My Travel Bucket List

Hey guys! In this week's blog, I'm going to be sharing my travel bucket list with you. This is only a small list of places I want to visit because there are, of course, hundreds of places I would love to go. Remember to tell me in the comments what your travel bucket list is!

Italy

Italy has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I have always wanted to go to Rome to see the Colosseum. Italy is such a romantic and magical place. I would love to eat real pizza in Rome and see the Colosseum at night, all lit up.

I also want to go to Venice and have a ride on a canal boat down the waterways. I would ideally love to do a tour of Italy, going around all the places I'd love to visit such as Rome, Venice, Naples and Sicily.

Canada

I would love to visit Canada and I've always wanted to go to Banff and see the magical lakes. It's so beautiful, it looks like Photoshop. I would love to go to Toronto and Vancouver as well. Both me and Oliver would love to move to Canada one day. Life's too short to stay in one place.

I mainly want to go to see the wildlife in Banff and all the scenery. I bet it must be a big contrast between the city and countryside there!

Germany

I mainly want to visit Germany just for the Cologne Christmas market! It looks so cosy and cute.

I've also seen that they have some rather unique castles in Germany that I'd like to visit, such as the Neuschwanstein Castle which is also called "The Castle of the Fairytale King." Disney also used it in their fairytale, Sleeping Beauty and the real Disneyland Castle was inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Kenya/South Africa

I want to go to Africa so that I can just go on a Safari trip! I love animals and seeing them in the wild would be a truly wonderful experience.

There's this hotel in Kenya called The Ark which sounds amazing, but extremely expensive, obviously. It's pictured above and you get to see all the wildlife outside!

Japan

I would like to go to Japan, mainly to see all the beautiful buildings. I would also love to find out more about the Japanese culture so seeing a country so different from the UK would be an experience in itself.

I would love to go to Tokyo during the cherry blossom season. It's so idyllic.

Egypt

Egypt is also on my bucket list because I've always been interested in the history and hieroglyphs.

I'd love to visit the Pyramids and ride a camel! What an experience that would be.

Disneyland

I have been to Disneyland Paris, but my aim is to do all of the parks. I had such a lovely time, and even though I hate roller coasters, I really enjoyed the themes and shopping and the overall experience. I had never been as a kid but Oliver took me and we had a magical few days visiting his family and Paris.

For once, this photo is actually mine. I loved seeing the Disney Castle! I hope one day we get to stay at Disneyland overnight and see the fireworks.

I hope you all enjoyed this post; it's something different I rarely do and would love to write about travel more! Please share your travel bucket lists with me, I'd love to get ideas on where to go.

Until next time, love, Vee x

Blogmas: Gifts for Readers

Hey guys! I can't believe it's so close to Christmas! I wanted to write a post on what to get the reader in your family. If you have any ideas, please share them in the comments!

Gifts for Readers

• Bookmarks (you can never have enough)
• Bookish candles, these can be found on Etsy 
• Bookish subscription box (you can google where to find these but popular ones include Fairyloot, Owlcrate and Once Upon a Book Club) 
• Reading light
• Book sleeves - these can also be found on Etsy
• Book Review notebook - I have one from Fable and Black that I can write my reviews of books in 
• Bookish pins
• Bookish necklaces - I have a Fault in Our Stars one
• Bookish iron-on patches
• Bookish coasters
• A tour of their favourite author's house/book settings (such as Beatrix Potter's house)
• Prints of their favourite quotes from books/authors 
• Bookish mugs
• A book bag - not just handy for books but also shopping
• Literary tea bags - yes they do exist!
• Beanbag chair. Us bookworms love our comfy spaces
• A kindle for easy portability 

I hope this list was helpful for you! Until next time. Love, Vee x

Blogmas: Gift Ideas for Travelers

Do you find it extremely difficult to buy for your family at Christmas? I know I do! If you know someone who likes to travel, then you've come to the right place; this post is a list of gifts for that travel addict we all have in the family.

Let me know some of the travel gifts you've bought for your friends or family in the past!

Adventure Fund

Do you have that one friend who always says they don't have the funds to go away? Why not buy them an adventure fund to save all their loose pennies for holidays?

This cute little adventure fund is from Lisa Angel and is only £7! You can get it here.

World Scratch Map

Does your loved one lose track of all the amazing places they've been? At only £20, this Scratch-off Map from Urban Outfitters is perfect for anyone with a travel bucket list!

Travel Journal

If you know someone who likes to document everything they do, then this Travel Journal is ideal for anyone wishing to remember everything they did on their holiday; from favourite foods to flight details, they'll never forget anything! I was bought this for my birthday and it's so cute! You can purchase it here for £10.

Travel Pillows

Know a unicorn lover or someone who frequently travels on long-haul flights? Then look no further than novelty travel pillows! This unicorn neck pillow from Urban Gifts is only £13.99. They also have a range of other animals including sloths, swans and narwals to choose from!

Travel Trivia

Looking for a fun game to play at Christmas? Travel Trivia is perfect to get the whole family involved and to test your knowledge of the world. You can find it at Find Me A Gift for only £5.99.

Pool Floats

There are so many pool floats to choose from depending on your recipient's preference! There are so many places to buy pool floats, including Find Me A Gift, The Works, Argos and Amazon. There are various foods and animals to choose from, such as Avocados, watermelons, pineapples, swans, unicorns or even a cactus.

Power Banks

Do you know someone who needs a power bank for a long haul flight or for general travel? Why not spice things up a bit and buy a novelty power bank that will have the family in fits of laughter?! This Poop Emoji Power Bank from Argos is only £12.99.

I hope this list has given you some ideas for presents! Until next time, love Vee x

Ways to Practice Self Care in the Winter

Hey guys! So we all know that our mental health can go downhill in the winter months because of the nights drawing in and the cold, rainy days. This post gives you some insight on how to take care of yourself and your mental health during the winter. Self-care isn't just about face masks, eating chocolate and buying your favourite magazine (although I sometimes do this). There's a lot more to it! Read below for some ideas on how to practice better self-care!

Take a Bath or Shower

I personally hate having a bath because, as Chandler puts it, you are "sitting in your own filth." And that just does not relax me. However, I absolutely love showers and when I'm feeling really low I like to take longer ones and just feel the water hitting me; it keeps me grounded when I feel like I'm floating away. If you like showers like me, why not

But if you're a bath person, one way to practice self-care is to have a long bubble bath, buy some Lush bath bombs or read a book in the tub. Do whatever makes you feel more relaxed. Light a few candles and pamper yourself! You can even get a stand like this one so that you can read/watch TV in the tub.

Start a Bullet Journal

If you're having trouble with figuring out how you feel or just want to document your journey, then bullet journaling is a great idea to keep your mind active and to also be creative. You could use your journal for drawings, paintings, calendars or even a mood chart. You can even download bullet journal spreadsheets and printables for inspiration.

Journals are an excellent way to keep track of your mood for your mental health and gives you a good idea of how you're dealing with certain situations. The journal below is an example of a bullet journal (not mine). It's not only for self-care but it's also a great hobby to have and really lets your creativity shine through.

Declutter

Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed or I'm struggling, I like to sort out my wardrobe and have a clear out of things I don't need or use. It helps clear my mind and keeps me busy. I tend to feel relieved and a little less confused after I've had a clear out.

Declutter your wardrobe and get rid of clothes you don't use or items you don't want. Winter is a great time to throw out the old for the new year ahead!

Take Up Meditation or Yoga

Meditation isn't for everyone, but it can be a very relaxing technique to practice for your self-care. Take ten minutes to reflect, think or listen to some tapes. I used to listen to Paul Mckenna to help with my anxiety.

Yoga is also great for relaxing and releases endorphins. If you aren't a fan of yoga, you could take up a different sport or exercise such as running or cycling. I cycle to work each morning and it really makes a difference. Make it a routine - whether you get out of bed and do the sun salutation each morning or go for a run after work in the evening.

Read

Have you got a favourite book? One that you've read over and over again? On days where you need a bit of TLC, why not read your favourite book or pick up a new read, maybe even a winter one to take your mind off things?

If reading isn't for you, then why not watch your favourite movie? My favourite is Bridget Jones and I always watch it when I need cheering up. You could watch a Christmas movie to get you into the spirit.

Go Shopping

If the cold is getting you down, then maybe you should go out for a coffee date with yourself to try a new spiced latte or hot chocolate. You can learn to be in your own company and try something new at the same time. It's good to be by yourself sometimes and to treat yourself to something new, whether you're buying new clothes for the season or something simple such as a face mask, some chocolate or a hot drink.

Make a Quotes Jar

If you're feeling down, why not ask your friends, family or online friends if they would send you a positive quote, compliment or note for you to write down on a piece of paper and keep. You can create a jar of positivity and look at these words whenever you feel down.

Alternately, create your own quotes or happy memories and read one to yourself every day to keep a positive mind.

I hope this post has given you some self-care ideas! Until next time, love, Vee x

Why I'm Afraid to Succeed

Hey guys. So this week's blog is a very personal one for me. It's all about why I'm afraid of succeeding and reaching my goals. I hope others can relate to this, and that this post gives you some comfort in knowing others struggle with this too.

One of my goals in life is to become an editor in a publishing house. I'm really determined to gain as much experience in editing and proofreading as possible and I have enrolled myself on to a CPD diploma in Proofreading, Journalism and Editing. I have various experience with writing but from what a lot of research tells me, it's a very competitive career path.

This is why I would like to study English Literature and Creative Writing at university. But for some reason, I can't bring myself to actually go for it. It may be the debt, money or job aspect holding me back, but ultimately I'm stopping myself applying through my own self-doubt.

There are lots of thoughts in my head right now saying that I can't do this, that I can't succeed and do a degree. I know these thoughts are self-sabotaging and degrading. But there's the little devil on my shoulder saying not to do it, that it'll ruin everything. When in actual fact, this is something I really want and need to do for my career. Will it be hard? Yes, definitely. Will I struggle with money? Probably, but this is an investment in myself. Will it be worth it? Absolutely. I just need to ask myself if, when I'm old, will I regret not doing it? And the answer is yes, I would regret not studying.

I've been looking into university since I was able to use the computer; it's something I really wanted to do, which is why I went into school at the age of fourteen. I had been homeschooled up until this point, so as you can imagine, it was a shock to my system going straight into high school. I ended up having panic attacks and had to leave school for my mental health. I've struggled with chronic anxiety ever since then.

I made it my mission to complete my GCSEs at home through the NEC (National Extension College) where I took English Literature, English Language and Science. We could only afford a few GCSEs which meant I wasn't able to go to college. But with the Open University, I'm able to study part time or full time and it's completely flexible for me.

I need to push myself into new adventures because otherwise I'll be stuck in the same place forever. So take the leap of faith - I'll be right there beside you. Whether it's going for a job interview, applying for university or even travelling. You can do anything if you work hard and put your mind to it!

I hope this blog post is helpful in some way to you. Until next time! Love, Vee x

The Blogger Recognition Award

Hey guys! So I recently got nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award by Emma www.believeinbumble.co.uk and Heather mamabefrugal.blogspot.com. So here's my advice and nominees!

Rules

• Write a post showcasing your award
• Give a brief story about how your blog began
• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers
• Thank whoever nominated you and include a link to their blog
• Nominate fifteen bloggers

How My Blog Began

My blog began after I was put on garden leave from my first job. I used to blog write for a digital marketing agency and I really loved it so once I was jobless, I decided to start up my own blog and this is where I am now! I love my blog and it keeps me sane; if I didn't have it I don't know where I'd be right now. I've made so many friends and found so many new authors.

My Advice

It's about quality not quantity. Write your heart out, spill it all over the internet but don't write posts for the sake of having something on your blog. I messed up and wrote posts that weren't showcasing my skills; I now write quality content when I can about books, interviews and lifestyle. I don't want to churn things out just to have a weekly post up. Make sure you're writing from the heart. If you're in it for the followers and likes, then blogging isn't for you.

Share share share. Make sure you make friends in the blogging community and take part in following other people's blogs and getting to know them. You'll soon build up a network of authors/friends/contacts and they may even help you in the future. I was asked by Alex Owumi if I would participate in a blog tour for his book and I said yes. That post got me more views than any other and I frequently talk to Alex and even wrote a blog post for him. This year, I'm taking on another book tour with him. Contacts are important and not just for views but for friendships too.

Thank you to Emma and Heather once again for nominating me. Here are my nominees:

@AlexOwumi

@hamster_says

@hhniwidamber

@LavraxB

@ejaleigh

@justmominit

@nicoleeblogs

@peachpaaige

@britonabudget1

@medbus97

@BooksNest

@thepatchworkfox

@ruthinrevolt

@RootsWingsBlog

@sophisobel_

So there you go! See you next time, love, Vee x

Poetry Review: 27, With A White Lighter

Happy Hump Day! This post is a review on Jennifer Juan's fifth poetry collection, 27, With a White Lighter.

The collection will be available on 3rd December 2018 and I was asked to review an ARC copy of the collection. Read on to see what my opinion is!

About

Jennifer Juan returns to share her early onset midlife crisis with her fifth major poetry collection, 27, With a White Lighter. A reflection of her life so far, and what the future holds. In her darkest volume yet, Juan muses over romance, the meaning of life,drug culture, sexuality, Brexit and so much more.

Review

I was a little confused about what some of these poems were inferring, but one of my favourites from the collection was Rollercoaster. It's about being at a fairground at night with her partner and wanting everything and everyone to fall away so she could spend time alone with him, forever.

I thought that the use of metaphors were very unique and effective and some of the language was particularly interesting. One of the weirdest poems involved a talking cat going on Spain's Got Talent. It was quite funny.

I thought that these poems were well thought out and are relatable to a lot of people going through heartbreak or uneasiness about the future. Mixed with photos of Jennifer and her partner, this will make an eye catching paperback. One thing that draws me to poetry books are illustrations and pictures.

If you like political poems about Brexit and stories of heartbreak, then this is the book for you. It's fairly quick to read as well. I hope everyone buying this book in December will enjoy it!

Until next time, love Vee x

10 Ways to Save Money on Your Holiday

Hey guys! So this week's post is a guest post from my wonderful partner, Oliver. He's been on many holidays with his parents and plans all of our holidays together, including our two trips to New York. Here are his top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Holiday.

1. Be Realistic

The first thing to do before booking any trip is to be realistic about the amount of money you can afford to spend and your preferred destination. While you cannot afford to go from Europe to America for a holiday from under £300 that could be more than enough to go somewhere remotely closer.

2. Package vs DIY Holidays

Package holidays are where you go to a company or a comparison site and you pick the flights and the hotel through them. Whereas DIY holidays are where you book everything yourself such as the flights, holidays and transfers.

Depending on where you are going either of them could be the best choice. If you are going to a holiday destination such as the Caribbean. Whereas a package holiday could end up costing you a lot more when it comes to visiting a major city such as NY, London or Paris so in that case the DIY option is better.

3. Price Comparison sites

Price comparison sites are a great way to save money as long as you set the right filters. All of the sites can offer better deals depending on where/when and your choice of holiday. My favorite is JetCost which most of the time comes up with the best deals for flights and Hotels.com for the hotel. However, different people have different preferences; my tip is to check out several different ones as well as going straight to the airline/hotel and seeing whether you are getting the best price.

4. Money vs Time

This one is quite important if you are travelling longer distances. If you are travelling ultra long such as London to Sydney then you are going to have no choice but to get connecting flights. However, if you are flying from London to New York there are several ways to go that can be varying prices as well as times. It might cost a lot more to go direct than it will be to stop. You have to weigh up whether it is better to go cheaper and spend less time in your destination or spend a little more and spend more time.

5. The Tuesday Rule

A known fact in the airline industry is that it is always cheaper to book holidays on a Tuesday than on any other day of the week. This is because the weekends are when everyone is able to sit round and talk about it with their families so the price is always the most expensive as well as a Monday because everyone has the weekend hangover and a case of the Monday blues. Therefore, if you do go to book a holiday the best time to do it is on a Tuesday as the airlines start their deals on Tuesdays.

6. Convenience vs Price

When booking a hotel how close it is to the tourist attraction or city it is the more expensive it is going to be. You are paying for the convenience of not having to travel to it. Sometimes it can be more expensive to travel into the city so make sure to do your research. If the hotel offers a free shuttle bus or there is public transportation then you may be better to stay slightly further out and then travel in.

7. Attractions

When you go on holiday everyone wants to see attractions, whether it be museums, art galleries or a theme park. The best thing to do is to do some research to see whether there might be a city pass or if you pay for them in advance or paying for two at the same time can sometimes save you some money.

8. Free Attractions

Before you go make sure you check out some blogs from people who have gone as well as looking at places such as TripAdvisor to check out whether there are any attractions that are completely free. These could be filming locations from one of your favorite TV shows to places that appeared in adverts or just a local park. My favorite free attractions are the owl cafe (Friends building) and the High Line which is an old train line in NYC.

9. Dining

One of my top tips is to check out the local supermarkets and shopping malls that are just outside of the city because you will pay an awful lot less for a fizzy drink than you would if you bought it in the city. You can also pick up some cheap souvenirs for your family and chocolate for yourself in the room.

10. Research

My top tip is do some research months before you want to book a holiday. I have a spreadsheet which has the places I want to go to and then check the prices month from month to see when the cheapest time to book is as well as the cheapest time to go. Then when you have the money to go on a trip you can look at your work and see what you can afford and the best time to go.

Before you set off make sure you have planned and know where everything is so that when you arrive at your destination you aren't blind struck by the location and don't go spending money on taxis you can't afford. This will save you time, money and you will be able to get more out of the location and actually enjoy your holiday and relax.

I hope these tips are helpful to you! Let us know some of your money saving tips. Until next time, love Vee x

A Trip To London And Its Bookstores

Hey guys! So the other week Oliver and I had an impromptu trip to London to see Surrey Scorchers play basketball. We thought we would make the most of the game and go to London for the day.

I wanted to go to a few bookshops I'd wanted to go to for a while and I finally did it! I even beat my anxiety and went in to these stores/boats.

Gay's The Word

The first place I wanted to go was Gay's The Word which is situated near St Pancras Station. It's a sweet bookshop with lovely owners and some great books. There are even postcards and a mural of pins displayed on the wall. There's plenty of books on gay topics such as comics, poetry, history and fiction.

Word On The Water

Word On The Water is also situated near St Pancreas and we had a lovely walk along the river to the boat. It's a cosy little bookshop with kid's books, adult's and even a comfy arm chair to take photos on. It was really busy with people outside pricing books and browsing. It's a great place to find a bargain and take some beautiful pictures.

Notting Hill

I've never been to Notting Hill and I wanted to see the market and take photos of the pretty houses (which is hard to do, I realise now). I also wanted to stand in front of Hugh Grant's door in Notting Hill, the film. There were loads of people invading houses and people's privacy by climbing on their walls to get a photo for Instagram.

We walked through the market, which was heaving, and there were tons of different stalls, from churros (which we had to have), antiques and clothing. It was busy and bustling which I loved and I took some lovely pictures.

Crystal Palace

After a busy day exploring, we headed off to basketball on the train to Crystal Palace. Oliver saw online that there was a Dinosaur Park next to the station and the stadium which was really strange. There were just huge dinosaur statues in a really run down park. (We also nearly got attacked by a squirrel.) It was pretty unique to see but I wouldn't want to see them in the dark!

I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope I've given you some ideas on where to go in London! Until next time, love Vee x

How To Achieve Your Dreams

Hey everyone! For those of you who know me, you'll know that my dream is to become an editor/writer. I have recently decided I'm going to do anything it takes to get to where I want to be, even if it means sacrificing my time, money or anything else.

I have been trying to gain experience in publishing and editing because to become an editorial assistant, you usually need to have a degree and some relevant editorial experience. And after weeks of feeling low, I've managed to secure myself an editorial internship with Society19, a student magazine. I've submitted a few articles already which is very exciting! 

The great thing about this internship is that I don't have to be a student or a graduate; usually, to do an editorial internship you need to have a degree. I'm so excited about this journey that I'm going on at the moment. Good things are coming.

I never thought I could succeed because of my education and lack of qualifications but I managed to achieve one of my goals! And you can too. Don't let your negativity, background or anyone stop you from achieving your goals. 

I'm going to be an editor one day and no matter how many times I get knocked down, I'm going to get back up and fight for what I want. I've had so many fantastic opportunities in my life. Some things may be rubbish, such as a job or a negative person in your life, but I promise you that you can do whatever you set your mind to. You just need to believe in yourself.

Stay positive and remember to take time for yourself. There's no point stressing over things right now; good things are coming, just believe in that. Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people who want you to be happy and you'll start to feel more confident and positive in yourself.

Remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. You are your own person and you can tell people what you think. Speak up for yourself and be heard. You have the power to do anything with your life! Isn't that exciting?

I hope you take away some positivity from this post and work hard to achieve your dreams. It may be difficult but I promise every hurdle will be worth it. Until next time, love, Vee x

Things to Do While in Croatia

Hey guys! I recently went on holiday to Croatia with my partner and his family so I wanted to share my experience with you all. I'll be telling you where we went and what we ate in Dubrovnik, which is where we stayed.

We were staying near the old town in Dubrovnik, which is a beautiful tourist spot. They film parts of Game of Thrones there because it's so medieval looking! We stayed just above Banje Beach where we spent a lot of time swimming. I've never been in the sea before so it was a very strange feeling.

Eating Out and Supermarkets

The currency in Croatia is mainly in Kunas but some places accept euros or cards. Just be aware that there are a lot of expensive places to eat in the old town as this is where the boats come in and it's a top tourist spot. We found a nice ice cream stall in the old town that was fairly cheap at 10 kunas a scoop and it's located right next to the old port.

We also went to several restaurants in Dubrovnik's old town and had some wonderful dishes, including pasta, pizza and burgers (obviously). One place that Oliver and I really liked was Burger Tiger. It was a fast food place which also had seating and served pizza, pasta and burgers. Their chips were delicious! If you want to know more about them, here's their website.

We had several supermarkets around where we stayed, called Pemo which were relatively cheap but probably would have been much cheaper if we had been staying on the other side of the old town.

Days Out

Montenegro

Oliver's parents rented a car for a few days so that we could travel to Montenegro. It's a beautiful place to take photos. We had some lunch in a shopping centre and there's some ruins and a little church that you can walk up to (quite steep). There's also a cat museum (I didn't get to go because I found a kitten and we wanted to take him home, so if I saw more, we would have had to rent a truck and drive them all back to the UK).

The Old Town

I know that I've already mentioned the old town but it is a beautiful place to go in Dubrovnik. With plenty of tours, cosy restaurants and cute book and candy stores, there's something for everyone. Definitely go in Captain Candy which has massive pieces of all types of sweets! The alleyways and buildings are beautiful, especially when lit up at night. We really enjoyed walking around and sitting near the water at the old port when we could.

Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island is just a 15-minute boat ride from the old port in Dubrovnik but costs 150 kunas each which is roughly £20. I wanted to go over to the Island because I wanted to swim in the "Dead Sea" which is a rocky pool situated on the island. It was beautiful but I recommend bringing some sort of swimming shoes as I did cut my foot!

You don't receive a map when you buy the tickets - I took ours from the apartment with us which was extremely handy. But if you don't have a map, don't worry, there are plenty of signs on the Island. We also climbed the very steep hill to Fort Royal, a small building at the top of the Island. We were both so exhausted by the end we had a nap as soon as we got back!

Although the view from the Fort was gorgeous, it was a very tiring day. We did see baby peacocks which were so cute!

I recommend taking snacks with you because the cafes and restaurants are really expensive.

Cable Car

The cable car was about 150 kunas for a return ticket but we only got a one-way ticket and walked all the way back down. It is really rocky and takes at least 45 minutes. It was a really amazing experience to see Dubrovnik from so high up. Just don't buy anything in the gift shop if you don't want to be bankrupt!

There's a war museum at the top as well which tells you all about the fire that happened there.

Don't forget to tell me if you are going to Croatia or have been; I'd love to know what you get/got up to!

Until next time, love Vee x

Our Trip to Amsterdam

Hey guys! Last week, Oliver and I were on our way to Amsterdam! We had such an amazing time and I wanted to share where we went and what we did with you. I hope you enjoy this post and let me know in the comments if you have been or are planning to go to Amsterdam.

Day One

I booked our holiday for three days and we stayed at the Ramada Airport Schiphol hotel which was a ten minute drive from the hotel and we had a free shuttle service to and from. It was a little way out of the centre of Amsterdam but there was a supermarket close by which meant we could buy all our drinks and some food at cheaper prices. You can get the train from the airport directly to the city centre and it takes around 20 minutes.

Our flight landed at around 8am so we had a whole day and checked in to our hotel to drop off our bags. We then headed back to the airport and caught the train into the centre. On our first day, we went to the sex museum, which was funny and interesting and maybe a little embarrassing! It's only five euros each. After that we took a wander around and had some lunch at McDonald's before making our way to Jordaan and the flower markets. We did a lot of walking so I recommend catching the tram or Metro! We also purchased a three day travel card from the airport which was around twenty-eight euros each and covered us for all trains, trams, metro and ferries.

We had a look at The Cat Boat, a little boat full of stray cats and then we walked all the way back to Dam Square and went to Ripley's Believe it or Not. I recommend looking at offers before going because we made the mistake of buying a full ticket when we could have had another tour for the same price. Ripley's was quite fun and we were there for Pride week and they were allowing people to marry for one day only so it was lovely seeing all the couples getting married!

We then walked all the way back to the Anne Frank House and had dinner at Pancakes Amsterdam, which is just across from Anne Frank. We recommend using your card more than bringing cash as we ate there three times and they don't accept cash but give you the option to pay in pounds so you don't have to pay an exchange rate. The pancakes are delicious and you get a little key ring souvenir each time you go.

We booked the 6pm slot to visit the Anne Frank House and it was the most inspiring experience; you can't go to Amsterdam without visiting. There was a screaming baby which ruined the experience slightly, but seeing the attic, where she lived, was insane. The experience made me quite emotional and we must have been there for over an hour. You get to use headsets which tell you more in detail about the way the Franks lived and what happened to them.

Day Two

On day two, all rested from the day before, we made our way out into the city early and visited Noord on the ferry. We saw online that there was a place called A'dam Lookout. It's a tall building which has a swing that swings you over the edge, so of course Oliver wanted to try it. We booked our slot and for around forty euros we went upstairs and looked around as the sights from up there were incredible. We should have bought the ticket that included lunch though as we both had paninis.

The swing, Over the Edge, was scary but an experience I'm glad I didn't miss. We made our way back downstairs and onto the ferry which departs around every six minutes and it's also free.

We then made our way to the smallest pub in Amsterdam (from the TV advert), the smallest house and the smallest cafe, where we went to have a drink.

In the evening we headed over to the Red Light District and visited the Erotic Museum which was about seven euros each. It has some of John Lennon's drawings, a weird cartoon program and lots of sex toys. We also visited the Prostitution Museum which is a few buildings down and that was around eleven euros each. You get a headset to listen to a prostitute's story and you get to visit the brothel. The end was the best part because everyone writes their sex confessions and sticks them on the wall! 

We went to the Pancake place again to kill time so it would get dark so we could see the Red Light District at night. It was weird seeing prostitutes in the windows and seeing all the guilty men coming out at only 9pm. It was interesting to see and I definitely recommend going at night when it's so busy.

Day Three

We had pretty much done everything we wanted to do and see so we headed off to the airport to drop off our luggage (only six euros each on card if you're taking hand luggage). We wanted to visit Artis Zoo so we took the Metro. It was around fifty euros for both of us to get in and it was quite a large zoo. They have everything from elephants to insects, reptiles to penguins and wolves. I definitely recommend a visit if you have time and it only takes a few hours to go around, depending on what you want to see.

We then made our way to the pancake place again where I had american pancakes with bacon and maple syrup (oh my God it was so good). By the time we had finished, it was already time to go!

I think three days was enough for Oliver and I, but it depends on what you like to do. If you're an art freak or museum nut, then you might need longer, but if you're like us and want to do little museums and attractions, then you won't need long at all.

Until next time, love Vee x