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3 days in Valencia, Spain: exploring the home of paella

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Here’s my itinerary for spending 3 days in Valencia, Spain. This beautiful Mediterranean city is best known for being the home of paella, but there’s much more to it than that. I think it’s a really underrated city break. You’ll fall in love with the scent of the orange trees that line the sunny streets, the mixture of historical and futuristic architecture, and the endless flow of unusual beverages (which I’ll explain later). Valencia has its own unique vibe, different from other Spanish cities, and is perfect for a long weekend.

I got to know the city quite well on a recent visit, so hopefully this little itinerary for 3 days in Valencia will help you to make the most of your time there. And although I’ve covered 3 days, you could cram it into 2 by cutting out the day at the end. Or you could even spread it out for a longer stay and enjoy exploring at a more leisurely pace. 

So settle down with a glass of agua de València and enjoy planning a beautiful 3 days in Valencia…

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25 things to do in Bowness and the wider Lake District

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Things to do in Bowness and the Lake District | PACK THE SUITCASES

This list of things to do in Bowness and further out around the Lake District only includes stuff that I personally like. I’m a lifelong lover of this magical part of the country and wanted to share some of my favourite spots with you, from the ‘big hits’ of the Lakes to lesser-known gems.

The Lake District is England’s largest National Park, full of rugged fells, charming villages and interesting history, especially for any fellow literature lovers. Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and even John Cunliffe (of Postman Pat fame!) all drew their inspiration from its landscape. It’s not hard to see why they fell in love with it. If you’re planning your first visit, you’re in for a treat. And if you’ve been before, there’s always more to uncover.

If this all sounds up your street, read on for my favourite things to do in Bowness and further into the Lake District…

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2 days in Hamburg, Germany: a weekend itinerary

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2 days in Hamburg, Germany | PACK THE SUITCASES

Spending 2 days in Hamburg, Germany is a perfect little weekend city break. There are loads of things to do, places to visit, and of course (most importantly) amazing places to eat and drink. It’s like Berlin’s less pretentious seafaring cousin.

Hamburg has history, a gritty industrial edge and a vibe that’s uniquely its own.

If you’re looking for an unusual city break and you’ve already done the usual German ones like Berlin and Munich, I’d definitely recommend looking into Hamburg. And luckily for you, I’ve got loads of tips here in my little Hamburg weekend itinerary.

Here’s what I recommend doing, seeing, eating and drinking over 2 days in Hamburg…

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17 lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal: a seaside town fit for royalty

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Things to do in Cascais, Portugal | PACKTHESUITCASES

Here are a few lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal, a charming seaside town with a beautiful lighthouse, arty/cultural vibes, flower-lined streets and loads of seafood restaurants. Cascais is one of the most popular day trips from the capital, as it’s only about 40 minutes on the train from Lisbon. But it’s a world away from the busy, bustling city. Cascais is all about a slower pace of life, where you can stroll along the beach and stop for a drink and a people-watch on a quiet tiled street.

The royal family made Cascais their official summer residence in the 1870s, so all the wealthy people soon wanted to flock to this seaside paradise too. It’s retained its affluent nature to this day, being part of what tourist boards call the ‘Portuguese Riviera’. But it’s so much less touristy and in-your-face than the French and Italian versions, which is why I love it. Not to mention that it’s home to one of the prettiest views in the whole of Portugal: a little cove where you can look out to a charming blue stripy lighthouse, turquoise sea and palm trees. 

If this all sounds up your (tiled) street, have a read of my favourite things to do in Cascais…

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18 lovely things to do in Skipton: a pretty market town in North Yorkshire

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Here are my personal recommendations for some of the best things to do in Skipton, a picture-perfect market town in North Yorkshire (UK). Known for being the ‘gateway’ to the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton is dead popular with tourists and locals alike, and it’s not hard to see why. Visitors are drawn in by the town’s beautiful position on the Leeds-Liverpool canal, its imposing 900-year old castle, and its plethora of cute cobbled streets. Oh and then there are all the brilliant places to eat and drink, which Skipton has more than its fair share of. If you enjoy a beer and a pub meal or a good cuppa and a scone, you’re in the right place.

Skipton is always topping polls of the best places to live in the UK. But if you’re not quite poised to up sticks and move there, then it also makes a lovely place for a day trip. It’s surrounded by the stunning Yorkshire Dales, so you could combine an afternoon in town with a morning walk out in the hills. Or you could extend your time into a weekend break to enable more exploring (and eating) in the surrounding countryside and towns.

If this all sounds up your proverbial street, read on for my ideas for things to do in Skipton…

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20 of the prettiest Greek islands for couples

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The best Greek islands for couples | PACK THE SUITCASES

Here are 20 of the prettiest and best Greek islands for couples to visit. Of course, all of the Greek islands have their own charms, but some are definitely geared more towards groups of friends looking for a boozy holiday and others are more for families with children. As I’m too old for partying and highly allergic to children, I’ve enjoyed putting together this list for couples who want the perfect Greek island to get away from it all. 

If you ask me, the essential ingredients for a couples’ trip include pretty streets lined with flowers; nice bars and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the sunset over some delicious local food and drink; secluded golden beaches leading to turquoise waters; and cute villages to visit for day trips. Oh and somewhere dreamy to stay, whether that’s a rented apartment to pretend you live there or a posh hotel to splash out on.

As well as sharing my own favourite Greek islands that I’ve been to and loved, I thought I’d rope in some other travel bloggers to help out with this list and so that I could include tips on islands that I’ve never visited myself. I asked around and some lovely fellow travel bloggers kindly obliged me with their recommendations. 

So, whether you’re on the hunt for a beautiful honeymoon destination or just somewhere for a romantic break, I reckon you’ll find somewhere that takes your fancy out of these picks of the 20 best Greek islands for couples. Get comfy with a glass of Ouzo. It might take you a while to choose just one…

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