WORDS & PICTURES: Cristina Reina
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Cristina is a Spanish expat currently living in Leeds, UK. She is the founder of My Little World of Travelling, a travel and expat blog that inspires female travellers to live abroad and have more authentic experiences in Europe.
The Ultimate Travel Checklist is an interview series which allows our guests to reminisce upon their favourite destinations in the world. Whether you long for luxury travel or crave the adventurous nature of backpacking, the Ultimate Travel Checklist will have you adding to your bucket list.
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Pentahotel Brussels, Belgium
If you’re looking for a city break, Brussels is a great destination that you can visit in two or three days. When choosing a hotel, I always look for a good location, somewhere near the city centre, so I can spend more time exploring.
Pentahotel Brussels ticks off location, great service, and atmosphere. Their rooms are beautifully-decorated in a modern style and have all the amenities you could need. What is also cool about the hotel is the lounge, where you can have a cheeky drink or meet new people.
Last but not least, the hotel has a restaurant that serves delicious food. Since my visit, the menu has changed, but I loved trying some traditional Belgian food.
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Cruel Restaurante, Porto, Portugal
During my visit to Porto in February 2019, I fell in love with the place – its colourful streets, friendly people, beautiful ceramic tiled buildings, and, of course, the food.
Portuguese food is hearty but delicious, and I was over the moon to get some local food recommendations from my Portuguese friend. She suggested going to this restaurant which she had never been to, but had heard good things about it.
For me, the best thing about Cruel Restaurante is its unique three menus. The menus are based on traditional Portuguese food, and a mixture of Portuguese and international food. The dishes are generous, and the food is mouth-watering.
I had stuffed mushrooms with goat cheese and red pepper jam for a starter, bacalhau (cod) with potatoes and caramelised onions for main, and rhubarb crumble for dessert. You won’t go wrong with any of these dishes, for sure.
It’s amazing to eat traditional Portuguese flavours presented in a contemporary way, and is even better when the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.
Looking for a day trip from Porto? | Aveiro, Portugal: City Guide
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Valeria’s Terrace, Malaga, Spain
If you’re visiting Malaga at some point, you definitely need to check out the terrace at the Room Mate Valeria Hotel. The good thing is that you don’t need to be a guest in the hotel to access their terrace.
I love the atmosphere of this terrace and the decor that consists of blue and white colours that represent Malaga.
It’s the perfect place to listen to music, sip a delicious cocktail and enjoy beautiful views of the city and port.
There’s also a swimming pool, but this is only open for hotel guests.
EXPLORE THIS CITY
Lincoln, UK
When I started travelling, I was all about visiting big cities like New York, London, Paris, etc. However, just before 2019, I changed the way I see travel, and began to focus more on discovering less-popular destinations.
The pandemic opened my eyes to local travel, and as I am currently living in Leeds, UK, I looked for a nearby city, and came across Lincoln.
Some friends told me Lincoln was worth visiting, so I decided to stay there for three days – and it was a great option, indeed.
Lincoln is relatively small in comparison to other UK cities, but it’s full of charm and history. Lincoln Castle is the only place in the world where you can find original copies of both the 1215 Magna Carta, and you’ll love wandering around the castle walls.
You also can’t miss the opportunity to visit the impressive Lincoln Cathedral. Although there’s an entry fee, I highly recommend going in! Even better if you have a look at the rooftop tour. I didn’t have the chance to do it because of availability, but I can’t wait to go back and do it.
Apart from these historic places, it’s a lovely city to wander around and have a traditional afternoon tea. My top choice is the quirky Bunty’s Tea Room that is located near the famous Steep Hill Street.
LOUNGE ON THIS BEACH
Aphrodite’s Wild Beach, Paphos, Cyprus
Cyprus is my favourite beach destination: crystal-blue transparent sea, golden sand, and incredible rock formations make it a paradise. I have never in my life seen beaches better than those in Paphos!
Although there are many beaches around Paphos, Aphrodite’s Wild Beach is my top choice because it’s a bit hidden and you need to hike all the way down to access the beach. Also, nearby there plenty of natural spots such as the Akamas Peninsula, to hike or go on a 4×4 tour.
TAKE IN THIS VIEW
Rock of Gibraltar
Many people had told me Gibraltar wasn’t worth visiting, and that all I could see was cheeky monkeys. But I like checking things for myself, so I decided to go on a day trip from Malaga, my hometown, to Gibraltar last summer.
I was so happy I didn’t listen to anyone and chose to visit Gibraltar. The place is unique for many reasons: its location as it’s situated between Spain and Africa; its culture, which consists of a mixture of Spanish, British, Maltese and other cultures and can be seen in the architecture and food; the language, although English is the official language and many locals speak Spanish, they even have their own language “el llanito”.
I hope that I have already convinced you to visit, but if not, the view from the Rock of Gibraltar will blow your mind! From there you can get a view of three countries – Spain, Africa, and Gibraltar. To get to the rock, you can get the cable car and walk your way up.
Visit Gibraltar with us | Monkeys, Pubs, and an Unusual Arrival in Gibraltar
