Surfing, sunbathing and stargazing in Cornwall, England

Not many of us think of England as a country where you can surf, take sunbaths and cool in the blue Atlantic Ocean. Surely, these are not icons that identify the British, but there’s this glorious place in the south-west of the country that will change your perception for ever. And possibly your summer holidays.

Cornwall, which forms the tip of the south-west peninsula of the island of Great Britain, consists of several beaches with fine golden sand, impressive cliffs and great places for tourists to enjoy a vacation at the seaside. Cornwall has a border with only one other county, Devon, which is also another place worth visiting.

There are beaches that can easily be compared with some of the most scenic postcard resorts in Greece or Italy. You could travel to Bude, Polzeath, Watergate Bay, Perranporth, Porthtowan, Fistral Beach, Newquay, St Agnes, St Ives, and on the south coast to Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth.

We took a trip to Newquay, a town, seaside resort and fishing port in Cornwall, situated on the North Atlantic coast.

The resort is widely known as the surf capital of the UK, with many surf shops, board manufacturers and hire shops in the town. One of the most popular beaches in Newquay is the Fistral Beach, which has been host to international surfing competitions for around 20 years now.

Also, if you are passionate about surfing, you ought to know that the surf gear brand Fat Willy‘s was founded in Newquay.

It is a perfect place for recreation, stroll along the beaches, but also for those enjoying a lively nightlife, as Newquay has a wide selection of chillout bars and traditional pubs to beachside cafes and nightclubs.

You can also visit the Newquay Zoo or take part in the “Run to the Sun” event, which always takes places during the public holiday on the last weekend in May, at Trevelgue Holiday Park. People visit the town in Volkswagen camper vans, Beetles and other custom cars.

House in the Sea

But apart from heritage cottages, beautiful gardens, mini-golf fields, swimming pools and other dreamy features of this small town, we fell in love with its most bizarre, yet superb item: the three-bedroom 1930s house separated from the main land by suspended 70-ft-high, 100-ft-long footbridge.

The owners, Lord and Lady Long, can host two people in one double room for £175 per night, including breakfast. It is indeed a unique way to spend your summer holidays. The house has its own private island, completely surrounded by sea at high tide.

So if you’re in search of an ideal romantic break, this is surely a choice that will make your loved one fall (again) for you. Imagine the breathtaking Atlantic views, sunbathing during the day and stargazing at night on the terrace of this stunning house.

The House in the Sea, which is Edwardian built in the 1930s, is one of the most photographed houses in the UK. You can just sit back and relax, or you can recreate while fishing, sailing or surfing in the harbour below. Either way, this place is definitely an oasis to charge yourself with energy and optimism for the bustling city life.

For Sale

And some good news for those that would like to get their hands on such an amazing property, the house in Towan Island is being sold for £1million. Lord and Lady Long would like something with a slightly more accessible front door.

The bridge was built in 1901 and is the only privately owned suspension bridge in the country. Due to the small garden and the terrace, you can follow the Sun around all day.

Past owners include Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge, inventor of the spark plug. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is thought to have visited the house.

You can find out more information about Cornwall here. 

Stokes Croft in Bristol – the area where art turns to life!

We’ve already told you about Bristol, the city where art, history and beauty come together.  It’s a must see place if you ever come to the United Kingdom or in London and stay for more than a few days.

Bristol is a very artsy city, so if you enjoy street art this is the place to be. You’ll be amazed by the interesting stencils and  graffiti on the walls of Nelson Street and those in Stokes Croft area.

The name Stokes Croft has come to refer to an area around the road as an informal district encompassing Jamaica Street, the junction of Picton Street and Ashley Road, and the southern part of Cheltenham Road.

The area (Stokes Croft)  is a centre of art, music and independent shops in Bristol, with clubs such as the Croft, Lakota and Blue Mountain; the nearby music college BIMM Bristol on King Square.

Moreover, the area’s character has given rise to a group of activists and artists calling themselves The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC), who are seeking to revitalise the area through community action and public art.

Stokes Croft takes its name from John Stokes, a medieval inhabitant of Bristol who was mayor of the city in the late 14th century.

This part of the town is a very exciting place to visit – you will walk through underground passages transformed into galleries where you will find original and expressive graffiti.

Also, at the junction of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street, it is a large mural,“The Mild Mild West”, painted some time ago in the 1990s by Banksy. It depicts teddybear lobbing a Molotov cocktail at three riot police. In 2007 the mural was voted Alternative Landmark of Bristol.

We warmly recommend this city and Stokes Croft area. It’s urban, amazing and genuine artistic, therefore if you enjoy subcultures you really should put Bristol on the list.

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A colourful place to visit: Bucharest, the Capital of Romania

Let’s take a look beyond the stereotypes…

I’m sure you’ve all heard about Romania – The Land of Dracula. But it’s more to this country than some legends with vampires written by English authors.

The capital of Romania, Bucharest, has been named one of the coolest cities in Europe by a French website.  It might sound surprising to you, as Romania has escaped communism only 22 years ago, but “Little Paris” can be one of the best places to party till dawn, take long walks across the river Dambovita, meet beautiful women or wander the streets in the Old Centre.

Rainbow over Basarab Bridge / Photo Diana Murgan via Bucuresti Optimist

The French website Slate stated that Bucharest is the second coolest city in Europe, after Vienna. They reached this conclusion based on the night life, beer prices and the number of students located there.

Dambovita River / Photo: Ramona August. via Bucuresti Optimist

The legends say that the city has been named after a shepherd called Dambovita Bucur, which literarily means joy. And let’s face it – that’s a good explanation for the Romanians’ good spirit and love for life.

Fountains on the Unirii Boulevard/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

What to visit

In 1900, Bucharest earned the nickname of “Little Paris” because of its glorious Belle Époque buildings, tree-lined boulevards and the high life. At that time, Bucharest was a beautiful place to be in – the streets were packed with elegant people, artists, musicians, painters and writers.

House of the Free Press

Nowadays the city is a bustling metropolis, very urban and modern, although you can still see the scars left by the communist era and its leader – Nicolae Ceausescu.

But if you ever get the chance to visit this contradictory city bursting with history and diversity, don’t miss:

-    House of the Free Press – The building was completed in 1956, one year after the strikingly similar Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, Poland.

-    The Arch of Triumph – This objective was initially built of wood, in 1922, to honour the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. Only in 1936 the granite Arch de Triumph was finished. An interior staircase allows visitors to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

The Arch of Triumph

-    Victory Avenue – The oldest and most charming street in Bucharest was built in 1692 to link the Old Princely Court to Mogosoaia Palace. After the Romanian War of Independence victory, it became known as Calea Victoriei.

At this time, it was one of the most fashionable streets in the city and if you strolled along, you could discover some of the most stunning buildings in the city – the Cantacuzino Palace, the historical Revolution Square, the Military Club, the CEC Headquarters and the National History Museum.

Revolution Square

-    Revolution Square – This is the place were communism in Romania came to an end. The square became known around the globe when TV stations broadcasted Nicolae Ceausescu final moments, on December 21, 1989.

However, you should know that the square’s importance goes back long before the dramatic events of the 1989 Revolution.

Lascar Catargiu towards Piata Romana/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

On the light side of the square stands the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum, the stunning Romanian Athenaeum and the historic Athenee Palace Hotel. At the south end of the square, you can visit the small, but beautiful, Kretzulescu Church.

Romanian Athenaeum

Moreover, like you all imagined, Bucharest has an important communist legacy - Parliament House and Civic Center.

Parliament House

 - Formerly known as the People’s Palace, the Parliament Palace is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.

The building boasts 12 stories, 1100 rooms, a 328-ft-long lobby and four underground levels, including an enormous nuclear bunker.

A guided tour takes visitors through dazzling rooms, huge halls and they get to see the work of the country’s best Artisans.

Parliament House/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Today, the building serves as an International Conference Centre and it houses Romania’s Parliament.

Some interesting facts about this magnificent construction are that the Crystal Chandelier in the Human Rights Hall weights 2.5 tons and some of the other chandeliers have 7000 bulbs.

Loving nature

If you are not into historical buildings, Bucharest has some wonderful parks and gardens where you can walk, relax and enjoy the nature.

For example, Cismigiu Garden, oldest park in Bucharest, was opened to the public in 1860, after it was designed in 1845 by the German landscape architect Carl Meyer.

Cismigiu Garden/ Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Here you will have the opportunity to see more than 30,000 trees and plants, which were brought from the Romanian mountains, while exotic plants were imported from the botanical gardens in Vienna.

Cismigiu Garden/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Another great attraction is the Botanical Garden, opened in 1891. This amazing place features over 5,000 varieties of plants from Romania and around the world.

Cismigiu Garden/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Also people from Bucharest can be proud of another wonderful place – Herastrau Park. Spread over 400 acres, the park hosts numerous attractions, including a boat rental complex, tennis courts and a variety of restaurants on the lake.

Where to have fun

As I said in the beginning, Bucharest was voted one of the coolest cities in Europe. And that’s because people here know how to have fun and they don’t need much money to do so.

La Motoare pub and terrace/ Photo Mihai Ignat via Bucuresti Optimist

University Square/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Beer is very cheap, less than £1, and the food is amazing. Romanians are known worldwide for their great and tasty food and if you visit Bucharest you should definitely try some traditional courses.  We recommend you the Beer Cart Restaurant, opened since 1879.

Lipscani District at dusk / Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

If you want to party you should definitely go to Lipscani District. In this area you will discover the city’s unique charm – pubs, restaurants, clubs and a diversity of young people. This part of the city is always alive, both nights and days.

Clubs: Fabrica & B52 / Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Back in the day, Lipscani was a residential area and a place where you could find all kinds of artists and writers. Today, the old city center is very modern, but if you look carefully, you can still find Antiques shops and a mix of cultures in the architectural styles, from baroque and neoclassical to art nouveau.

Vilacrosse passage/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

In Bucharest you can experience amazing parties and clubs – from Drum&Bass to rock, disco or commercial. If you want to start your journey to party land, you should begin at University Square – one of the most popular meeting places in Bucharest.

This is also known as the Ground Zero, the place where you’ll find a monument built in the honour of those who lost their lives in December ‘89.

The tube and the buses should take you anywhere you want and if you ever find yourself lost, don’t be shy to ask for directions, people in Bucharest are pretty sociable and nice.

Boulevard 13 Septembrie / Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

If you want to learn more about Romania and Bucharest, there is a large variety of museums you can visit: Art Collections Museum, Bucharest History & Art Museum, Cotroceni Palace & Museum, George Enescu Museum, Gregory Antipa Natural History Museum, Museum of the Romanian Peasant, National Art Museum National, Geological Museum, National Museum of Contemporary or the Art Village Museum.

The downsides

Like any other city in the world, Bucharest is not only milk and honey. First of all, you should be careful with taxi drivers, who can easily fool you, especially if you don’t know the city.

Then, there are a lot of stray dogs on the streets – most of them are innocent, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look out for yourself. And keep your eyes wide open for one of the most insane car traffic in Europe.

You should be careful with taxi drivers/Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

Bucharest is indeed very cool and colourful, but it lacks the tidiness and the discipline of  the Western German cities, as people still choose to remain indifferent to the bins on the streets, the beggars on every corner or the antique buildings on the edge of collapse.

In this city you will find a mixture of good and bad, colour and noir, old and new, high class and poverty, that will amaze you, especially when you see all of these extremes combing so awkwardly well.

Garbage art /Photo: Bucuresti Optimist

View from above / Photo Andreea Capraru via Bucuresti Optimist

There’s a say that Bucharest has grown into a city of contrasts, that is probably why you only have two choices when it comes to it – love it or not.

Photo courtesy of Bucuresti Optimist

Discover other Eastern European destinations here. 

Now and then: Covent Garden – the heart of London

It’s not Instagram, but true photos taken quite a while ago –  in the ’60s and ’70s – of one of the most popular locations in the heart of London: Covent Garden. Photo courtesy of retronaut.co.

It used to be a former fruit and vegetable market in the central square and a red-light district, but has turned into a very bustling shopping and tourist site. It is also associated with the Royal Opera House.

Short history:

In the 7th century, what is now Covent Garden used to be a busy Saxon trading port called Lundenwic. It was abandoned once the Viking invaders became too dangerous in the 9th century.

13th century: It was a 40 acre site and formed the large kitchen garden for the Convent or Abbey of St Peter at Westminster. It  became a major source of fruit and vegetables in London for the next 700 years.

1547: King Edward VI bestowed the remainder of the Convent Garden to Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset.

1630: Architect Inigo Jones was commissioned to build houses on the site that would be ‘fit for the habitations of gentleman’. Being inspired by his journeys in Italy, Jones designed Covent Garden’s Piazza – the first open square in England. It was essentially an ‘experiment’ in town planning as he also designed the perfectly straight grid of streets surrounding the Piazza.

By the 18th century it had become a well-known red-light district, attracting notable prostitutes.

1740: John Harris (a Covent Garden tavern owner) printed and published the first list of prostitutes in Covent Garden. The list included the names of the women along with their addresses, a description of their appearance and their particular talents. More than 8,000 copies of the list were sold.

In the 19th century, 6th Duke of Bedford secured an Act of Parliament regulating the market. The area declined as a pleasure-ground as the market grew and further buildings were added: the Floral Hall (1858), Charter Market, the London Transport Museum (1860) and in 1904 the Jubilee Market.

1925: The Scottish engineer John Logie Baird transmitted the first television picture from a street near the Covent Garden Piazza. The picture was of a head of a ventriloquist’s dummy named ‘Stooky Bill’.

By the end of the 1960s traffic congestion was causing problems, and in 1974 the market relocated to the New Covent Garden Market about three miles (5 km) south-west at Nine Elms (1964).

Covent Garden was also the backdrop for the film ‘My Fair Lady’, in which the cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, is  introduced into high society by the professor of phonetics, Henry Higgins.

1980: Covent Garden Market re-opened as Europe’s first speciality shopping centre.

2000s: Covent Garden is home to various street performers, elegant buildings, shops, cafes, pubs, theatres and other entertainment facilities.

If only these streets and places could speak, what tales would they say? 

Info via Welcome to Covent Garden London.