Valencia | Sun, Sea & Sangria

Half days at work are the best, especially as you know the second part involves travelling to your holiday destination, so here comes my blog to Valencia (Spain).

Girls trip with 9 of us including friends from various different groups organised by my work number 1 Lana who lived there for a year as part of her uni degree.

Lana and I arrived a good few hours before the rest and got in the holiday mood with a bottle of Pinot Grigio.

After the others arrived we browsed the shops (duty free Zara I meannn...) before heading to the gate for our delayed flight. 

Our accommodation was incredible and very central, right by Placa De La Verge and the cathedral. Take a look at it here. So after unpacking we decided to go to the square for a pre bed drink which ended up being fish bowl sized gin and tonics. 

Day 1 // We woke up to an overcast square so we headed out for a tostada and coffee whilst we waited for 2 more to join us.   

Pretty quickly the sun started to make an appearance, so we headed to the park for a sun tan session.

We later discovered after realising we should probably get out the sun that we'd positioned our towels on a bed of giant ants, which would explain what I could feel in my hair. Far from pleasant. On route home we stopped by Llaollao for a sanum froyo... Yum!

And then our first sangria in the square!

After a well-needed shower and snooze we went for dinner at La Lola, Lana and Georgie's favourite restaurant, but not before a group pic in the square.

Dinner was amazing, we sat in the cutest little courtyard and had a 5 course meal with wine for 30 euros.

We weren't ready to get back to the apartment was dinner was over so we went for a dance.

Day 2 // Tostadas and coffee became and thing and whilst it was a little cloudy in the morning we thought what better way to enjoy the city than to do what the Spaniards do. After the previous day's ant infestation incident we decided that the beach was today's destination. Blue skies and palm trees. 

After lying in the sun for the majority of the day we needed some grub so we walked towards the marina and had a selection of tapas; patatas bravas, calamari, king prawns and croquettes. 

One of the girls living in Valencia was celebrating her birthday so we went home to get ready for her birthday night out. 

We hopped in a taxi and headed back to the beach to La Marina Beach Club and the setting was amazing! 

We had such a good evening, which

involved Melissa and I practicing our salsa which we obviously thought we were so good at, not sure what those around us thought. 

Day 3 // We all woke up with slightly sore heads but it was Lana's birthday so we had to do it all again! 

The weather was amazing yet again so did exactly the same as the day before. Mid afternoon we headed for some paella on the beach, we opted for traditional seafood and also Valencian which involved snails and rabbit. 

Back at the beach, the clouds started to roll in and the wind picked up so we decided to call it a day and get ready for the evening festivities.

That evening we had a pre party at our apartment before heading back to the beach to a different club, Aquarela.

We had such a good night and it was great because we had the option of either dancing outside or inside. 

Day 4 // After another late night, we decided tonight would be our night off and our day of sight-seeing. 

Breakfast consisted of tostadas and coffee in a cute little cafe in one of the little squares of Valencia before we headed off for a quick beach session. It was hot, so we didn't stay for too long before going off to visit the City of Arts and Sciences, which was totally different to the rest of the city. Abstract, modern and awesome architecture. 

We then took a long walk back to the apartment through the park. For dinner that evening we headed out late for tapas we found down a tiny little alley.

Day 5 // The night before was a much needed earlier night so we decided to get up earlyish for a spot more exploring.  We started at the cathedral where we climbed millions of stairs before we got this view of the city and saw the Bell Tower.

For breakfast we went to the food market  for some local pastries and browsed some other market stalls and I found this tiled wall which is beautiful.

Then off to the beach we went again so our final sun tanning session.

For our final evening, we went left the apartment around 10.30pm in search off tapas again and we found another cute tapas restaurant in the square nearby. The evening ended with some unexpected dancing and a much later night than planned, but we had to make the most of our last night.

All in all Valencia was amazing. Little English was spoken locally, it was beautiful with amazing buildings and a lovely beach. Would highly recommend it.

Next stop; Madrid

Xoxo

Home is where the heart is | Cornwall

I've been slack but I've been too busy enjoying the sunshine soz. So on this rainy Tuesday I'm reminiscing on the Bank Holiday.

This is the best part of the year in the UK because we have multiple bank holiday weekends. For this one we were lucky to have my grandparents visiting from South Africa so we took them down to our house in Cornwall for a weekend at the beach.

After an epically long journey down, where I managed stay awake for all but 20 minutes (thank you Nath for taking over) we finally arrived and hit the sack immediately.

Good morning Saturday!!! The below was just your average wake up call, making even myself envious right now as I cross over Jubilee Bridge brandishing a broken umbrella to try and protect my hair from frizzing.

After a quick breakfast it was time to hit the beach. I'm pretty sure this was the first time this year it was sunny but also warm. Hello to sandals and leaving coats at home.

We stopped by the Inn on the Shore for a pit stop, coffee for some, beers for others - it was midday and a bank holiday weekend no dramas.

It was time to refuel. Post lunch I thought I'd test out my solo yoga skills with a view. Just to give you some background, I've just started yoga properly (iamyoga London) after my local gym just suddenly closed and it's safe to say I'm hooked. 

Such a perfect day to be in Cornwall and I was super excited to see the sunset and it didn't disappoint.

Sunday's weather however, was disappointing. The sea wasn't even visible when we woke up and the rain came to say hello. We had booked to go to The View. It's all in the name, incredible views over Whitsand Bay, unfortunately these wouldn't be making an appearance any time soon. This didn't however ruin the amazing food The View has on offer.

I started with seared Pigeon and it was soooo delicious.

Followed by the Hake, I wish I could provide a better description but I forgot to write it down.

And of course the most chocolatey dessert on the menu. Brownie!!

After being stuffed full it was time to head off and do absolutely nothing (I'm

allowed it's the weekend)! Do you really think I'd be able to sit still and do nothing, you must be kidding. I forced everyone into a game of Trivial Pursuit where Granny wiped the floor and Nath came second.

You'll be impressed as I then headed out on a run with Dad and Nath despite the pants weather and having wine for lunch. 

We woke up on Monday to the same weather, but not to give in to Mother Nature we make the most of the day. We headed into Looe for a spot of pottery painting at Paint-a-Pot.

For lunch we got into the 'summer' vines and had a delicious prawn, lime, chilli and coriander salad! 

Before it was time for Nath and I to bid farewell!

Until next time Cornwall... 

Xoxo