The Most Unique Afternoon Tea in London

Afternoon tea has become one of the best ways I get to spend time with my mom and grandmother. We’ve been to countless afternoon teas and I’ll get to each one in turn. However, I decided to start with my all-time favourite. The most unique afternoon tea I’ve had was the B-Bakery Bus Tour in London.

The classic double decker bus tour takes you all around London’s most popular tourist destinations including Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. The attendants talk you through the most interesting details about the city making it a tour like no other. The staff are charismatic, funny and know the most obscure facts about London.

Most importantly, the food is also extraordinary! We grade our afternoon teas based on the scones. This one was by far the best. Choose from a large selection of teas and coffees (or a bit of fizz if you’re so inclined). They happily cater for all dietary options and you’ll be given more than you can eat so be sure to ask for your leftovers to be boxed up for later. You even get a free keepsake. All tea and coffee is served in travel mugs which you can keep after the tour! I still use mine.

This afternoon tea is also perfect for events! You can hire out the whole bus or upper deck for hen parties, baby showers, birthdays and more. It would be a one of a kind event. You’re stepping into pricey territory but it’d be a day to remember.

B-Bakery’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour costs from £45 per person which is about €52. That sounds saucy enough but I promise you that it’ll be the best bus tour experience of seeing London you’ll get. I couldn’t recommend it more and I rate it 6/5 scones.

Book your Afternoon Tea Bus Tour here.

How I Spent… 3 Days in Malta

I’ll admit, 3 days in Malta is a bit of a rush although wholly doable. We landed on a Sunday night and flew out on a Thursday morning so we only had 3 full days to explore all that Malta has to offer. There’s definitely plenty more to do on this absolutely stunning island that I didn’t squeeze in but, if it’s a fleeting visit you have planned, this is the best way to see the entire island and its main attractions.

For a small island, Malta is very spread out and I would definitely recommend renting out a car. Still, I made it around pretty well using the Hop-On, Hop-Off buses! Normally, I would be the first person to refuse tour buses as I think finding your way around a new city is part of the adventure. However, in Malta you’d be walking for hours to get from place to place, so the buses are a fantastic connection between all the best landmarks. They cost only €20 per person and you really get to see the whole island while soaking in the sun with the wind in your hair. You can have a closer look at what Malta Sightseeing offer here.

With all that being said, here is How I Spent… 3 Days in Malta!

 

Day 1

Mdina and the Mdina Gate

While Mdina and Rabat are stops on the sightseeing tour, I felt that I wouldn’t have enough time to properly explore the silent city as part of the tour. Mdina is one of the most stunning parts of Malta. It’s as if you stepped into a Game of Thrones set as you walk among the untouched, ancient, walled city. Completely free from urbanisation, Mdina was the old capital of Malta. It has narrow winding streets and the most beautiful architecture. The views from the top of the walls of the surrounding area are breathtaking. There are plenty of tours and museums within Mdina to pass the day.

Fontanella Tea Garden

Time to stop off for a sugar rush in the prettiest tea room. They also serve ordinary food, but the deserts in Fontanella are what really take the cake (I have no shame that I just said that). Sit outside on the roof or in the shade beside the angel fountain watching the fish swim around.

Rabat

The heart of Rabat is a very short walking distance from the Mdina Gate. The main draws are the catacombs, the grotto and the churches. Food and drink are exceptionally cheap in Rabat with a glass of wine costing no more than €1.50. Another stunning area to simply wander around and maybe even a visit to Casa Bernard, a stunning family home from the 16th century that you can take a guided tour through.

St. Paul’s Cathedral and Catacombs

The Christian, Pagan and Jewish catacombs were used for more than 500 years. A visit to the catacombs includes a history of the area and access to over 20 catacombs, galleries and tombs with a chance to walk around inside. A little creepy if you visit alone like I did! A huge number of people were buried here and it’s interesting to see the differences between the different religious burials. The area is also surprisingly beautiful considering.

Bay Street Shopping Centre

We were staying in St. Julians which meant we were right near the Bay Street Shopping Centre. A lot of well known brands can be found here as well as souvenirs and bargains downstairs. Yet at the end of the day, it’s just a shopping centre. It’s right beside St. George’s Bay so if you’re lying out there in the sun it might be a nice place to get some shade for a while.

St. Julian’s and Spinola Bay for Dinner

There is unlimited choice of places to eat in St. Julian’s. From fresh seafood to Italian to steakhouses, you will absolutely find something to your taste while taking in the beautiful sea view from the bay. It is also the nightlife centre, just so you know!

 

Day 2 – South of Malta

Most of what I wanted to see in Malta was in the south of the island so this tour was quite rushed. Somehow, I still fit in everything I planned on doing and more! If I had more time, I would have spent it in Valletta and taking in the city.

Valletta

The capital city of Malta and one of the most beautiful area. Take walk along the waterfront which leads you to all the places below.

Lift to the Barrakka Gardens

For anyone who is afraid of heights, you might want to walk up the hill rather than taking the lift. It’s only €1 and saves a bit of a trek up to the gardens otherwise. Also, the view on the way up is unlike any other.

Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens & The Saluting Battery

The upper gardens are the best place to get a panoramic view of Valletta. Surrounded by flowers, statues and memorials, the gardens are probably the most peaceful part of Valletta. Overlooking the ocean, you can look down from the Saluting Battery, a row a canons.

Auberge de Castille

Following through the gardens and out the back, you are led to the Auberge de Castille where you can visit the extraordinary State Rooms and Artillery. It is the current office of the Prime Minister and even if you don’t venture inside, it’s quite a sight as you’re passing.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Museum

Malta is hugely religious so you won’t be short of churches and cathedrals to visit. Although St. John’s doesn’t look as awe-inspiring as the Mosta Rotunda on the outside, the inside is decadent showcasing the wealth of the Catholic Church. The decor of churches and cathedrals never cease to amaze me, and it’s probably the only reason I visit them.

Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

The most colourful part of Malta! With boats of all colours, shapes and sizes docked in this fishing village, you’ll have a view like no other having lunch or a few drinks in Marsaxlokk. If fish food is your heart’s desire then the markets and restaurants here are a dream. The atmosphere is relaxed and you could easily lazy hours away.

Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is a natural cave that you can take a boat trip around. The sight alone is enough to get off the bus for, but if that doesn’t convince you then the ice cream should! There is a parlour at this stop selling varieties of ice cream you’d struggle to find elsewhere, including banoffee flavoured! Another beautiful place for lunch with a view.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples

These are two fascinating pre-historical monumental temples built over 5000 years ago in which you can walk around the chambers and doorways and find sculptures and alters. The details inside as well as the mind boggling reality that these huge temples were built so long ago somehow make a walk around very worthwhile.

Day 3 – North of Malta

There was a lot less that I wanted to see on the North tour so we spent more time in each place and got on the bus a little later. It might be a good idea to revisit Valletta again on the North tour as there is just so much to see and do in the capital and it would have been nice to stroll around for a while.

Sliema

Our second bus tour was departing from Sliema so we headed down early to take the time to have a stroll around the shops. I despise wasting shopping on holidays but after I walked the feet off of my Gran I decided not to put up a fight. Sliema is yet another beautiful area which seemed to be a hub of all tours and the point where you could get boat trips and ferries. The area is also dotted with a variety of restaurants and sitting out watching the boats is bliss. There’s also a funky cat statue to find hidden in the area. The coastline is the best one for joggers if you’re so inclined.

Mosta Rotunda

I’ve seen so many churches in my life that you would think I believed in God. However, the Mosta Rotunda is unlike any other and absolutely worth a visit. The building is gigantic and, for scale in the photos, I’m 5ft 5″. This is the third largest rotunda in the world and it was built without using scaffolding over 27 years! It has a circumference of over 54 metres and is over 56 metres high. By some miracle, during WWII, a bomb was dropped on the rotunda but it never exploded. A replica of this can be seen below the building.

Golden Bay

One of the few sandy beaches of Malta and likely the most beautiful. During the day the secluded beach is full of swimmers and by the evening time people have set up BBQs. If you only visit one beach in Malta, this should be the one. Don’t forget your togs and sunscreen!

Bugibba Square and St. Paul’s Bay

A relaxing end to a hugely busy holiday. Hop off the bus at the fishing harbour St. Paul’s Bay and stroll along the seaside up to Bugibba Square. Bright and colourful boats are docked and it’s ocean as far as the eye can see. The square is full of restaurants and bars. Sit in the sun and have a cocktail. You’ve seen the best that Malta has to offer.

Processed with MOLDIV

Other landmarks and museums

• San Anton Gardens
• Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum
• War Museum & Fort St. Elmo
• The Malta Experience

How I Spent… 4 Days in Krakow

Happy New Year everyone! We all know the real new year starts in February. I like to treat January as a month to figure out how I want my year to go. You can’t just launch right in to becoming a fitness guru and wellness superstar overnight. I like to ease myself in slowly during the month of January and finally get serious in February.

This January, I scratched another country off of my map – Poland! I spent 4 days in snowy Krakow. It was such a surprise how beautiful the city was and just how much there was to do. We went over with very few actual plans but came home having done so much!

We stayed in the Old Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) in an airbnb. I would definitely recommend staying in this part of Krakow! There is endless choice in where to eat and everything worth seeing is within walking distance. No need to budget for getting around, get your 10,000 steps instead.

The activities of each day are close by one another so that you don’t waste time travelling here, there and everywhere. Make the most of your day!

Here’s how I spent… 4 days in Krakow, Poland.

Day 1

Breakfast: Alchemia Od Kuchni

Our first insight into just how cheap the food in Krakow really is compared to Ireland! A breakfast of pancakes, granola pots and freshly squeezed orange juice for two for under €14? Yes please!

The Father Bernatek Footbridge

Staying in Kazimierz, we decided to explore across the river first en route to Schindler’s Factory. We crossed over a brilliantly built bridge with gravity-defying sculptures of acrobats by Jerzy Kędziora swinging the whole way across. Since it’s on your way, it’s a sight not to be missed!

Oskar Schindler’s Factory

The factory, which is more of a general WWII museum than a factory, takes you through life before, during and after WWII. There are videoed first-hand accounts from Jewish people that Schindler saved as well as immersive displays allowing you to experience what life in Poland was like at that time. I got my tickets from viator for €11.50, but if you are off-season, there’s no need to book in advance.

Empty Chairs Memorial in the Ghetto Heroes Square

On the way back to Kazimierz, we stumbled upon a memorial. In 1941, the Podgorze district was closed off and used as a Jewish ghetto. Jewish families were crammed into this small area before being sent to concentration camps. These bronze chairs represent loss as the ghetto was cleared.

Lunch: Endzior

Pick up a Polish pizza baguette to keep you going. Delicious pizza and really friendly staff!

The Stairs from Schindler’s List

Just around the corner from Endzior you’ll find a staircase that was featured in the movie Schindler’s List (1993). It’s far from an attraction but a fun little extra that you may as well see while you’re in the area.

 

Mural Hunting

Just wandering the streets of Krakow you’ll find so many brilliant murals and wall paintings. Not something you have to deliberately go out and do, but another fun little extra.

Dinner: Plac Nowy 1

A little fancier than some of the other places we ate. The pizza was amazing and the cocktails were strong. A perfect place to sit, eat, drink and watch people go by.

Day 2

Breakfast: Mo-ja Cafe and Bistro

Breakfast is my absolute favourite meal of the day and Krakow was a heaven. Pancakes, day 2. This time with bacon and maple syrup. See, I switch things up. Get the smoothies! They’re amazing.

 

Krakow Main Square

On day 2, we headed up to the main square. There’s a lot to do around that area so we wanted to dedicate a day to it.

 

St. Mary’s Basilica

This is a gothic church with one of the most extravagant interiors I have ever seen. The church opens to tourists at 11.30am. You need to purchase tickets to go inside and there’s an additional ticket to take photos. Seems like a rip-off but the entry tickets are cheap anyway so it’s fair in the end.

Cloth Hall Market

An indoor market selling all the touristy bits your heart could desire. I picked my siblings up some stuffed Krakow dragons. If you see something you like, don’t buy it right away. A lot of the stalls sell the same products at different prices so shop around first. You’ll find some really unusual stuff there.

 

Snack: Obwarzanki

A mix between a bagel and a pretzel for only 2 zloty at most (€0.50). It’s a snack you have to try and can find at little stands all over Krakow.

 

Florianska Street, St. Florian’s Gate & Barbican Fort

From the main square, take Florianska Street towards St. Florian’s Gate. There are some great little shops along the street. The giant gate at the end of the street was part of the city fortifications against Turkish attack. Pass through the gate to Barbican Fort which is considered a masterpiece of medieval military engineering and may be holding an exhibition.

 

Snack: Hot Chocolates and Fondue at Pijalnie Czekolady E.Wedel

The nicest hot chocolate I have had in my entire life, and I don’t see it being beaten any time soon. For a chocolate lover, this place is a dream come true. Sit outside and observe the passers-by in the main square for a relaxing break.

 

Rynek Underground Museum

This wasn’t one of my favourite parts of visiting Krakow. The museum takes you through the history of medieval Poland with information recently discovered in a dig of the Main Square. Although I usually enjoy museums, this one was not my cup of tea. However, if that’s what you’re into, it’s a really informative experience.

Horse and Carriage Ride

Set the scene: the snow, the horse and carriage, blankets and snacks. I could be describing a scene from one of those cheesy Netflix Christmas films, or it could be a reality with the horse and carriage tours of the main square. They are different durations and take you to see different tourist spots. They’re a little on the saucy side, but you can definitely haggle with the drivers. A cute way to get around to all the sights.

 

Eros Bendato – The Giant Head Statue

A must-see photo opportunity, this giant bronze head is the work of Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. Cool to look at for its sheer size, if nothing else.

 

Dinner: Morskie Oko

A restaurant serving traditional Polish fool with live music and dancers! They really do love cabbage in Poland.

Drinks: Klub Wodki

Cocktails for the equivalent of €3.50 and vodka for just over €1. You’ll find every drink imaginable at this bar. Enough said.

 

Day 3

Breakfast: Cytat Café

Mixing it up on day 3 with french toast in lieu of pancakes. This cafe is the most hipster and whimsical so far with pop culture references around every corner. They even have a dog called Lila!

Auschwitz

An experience that everyone should have at some point in their life. Auschwitz was a harsh reality but historically fascinating. The tours by Discover Cracow are so efficient and absolutely the way to go. A shuttle picks you up and takes you to the concentration camps. You have a guided tour with a headset and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable. They take you through life in a concentration and death camp in vivid detail while also allowing you a chance to soak it in. It’s a harrowing experience, but one I could not recommend more. Give yourself an entire day to see Auschwitz. Bring a packed lunch and get your tickets here.

 

Dinner: Starka

Huge portions of great food! The value for money never ceases to amaze us.

Day 4

Breakfast: Frania Cafe

A cafe where you can do your laundry and eat great food! I loved the colour and atmosphere in this cafe. This time round it was smoothies and croissants for breakfast.

Wawel Castle and Cathedral

Home to past Kings, Wawel Castle is beautifully built and colourful. Walk the grounds for free and pick up tickets for tours of inside the state rooms and private quarters. The cathedral on the grounds is free to enter and is, once again, an extravagant building. Make sure you visit the crypt where some famous poles lie.

 

Dragon Statue

This statue is dedicated to the mythical Wawel dragon. Legend has it, during the reign of King Krakus, the dragon terrified local villagers by destroying their houses and eating their daughters. King Krakus promised his daughter’s hand to any man who could defeat the dragon. A cobbler named Skuba stuffs a lamb with sulphur and leaves the lamb near the dragon cave to be eaten. The dragon’s thirst grows unbearable and he drinks so much water from the river that he explodes.

Krakow Sign

Another great photo-op! I don’t know if this is a seasonal sign but you’ll be able to see it from the dragon.

 

The Old Synagogue

Our last visit was to the old synagogue in Kazimierz. It is the oldest remaining synagogue in Poland and was one of the most important before WWII. You can learn a lot about the Jewish religion and traditions. If you book your Schindler’s Factory tickets with viator, you get your ticket to here for free!

Dinner: Plac Nowy 1

This time we sat on the terrace under the vines and stars for a final dinner together. With such a huge menu, you can definitely visit twice. The curry and the burger are outstanding! Treat yourself to some wine too.

Top Tips

• Tip your servers: About 10-13% is fine.
• Divide by four: €1 = 4.29 zloty
• Beware the Zebra: Polish people seem to take zebra crossings as more of a suggestions. Don’t assume they’re going to stop.
• Bring layers: Krakow is freezing in winter with a lot of snow so bring plenty of layers.
• Wander: You’ll find some of the most unusual places by just getting lost.
• Visit vintage stores: There are some absolute hidden gems in those places.