Sadie's Travel & Music Blog

I loved Porto so much my first visit that I went back again this June. Last time, I was a solo traveller on a budget. But this time, I was on a fully-fledged birthday trip with lots more Euros to spend. And I got to see a whole other side to the magical city. So let's get into it.   Accommodation We booked a GuestReady apartment via Airbandb. The charming studio was in the Batalha district, sat directly next to Porto Cathedral and cost £123 each for 3 nights.  Landmarks Palacio de Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) Palacio de Bolsa is one of the most interesting landmarks in Porto. Constructed in the 19th Century, the Neo-classical building was  built on the ruins of the old Sao Francisco convent and sits in Porto's city centre. The palace offers a guided tour in 4 different languages that costs 11 euros and lasts an hour. Make sure to go in advance to book your allotted time slot.  A knowledgeable tour guide talked us through the rich history of each room in the building. The Cou

    Lisbon is Portugal's vibrant, hilly capital city. It's climate, affordability and scenic streets makes it one of the most visited cities in Europe. I went to Lisbon for the first time in June, and really enjoyed my stay. Here's my review from my 2-day trip to Lisbon, and why you need to book a flight and sample it (and it's pastel de natas) for yourself. Accommodation Our gorgeous Airbandb was located in the heart of Alfama, one of Lisbon's best neighbourhoods, and sat a stone's throw away from the famous Castelo de Sao Jorge. It cost £195 each for 3 nights - which for the location and the space's interior, was totally worth it. Cultural Landmarks There's so much to see in Lisbon - and the best way to do it all on a budget is to get a 24 hour "Visit Lisboa" card for 26 euros each via the Get Your Guide app. It covers entry up to 25 different Lisbon sites and all forms of public transport. We spent 2 days in Lisbon, so a 24 hour pass was

Paris, France's capital city, is a place that needs (almost) no introduction. Whether you like Paris or not, it remains one of the top tourist (and cultural) destinations in the world. From the Bastille Takeover, to the French Revolution, to being home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso, Hemingway and Coco Chanel, to hosting the 2024 Olympics this July, Paris has certainly seen a lot. And in February, I got to see Paris for the first time myself. Here's my recap on my 2-day trip to "The City of Love". Where to Stay We stayed in the 11th Arrondissement, and I'd recommend it to any tourist. The 11th Arrondissement is a lively area with plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs, and according to locals, offers a more "Parisian" experience compared to other touristic neighbourhoods.  The area was pretty, clean and well connected to the city's most important landmarks. It's also home to the Cimetiere du Pere-Lanchais, the final resting place of Jim Morri

Chamonix is an Alpine town in France. During its balmy summers, you can hike, golf, picnic and kayak to your heart's content. But winter is when it really shines. During the colder months, Chamonix transforms into a winter wonderland that looks almost too beautiful to be real.  With its babbling rivers, scenic surroundings, cobbled streets, historic town centre and charming chalets, all of which presided over by the mighty Mont Blanc, Chamonix looks like something out of an old book. I've been fortunate enough to visit my relatives there a few times throughout my life. So without further ado, here's a wee recap of my last ski trip to Chamonix. Author's note: I'm fortunate enough to stay with my Auntie and Uncle whenever I visit Chamonix, so this blog is very much a Chamonix-on-a-budget vibe. Anyways, let's get into it. How to Get There The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva Airport in Switzerland. From there, it's either a 1 hour car journey or 1 hour 20

  One of the (few) good things about living in the U.K is it's proximity to the rest of Europe. With countless beautiful cities at your doorstep (and by doorstep, I mean a few mere plane hours away), there's plenty of places to visit for long weekend trip. The only "problem"? Where to go first.  Split? Faro? Prague? or Rome? To say we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picturesque European cities is like saying that the Sistine Chapel is beautiful. Like, duh. Anyways, I'll make the decision easier for you and tell you to go to Budapest. Especially if you're planning a trip during the holidays.  Here's my take on Budapest, what to do, and why you need to pack your thickest winter coat, woolly hat, and book a flight, like, yesterday.  Where to Stay Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is home to 1.7 million people. Really, this blog might as well be called A Tale of Two Cities. Because Budapest is 2 cities: the flat, touristic Pest and the hilly,

  Barcelona is a city in the North-West Spain, has a population of 1.6 million people and is the capital of the Catalonia region. It's famed for it's culture, rich history, picturesque beaches, delicious food and vibrant nightlife. Oh - and it's one of the greatest cities in the world. With a place as vast and multifaceted as Barca, it's hard to know how to get the most out of the special city. After all, where do you start? But after spending six months there, I have (some) idea of it's best bits. So without further ado, here's my A to Z of Barcelona. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, my comprehensive guide will give you the 4-1-1 of what to see and do in one of the best places there ever was. Let's get into it. Arc de Triomf  I'm kicking things off with one of Barcelona's most iconic landmarks - the Arc de Triomf. Built in 1888 , Barcelona's Arc de Triomf is one of the fifteen Arc de Triomfs in the world, but it's striking red brick ma