Archive for the weekend city break category
This week, Iain Haywood of Ooh Blog takes us to Sarajevo for a cheap city break in the unspoiled Bosnian capital…
Sarajevo is the city that constantly surprises. From the shocking tales of the 1990s conflict and the city’s 3-year siege, many expect to see a city still licking its wounds. But this couldn’t be further from the truth, although there are plenty of scars. Sarajevo is a sublimely beautiful and cultured capital; a jewel in the Balkans that is yet to be affected by mass tourism.
Day One
Bašcaršija: The first place to head to (as many do) is Bašcaršija (pr: Barsh-CHAR -shee-ya) – the Old Town. This is the area that looks most prominently to the East and its Ottoman past, with minarets, fountains and traditional architecture. Complete with bustling bazaar, one can meander around the quaint alleys, shop for traditional eastern goods and visit a few interesting sights. According to legend, he who drinks from the Bašcaršija Fountain will return to the city…. So if you’re not so keen, I’d recommend a traditional Turkish coffee from one of the local cafes instead!
Sarajevo’s main mosque is the Ghazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque, usually known as the Beg’s (Bey’s) Mosque. The inscription also notes the date of its construction – 938, which in universal terms translates to 1530/31 CE. Husrev-beg is widely considered Sarajevo’s greatest patron, having financed the construction of much of the old city.
Traditional Lunch: Step back in time in one of the atrium restaurants and enjoy some “mantı” – a sort of Bosnian ravioli.
Vjeèna Vatra, the Eternal flame: This monument on the main street is dedicated to the liberators of Sarajevo in the Second World War, and burns constantly – although this example of Serb and Bosnian co-operation to liberate the capital may feel bitterly ironic to those remembering the events only a decade ago.
Watch a Movie: It might sound like a strange thing to suggest I know, but Bosnia has an extremely active film industry, and holds a huge international film festival annually that’s one of the biggest in Europe (it even started during the siege). If you’re in the city between 12th and 20th August, you could run into the likes of Kevin Spacey…
Go Clubbing: Sarajevo has a reputation as a great destination for nightlife. While away the early evening smoking Shisha in the local cafes, and then hit one of the local clubs.
Stay Central: For a great place to crash on a budget, HCC Sarajevo has an excellent downtown location, great reviews and beds from €11 a night.
Day Two
Take a Tour: If you’re feeling at least semi-respectable after last night, you must take a proper guided tour of the city! Often conducted by guys who were kids or teens during the siege, they’re typically peppered with amazing insight and bittersweet humour about their experiences.
Visit the Tunnel Museum: This tunnel was built secretly under the airport runway by the besieged Bosnians to bring food, supplies and reinforcements into the surrounded city. As UN troops had blocked off the airport, and the only way to get there in the first place was via the infamous “sniper alley”, the Bosnians would have fared much worse had it not been for this miracle piece of engineering. You’ll need a car or taxi to visit, but it’s well worth it.
Snack on Your Feet: A wide variety of local meat dishes are avaialble at street stalls. Recommended are Burek (meat pie) or Cepavi (rolled meat in pita). Whilst there are vegetarian dishes available, it seems the Balkan countries do love their meat…
See Where Archduke Ferdinand was Assassinated: Perhaps the most historically significant spot in the city, there’s a memorial and museum marking where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Chotek, were shot dead on 28 June 1914 by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip – a momentous event which sparked WWI.
Sarajevska Pivara: Finish your two days with a touch of class with dinner and a few drinks in the Sarajevo Brewery. Opened in 1864, it operated through the period of Ottoman Empire, the period of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and even the war. It’s a fantastic place to dine out and try some of the finest beers in the region.
Iain Haywood is a member of the team over at www.ooh.com, launching September 1st. They currently run a blog on the most interesting and unique things to do around the world at Ooh blog.
Next on the trail of the perfect budget weekend break, Ryan Bennett shares his top tips for exploring his former home of Prague…
The Czech Koruna is already one of the strongest growing currencies in the world and they’re on course to switch to the Euro soon, which will make Prague even more expensive… So before the face of this fantastic city changes completely under a sea of tourism, head to this kitsch, compact city now and enjoy a ‘Central European’ gem.
Day One
Stay in the area of Zizkov… Prague center is small and this area is on the city fringe. Clown and Bard Hostel is highly recommended here, and great value. The main draw of this part of the city, however, is that there are more bars per square meter here than in Dublin! It’s also home to the Prague TV Tower, a modern take on Cubist design with a permanent installation of huge black sculpted babies climbing the tower – so kitsch, so Czech…!
From here, head to the squares… First there’s Wenceslav, which has seen many revolutions, celebrations and riots, and then the Old Town Square where you will find an amazing set of church spires and the Astronomical Clock. To the back of this lies the historical Jewish Quarter.
Meandering across cobblestoned alleys, you’ll come to find Prague’s main draw, the Charles Bridge. This is a highly picturesque setting with Prague Castle and St.Vitus Cathedral gracing the skyline. Crossing the bridge, head left until you come to the Funicular Railway which will take you to the top of Petrin Hill. Climb Petrin Tower or simply wander and enjoy the atmosphere.
After dark... Stay local in Zizkov and check out bars Akropolis and Blind Eye where you’ll find a crowd of expats up for a good party. If mainstream is more your thing, you can head back to Wenselav Square and where it intersects you’ll find Duplex and Lucerna, which feature live DJs most nights of the week. Gay? Head to Termix or Valentyno for some serious fun…
Day Two
Breakfast… After your big night out, head to the beautifully restored Imperial Hotel Café for a strong coffee and the deluxe surrounds. Next, jump on a tram to Prague Market and enjoy a hangover breakfast of the biggest, freshest and best Bramborak (potato cake) you will find in the city, washed down with a pivo (beer)!
Great views for lunch... After satisfying your hunger, head up to Letna Park to enjoy sweeping views across Prague. The Giant Metronome sits here and the bottom of the Castle Gardens. Beyond lie Prague Castle, ancient ‘Golden Lane’ and the striking St.Vitus Cathedral.
Walk down from these iconic sights through the Medieval Mala Strana and enjoy a traditional Goulash from one of many restaurants. In the afternoon, stumble down to Charles Bridge and its art vendors and entertainers again; relax, soak up the atmosphere and be charmed!
Cultural evenings.. Later, enjoy some of Prague’s wonderful culture – there are many shows on in the city, ranging from Black Light Theatre to Marionette performances of ‘Don Giovanni’! Alternatively, simply enjoy more of Prague’s drinking culture highlights and find a bar for some pickled hermelin (camembert)m washed down with absinthe! And you should be ready for another big night out…
Thanks to Ryan for sharing the lowdown on his old Prague haunts! Have you got advice on how to spend a cheap weekend in your favourite city? Get in touch…
Our guest blogger Nikolas Tjhin is back for another inspiring city break in Asia, this time for a weekend in Singapore…
Most travelers only stop by Singapore, famous for its five-star airports and a lack of chewing gum. But it would be a shame to just pass by Singapore on a tour of South East Asia. This city, country and island is a wonderful mishmash of Asian cultures, evident in its unique slang of English, locally referred to as ‘Singlish’.
Day One
The Beach Beckons at Sentosa: Start your trip with a day out at the beach on Singapore’s little holiday resort, Sentosa Island. Make your way towards Harbourfront MRT Station, where you can take the tram towards the island from inside Vivocity (a recent addition to the host of shopping malls gracing Singapore). At Sentosa, you can enjoy a host of beach-side activities and visit the Merlion, a giant statue of Singapore’s icon, a mythical creature that’s half-lion, half-fish.
Afternoon Breeze at the Esplanade: After a day out in the sun head back inside Vivocity for a quick browse of the shops, and walk in the afternoon breeze towards the Singapore River. Check out the antique Cavenagh Bridge and the newly constructed Singapore Flyer as you make your way towards the Esplanade. If the weather permits, enjoy a walk riverside, where you’ll get grand views of the scenic Singapore skyline.
Dinner at Chinatown: Come night-time, make your way towards Chinatown, using the convenient MRT transport system. Outside you’ll see a host of street-side vendors and stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs. Shop if you must, but don’t take long – dinner awaits! ‘Chinatown Food Street’ is a section of road reserved especially for foodies. Try out the flavorful Char kway teow (fried rice noodles with chili, prawns, cockles and vegetables), or the popular Satay (grilled meat on a skewer served with peanut sauce).
Nightlife at Clarke Quay: Head towards nearby Clarke Quay, Singapore’s entertainment hotspot. For those looking for a bit of nightlife, there are various bars, pubs and clubs catering to all kinds of tastes. Those looking for a quiet evening stroll can wander by the Singapore River, and stop for a dessert break at one of the many cafés by the water.
Sleep stylishly: Singapore has a reputation as one of the priciest countries in South-East Asia, but Singapore hostels are plentiful, and like the rest of the city, cool, clean and well-run. The Hangout at Mount Emily is a modern, laid-back hostel, overlooking the scenic Mount Emily Park. The rooms are hip and high-tech and the facilities are second-to-none, with a bar and restaurant, lounge and ‘Cyber Corner’ for checking your emails.
Day Two
Local Breakfast: Join the locals and have breakfast at one of the many Kopitiams (coffee-shops) around town. They are more like food courts than coffee shops, with various stalls offering a variety of food. The standard Singaporean breakfast is toast with Kaya (egg & coconut jam), half-boiled eggs and coffee (usually mixed with sweet, sugary milk).
Bugis Street & Haji Lane: Start your day exploring the Bugis area before it gets too crowded. Bugis Junction is a comfy air-conditioned shopping mall, whilst the Bugis Street Market is a large outdoor market with throngs of stalls offering all kinds of cheap products. For trendier items, head down to nearby Haji Lane where you’ll find an array of colonial shop-houses offering eclectic local and international fashion.
East Coast Park: In the afternoon, head towards East Coast Park and cycle, roller-blade, skate or jog through. Towards the end of the Marina you can try out wake-boarding in a man-made lake constructed especially for wannabe boarders.
Dinner in Katong: Head towards nearby Katong for dinner, where you can find a selection of Singapore’s specialities. Try out the Katong Laksa, a spicy noodle soup served with succulent ham, or the famed Bak Kut Teh, a serving of meaty pork ribs in a broth of herbs and spices. These run out quickly, but fret not, there are plenty of other delicacies on offer.
A Wild Evening: Finally head towards the zoo to enjoy the Night Safari, often touted as the world’s first. The Safari is built especially for evening visits, with over 40 hectares of tropical jungle playing host to over 1,000 nocturnal animals and 100 different species.
Images: Thanks to our friends on Flickr Augapfel, avlxzy, tomquah, tuis, 1969bc, LondonBrad, jambo13, and Sherwin Huang.
Nikolas Tjhin is the editor of UnearthingAsia, a travel blog-zine focusing on culture, lifestyle and attractions all around Asia. When not Twittering away, he reads, writes and dreams about travel!
LJS- Planning a trip to South East Asia? Check out our guide to cheap flights and more!
After a scholarly cheap weekend in Oxford, we thought it was only fair to pay a trip to Cambridge, England’s other great academic city. They may be bitter rivals in the boat race, but they share the work hard, play hard mentality, and there’s plenty of extra-curricular activities to be found amongst Cambridge’s cobbled streets…
Day One
Fuel Up: Cambridge is a very compact city, but the train station is a little out of the way. If you’ve arrived by train, walk to the centre of town towards the coach and bus station. If you came by bus, simply hop off and head straight to Sevinos, an Italian cafe just down the road from Emmanuel College.
One of the most studious colleges, ‘Emma’ students have been known to queue around the block for the freshly baked, warm chocolate croissants during exam term. Get an espresso and croissant to go, and wander around the college if it’s open to visitors. Founded in 1584, the college chapel was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and the grounds are extensive, with a huge parkland and a duck pond.
A Morning in College: Whilst Oxford’s colleges are quite spread out and similar in style, Cambridge’s most famous colleges are a jumble of diverse architecture, and form a line through the city centre, which makes a tour quick and relatively painless!
Start off at Queens, Stephen Fry’s alma mater. The college straddles the river Cam and is divided by a bridge, with unsightly modern blocks on one side, and the charming tudor Old Court on the other, erected in 1448. Head onto Trumpington Street and King’s Parade, for the main drag of colleges. Kings College dominates King’s Parade with its vast chapel and neo-gothic gatehouse. Founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, the BBC film a carol service at Kings every year, with the chapel lit up by an eerie blue light display. King’s students have a reputation for being the most politically minded and ‘edgy’ in the city, and you might spot a few posing by the college common room.
The neighboring Senate House is the grand setting for each college’s graduation ceremonies , and student’s exam results are posted outside the main door. Clare College (1326) is next door to Kings, and is renowned for its glorious gardens, which spread out onto the grassy ‘Backs’. Next up is Gonville and Cauis, (1348), which boasts 12 Nobel Prize Winners to its name, including the inventor of Penicillin and the discoverer of DNA. Cauis may have brains, but its also has beauty – with dark Gothic buildings to the ‘Gate of Honour’, which leads to Senate House and is only used for special occasions. Save some energy for two of the most well-known colleges – Trinity and St Johns. Both colleges host legendary summer balls – described as two of the ‘best parties in the world’ by Time magazine, and each try to outdo one another in throwing the wildest bash. Trinity was founded by King Henry VIII, and is the largest and wealthiest richest college in the University. The grounds are extensive – top sights include the Great Court with its fountains, and the Wren Library, which contains some of Shakespeare’s Folios. The Library cloisters look out onto the river and the Backs. St Johns (1511) is equally grand, and probably the most impressive to a first time visitor. The college has several pretty Tudor courts, countless gothic towers, and the Neo-Gothic ‘Bridge of Sighs’, one of the most photographed buildings in Cambridge. Walk out to St John’s Backs, and join the students lolling about on the lawns.
Lunch in a Quirky Cafe: By now you’ll be starving, but Cambridge is full of quirky independent cafes, perfect for a cheap lunch. Hidden down a passageway opposite King’s, Indigo is a funky but tiny cafe, with about 3 tables and some old sofas crammed up rickety wooden stairs. If you can find a seat, nestle down next to hungry students and tuck into the delicious bagels for lunch. If you need more leg-room, check out Auntie’s Tea Shop in Market Square, a kitsch old-fashioned tea room complete with doily tablecloths and waitresses in frilly aprons. The homemade quiches, ploughman’s lunch or fruit scones are always good. Cake with a Cat: Head Back to Mill Road, where you can take your pick of international cuisine, from Turkish Cafes with Shisha Pipes to Korean Noodle Bars. Walk over the bridge to the ‘wrong’ end of Mill Road, a formerly run down area that is slowly being revamped. Lunch at the Black Cat Cafe (2, The Broadway, CB1)an excellent independent cafe with its own blend of coffee ground freshly on the premises. Everything, from the smoothies to the ketchup is made from scratch, and paninis are made from huge hunks of bread. The cakes change daily and are the best in Cambridge – the squished croissant cake and dark peppermint fudge cake will leave you speechless!
An Educational Afternoon: If you can stomach any more learning, walk down Trumpington Street to the Fiztwilliam Museum, a vast world-class selection of art and antiquities that’s completely free. The grand neo-classical building itself is worth a look. Just down the road is Peterhouse (1284), the smallest and oldest college in the university.
An Evening of Evensong: If you get the chance, catch Evensong at King’s Chapel, which takes place at 5:30pm every day (3:30pm on Sundays). It’s a chance to see the world-famous College Choir perform in a most atmopsheric and setting – queues can form early as it’s a free and truly haunting experience.
Clown Around for a Cheap Dinner: Not a good plan if you’re Coulrophobic (afraid of clowns), this Italian Deli has been a student staple for years. The cosy cafe is covered from wall to wall with pictures of Clowns, many drawn by children from a local school. It sounds odd, but Clowns (54 King Street, CB1 1LN) has bags of character and the food is superb value. Run by a friendly family of Italians who will call you ‘darling’ and sit with punters when tucking into their own dinner, the food is all home-cooked classic Italian Fare in huge portions- from Spinach Lasagne to to-die-for Tiramisu. Main meals start at about £2.50. The Amaretto Hot Chocolate and Vegetarian Pasta come highly recommended!
Let your Hair Down: Apart from student nights, Cambridge is a small city with only a handful couple of clubs, and weekend nights out in local haunts Ballare and Vodka Revolution should be avoided. But there are still a few cool places to let your hair down.
The city has heaps of small venues that put on some good nights – there’s dive club Kambar for live music, but Fez and the glossier Soul Tree are your best bets for dance music. Fez is small and gets a little sweaty, but draws the coolest DJs. Start off your evening in one of the lively bars in the city center.
Ta Bouche does great value cocktails and lots of 2 for 1 deals, and is right next door to Fez so you can keep your eye on the club queue. For post-club munchies, head to local institution ‘Gardies’, a greek chip shop down Rose Crescent for chips in pitta or top-class kebabs . Avoid the two vans in Market Square – called the ‘Van of Life’ and ‘Van of Death’ by students, it’s not worth trying to guess which is which!
Bed Down: Most of Cambridge’s hostels and hotels are out by the station, but the YHA Cambridge is just off Mill Road, one of the coolest and most interesting streets in Cambridge and only a short walk from town. This old Victorian house is fully modern inside, with a huge lounge, comfortable beds and its own bar, perfect for a cheap pint before you head out on the town.
Day Two
Rise and Shop: After an educational first day, it’s time for a more leisurely introduction to Cambridge. The YHA has a free breakfast, which will leave you with more money for a shopping spree! There are plenty of shops in the city center, and Market Square has lots of stalls selling the usual tourist tat. For truly original shopping, spend a morning exploring the Second-Hand shops and ethnic food stores along Mill Road, an artistic and multi-cultural area that feels a world away from the quaint city center. Walk along to Burleigh Street for an endless road of Charity Shops, and ignore the souless Grafton Shopping Center.
Punt to Grantchester: Punting is just as popular in Cambridge as in Oxford, but the River Cam’s route is arguably prettier, as the river runs past the backs of the most famous colleges. Whilst it’s great fun to punt past Kings and sail under the Bridge of sighs, rent a punt from Scudamores on Mill Lane, and you can punt through the Cambridge countryside to Grantchester. This pretty village has long been an escape for stressed out students, and is filled with cosy pubs and huge houses.
On the way, grab a picnic – a bottle of Cava from Sainsbury’s and a couple of Chelsea Buns from Fitzbillies, Cambridge’s most famous patisserie- the buns and cakes are famous for fuelling the boat team to victory. When you reach Grantchester, take afternoon tea in the Orchard Tea Garden, with deckchairs set in a fruit orchard, or head to The Rupert Brooke pub (named after the famous poet) for a pint before punting home.
An Evening by the River: The ‘Quayside Area’ by Magdelene College is full of lovely restaurants for dinner by the river – try Teri Aki for fresh Japenese food. If you fancy something cheaper, head up the hill to The Castle Pub, where a meaty homemade ‘Castle Burger’ topped with blue cheese and pineapple with set you back about £4. Spend the rest of your night in a historic pubs, the watering holes for professors and pupils alike for centuries. Top pubs include The Pickeral (dark and cosy) The Eagle (where Crick and Watson toasted the discovery of DNA) and The Maypole (which stays open late).
Our very LS has penned this week’s weekend city break guide – she was a student at Cambridge for three years, and spent most of her time ‘researching’ fun things to do and avoiding the library…
As British summertime beckons, what better way to spend a sunny weekend than visiting one of England’s great university towns?
The home of England’s oldest university, Oxford’s dreamy spires have been the setting of Brideshead Revisited, Hogwarts in Harry Potter, and the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. But there’s more to a weekend in Oxford than books and stuffy colleges, and plenty of fun to be had on a budget, despite its studious reputation…
Day One
Check Out a Castle: After rolling into Oxford Station (it’s a quick train from London Paddington, or the ‘Oxford Tube’ Coach Service), walk up the hill to ‘Oxford Castle Unlocked’, a museum and exhibition at the city’s historic fortress. Ignore the costumed character guides talking in ye olde English, and walk to the top of the Saxon Tower for 360° views over Oxford, before descending into the chilling 900 year-old crypt.
Oxford Castle was a prison until 1996, and you can visit the 18th century ‘debtors wing’ and read stories of criminals, betrayal and grisly punishments. Forget Oxford’s goody-goody reputation - this museum shows the city’s wicked side…
Cover Up in the Market: Although the colleges are spread out all over the city, Oxford’s center is pretty compact, and it’s easy to walk everywhere. Wander along the high street and head to the Covered Market, a historic arcade built in 1774, that’s still filled with traditional shops, from fishmongers to funky cafes and cobblers to artisan delis. Stock up on picnic goods at the Oxford Cheese Company, Ben’s Cookies, Nash’s Bakery, and the Oxford Sandwich Co.
Picnic in the Meadow: Walk back from the High Street and head to Christ Church Meadow for a picnic by the river. The lush and extensive grounds by Christ Church College are private but open during the day. They feel like a country village, bordered by part of the River Thames (known as the ‘Isis’ in Oxford) and the Cherwell. Munch on your goodies whilst watching college boat teams practise in the water.
Tour the Colleges: After a lazy lunch by the river, it’s time to hit the colleges, the reason Oxford draws tourists in their hoards. Unless you’re visiting with a student, many of the colleges charge entry, or won’t allow visitors in at certain times. There are 38 colleges spread over the city, and it would be tiring and time-consuming to visit them all, so pick a couple of the most impressive and visitor-friendly in the city center.
Start at Christ Church - one of the largest and most aristocratic of the colleges and the setting for Alice in Wonderland, Brideshead Revisited, and parts of Harry Potter and The Golden Compass were filmed. The college was founded in 1546, and has a famous Cathedral.
Head across town to Trinity College, a smaller college founded in 1555, that is worth visiting for its beautiful gardens and grounds with four major ‘quadrangles’ or ‘Quods’- the name given to the immaculate squares of lawn in each college.
Next door is Balliol, one of the most famous colleges, founded in 1263 and boasting three former prime ministers amongst its alumni. If you’ve got any energy left, finish with University College, founded in 1249, and the student stomping ground for CS Lewis, Bill Clinton and Stephen Hawking.
Head to the Library: Don’t worry, we don’t mean settle down and study – Oxford’s University Library, the Bodleian, is one of the oldest in Europe, and second in size only to the British Library. Feel like you’ve slogged away for your finals without picking up a book as you wander through this glorious building, stuffed with 8 million tomes. The Library runs guided tours, and the building is so impressive it’s well worth checking out.
An Upscale Dinner: By now you’ll be exhausted, so take an earlyish dinner at the Quod Brasserie, one of Oxford’s best restaurants on the bustling High Street. The menu is pretty pricey in the evening, but they run an excellent ‘Lunch’ menu until 7pm, where you can get two courses for £10. Tuck into scrumptious dishes such as Toasted Sourdough with Chicken Liver Pate, Steak frites with Bearnaise sauce, and Apricot Bread and Butter Pudding.
Pub Crawl: Even going out in Oxford feels like a history lesson. Apart from student nights, Oxford’s nightlife is centred around its historic pubs and watering holes. Start off at the Turf Tavern (Ed: where Bill Clinton famously ‘did not inhale’ a joint), and then head on to Bear Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, founded in 1242. This offers everything you would expect from an old Oxford Pub – creaky floors, low ceilings, tipsy dons, boisterous students, and a collection of ‘cut-off ties’ on the wall. In winter, enjoy mulled wine from the tap, and in summer toast marshmallows outside.
The King’s Arms is the only pub in the center of town to stay open past 11, so makes a fitting end to the evening. Owned by Wadham College, local myth has it that the KA has the highest IQ per square foot of any pub or bar in the world, and it was said that some dons held tutorials in the back bar up until the 1960s…
Bed down in a hostel: You could pay around £50 to live the student dream and kip in an Oxford College for a night, with canteen breakfast included. But a far cheaper (and more pleasant option) during term time is to crash at the Central Backpackers Oxford. Most hostels are out by the train station, but this hostel is right in the city center, for easy stumbling home. Forget grotty student dorms; the hostel has a rooftop terrace with BBQ for the summer months, and free tennis rackets to use on the courts nearby.
Day Two
Enjoy a Free Breakfast: The Central Backpackers has a free Continental Breakfast, but if you’re after some stodgy British Fare, stock up for a day of sightseeing at The Big Bang, an ethical sausage and mash restaurant serving locally sourced sausages sold at the Butchers in the Covered Market. This being Oxford, this is much fancier than your average greasy spoon, with art and jazz evenings, and unusual sausage specials that change daily, like Curried Thai and Stilton and Walnut.
Lunch in the week is only £5, but breakfast here is a real treat – the ‘Big Banger’ at £6.95 is a hefty plate of fried eggs, two Cumberland sausages, a rasher of bacon, an oven grilled tomato, beans, sautee mushrooms, toast and hash brown with a glass of juice and a tea or coffee.
A Morning of Museums: Oxford has some really interesting and offbeat museums. The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is the world’s first University Museum, built in 1678. The Museum is being refurbished until November 2009, but you can marvel at the impressive exterior of the building, and see highlights of the collection, including drawings by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, Guy Fawkes’s Lantern, and the death mask of Oliver Cromwell.
Next up is the Pitt River’s Museum, the university’s archaeological and anthropological collections, with 500,000 items donated by travelers, scholars and missionaries. The museum is rammed with fascinating oddities and academic relics, from shrunken heads to Totem poles.
A Camp Cream Tea: If you’re in need of refreshment after all that culture, walk to the high street for The Grand Cafe, the site of the first coffee house in England (according to Samuel Pepy’s Diary, 1650). Today this opulent tearoom is a highly camp affair, compete with marble pillars and art deco interiors. Chelsea Clinton’s favourite treat, this spot is popular with students for its half price cocktails at night.
Indulge in the Cream tea for £7.50, or go the whole hog with The Grand High Tea £16.50 - a feast of smoked salmon with cream cheese and free-range egg mayonnaise sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, handmade chocolate truffles, a glass of champagne and tea or coffee…
For cheaper eats, across the street is a great little place called Queen’s Lane Cafe – the hot chocolate brownie comes highly recommended!
Majestic Magdalene: Save one of Oxford’s prettiest colleges till last. Magdalene College has eight Nobel prize-winners to its name, but is known for its sheer beauty, with the iconic Magdelen Tower and a Deer Park in its grounds.
After wandering around in awe, go to Magdalene Bridge for a punt on the River Cherwell. ‘Punts’ are the small canoe-like boats you’ll see students and tourists alike steering up and down the river, and whilst you can be steered around, it’s much more fun to try your hand at ‘punting’ yourself. Punting boats take up to 5 people and cost £14 per hour. Set off from the boathouse and glide past the famous Botanic Gardens, and St Hilda’s College Gardens before joining the River Thames.
In Search of Cool on the Cowley Road: For one final blow to Oxford’s stuffy image, finish the day on the Cowley Road, a cosmopolitan street of ethnic restaurants, independent shops and Mediterranean cafes. Cafe Coco is a hip bohemian hangout, with a retro bar, offbeat art on the walls and a naked clown sat in a bath!
Come for the pizzas, with unusual toppings such as merguez and tzatziki, English breakfast and prawn saganaki, and stay for the cocktails – only £3.85 every night, from 9pm until close.
LS – Backpacking in England? Check out our 48 hour weekend city guide to London for more helpful budget travel tips…
For our next 48 hour city guide, our guest blogger Nikolas Tjhin goes far east to hectic Hong Kong, an island city combining colonial charm with ultra modern skyscrapers and a traditional taste of the Orient…
Day One
Visitors to the island of Hong Kong always agree that this place is hectic! People are always rushing off somewhere, all while grabbing a snack, talking on the phone or catching up on the latest news and gossip. But even in the hustle and bustle of this metropolitan city, one can still enjoy a relaxing trip to Hong Kong on a backpacker’s budget, and there are plenty of Hong Kong hostels to crash in after a tiring day on the city streets.
City Tour on the Tram: For a cheap city tour, minus the guide, board the double-decker city trams on the North Coast of Hong Kong island. This Hong Kong icon takes you through various places of interests such as the Western Market, Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and finally ends at Shau Kei Wan, all for a mere HK$2 (US$0.20)!
Lunch at SOHO East: At the end of the tram line is the MTR station Sai Wan Ho. Walk along the tourist trail through to SOHO East, an area overlooking the coast with a wide variety of restaurants and cafes. This is a great place to enjoy a relaxing lunch accompanied by a gentle sea breeze and the peaceful sound of crashing waves.
Catch a Ferry and see the Symphony of Lights: After exploring Sai Wan Ho, go back to the Star Ferry terminal and hop on the ferry towards Kowloon (HK$0.50) at around 7:45-ish. This way you’ll get to enjoy the daily laser light show from the best possible seat, on the ferry at sea! The free show, the Symphony of Lights, is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. The ferry drops you off near the Avenue of Stars, so take a leisurely stroll along Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Dinner at Mongkok: Mongkok at night is always crowded with people, but if you know where to go you’ll be able to keep yourself from being crushed by the throng of bargain-hungry shoppers. Parts of the street in the area is closed at night, and turned into street-side make-shift restaurants serving various local delicacies. Hong Kong has hundreds of unique local dishes to choose from, but try the drunken clams, hot-pot rice and oyster eggs!
Nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong: Finally, if you still have the energy, hail a cab and head towards Lan Kwai Fong, a hip hangout spot for both locals and tourists. You’ll find various pubs, cafes, bars and nightclubs in the area, playing anything from live music, hip hop and R&B to techno and trance.
Sleep Well: When you’re all partied out, head to Nathan Road’s Golden Mile – not to hit the stores and shops, but to bed down in the Lucky Hotel. Situated in Chung King Mansion, this hostel is slap bang in the center of Hong Kong, close to Victoria Harbor and the Star Ferry Terminal, and the beds are said to be the chicest and comfiest in the city…
Day Two
Street Side Breakfast: Breakfast is my favorite part of the day, and Hong Kong’s version is undeniably sweet. A serving of egg-tarts with an order of teh-peng (tea with sweetened milk over ice) is a great way to start the day. Add to that an order of hot and sour soup to go – sea cucumber, roasted duck, and pig’s blood all mixed in a flavorful broth.
Explore Lantau Island: For a fresh perspective of Hong Kong, head towards Lantau Island for a day of hiking and exploration in this island getaway. Start with a 30-minutes cable car ride towards the cultural village at Ngong Ping, before heading towards the Giant Buddha Statue by the Po Lin Monastery. For the more fit and adventurous, there are also various nature and hiking trails that lead you to mesmerizing scenic views of Hong Kong Island!
A Sweet Pick-Me Up: After a day of hiking and trekking, head back to the comfort of Hong Kong Island to enjoy the sweet and tasty treats at one of the many desserts stalls around Hong Kong (the famed franchise Hui Lao Shan is extremely popular with the locals). Try the Mango Sago with Pomelo for a quick pick-me up, and perhaps grab an extra order to go!
Stanley Town: End you day at Stanley Town in South Hong Kong Island, and while away the evening in the fine restaurants. Near the area there is also Stanley Market, a large open-air market that is similar to Mong Kok, but nowhere near as crowded. It’s a great place to find that last-minute souvenir for friends and relatives.
There’s loads more things to do in Hong Kong, of course, but I think you’d need an extra week to fit all the sights in…
Nikolas Tjhin is the editor of UnearthingAsia, a travel blog-zine focusing on culture, lifestyle and attractions all around Asia. When not Twittering away, he reads, writes and dreams about travel!
Next up on our whistlestop 48 hour city tours, guest blogger Anil Polat takes us around the towering mosques and bustling markets of Istanbul…
Day One
Find a bed…There are heaps of hostels in Istanbul, but to sleep somewhere a little more interesting, try the Chambers of the Boheme, a restored historic building in the lively Taksim quarter, the heart of the city’s nightlife. The rooms live up to the extravagant theme, with decadent furnishing and antique mirrors in the rooms, and a Cafe Boheme in the basement for espressos and smoking Shisha after hours.
Take A Ferry Across The Bosphorus…The locals use the multitude of ferries crossing from the European and Asian sides of Istanbul to get to work and visit friends during their daily lives but it’s an essential for any traveler to Istanbul. The ferries offer a great view and introduction to the city, including the Süleymaniye Mosque (Sultanahmet) to Topkapı Palace. The entire trip will take about 15 minutes.
Catch some culture…Make a beeline for Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya). A church constructed around the year 550 A.D, the building was converted into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered the city 900 years later. Aside from the impressive 15 meter main dome, you’ll see paintings from the original churches that are currently being uncovered by researchers. The lines vary, but expect a visit to take from 1-3 hours.
Brush up on your bartering…Spend an afternoon shopping at The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the oldest covered market in the world. Every shop is unique with many hidden treasures (you can find Ottoman relics tucked away in corners being sold for nothing if you look hard enough). Brush up on your bargaining skills and don’t be surprised if the shopkeeper offers you a cup of tea.
Feast your eyes (and your belly) on Turkish cuisine…Once you’ve worked up an appetite scouring for bargains, grab some dinner at traditional Turkish restaurant Mikla. Turkish cuisine is a blend of dishes left over from the Ottoman Empire, but the owner Mehmet Gurs has added his won Swedish influence to the Turkish Menu. Offering one of the most varied and interesting menus in Istanbul, the view from the restaurant, overlooking the Asian side of the city, is breathtaking. Enjoy a lazy evening grazing for several hours over a 12-course meal.
Day Two
Visit A Turkish Bath (Hamam)…After a quick breakfast at your hostel (Free at the Chambers), start your day with a spot of pampering. These bath houses were social meeting places in the days of the Ottomans and are an experience that is uniquely Turkish. Don’t be intimidated by the Hamams, the process is fairly straightforward (most have separate sections for men and women). Don’t be shy either, you’ll be naked for most of the time, until you get a towel to dry off. Get a scrub and massage, and move back and forth between the hot and cold sections of the bath. The easiest Hamam to navigate and most popular in Istanbul is the Çemberlitas Hamami. Enjoy some tea after a steam and scrub.
Sail Away… An extended version of the traditional ferry, hop on a designated ‘Bosphorus Tour’ all the way from Eminönü on the European side to Anadolu Kavağı on the Asian side (close to the Black Sea). Make time in the afternoon so that you can stop by one of the many restaurants on the shore serving freshly caught fish and Turkish appetizers. You can hop on and off the boat at each stop as you please, but if you take the entire trip (with lunch) plan on spending about 6 hours. (Drink some of the Turkish Raki and add another 2 hours to the trip!)
Go To A Soccer Game… If you’d rather stay on dry land, try and catch a football match in the afternoon. Not for the faint of heart, a football match in Istanbul is surreal. With a hectic atmopshere, the stadiums have been named ‘hell’ by many visiting European teams, and 3 of Turkey’s major football clubs call Istanbul home. Tickets may be hard to come by but go online and you can book in advance for a Galatasaray, Besiktas, or Fenerbahce game, to witness a sea of fans chanting and cheering for their home team. Take the local’s advice on staying safe at an international football game before you go and enjoy the experience.
An Evening in İstiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu…Istanbul is loaded with lavish bars overlooking parts of the city and you’ll be able to find one easily on Istiklal Caddesi. The main street is loaded with tourists but hop off the beaten path to one of the side streets and you’ll find a number of small cafes, pubs, and nightclubs. Have a night of drinks and wash away your hangover by picking up a ‘greasy burger’ on your way back to your hostel. These after hours snacks are delicious, despite their dubious nutritional content.
Guest blogger Anil Polat is the creator of foXnoMad where he writes about his life of traveling and tricks he picked up along the way so you can travel smarter.. Istanbul is his favourite city in the world.
[photos by: georginchen, Boudreaux and Andrea]
Thinking of a romantic city break at Easter? For the next in our series of 48 hour guides, Otto Rich takes us to Paris for a weekend romp on a budget…
Never the cheapest of cities, the soaring value of the euro has put Paris up there with London and Toyko and the world’s most expensive mini-breaks. But whilst a half-litre of beer will easily set you back €7 these days, it is still possible to enjoy a trip to the French capital on a backpacker’s budget.
Day One
Lounge around the Louvre… Start by leaving Châtelet, the city’s busiest metro station, and stroll down the Rue St-Honoré, taking in the architecture and ambience of one Paris’ most ancient and celebrated streets. Although it is a bit of a tourist trap, you should not miss the world-famous Louvre (free on the last Sunday of every month, otherwise €9) – it’s easily one of the most spectacular (and vast) museums on Earth. The tiny Mona Lisa might be a let-down, but this vast former palace houses hundreds of lesser-known and infinitely more spectacular works of art and sculptures.
Go for a stroll… Grab a sandwich and relax on a bench in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries before strolling through the Place de la Concorde to its phallic obelisk, brought back to France by Napoléon’s troops. Then wander along the Champs-Elysées – Oxford Street, Fifth Avenue and Las Ramblas rolled into one – where chic Dior-clad Parisiennes rub shoulders with flustered American tourists and besuited businessmen. Just don’t stop for a drink, unless you want to blow your entire budget in one afternoon!
Beer in Belleville…You’ll probably be gasping for refreshment by now, but avoid spending your money in the city’s pricey west end. Instead, hop on the metro and alight at Belleville, traditionally a run-down, working-class district that is now one of the city’s most vibrant and multicultural areas, favoured by artists and students.
Have dinner in one of the super-cheap but excellent Chinese restaurants uphill from Belleville metro, and grab a beer in one of the quartier’s numerous basement bars. They come and go out of fashion all the time – ask around and you’ll be pointed in the right direction (and maybe pick up a few ’amis’ on the way).
Dance the night away… If you’ve got any energy left, hit Paris’ nightlife. While some of the trendier clubs on the Champs-Elysées will charge you up to €30 entry (and don’t even ask about the drinks), some of the more alternative venues can be fairly reasonable, particularly if you try and arrive early.
Try intimate Le Triptyque (nearest metro: Bourse) or thumping Rex Club (Bonne Nouvelle) for the latest in Techno, House and Electro, where you can stomp away till the early hours and beyond. Or if salsa’s more your thing, Favela Chic (République), a club so popular it’s now got a branch in London’s Shoreditch, serves endless shots of tequila while revelers dance on the tables.
Sleep in Style…When the time finally comes to rest your head, it might as well be somewhere chic. Head to the newest hostel in Paris, St. Christopher’s Inn (Crimee) in the up-and-coming 19th district.
Day Two
Perk up…Recover from the night before with a steaming black coffee and pain au chocolat at the first bar that grabs your fancy. Take it au zinc (at the bar, standing up) as most locals do, and you’ll save yourself up to 60% on the price were you to enjoy it sitting down…
Left-Bank chic…Head to the Left Bank for bohemian Montparnasse, traditionally one of the two artists’ ghettos (the other being Montmartre). Although many of the artists were long since priced out of the area by the bohèmes’-bourgeois (champagne socialists) it remains one of Paris’s most pleasant and quirky neighbourhoods for a morning’s stroll. Poke round the cemetery and hunt for the graves of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Samuel Beckett; or slink off to the little-known red-light district along Rue de la Gaîté that’s less tacky and tourist-ridden than its more famous northern cousin in Pigalle.
Tennis, anyone? Continue north and have a (free) round of table tennis in the Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the capital’s most beguiling parks, with its formal gardens and palace that houses the Sénat, France’s upper house of parliament. Grab a baguette (usually only about €1) and some cheese from the supermarket and sit and graze on one of the benches surrounding the marvellous fountain.
You could also sneak a quick visit to the church of Saint-Sulpice – made famous in the English-speaking world by the Da Vinci Code, but one of Paris’s most beautiful and serene houses of worship (and far better an experience than the endless queues and tourist scrum that is Notre Dame).
Smoke like Sartre…Take a short metro ride to the Latin Quarter (alight at Cardinal Lemoine), so-called because it is home to the famous Sorbonne University where once upon a time all teaching was done in Latin (and not because it is home to a lot of Spanish and Portuguese immigrants, as I once thought!).
Le Quartier Latin oozes left-bank, gitanes-smoking sophistication. While you will nowadays be banished outside if you wish to sit under a cloud of nicotine à la Jean-Paul Sartre, you can still smoke from one of the steep pavements leading up to the Panthéon – the awe-inspiring neo-classicist monolith that is part-Church, part-burial place.
Hip happy hour…End your day in the Marais, the trendy cobble-street Jewish quarter – which is now also the city’s Gay district – and take a well-earned aperitif. Try any of the bars along the main drag or up one of the side-streets before about 8pm and you should catch happy hour, when you can get a pint of beer or a cocktail for under €5.
Head for the hills…Enjoy some dinner in one of the Marais’ excellent value little bistros before heading, with a couple of bottles of cheap red plonk in your hands, up to Montmartre (a bit of a trek from the Marais, I admit, but it’ll be well worth it) – the dreamy village-within-the-city perched atop a hill in the north of Paris (Metro: Anvers). Climb the hundreds of steps up from the metro station and, when you’re suitably tired, take a seat, enjoy the staggering view and sip down your well-earned vin rouge.
Guest poster Otto Rich lived in Paris for six months in 2007, enjoying the view and plenty of vin rouge whilst he was at it…. If you have budget travel tips to share about Paris, or a 48 hour guide to your favorite city, get in touch below!
Staying on track in Oceania, Justin Boyd takes us on to Wellington, New Zealand for our next 48 hour city guide…
New Zealand may be home to some of the most beautiful places on earth, but eventually all the picturesque mountains, beaches, rivers, fiords, and hot springs will run together…
Wellington, meanwhile, is a compact, easily accessible city with more than enough cafes, theaters, clubs and happy little urban oddities to captivate you for a month or more. It’s not the cheapest city to stay in, though, so if you only have 48 hours or a weekend to spend in Wellington, be sure to check out the following…
Day One
Find a Hostel… Although it is cheaper to stay outside the city, don’t be tempted. The only way to experience it in a weekend is to find lodging in the middle of the action. The large corporate hostels in Wellington, Base, YHA, and Nomads World, are located in the central city within easy walking distance of almost everything.
Wander With a Coffee or Two… It is difficult to walk 2 blocks without tripping over 10 different cafes. Many of them serve quality coffee but it pays to be a bit choosy. Competitively priced coffee and a swanky atmosphere can be found at Gotham, while a more relaxed hipster atmosphere can be found at any of the cafes on Cuba Street. Consider taking your coffee to go and sip the hot caffeine while wandering aimlessly through the Cuba Street District or the Courtenay Place District, soaking up the morning atmosphere of the city.
Check out NZ’s Museum… When people-watching grows a bit tiresome, head towards the water front and check out Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand. Te Papa has a diverse range of exhibits ranging from Natural History to current Art displays. Most of the museum is free and it is easy to lose track of the hours as you wander its densely packed 6 floors.
Although much of Te Papa is geared more towards children than adults, the 2nd floor houses a interactive photo and movie display (entitled Our Space: The Wall) that allows museum-goers to manipulate images and movies (both of which you can take yourself) on a series of massive screen interfaces, 10 feet high and 100 feet long. This alone is worth the trip.
Take in the Harbor… After pulling yourself away from Te Papa, walk along the waterfront and mingle with the business lunch crowd, and the endless stream of joggers, while taking in beautiful views of Wellington’s Harbor. On a sunny day, you may see locals jumping off the piers into the harbor while you are entertained by some of Wellington’s eclectic buskers.
Walk along the water until you run into Kent Street (a.k.a Oriental Parade) and then south for several blocks until the Deluxe Espresso Bar. Look carefully. It can be easy to miss. Don’t allow the birds that will likely be flying in and out of the open French doors, nor the small unkempt feel of the place fool you. This is one of the best lunch places in town with excellent coffee, tasty deserts and a high quality (but often underrated) lunch menu. Eat your lunch at the street tables outside or take your lunch to go and head back to the waterfront.
Head east (away from Te Papa) and you will come across a sandy beach littered with locals and tourists playing in the water and soaking up some sun. Take your shoes off and walk along the beach…after a morning filled with walking, the cool water can feel quite refreshing!
Catch a Spot of Culture… Wellington is the center of New Zealand’s art scene and the theaters are filled with locally written and produced works. It is difficult to walk around the city without seeing advertisements for at least 20 different shows but, if you were too busy staring at the people, be sure to check out what is showing at the Bat’s, the Downstage, and the Circa theatres.
Downstage and Circa offer more seats than Bat’s and tend to show more professional and polished shows. The Bat’s theater, on the other hand, is black box indi theatre specializing in more raw productions. All three theaters can fill up quickly so try to buy tickets in advance. (If you have a student ID, each one offers student discounts.)
Day Two
Bakery Breakfasts… Stop in at one of the Asian run family bakeries on Cuba Street for a breakfast pastry and a coffee. As you leave Cuba Street heading north, grab a couple of sandwiches (and perhaps some hummus) from one of the Kaba places. With a full stomach and a picnic lunch in tow, you’re set to walk to the famous Cable Car and take a ride to the top of the hill.
Spend a leisurely hour or so wandering around the Cable Car Museum and take the time to watch at least one of the several short films that rotate every 20 minutes. Wander outside and spend a few minutes enjoying a spectacular view of the city and harbor.
Lunch in the Gardens… Outside the Cable Car Museum, you will find the Wellington Botanical Gardens. To avoid getting lost, grab a map of the gardens from the museum. Locate the Northern Walkway (just look for the signs) and wander until finding a good place to eat your picnic lunch. There are many pleasant places to choose from so you won’t be looking long!
After lunch, travelers with weary feet may want to meander through the botanical gardens before taking the Cable Car back to the city. Travelers seeking a long, pleasant walk, meanwhile, can continue on the Northern Walkway. Proceeding 16 kilometers through the Town Belt, it offers stunning views of the city, as well as the surrounding country side. Although the walk can be a bit steep in some places, it is fairly easy overall. Take the train from Raroa Station back into the city.
Finish with a Beer… After a long day, you deserve a few pints of New Zealand beer… For an upscale dining experience get a bit dressed up and have dinner and drinks at D4 on Featherson. Featuring top quality food and a selection of New Zealand made craft beers, this is an easy place to spend several hours.
Those on a tighter budget should go to the Courtney Place district for dinner and drinks at the Malthouse. Possibly the most famous pub for beer connoisseurs in New Zealand, the Malthouse offers a massive selection of beers. Be sure to try the Yeastie Boys seasonal brew as well as Tuatara’s Porter!
In an effort to boycott the current world recession, guest poster Justin Boyd, and his wife Natalie are on an extended multi year journey around the world. Justin is a contributor at nomadbackpackers.com, which features travel stories, travel tips, and random information for aspiring and current world travelers.
