My Summer Travels 2018 with Ria

Posted on 04 October 2018

My Summer Travels 2018 with Ria

 As summer come’s to a close I’m left here staring out at the cloudy British sky and reminiscing on the sunny destinations I managed to visit this summer. From the Spanish streets of Barcelona to the picturesque and perfect Amalfi coast keep reading for my top tips and must see’s when visiting Europe’s most popular, current destinations.

Barcelona

The beautiful thing about Barcelona is I believe you can continue going back again and again with friends, family or just by yourself and the city will offer you a different experience each time.

Once you arrive get yourself down to Le Rambla and take a walk through the streets, the atmosphere is the perfect introduction to this vibrant city.

Top Tip: When stepping out in the evening for food and drink, get yourself to a little square known as ‘Placa Reial’ just off Le Rambla, the square is full of different restaurants, bars and cafes each offering something a little different, with a fantastic atmosphere as well it is one of the cities best kept secrets.

A must see is Barcelona’s Parc de Guell, one of the architect Gaudi’s creations. You will find yourself walking through a colorful and floral menagerie of perfection and if you find yourself by the ‘insta-famous’ colour wall, you will see some breathtaking views of the city.

Top Tip: Try to go on a weekday to avoid the harsh crowds and get the sights to yourself, alternatively if you attend on a weekend then book an early ticket slot for similar benefits.

If there was one thing I would recommend doing while your visiting Barcelona, it’s getting yourself to a rooftop bar to enjoy the views the city has to offer at night and you can do this one with a cocktail in hand.

Top tip: Head to a place called 1881 Per Sagardi, situated on top of the ‘Museu d'Historia de Catalunya’. The cocktails are brilliant and not too pricey, the vibe is cool, and the views are stunning.  

The Amalfi Coast  - Italy

The perfect place to go for an avid Instagrammer and one of my favorite destinations to date.   

The Amalfi coast is made up of an array of picture-perfect towns across the northern coast of Italy and has become an incredibly popular destination with fashion and travel influencers of late thanks to its pretty scenery. 

Top Tip: Try and rent a room within ‘Amalfi town’, its smaller than the likes of Positano or Sorento but you will feel right at home in no time. The picturesque local square that you drive into is a hub of local shops, restaurants, and home to an impressive cathedral and very friendly locals.

 

You have the opportunity of being closely located to fallen city of Pompeii when visiting Amalfi, its just a bus/train journey away and is a very worthwhile experience. I would highly recommend this one for all the history lovers out there.

Top tip: When travelling from the Amalfi town, grab a seat on the tourist bus, it gets you to the train station much quicker than the regular bus’s do, slightly more expensive but well worth it. (This one came from one of the Amalfi locals). 

My last tip for Amalfi is take a boat trip around the island of Capri and to the blue grotto, its truly stunning and an experience of its own. You can do this by hiring your own boat or taking one of the small ferry boats.  

Top Tip: When docking in the port of capri do not and I repeat do not stop to eat at one of the marina front restaurants, the prices are obscene, the service terrible and the waiting staff intimidating. Walk deeper into Capri and find a nice local owned place to enjoy. The marina is a poor example of an otherwise beautiful island

So there are my top tips from my travels this summer, I hope you find them useful, Until next time guys! 

Images are all my own - Instagram @riacatherinedines

 


       

 

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