Laura Thornberry : travel

Top Reasons Why You Should Visit Mykonos This Year | AD*

By Laura Thornberry - 12:36

One of the most popular holiday destinations to go to is Greece and this is no surprise with the amount of fun and entertaining things you can do when you visit this island. Greece is a popular holiday destination as there are so many islands to visit and there is something for all the family to enjoy when you go to Greece. I recently visited the island of Zakynthos, and absolutely fell in love with it. One of the popular islands to visit in Greece is Mykonos and, it's definitely an island that I want to take a trip to, and in this article, I will discuss the reasons why you should visit Mykonos this year. If you are interested and you would like to find out more, keep reading for further information.

Historical Sites to See

One of the reasons that many people travel to Greece is to get a chance to look around and enjoy the history. In Mykonos, there are many museums and places that you can visit around the island to learn some new information and see the historical sites for yourself.

Villas

When you travel to Mykonos, there some stunning hotels that you can go to, however, if you are looking for something different then you can go and stay in a villa. There are many different villas in Mykonos, Greece to choose from that are suitable for big or small families and can be found in many locations around the island either close to the beach, closer to the town or near the mountains. The website Loyal Villas Luxury has some beautiful options that are worth taking a look at.

Beautiful Beaches

In Mykonos, there are many beautiful beaches to visit with gorgeous white sand and crystal clear waters. You can have a look around the beach and walk to the shop or sunbathe and enjoy spending time with family. When you are at the beach you can also pay to go on boat trips around the island and enjoy some beautiful scenery. Platys Gialos, Psarou, Elia are some of the best beaches in Mykonos to visit.

Night Life

In Greece, there are many different islands and they are more suited to different people depending on the type of holiday you want to go on. For example, there are places in Greece that are more suited to couples and families, whereas there are some places that are suited for younger people and people looking for some great nightlife. On the Greek island Mykonos, you can enjoy some brilliant nightlife with many different bars and clubs to go to across the island.

Overall, there are many different reasons why you should visit Mykonos this summer and in this article, we discussed some of the reasons why. If you are haven’t booked your summer holiday yet then have a read over this article to find out why you should head to Mykonos this year. Whether you want to sunbathe on one of the stunning beaches and relax or hit up the bars and clubs – Mykonos will be perfect. Book your trip today and you will not regret visiting this wonderful island.

Have you been to Mykonos before? What other islands in Greece would you like to visit?

* AD | This is a collaborative guest post which has been sponsored.

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europe

My Top European City Break Destinations For 2019

By Laura Thornberry - 09:00

When it comes to travel, I've never really travelled long-haul, 4-5 hour flights is the longest I've ever been on and I've always stuck close-ish to home. It's always been something on my 'bucket list' to visit every single country in Europe. Europe is home to a huge 50 countries; a few of those whose territory is considered to be in both Europe and Asia. Each country offers something new as there's such a variety of culture, traditions, cuisines and history, which is what makes Europe such an exciting and interesting place to explore. I've got some pretty exciting and beautiful cities on my bucket list and I'm hoping that 2019 ticks off a few of those for me.

Istanbul, Turkey

A city full of culture where East meets West, Istanbul connects Asia with Europe. Istanbul is the most developed and largest city of Turkey that offers such stunning scenery and rich historic legacy, it would be such a fantastic city to explore. I'd also love to visit the Spice Bazaar as this is where you’ll find everything imaginable, and me being a foodie, this would be an absolute dream. And of course a trip to Istanbul wouldn't be complete without a Bosphorus cruise to take in the amazing views of the city.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a modern city full of culture and history. Packed with a long history and a very trendy contemporary art scene, there are countless things to do in Berlin. There's a diverse mix of sights, with the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Zoo, the Holocaust Memorial, the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie to name just a few. It's definitely a city not to be missed off your list.

Budapest, Hungary

With a rich history, stunning skyline and exciting nightlife, Budapest is a great destination to suit all travel tastes. The city is full of architecture, famous for its Art Nouveau, as well as plenty of Gothic, Renaissance, Classicist and Baroque structures across the city. If you need somewhere to relax, Budapest is filled with beautiful thermal baths, all with healing properties and stunning architecture that cannot be missed. From St Stephen’s Basilica, to the Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building, these are some of the sights that I definitely want to see. To me, Budapest is one Instagrammable city that I cannot wait to see for myself.

Edinburgh, Scotland

I'm sure this one is a bit of a shock as it wouldn't be something for everyone, but Edinburgh is a beautiful city with a fusion of architecture, shopping and dining. The iconic and main attraction of Edinburgh Castle has to be the highlight of the city for me. It's architecture and history is so captivating and exciting, I would definitely need to visit. Climbing up the Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat would also be on my to-do list to take in the amazing view over Edinburgh and its surroundings areas. A trip to Edinburgh would also need you to walk The Royal Mile, one of the most touristy places of the city, located in the old town.

Barcelona, Spain

I've previously visited Calella, but for me, Barcelona has everything you need for the perfect city break. Full of culture, leisure, sport, shopping and nightlife, there's definitely something for everyone here and every type of holiday you would like. It also boasts a mild climate all year round making it the perfect place to visit whenever you're free. Located on the coast, there are miles of beaches which makes Barcelona perfect for a sun, sea and sand getaway! Spanish cuisine is to die for and I love the famous dishes of tapas, where you can pick and choose small dishes, allowing you to taste absolutely everything, which you should not miss! Places of interest for me are the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and FC Barcelonas Camp Nou.

Athens, Greece

Athens is an ancient city full of history and wonder, and the birthplace of philosophy and democracy, and is one of the oldest cities on earth. Attractions wise, The Acropolis is an ancient site in the Western world definitely worth a visit, along with the Parthenon, it stands over Athens giving you breath-taking 360 degree views of the city. If you read my Zakynthos post, you'll know that I absolutely love Greek food and that alone is reason enough to plan a city break to Athens. The list of mouth-watering Greek dishes is endless, from Souvlakis to Moussakas, and Tszaziki and fresh Greek Salads, you'll be spoilt for choice. AS well as super trendy rooftop bars and a huge coffee culture, Athens is a thriving city that is perfect for a city break.

Prague, Czech Republic

Located in the heart of Europe, Prague is another city full of history and culture. Nicknamed City of a Hundred Spires, Prague’s skyline is pretty epic, filled with picturesque views, it would be any Instagrammers photo heaven. I'm eager to snap away! Walking tours seem quite popular and I think it's definitely a smart way to guide yourself around a new city, learn some history, and come across some of the main attractions. With Prague Castle and Charles Bridge being some top tourist attractions I'd like to explore to appreciate the diversity of the city’s architecture.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Referred to as 'the pearl of the Adriatic', and located in the middle of the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik has been somewhere I have wanted to go for years. It's a place full of history and beauty. Walking around the old town would be like stepping straight back into the past, with stunning architecture and learning all the history from the medieval era. Croatian cuisine features grilled or barbecued fish and seafood, which I absolutely love and could eat everyday. Along with the picturesque views and beautiful weather, Dubrovnik is a truly amazing travel destination that I can't wait to explore.

Where would your perfect European city break destination be? Have you visited any of the cities I have included in my round-up?

* All photography is from Google Images

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europe

144 Hours in Castel San Giovanni, Milan

By Laura Thornberry - 10:00

If you saw my last travel adventure diary blog post, I jetted off to the beautiful island of Zakynthos, Greece, and I loved sharing my travel itinerary and my recommendations from the trip. I thought I would produce a new blog post as I've just recently got back from a short trip to Milan, Italy. My sister and her husband recently moved to a new house in Castel San Giovanni, so that was the inspiration behind the trip. I wanted to create a similar travel diary for this, so I get to share what I got up to, places I explored and of course a few of my photographs from the trip.
So let's get started!

Monday 29th October
My trip to Milan, Italy, started off early on Monday morning. My dad, my brother and I headed for the airport, (London Gatwick), to catch an Easyjet flight to Milan Linate. The flight took around 2 hours, but it definitely seemed much much shorter!

Once arriving at Linate airport, we took a shuttle bus to Milan Lambrate Station. This was around a 15 minute drive. Here is where I purchased the tickets and was able to catch a train to Castel San Giovanni where my sister lives. On this evening, Milan was very incredibly stormy. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning! This caused a major disruptions to the train service and many trains were cancelled. We waited nearly 2 hours!! Once the train arrived at Lambrate station, it took just over an hour to reach Castel San Giovanni. I even managed a little nap on the train!

Once arriving at my sisters new house, we tucked in to some delicious food. She plated up a quick aperitivo; a selection of Italian meats, cheeses, roasted peppers, bread and chutneys. This was then followed by a gorgeous slow cooked Beef and Vegetable stew. It was delicious and perfect for a cold stormy evening.

For the rest of the evening, I was joined in bed with Luna! Isn't she the cutest!

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Tuesday 30th October
After a long nights sleep, I was able to go outside and enjoy the view from the new house. You could see for miles and miles. Beautiful autumnal colours of greens and yellows in the distance. It was simply breathtaking.

For lunch, we had a quick and easy pasta dish. As a huge pasta lover, I finished this in no time at all. The dish consisted of small filled tortellini, it was with some kind of cured Italian Ham, with a creamy cheese sauce and a hint of fresh chillies, finished off with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Delicious!

Once lunch was finished, we got ourselves ready and headed off out into the centre of Castel San Giovanni; a small town in the province of Piacenza. We stopped off for a quick coffee at a small cafe. Doesn't it look simply delicious?!

We spent around an hour strolling around the town centre. Going into various little shops. They had just put some super cute Christmas lights on display, making it feel super festive.

For dinner, we then drove to a Japanese Sushi restaurant (Il Ristorante Giapponese Tokio) in Castel San Giovanni. The price for this was less than 25 euros per person, which was such a great price as there was SO much to choose from. Plus it's all-you-can-eat, so you can imagine how much we all ordered. I couldn't move once we had finished!

We ordered this INCREDIBLE Sushi boat. Even though there was just 5 of us, this boat was for just 3 people, and there was more than enough to keep everyone occupied. Packed with plenty of delicious Sushi Nigiri, Sashimi and Gunken with Prawns, Tuna, Salmon and White Fish.

My favourite was definitely the two types of Sushi with Tuna and Avocado. They were amazing!

We also tucked in to Tempura Prawns, Spring Rolls, Vegetable Noodles, Beef Fillet with a spicy pepper sauce, Salmon and Tuna Sashimi and much much more! I had never eaten so much Sushi in my life before. This restaurant was incredible, and I can't wait to go back!

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Wednesday 31st October
Wednesday morning started off with a quick and simple fried egg on toast for breakfast. One of the easiest breakfast dishes to make, and who doesn't love it? This was followed by a few cups of coffee and both some fresh red orange juice/fizzy red orange juice. I'm addicted to the stuff and so upset that it's not widely available here in England. *sigh*

Lunchtime came around quite quickly, and of course you can guess what I had. More pasta! This time it was a super quick Pesto pasta with Parmesan cheese. Such an easy dish to make, with very few ingredients. Simply grab some pasta, green pesto, salt, pepper, Olive oil and your preferred cheese, and you're good to go. You can image this took me 0.5 seconds to scoff down! So good and so tasty!

We then spent the afternoon teaching my sister to play 'Canasta' - a card game originating from Uruguay, South America.

From around 7pm, we headed out to a local town hall. As it was Halloween, there was a local festival taking place; 'Festa della Zucca' - Festival of the Pumpkin. They have a variety of different traditional dishes, all containing pumpkin in some form. Naturally I went for the Ravioli di Zucca - Pumpkin Ravioli, with a mountain of fresh Parmesan Cheese! For dessert, I have a really interesting combination of Chocolate Cake with a thin layer of Pumpkin puree in the middle. Sounds odd, I know, but it was incredibly delicious, that I could have eaten 2 or 3 more!

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Thursday 1st November
We headed out to the town of Borgonovo; a small town in the province of Piacenza.

We headed to a local pub/restaurant, Locanda Stazione, to have a taste of the super affordable lunch menu they have to offer. Included in the menu, you could start your meal with a pasta dish (primo), followed by a meat/fish dish (secondo) from the set menu. Alongside this, you were able to choose a drink to go with your food, as well as being given a bottle of water, and finishing the meal with an Italian coffee. All for just 15 euros per person!

A primo is the first course of an Italian lunch, and you guessed it, my eyes lit up when I saw they had Penne Arrabiata on the set menu. One of my all time favourite pasta dishes. This dish had such a sweet and fiery tomato sauce, topped off with a heavy sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

For secondo, this course including a small section of different meats; lamb, pork, beef, chicken and sausage. I accompanied this with a small green side salad, dressed in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

After eating far too much at lunchtime, we all went for a little walk around the town. We popped into a small cake shop, 'La Cremeria', and purchased this beautiful cake with fresh whipped cream, chocolate and walnuts. It was simply stunning and cost only 20 euros! I could have eaten the whole thing!

For dinner, my sister cooked a traditional Italian dish of 'Cotechino con Lenticchie' - a hearty dish of sausage and lentils that is usually served on New Year’s Eve in Italy. This meal also included potatoes, several varieties of beans and some fresh chilli. This dish was so delicious, super filling and perfect for a cold evening. We enjoyed it with lots of crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.

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Friday 2nd November
The weather on Friday wasn't very nice! We headed out to a local supermarket (Eurospin) for a few groceries that we needed, and carried on our card games from the day before. For lunch, we made some delicious Piadina's; a thin Italian flat bread, similar to a tortilla wrap, filled with a variety of ingredients. For my Piadina, I had Italian salami and ham, mozzarella cheese, rocket and some antipasto roasted mixed peppers. (I forgot to take a photo of it, as I was so hungry, I tucked in straight away!)

In the evening, we headed to a traditional restaurant - Casa Galli, in Ziano Piacentino. A home style cooking restaurant that had plenty to offer. Simple dishes that are local for the region, but made with a loving touch. We started off our meal with the usual Antipasto with various cured Italian meats, roasted peppers, freshly baked bread, quiche slices and some Russian salad. We also tried some homemade red wine, but I wasn't much of a fan. It was just too sharp and acidic for me.

More pasta! This time we had two varieties of tortellini - my favourite! These were fresh and homemade stuffed with Ricotta & Spinach and one with Pumpkin. They were some of the more tastiest pastas I have ever eaten. So fresh, smooth and they just melted in the mouth. I would have been very happy just to eat this all night!

We also got to try a typical Italian dish from the region - 'Pisarei e faso' - which was little dumplings with mixed beans.

Moving on to the main course, there was the option to choose Pork, Duck or Chicken. I obviously went for the traditional roasted Chicken with sides of roast potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables. Very simple, but very tasty!

After my main course, I was already completely full up. But now it was time for dessert, and there is ALWAYS room for dessert! The lovely lady at the restaurant brought us various homemade desserts, including a super fresh and zingy grapefruit semifreddo - semi-frozen dessert bursting with sharp fresh grapefruit. This was incredible!

We then had a plate of homemade cakes brought to the table. A lovely chocolate cake, chocolate 'salami' slices and another cake made with some fruit chutney.

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Saturday 3rd November
Saturday was sadly the day we had to go home. We got up quite early to pack everything up and fill our cases. We took a train from Piacenza to Milan Centrale Station, which took around 40 minutes. From there, we took the airport shuttle bus to Linate Airport.

Once we arrived at Linate airport, and gone through security, I popped into the shops and picked up various different chocolates for myself and friends. When heading towards the gate, I came across this amazing piece of artwork, and can you believe it was completely made from LEGO. It was incredible to look at and I'm sure it would have taken days, if not weeks to build!

Of course I was quite hungry and decided to have Mcdonalds for lunch. A large Big Mac meal went down a treat! We then boarded the flight back to London Gatwick, which I managed to get around 1 hours sleep on, which was nice.

Once landing back in the UK, we took the train home and had a nice evening relaxing. Spending the day travelling makes you so incredibly tired, so I treated myself to Domino's Pizza for dinner.

That concludes my travel diary and how I spent 144 Hours in Castel San Giovanni, Milan. I honestly can't wait to go back. My mouths already watering at the sight of that incredible Sushi boat from the Japanese restaurant, and the homemade tortellini pasta at the restaurant in Ziano Piacentino!

Have you visited Milan before? Where is your next travel destination?