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Showing posts from 2016

Edinburgh July 2016

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On our final day we headed to Mary Kings Close on the High Street. We bought tickets the day before, I would recommend buying tickets on the day in the morning or the day before for the next day.  Tours take place every 15 minutes from 10am and prices are £14.50 for adults or £12.75 for students or 60+. The tour lasts and hour and is a tour of the underground streets, back in the 1600s there were underground markets and houses where the paupers lived. A costumed character gives you a tour with around 15 other people and tales of how life was like in those days, who lived underground and why in addition to some stories about the plague. No photos are allowed to be taken which is a real shame so you'll just have to visit to experience it.  We then headed to the Worlds End pub on the High Street. I finally had my haggis which I was excited about which was lovely. I had it in a pie and it tasted just like a better version of shepherds pie. The pub was a typically Scottish one and got v

Edinburgh July 2016

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On the second day we headed to a cute French Patisserie on Victoria St called La Barantine. We had a coffee and croissant but they also serve sandwiches, macarons, cooked breakfasts and lunches.  After some breakfast we headed to Arthur's Seat which is the main peak of a group of mountains. It's about a 15 minute walk out of the city to the mountain then about a 30-50 hike depending on how fit you are. It's a combination of steps and steep hills. It gets pretty windy the higher up you get. I'd recommend comfortable flat shoes or trainers.  There were quite a lot of people hiking so be prepared to hiking with a lot of people and tourists alike. It's quite a feat to make it to the top but worth it. If you're not into hiking do not try but if you're open minded  and up for something different give it a go.  The hike down is always much better, after that we headed over to the other side of the city for a well deserved and needed Sunday roast. We headed to The O

Edinburgh July 2016

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After living in England for over 20 years and having travelled to a few continents I thought it best to visit my back yard of Scotland and where else to start than Edinburgh. After hearing so many great things it was an easy decision to make.  We took an early flight via Ryanair and arrived in the city centre at around midday. We took a bus to the city centre for about £4 single or £6 return. We made it to our hotel Apex City of Edinburgh in the Grassmarket which I would highly recommend. Great location in the heart of Edinburgh, a very sleek and modern design with comfy beds which is what's really important. After we checked in we headed to The Boozy Cow for lunch on Frederick St. It's a better version of Meat Liquor in my opinion. The burgers are average but the highlight are the sides. I'd recommend the popcorn chicken, chicken wings & sweet potato fries. They have an extensive wine and cocktail menu also.  After lunch we headed over to the Scotch Whiskey Experience

Paris January 2016

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I decided to go to Paris for a couple of days in January. So here's a quick post on my most eventful day in Paris. I've been a few times before so I didn't want to go to all of the usual touristy places I have been before.   Me and my friend had lunch at Hotel Du Nord on Quai de Jemmapes a 10 minute walk from Gare D l'Est. It's a typical French restaurant with many locals dining and no tourists which is exactly what I wanted. There's a special set menu available in addition to the regular menu. I had ratatouille to start and lamb with pasta for my main. The service and food was sublime in addition to the restaurant's atmosphere.  We then headed over to Rue Cremieux which is accessible by metro - Gare du Lyon. This is a street much like Notting Hill whereby the houses are painted different colours which is pretty cool. Then we handed over to Le Train Bleu in the Gare du Lyon station. This restaurant has an unbelievable ceiling painted. You can go for lunch or