 1.3km stretch of the wall has 105 paintings from artists across the world on it as a memorial of freedom. Astonishingly this was only painted in 1990 which highlights how truly contemporary this unrest was as it was within most of our family's lifetime.

Even now there is a distinct difference in the architecture of the East and West parts of the city, with the buildings of the East being extremely regimented and communist looking as this was the area under Soviet control at the time.

We walked down the wall taking in the different murals before finding ourselves walking towards another Christmas market- this time at the beautiful Charlottenburg Palace. This was my favourite as, just like Potsdamer Platz, there were rows of wooden huts with treats on offer but this time with the stunning backdrop of the palace...and the sun made an appearance!

We wandered the palace grounds and market for a few hours and as the day began to draw to a close I had planned something special for our evening...

As a music lover, before embarking on our trip, I had spotted that one of my favourite bands were playing in Berlin on one of the evenings we were there. Of course I couldn't resist getting tickets!

Berlin has a huge music scene with festivals in the city centre and music venues and arenas dotted around the city. I had expected Biffy Clyro to be playing in a huge arena and so bought standing tickets to try and get a good view...

It turns out they aren't as big in Berlin and the venue was the size of a UK O2 academy- a tiny venue for a band usually playing arena tours and festivals in the UK. We enjoyed the show (i'm sure I deafened a few Germans in the process) and walked back to our hotel through the super-safe streets, only stopping to grab a hot chocolate.

This only scratches the surface of what Berlin has to offer. Unmentioned are the beer festivals, the TV tower (a huge spindle with a rotating viewing platform), the Jewish quarter and even the amazing shopping districts in the city.

Hopefully this inspires you to plan a city break...I know i'm already thinking about my next one!

G x