My Guide For A Day In Dublin

Hello there, it's been a while!
You're probably wondering where I've been and truth be told, I don't really know what to say. I started my blog almost 10 years ago when I had all the time in the world, and now life is super busy and finding a spare hour to sit and write a blog post is a luxury. However you'll be pleased to know that I'm back and I've got so much to tell you about!

So, what better way to start than with a post all about our day trip to Dublin. Yes you read that right, we went to Dublin for the day. It's a place that has been on my 'to visit' list for years and it certainly lived up to expectation; it's a city packed with culture, the architecture is stunning and surprisingly, the Guinness is quite nice too! 

My friend Chloe and I went on our little day adventure back in February so this post is very overdue, nevertheless I hope some of these recommendations help you out if you're thinking of going to visit.

How much fun can you have in Dublin in one day? Let's find out!

Flights

Our flights to Dublin cost £30 return. We flew from Liverpool John Lennon Airport with Ryanair and in thirty minutes we'd touched down in Dublin. I can't actually believe how quick the flight was. Our estimated flight time was 55 minutes so we paid the extra £8.99 to sit together, had we known it was going to be so quick we wouldn't have bothered. 

We caught the 7:15am flight to Dublin and then the 8:20pm flight back home to Liverpool. These were perfect flight times for us, although the early wake up call was hard and I did find the tiredness catching up with me halfway through the day.

I drove to Liverpool Airport and parked my car on the Long Stay Car Park which cost £33.99 for the day. It was super easy to find and only a two minute walk to the airport which was perfect.

Getting Around

One thing I loved about Dublin was that the transport links were brilliant We booked a coach transfer to get us from Dublin Airport to the City Centre via Air Coach. It cost €9 return, our tickets were emailed to us and the coaches are parked right outside the terminal so they're super easy to find. I'd definitely recommend booking your transfers in advance as you get priority, otherwise there's no guarantee there'll be room for you on the coach. 

Our transfer time was around 30 minutes with good traffic but I can imagine it taking a little longer at busier times. The coaches were on time, the pick up points were well signposted and it made our journey to/from Dublin a lot easier.

Once you're in the city centre most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another and it's pretty easy to walk around, plus it's the perfect way to take in the sights. We did around 30,000 steps so make sure you take some comfy shoes!

Where To Eat

Róco

13 Lord Edward Street

When we stepped off the coach in Dublin, the city centre was just waking up. This was at around 9:30am but it felt a lot later for us; we were in desperate need of a coffee. We stumbled across Róco on our way to find the Guinness Storehouse and the smell of freshly baked pastries pulled us straight in. We sat upstairs with our cappuccinos and pain au chocolat and talked about all the things we wanted to do with our day. It was the perfect little coffee spot; with cosy interior, reasonable prices and friendly staff, what's not to love!?

Hard Rock Cafe

12 Fleet Street

We probably could've been a little more adventurous when it came to our food choices in Dublin but we wanted something quick and reliable so that we could do as much sight seeing as possible, and that's exactly what we got. I think this is potentially one of my first times visiting a Hard Rock Cafe, and it didn't disappoint!

There was a good variety of food on the menu and it was reasonably priced too. I ordered the Tupelo Chicken Tenders and a Strawberry & Basil lemonade, both of which were absolutely delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size too, I was expecting it to be a lot smaller but it was more than enough. The meal came to around €25 which I thought was really good for what we got.

The whole place was filled with good energy, the staff were super friendly and there was no need to book which is always a perk. If you're heading to Dublin and looking for food to please everyone, then Hard Rock Cafe is the place to be!

What To Do

The Guinness Storehouse

St James's Gate

Have you even been to Dublin if you didn't have a pint of Guinness?

Visiting the Guinness Storehouse is a must when you're in Dublin, regardless of if you're a fan of the drink or not. Chloe and I booked the experience not really expecting much but let me tell you now, it was our favourite thing we did on the trip!

We pre-booked our tickets online via the Guinness Storehouse website which I would really recommend doing as the tours can sell out very quickly. We paid €20 for the standard experience which included our entry and a free pint of Guinness. There are other packages available where you can learn how to pull your own pint and even get a pint of Guinness with your photo on it but the standard experience was perfect for us. 

Spread over seven floors, the Storehouse takes you on an immersive experience from brewing to advertising. Guinness is a brand that was a big part of my life growing up as my Dad used to work for them, so to be able to walk around the Storehouse and see how the timeless drink is made was truly fascinating. I particularly enjoyed seeing all the old advertisements and how they've changed and modernised over time. The whole tour was so informative and we learned so much, not only about the brand but their Irish heritage.

However, my favourite floor was the seventh floor which is the last stop on the tour and home to The Gravity Bar. Surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows, you can grab a pint of Guinness and take in the beautiful sights of the city. Chloe and I took advantage of our free pint and as someone who isn't the biggest fan of beer, I actually quite enjoyed it. Although we did add a hint of blackcurrant, just to make it taste a little sweeter. 

Overall, it took us an hour to get round the tour and then we spent an hour in The Gravity Bar. There's absolutely no rush to leave so take your time and enjoy the experience; it's so worth it!

The Temple Bar

47-48 Temple Bar

Visiting The Temple Bar was at the top of my Dublin to-do list. It's been a dream of mine for years and I was so looking forward to visiting, but I was slightly disappointed. 

Okay, let me explain.

Our first visit to Temple Bar was in the early afternoon and after we'd taken the obligatory photos outside, we decided to call in for a drink. I always perceived The Temple Bar to have an electric atmosphere and be buzzing all the time, and although it was busy the atmosphere just wasn't doing it for me. I expected everyone to be dancing and having a good time but there was none of that. We stayed for one drink and then left to do some more sightseeing. 

Later in the evening we headed back to The Temple Bar and I'm pleased to say that it well and truly redeemed itself. There was a live band playing Irish Folk music, everyone was dancing and getting in the spirit and although I lost my glasses, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I heard Tell Me Ma played live in Temple Bar in Dublin, an absolute dream come true! 

Moral of the story? Unless it's a Saturday then save your visit to The Temple Bar for the evening. Oh, and take plenty of euros because it's an expensive one!

Trinity College

College Green

Trinity College is a location famous for so many reasons and it's easy to see why, with its stunning architecture, gorgeous surroundings and fascinating history. It's free to go and have a look around and trust me, you'll feel as though you're in your own little film. Personally, I was channelling my inner Marianne from Normal People. There are guided tours of the college and you can also visit the Old Library and Book of Kells Exhibition which is something I would love to do next time I'm in Dublin. 

Molly Malone Statue

Suffolk Street

A lot of Dublin's main tourist attractions are within walking distance from each other, plus most of them are free and don't take up much of your day. The Molly Malone statue is a must-see when you're in Dublin, although I hadn't heard much about her until I started telling people I was visiting the city. Apparently her story is based on a song telling the tale of a traditional fishwife who died of a fever when she was young. It's clearly a hit with tourists because there was quite a big crowd around her statue. 

Ha'penny Bridge

Bachelors Walk

The Ha'penny Bridge is as much of a landmark in Dublin as the Coliseum in Rome. It's one of the most famous sights in the city so of course we had to walk across. One thing I found so strange about Dublin is the fact that little parts of history are placed in the middle of a fairly modernised city. It adds such a lovely feel to the place. 

We did so much walking and sight-seeing in Dublin and I know it probably seems as though we did a lot, but towards the end of the day I think we found ourselves looking for things to do. This is why I'm glad we visited for the day, although if you were planning on having more of a bar crawl trip to Dublin then I'd definitely recommend staying over as there are some lovely hotels. 

It's also important to remember that Dublin is a city so there are plenty of shops including a huge Primark, ZARA and a Disney Store. We tried to avoid doing any shopping due to Ryanair's baggage allowances because we knew we'd come back with quite a bit of stuff that we probably wouldn't be allowed to bring on the plane with us. 

As you can probably tell, we had such a fun day in Dublin and it's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. I'd definitely go back and visit for the day, I still can't believe it's the same amount of time to get from Liverpool to Dublin via plane as it is to get a train from my house to Liverpool!

I hope my little guide to our day in Dublin has given you some ideas of what you can do if you're visiting the city, or that this post has inspired you to book a day trip. I'd love to hear if you have any more recommendations so leave them in the comments!

Lots of Love,

Meg x

This Is Madre

Liverpool is wonderful for so many reasons; the friendliest people, the most picturesque settings and two amazing football teams. However, one of my favourite things is the variety of culture in the city; from bars and restaurants to museums and shops on the High Street, there really is a place for everyone. 

On Friday 6th December a new addition to Liverpool's bar and restaurant scene opened its doors on the Royal Albert Dock and I was very kindly invited along for an evening of tequila, tacos and late-night dancing.  

This Is Madre

Brought to the city from the talented team behind Belzan and London's renowned Breddos Tacos, MADRE is one of Liverpool’s most exciting new venues offering vibrant interiors, a stellar cocktail list, and a mouth-watering Mexican menu.

The bar is accessible via Atlantic Pavillion and Anchor Courtyard but don't worry if that means nothing to you, the bright pink neon signs illuminating the Royal Albert Dock are literally unmissable and entice you in straight away. 

As my friend and I approached, we could sense that the party was already in full swing; he was dancing before we even got into the place. It was set to be a fabulous night - a real fiesta, so to speak. 

Split over two floors with a 46-cover restaurant on the mezzanine level and casual dining area downstairs, MADRE serves lunch through to dinner and a late-night snack selection at the weekends when the restaurant is open until 2am. 

I'm quite fussy when it comes to trying new foods but let me tell you now, the food was absolutely divine. Throughout the evening samples of the menu were served, including Pork Al Pastor tacos; a tasty combination of spit-roast marinated pork with pineapple and salsa verde, deep fried mushroom tacos with chipotle aioli (my personal fave) and roasted pasilla chilli, along with crispy potatoes served with refried beans, garlic sour cream and chipotle salsa. 

If that isn't making your mouth water then I don't know what will.

A large feature bar takes centre stage downstairs which is where we spent most of the night sipping on flavoured Margaritas, chatting and dancing along to DJ Crazy P who took to the decks, playing tune after tune all night long. It really was impossible not to boogie along.

It was hard to choose just one cocktail from the menu as there was so much on offer. I eventually chose the La Pistola cocktail; a mix of Mezcal Verde Momento Espadin, lime, aguami, grapefruit and fizz, sounds good, right? It was. I didn't really know what to expect as I'm usually a Strawberry Daiquiri kind of girl but I was very very impressed. It was sweet but not too sweet - a bit like me.

Although I would class MADRE as a high-end bar, especially considering its beautiful surroundings of the Royal Albert Dock, all of the food and drink is reasonably priced and well worth it. Each cocktail is made right in front of your eyes by one of the friendly, skilled team members AND all of the food is prepared freshly on site.

We spent the rest of our evening dancing, drinking and having the best time. It was a pure party bubble that I was very reluctant to leave but sadly the night to come to an end at some point.

MADRE is one of the most unique bars in the city, there really is nothing quite like it; a classy fiesta. It's the perfect place to start your Liverpool night in style or if you want somewhere quirky to socialise with family and friends. No matter what the season, no matter what the time, it's always a party at MADRE.

I can't wait to be back!

Lots of Love,
Meg x

My Guide To Amsterdam

Okay, so this blog post is way overdue but I've finally found time to sit down and tell you all about our incredible trip to Amsterdam. I'm just going to start by saying that it is potentially one of my favourite cities I have ever visited.

If you read my 2019 Resolutions, you'll know that Amsterdam has been at the top of my Travel Bucket List for a while now and this year I was determined to get there. It's a place I've wanted to visit for as long as I can remember, especially since reading Anne Frank's diary when I was eleven.

In early June, my friend Mercydes and I booked a last minute trip to the Dam via LoveHolidays, who I would highly recommend booking with if you're looking for the best deal on the market. To put our trip into context, we visited at the end of July for 3 nights (4 days).

If you're thinking of visiting this absolutely stunning place, hopefully some of these recommendations will help you out!

Flights

Our flights to Amsterdam cost £101 return which is on the pricer side for a flight to the city, I know you can get flights a lot cheaper which is why I would definitely recommend booking in advance. We flew from Liverpool John Lennon Airport with Easy Jet and it was a super short flight, just over an hour each way, which is perfect if you're a nervous flyer or just looking for something quick. 

Getting Around

Amsterdam Schipol can be incredibly daunting for even the most experienced travellers but getting to and from the airport couldn't have been easier! If you're staying in the centre there's a regular tram service that takes you straight to Amsterdam Central but if that's not your thing, then the majority of hotels offer a free shuttle service to and from the airport so it's definitely worth doing your research.

In terms of the actual city itself, Amsterdam is relatively easy to navigate. The majority of the main attractions are a good walk away from one another so take a comfy pair of shoes and a portable charger because Google Maps will be your best friend. It's also worth taking advantage of the underground tram system (which we wish we would've discovered sooner), book on a river cruise, or take the more traditional option and rent a bicycle but be careful because they're absolutely everywhere. Have you even been to Amsterdam if you've not nearly been killed by a bike?

Where To Stay 

We stayed in one of the urban rooms at the Corendon Village Hotel, just ten minutes from Amsterdam Schipol. The hotel offers a free shuttle to and from the airport as well as a bus to and from the city centre for €7 return. 

Our room was absolutely stunning; not only was it spotless but we had two of the comfiest beds, a spacious bathroom and a gigantic window meaning we were blessed with a breathtaking view of the sunset every night. The hotel itself had a rooftop bar, various restaurants and its own little shop which was open 24 hours. The staff were incredibly friendly, they couldn't have done enough to make us feel at home. 

Three nights in the hotel, including a continental breakfast each morning, cost £133 each which was absolutely perfect for what we needed. 

Where To Eat

If I'm being honest, we didn't try as much of the cuisine as we would have liked. I'm blaming this on the fact that we filled up on bacon and eggs in the hotel each morning. Having breakfast in our hotel package was definitely worth it, it saved us so much money as eating was probably the most expensive part of our visit to Amsterdam. 

It was around €3 for a bottle of water and €1 to use the toilet in most places. A little tip is to stock up on food and drink from the little supermarkets dotted around the city and have a toilet stop when you visit the museums, it'll save you a few euros! 

Plus, because Amsterdam is a city you can always rely on McDonalds and Starbucks to be of service. We had to eat in McDonalds on our first night because everywhere was full! 

The Pancake Bakery

Prinsengracht 191

The Pancake Bakery was the one place that everyone said we had to visit. It's self explanatory really; a little restaurant at the side of the canal that does, quite literally, the best pancakes in Amsterdam. We visited in the late afternoon when it was quieter and I was a little overwhelmed by the huge selection of pancakes to choose from. I'd have ordered about three if I could stomach it! 

It's around €13.40 for a basic pancake which is very reasonable - I opted for the banana and Nutella which was to die for! It was the perfect place for a little afternoon snack and the staff were so friendly. I can understand why so many people recommend it now! 

Polaberry

Prinsengracht 232H

Oh Polaberry, I'm still dreaming about you!
Are you ready for the most instagrammable chocolate covered fruit in the world? Because I really don't think you are. For around €9 you can get a little box these delicious chocolate covered strawberries, and trust me when I say they taste as good as they look. Even if strawberries aren't your thing, just do it for the gram!

Pizza & Wine Canal Cruise 

As a special treat on the last night of our trip, Mercydes and I booked a Pizza and Wine Canal Cruise. Not only was this a meal sorted but it meant that we got to see the beauty of Amsterdam in the best way - with wine, pizza and on a pretty little boat. 

We pre-booked the cruise via Get Your Guide and for €42 we got a 90 minute guided canal cruise, a pizza of our choice, a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and unlimited wine/beer. Lets be honest, who doesn't love unlimited wine!? 

It was absolutely beautiful and an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life. We were able to see the stunning sights of the city whilst getting a little bit tipsy with the best company. It was the perfect way to spend a sunny evening in Amsterdam and believe me when I say, my wine glass was never empty! 

Get Your Guide offer a variety of different canal cruises including a burger cruise, an ice cream cruise and a beer cruise! I'd definitely check them out if you're looking to do something a bit different. 

What To Do

Rent a Pedal Boat

First up, I want to tell you about my favourite Amsterdam memory. I think Cyde will agree when I say that this was both the best and worst decision we have ever made in our entire lives.

On the hottest day of the trip, Cyde and I were sat relaxing at the side of a canal when she thought it'd be a brilliant idea to rent a peddle boat because 'how hard can it be?'

Let me tell you now, it's bloody hard!! 

There are various stops around the city and for €10 (plus a €20 refundable deposit) you can rent a peddle boat for an hour. They give you a map with an impossible route to follow, an emergency number and assign you a boat. If you don't have it back within the hour, you don't get your deposit back - it's as simple as that.

It was all fun and games at first, peddling along, having a laugh and Cyde doing the steering. Then, our legs started to ache, our feet started to cramp, the sweat started pumping and to top it all off nicely, when it was my turn to steer I crashed us into another passenger boat and we had to be rescued!!

It was the most embarrassingly hilarious experience of my life but I'd highly recommend doing it, just make sure there's four of you in a boat and at least two people who can steer (sorry Cyde!).

The Anne Frank House

Westermarkt 20 

Visiting the Anne Frank house was at the top of my list of things I so desperately wanted to do in Amsterdam. I first heard about Anne Frank in a history lesson when I was eleven and have been fascinated by her family and her story ever since. I suppose you could call it a childhood dream of mine.

First things first, I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance as it gets booked up very quickly and you can't rely on just turning up on the day if, like us, it's something you really want to do.

It's €10.50 for a ticket which includes a free audio tour. It took an hour to get round the house, including looking at all the artefacts and listening to the information plus there's a lot of steep steps so if you're bad on your feet, maybe it's not the thing for you.

The experience itself is incredibly moving, I was close to tears a few times.  It's shocking to see the living conditions of the cramped Annex where the Frank family spent years in hiding, as well as the heart breaking effects of the holocaust. The Annex has been left exactly as it was when the Frank family were captured - nothing, no furniture, just old magazine cut outs which Anne used to decorate her bedroom wall. It's truly an eye opening experience and a must-do if you're visiting Amsterdam.

The Fault In Our Stars Bench

Leidsegracht Canal 

This is the moment my sixteen year old self was absolutely freaking out!

The Fault in Our Stars is one of the most iconic stories of our generation and to be able to visit the bench where Gus and Hazel sat was magical. It's one of my favourite moments from one of my favourite books and a place that you can tell is so special to so many people.

The bench itself is covered in quotes from the book, song lyrics and has love locks attached to the handles. It's the perfect place to sit and relax but it can get busy - we visited in the early evening and although there were crowds, we managed to get photos and have a little sit down next to the canal.

The Red Light District

I'll admit this one isn't for everyone but it's something that Cyde and I were curious about and wanted to go and see. It wasn't what I was expecting at all, in fact it was incredibly eye opening and in a strange way made me proud to be a woman. They're working and they're so in control. It's a completely different culture over there but definitely something that needs to be seen.

Sex Museum

Damrak 18 

If you want a hilariously funny way to fill in a drizzly morning in Amsterdam then the Sex Museum is an absolute must-do. It took us around an hour to walk round but it does get very busy as it's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. For just €5 you can have potentially one of the most eye opening experiences of your entire life and trust me when I say, you will see things that you won't be forgetting in a hurry!

The Ice Bar

Amstel 194 - 196

The Ice Bar is quite literally one of the coolest things I have ever experienced (punny, I know).

We booked via the reception in our hotel and for around €20 we got a drink on arrival, either two pints of Heineken or two straight vodka shots from the actual Ice Bar. It wasn't something that we had planned to do and it was a very last minute booking but I'm so glad we did it. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

We got thick coats and gloves to keep us warm but I literally couldn't feel my legs as we stupidly wore dresses so next time I visit, I'll be going in my jeans. We spent over an hour dancing around the Ice Bar with our new friends Cara and Natalia, shot glasses (made of ice) in hand and giving the hilarious friendly staff a rendition of Starships by Nicki Minaj.

It was one of my favourite things I have ever done and I cannot wait to visit again!

We did so much walking and sight-seeing in Amsterdam, even stumbling across a few little hidden gems along the way. One of my favourite things to do, especially as it was so warm, was sit with my legs dangling over the side of the canal and watch the world go by. We spoke to so many different people including a very lovely couple from America who were absolutely fascinated by our accents.

One thing I absolutely loved about Amsterdam is that everyone was so friendly and would go out of their way to help you. It made my first experience of the city just that little bit more special.

After we met Cara and Natalia at the Ice Bar we spent the rest of the afternoon and the evening with them. It's important to remember that Amsterdam is a city so there's a lot of shopping to do and a huge Primark on the Main Street if that's your kind of thing.

The night life in Amsterdam is amazing, there's so many bars to sit outside, so many restaurants to try and so much culture to experience. On our last night Cara, Natalia, Cyde and I spent the evening drinking wine, making new friends and having such a laugh! It truly was the perfect end to the most incredible holiday.

As you can probably tell, I had the most amazing trip with the best company and I would go back to Amsterdam in a heartbeat.  I knew I was going to enjoy the city but I didn't think I was going to fall in love with it as much as I did. I'd love to go and visit again in the winter as I can imagine it's so magical - that's another one on the bucket list!

I hope my little guide to Amsterdam gave you some fun ideas of things to do and a general idea of how much things cost. I'd love to hear if you have any other recommendations for people so leave them in the comments!

Amsterdam, you truly have a piece of my heart and I cannot wait to visit you again soon.

Lots of love,
Meg x