by Guest contributor | Jul 30, 2016 | Europe, Travel blogger destinations
(a foodie-insider’s travel tips)
Aoife Nowell lived the expat life in Sweden for around a year. She left a little of her heart there, and before our trip to TBEX she was quick to offer Cooper and I some excellent advice on where to drink and eat like a local in Stockholm.
You might like to jot these tips on awesome bars, cafes and restaurants down before your own trip…
Where to eat like a local in Stockholm – Aoife says:
My two favourite coffee shops are literally within 100 metres of each other and both near the square that I lived on. The first is called Il caffé and the second is Gilda.
They are completely different but both do amazing coffee and lunch and are great places to sit and chill. Il Caffé in particular will allow you to properly indulge in ‘Fika’ which the Swedes have every afternoon – it basically means a time to relax with each other and coffee and cake! The ‘cake’ for me should always be a cinnamon bun and Il Caffé 100% do the best we ever tried, it is known locally as Kanelbulle.
For a cocktail before dinner, there’s a bar called Gondolen which is at Slussen, just as you come on to Sodermalm from the old town. From here you’ll get some of the best views of the city. It can be a bit touristy but the view is worth it even if just for an hour.
Past that, my favourite bars were little local ones around where I lived, like one called Snottys and Bahnhof. Generally you can wander around anywhere and find plenty of great bars, I would just avoid Gamla Stan (Old Town) if you want something more authentic, as they’re naturally geared up for tourists and cruise ship trade and tend to be more expensive. There are lots of great options if you are in that area though.
Two popular summer bars (as they’re outdoors) are Debaser Slussen and Tregarden, and then around the Stureplan area Sturecompagniet and Spy Bar are both very popular.
There is a great bar / restaurant in Stureplan that I’d highly recommend called Riche – the food is really good (although it’s not in my top listed five below), however definitely a good place to go for a drink before or after dinner.
And five of my favourite places to dine, drink and eat like a local in Stockholm are:
1. Matsbaren – This place is just amazing! It’s pretty pricey but absolutely worth it. In the basement of the Grand Hotel, it is a Michelin starred restaurant run by Mathias Dahlgren. There are two restaurants, Matsalen and Matsbaren – it is Matsbaren I would recommend – my husband and I ate there the night we got engaged.
2. Pelikan – Has the best meatballs in town! Pelikan is a must for a typical Swedish meal. Set in an old Swedish beer hall, you can tell that it’s hundreds of years old. It is a terrific experience and the staff are great too. If you go here you have to have the meatballs with mashed potato and lingonberries. You can’t book this one but there is a large bar where you can wait, and it doesn’t take too long to get in.
3. Bar Central – Not really Swedish but just a great and unusual menu, good wine list and lovely environment to relax in. You won’t get a single tourist in this place either.
4. Miss Voon (pictured) – Not Swedish either, but combines Asian and European foods perfectly. Really nicely done inside, and if you like this kind of food then this place will be right up your street. Being positioned by the fresh Scandinavian waters, this is the best for amazing fish too.
5. Urban Deli – Urban Deli Nytorget is perfect for brunch or lunch. I wouldn’t pick it for dinner over the four above but it wouldn’t let you down. The concept is great – it’s a really nice mini food hall, with a cool bar and tables for breakfast, lunch or dinner and seating outside in the warmer months. They also have a bakery close by where they make everything fresh! Breakfast or brunch would be my recommendation for here, I lived literally next door – love it!
~
Do you have tips or questions? Let us know in the comments, and for more on Stockholm check out our 48-hour travel itinerary here or find out how to buy alcohol in Sweden at a Systembolaget (it’s not as straightforward as popping out to your local Tesco).
Find Aoife on Instagram.
by Guest contributor | May 14, 2016 | Asia-Pacific, Travel blogger destinations
History meets modern-day buzz along the uneven cobblestones of everyone’s favourite weekend haunt in these parts – The Rocks in Sydney.
The Rocks mark the birthplace of modern Sydney, with an intricate history that dates from its shady beginnings when convicts first settled to the contemporary home of Sydney’s most creative and cultural.
Walking tours
If you’re thinking walking tours are the last thing you’d want to do at The Rocks, prepare to be proven wrong!
The Rocks holds some of the best walking tours in Sydney, taking enraptured audiences through spine-tingling urban legends and infamous historic events every day of the week. Ever wondered about the markings on the sandstone you see everywhere in old buildings and footpaths? They were actually made by convicts who each had a unique system of markings to distinguish how many blocks each person had chiseled.
For those who are more daring, ghost tours run in the evenings taking you through the torch and lantern-lit laneways once home to street gangs, dank seedy bars and a rampant outbreak of the plague.
Weekend Markets
The Rocks Markets are an enduring highlight for visitors, and some of the nicest markets in the city. Here, the markets are open from 10am to 5pm every weekend all year round offering 200 stalls stacked with an eclectic range of homewares, beauty products and art.
For locals, these markets give a taste for Sydney’s diverse mix of cultures and art. Wander through and you’ll find your senses engulfed by the delectable allure of Turkish gozleme, the colourful arrangement of fresh fruit or the ingenuity of artworks made from cutlery. Whatever crazy idea you’re looking for to spice up your weekend, take your pick here.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The MCA is one of Sydney’s standout museums, not just for its extensive collection of contemporary art sourced from high-performing artists worldwide, but also for being a constant hub of special events.
From its current (2016) showcase of international artists in the Biennale to the annual participation in the now famous Vivid light show, transforming the building into a work of art, the MCA is constantly buzzing with vibrant activity throughout the year.
An Illustrious nightlife
If you’re looking for a classy night out away from the loudness of Sydney’s mainstream bars and restaurants, The Rocks offers a refined strip of small restaurants and bars – quieter and less pretentious. A standout is Hero of Waterloo, a sandstone bar and restaurant built over 170 years ago with a colourful history of rum-smuggling in its famous underground tunnels.
By Liam Barrett. Feature image by Dieter Bethke (Flickr creative commons).
by Guest contributor | Nov 30, 2015 | Traveller tales and interviews
Christmas – it’s called the silly season for a reason. The big day is just around the corner and this is when our emotional health and wellbeing gets put to the test. We need to stress less and enjoy more.
Here are some tips for you to keep your nerve and still have a smile on your face, even after all the Christmas pudding has been consumed.
Avoid the rush. Planning ahead saves time and money. Make lists (and check them twice!) for groceries, presents and jobs to be done. Sticking to your list and a budget will save burning a hole in your pocket and starting the New Year broke. Take advantage of extended hours at shopping centres, or avoid them altogether and buy online. Alternatively, get the kids busy in the kitchen and make edible gifts for neighbours, teachers, friends and family. There’s nothing better than receiving a home baked present.
Give the gift of gratitude. Express gratitude to those that have made your year special, even if it was in a small way. Send a Christmas card with a heartfelt message. Say thanks to the tradie that came out on the weekend, or the babysitter that was able to turn up at short notice, or your neighbour for checking your mail while you were on holidays. By being grateful, you not only let someone know they are appreciated, but you open yourself to deeper connections and friendships for the year ahead.
Say no to holiday stress. Prioritise what’s really important to you and your family. It could be putting up the tree, religious observances, holidays, catching up with friends, or quality family time. At this time of year it’s too easy to say ‘yes’ to everything, including uninvited house guests, Christmas parties and long shopping trips and overspending, leaving you mentally and physically exhausted.
Focus on your priorities and say ‘no’ to everything else. Politely decline the extra invitations and if it’s someone important to you, suggest to catch up after the silly season. You’ll feel less frazzled and able to embrace your true meaning of Christmas.
Relax. The Christmas rush can be overwhelming and these feelings can produce symptoms of anxiety, anger and stress. Take 15 minutes at the end of your day to sit, relax and practice mindfulness. Focus on your breathing and let your thoughts come and go. It will not only alleviate the stress but will give you a sense of calm and inner peace.
Eat, drink and be merry (in moderation). With the many festive parties, catch-ups and celebratory drinks, Christmas is synonymous with over-indulgence with food and alcohol. Enjoy indulgent food and alcoholic drinks in moderation and balance them out with lots of healthy choices. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of H20.
Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Christmas is about sharing good times with friends, family, work colleagues and other special people that make our lives enriched by being around them.
About the writer
Luke Sheedy is a gifted life advisor, motivator and free thinker. He combines his metaphysical talents to advise clients on their natural strengths, talents and abilities. Luke helps release what is holding you back, so growth can occur and your life’s plan can unfold naturally.
by Guest contributor | Sep 14, 2015 | Travel blogger destinations
Part of the reason that travel can be such a fantastic experience is that it involves getting away from your regular day-to-day routine and embracing somewhere new. But travelling also means letting go of the safety nets you have at home, including friends, family and knowing where and how you can get help in emergencies. Going travelling is an adventure that involves some risks, but there are a few ways you can prepare for the unexpected emergencies that can occur.
Safe travel toolkit
Travel Insurance
Unfortunately there are still a great number of people that don’t get travel insurance. According to Fast Cover, out of more than 1000 Australian travellers, 30.8% of people chose not to get travel insurance. Are you one of the people who don’t get travel insurance? Consider this, being evacuated from the Caribbean can cost $20,000. Getting an air ambulance can cost around $100,000 or more. A single night’s stay in a US hospital can be over a thousand dollars. And then there’s the cost of lost or stolen luggage or the deposits lost when your travel plans are cancelled. Such emergencies can leave you hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Travel insurance can provide cover for these emergency situations. Some travel insurance companies also provide immediate assistance during an emergency. Fast Cover, for example, enables you to contact and get advice from a professional Global Assistance team wherever you are in the world at any time.
Compare travel insurance policies to see what you can be covered for. Some insurers cover pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy and high blood pressure, while others do not. Different activities such as snorkelling, skiing, elephant riding and skydiving can also be covered by insurance.
The address of your embassy and the best hospital
Prepare for the worst case scenario by researching how you can get help quickly. This means locating your nearest embassy wherever you are travelling and keeping the address with you at all times. It can also be extremely helpful to have the address and name of the nearest hospital (hopefully one where staff are bilingual if you are not fluent in the local language). There is nothing worse than trying to figure out where the hospital is during an emergency.
A portable locker
A portable locker or a portable safe is a small, slash-proof bag you can put your valuables in and lock to something unmovable in your accommodation if you don’t think your room is secure (such as rooms with no lockers, safe or a sturdy, lockable door). This bag can hold your valuable documents, some money and electronics while you explore your destination. Always try to get TSA approved locks for your luggage.
Multiple sources of back-up cash
Having no money in a foreign country can be a nightmare. Prepare for the worst when you travel by having a few back up stashes of cash. That means enough money for a taxi ride or perhaps a night’s accommodation in your main bag, your daily travel bag or wallet and perhaps a spare in a secure jacket pocket. Having back up cash will provide you with support if your wallet and money cards are lost or stolen. You will also have some spare cash if you can’t find an ATM but want to do an activity such as a tour or want to change your accommodation because it didn’t live up to your expectations.
Multiple copies of your documents
If you passport is stolen you will need to go to the embassy and get another. To make this far easier, make multiple copies of your identity documents including your passport, birth certificate, driver’s license and/or age card. Savvy travellers will also make an electronic copy of their documents by scanning them and emailing them to themselves or creating a Google Docs file. That way the documents can be accessed almost anywhere.
A dummy wallet
Fill an old wallet with old and useless credit cards, ID’s and maybe a few coins. That way if someone does mug you, you can hand over the dummy wallet. In most situations the mugger will run off once they think they have something that might be valuable.
Social apps
Let family and friends know where you are and where you are going next by a certain date. Besides email you can use Skype, WeChat or WhatsApp. Attempt to confirm a time you will send them a message at your destination. That way they can know you have arrived safely or if they should be concerned and get assistance for you.
Blend in
Research your destination and travel with a wardrobe that matches the locals as much as possible. Wearing clothes that stand out can increase your chances of being targeted by thieves. On that note, try to memorise where you are going so you won’t have to stand in the street looking confused at a map. Wearing flashy jewellery is also a bad idea as it can draw the attention of thieves.
Do you have other safety advice for fellow travellers? Let us know in the comments.
Tips and advice supplied to TravelLiveLearn by FastCover
by Guest contributor | Feb 23, 2015 | Asia-Pacific, Cool hotels, Dog friendly, Travel blogger destinations
Dog tired? There are plenty of options for pet friendly travel in Australia. Wotif.com has shared some ideas with us for holidays to get tails wagging.
Image by thekarmapolice, Flickr creative commons tinyurl.com/pk5ltek
NSW – Carool
Tailwaggers Rainforest Retreat
Escape to (3.5 star – self rated) Tailwaggers Rainforest Retreat with your four-legged friend. Relax in a self-contained cabin with a fenced yard purrfect for your pet and take advantage of the nearby walking trails. Linen is included for pets as well and there’s even a dedicated hydrobath to wash your pet.
VIC – Rutherglen
Must Love Dogs B&B
Dog lovers should head to (4.5 star – self rated) Must Love Dogs B&B. Get spoilt with treats and chocolates for all guests and take advantage of free pet sitting.
WA – Albany
Emu Beach Chalets
Pack your doggy or kitty bag and head to (3 star – AAA rated) Emu Beach Chalets for a pet-friendly break. Spread out in a self-contained chalet surrounded by bushland, just steps away from the beach.
QLD – Mooloolaba
Saltwater Villas
Pamper your four-legged friend with a holiday at (3.5 star – self rated) Saltwater Villas. Kick up your feet/paws and relax in a waterfront villa with pet sitting, a day spa, water sports, pool and spa – it could be your next purrfect holiday.
SA – Robe
Arches Spa Apartments and Complex
Get cosy with your plus one and four-legged friend in the Patsy Ryan Cottage at (4 star – AAA rated) Arches Spa Apartments and Complex. Settle into the 1850’s style cottage complete with a country kitchen and two bedrooms.
VIC – Mildura
Emaroo Cottages Mildura
There’s no need to leave your pet behind when you stay at the (4 star – self rated) Emaroo Cottage Mildura. Pets are charged at AU$30 per stay.
TAS – Cambridge
Riversdale Estate Cottages
Stay in a self-catering cottage at this (4.5 star – self rated) private vineyard and olive grove estate located only 15 minutes from Hobart CBD. Pets are charged from AU$10 per pet per night.
TOP PET TRAVEL TIPS
Image by Nathan Rupert, Flickr creative commons tinyurl.com/o4wb9uo
Wotif.com’s Product Director, Donna Rodios, shares tips for a stress-free holiday with a pet in tow…
- “Remember pets can be susceptible to car sickness, especially on longer journeys, so it’s wise to avoid a big meal before you hit the road and definitely don’t give them anything new or exotic. Unlike one respondent who fed tuna to their dog the night before a long journey – needless to say it wasn’t a very pleasant car trip.”
- “When flying, dogs and cats have to travel in a cage which meets the airline’s guidelines so make sure you check their requirements.”
- “If your pet isn’t familiar with a cage, it pays to prepare them by placing them in one overnight in the lead up to your trip and reward them with treats for a job well done. That way they’re less likely to throw a wobbly when you check them in.
- “It’s always a good idea to pack some of your pet’s home comforts so they feel as comfortable as possible in their new environment – remember they can be fussy so letting them eat out of their own bowl is a good way to help them settle.”
